Headed to Italy in may, I went once a decade ago, want to see more tuscany! These are the cities Im planning so far.
arrive rome (2 nights)
rent car and start driving.
Civita de bagnoreggio
orvieto
assisi
montepulciano (spent night)
greve in chianti
florence (spend 2 nights)
modena
verona(ditch car, spend night)
train to venice(2nights)
fly home
Any suggestions? reccomendations? things not to miss?
All very very nice places to visit. My favourite is Venice of course. It is a very strange city and if you stay any length of time there you could be immune to the sound of approaching cars........'cos you never actually hear them there. I stayed at the Hotel all'Academia. But that was 30 years ago. Also try to wander off the beaten track and go eat where the locals eat. You won't be very welcome but you might get better food and cheaper price. Try the "Pasta alle seppie nere" squid ink pasta.......horrible to look at, but delicious.
Furthermore, as regards eating in restaurants; don't order fish on a Monday (it's usually been delivered on the previous Friday, and frozen over since). Try not to use the motorways, use the minor single lane roads and check out the eateries where there are trucks parked outside. It won't be glamourous but it'll be good with big helpings.
Read up on medeival history in general and on the reneissance in particular before you leave. It'll give you more appreciation of the art and sculptures and traditions of the area. Florence is steeped in Reneissance art.
I love Assisi too, lots of "pink" building blocks gives the place a pretty surreal appearance.
Italians are very friendly, but can be rather aloof in the north. (They HATE tourists in Venice but can't exist without them.) They love to try to speak to you in English, it's a status thing........so more than a few words like Please, thank you, hello and good-bye, I wouldn't get too worked up about the language. Unless you want to, of course.
Always always watch your money, purse, and valuables. Keep them out of sight. Even in the car. Just use your common sense.
If you ever get into trouble, call the cops. Thhey're generally give the benefit of the doubt to tourists.
Be polite and patient with every one and they'll love ya to bits.
