Tuscany in july

[miguel38]

Hi all,

My sister is getting married in Luca at the start of July, so me and the girlfriend were thinking of going out a few days early and hire a car, the route we've looked at is;
Leave Pisa airport
head up the coastal road to Genova for lunch, then head to Parma for the night,
then drive to Bolongna for a night there,
Then a day/night in Florence before heading back to Luca,

What do you think? We had thought of just going to lake Garda and Venice, Is there much to do around the areas as ive never been before! Also would it be best too book accommodation of just wing it?


Thanks Guys and Girls
Michael

[blueyes]

miguel38 said:

Hi all,

My sister is getting married in Luca at the start of July, so me and the girlfriend were thinking of going out a few days early and hire a car, the route we've looked at is;
Leave Pisa airport
head up the coastal road to Genova for lunch, then head to Parma for the night,
then drive to Bolongna for a night there,
Then a day/night in Florence before heading back to Luca,

What do you think? We had thought of just going to lake Garda and Venice, Is there much to do around the areas as ive never been before! Also would it be best too book accommodation of just wing it?


Thanks Guys and Girls
Michael

Genova isn't that pretty, better off stopping in Forte Dei Marmi, Santa Margherita, or Portofino or heading up to the Cinque Terre (the stretch of coast in between La Spezia and Levanto). Parma for a night is good as you get to use the legendary A15 Autostrada- I won't spoil the surprise! Good shopping, eating and a few sights there.

Bologna is good but much like Parma and (like most city centres)it'll be hot in July. I'd forget it and Florence as it'll be packed with tourists, is not car friendly and will be VERY hot. My advice is go for Lago Di Garda or Lago D'Iseo, both stunning but the latter is less of a tourist place. Also in July the Germans won't have taken over the place (Garda).

Venice will be packed and smelly- don't bother, save it for Spring or Autumn.

Re: hotels- seaside will be busy but not impossible to find digs. Look for the tourist info centre in any town and they will call your chosen hotel and book it for you. Lakes shouldn't be too bad either and the cities should be very easy. Also midweek will be easier than weekends- this goes for travelling too. Avoid travelling between noon on Friday and noon on Saturday along with Sunday after 6 and you should be ok.

In bocca al lupo!

[AnotherClarkey]

It is true that Genova isn't very pretty but it has a lot of charm and there is lots to do - the aquarium is fantastic and the recently redeveloped waterfront is good. You can stay a little to the south in Nervi if you don't want to tackle the insane traffic of the centre.

Santa Margherita is a good call but Portofino is an absolute bh for parking and access.

Lake Garda is fantastic, you can have some epic drives around the edge, but at weekend it becomes packed with truly mental bikers. Most hotels only want bookings for whole weeks and it can be difficult to find rooms for a night or two.

Venice will indeed be hot but that wouldn't put me off going. The tourists tend to crowd around the obvious spots but you can always find peace and quiet only a few meters off the beaten track.

I think my top tip would be to get a hotel in Verona for a few days and use it as a base to do Garda by car and Venice by train. Verona is rather lovely in itself too.

[StuB]

You could also take in some more of Lucca itself, Viarregio, Florence, Siena ...

Have a look on Dettaglio's (sp?) website as they do a Tuscan Adventure type route.

There are plenty of cracking passes to have a go at up in the alps too, but there's just as many if you head up to Abetone for example.

[miguel38]

Thanks for the help, its much appreciated, when i get round to having a proper look at your suggestions I'll come back with more questions!

Ive been told by a few people to base in Verona but we shall see!

Thank you.

Michael

[StuB]

I fotgot to mention to read a copy of this months Evo!

[crofty1984]

AnotherClarkey said:

It is true that Genova isn't very pretty but it has a lot of charm and there is lots to do - the aquarium is fantastic and the recently redeveloped waterfront is good. You can stay a little to the south in Nervi if you don't want to tackle the insane traffic of the centre.

Santa Margherita is a good call but Portofino is an absolute bh for parking and access.

Lake Garda is fantastic, you can have some epic drives around the edge, but at weekend it becomes packed with truly mental bikers. Most hotels only want bookings for whole weeks and it can be difficult to find rooms for a night or two.

Venice will indeed be hot but that wouldn't put me off going. The tourists tend to crowd around the obvious spots but you can always find peace and quiet only a few meters off the beaten track.

I like Genova. Oddly it reminded me of Venice, without the canals and with less tourists. Actually not that odd really, both northern Italian ports established about the same time.
If your going to be round Milan/Como way, I'd recommend staying a night in Arona on the side of Lago Maggiore (the major lake) It's a bigger lake, there's boatys to take you round, it's not a million miles from Switzerland/The Alps/Varese/Como/Milano. Could be an alternative to Garda??

[Nikkie]

crofty1984 said:

AnotherClarkey said:

It is true that Genova isn't very pretty but it has a lot of charm and there is lots to do - the aquarium is fantastic and the recently redeveloped waterfront is good. You can stay a little to the south in Nervi if you don't want to tackle the insane traffic of the centre.

Santa Margherita is a good call but Portofino is an absolute bh for parking and access.

Lake Garda is fantastic, you can have some epic drives around the edge, but at weekend it becomes packed with truly mental bikers. Most hotels only want bookings for whole weeks and it can be difficult to find rooms for a night or two.

Venice will indeed be hot but that wouldn't put me off going. The tourists tend to crowd around the obvious spots but you can always find peace and quiet only a few meters off the beaten track.

I like Genova. Oddly it reminded me of Venice, without the canals and with less tourists. Actually not that odd really, both northern Italian ports established about the same time.
If your going to be round Milan/Como way, I'd recommend staying a night in Arona on the side of Lago Maggiore (the major lake) It's a bigger lake, there's boatys to take you round, it's not a million miles from Switzerland/The Alps/Varese/Como/Milano. Could be an alternative to Garda??

There speaks a man that lives on the Milan Varese motorway.............. Got a betting shop in Luino if you take Crofty's advice and 3 in Genova now (this for Croft's benefit)

[joncon]

StuB said:

I fotgot to mention to read a copy of this months Evo!

stayed at pienza for 4 days last july.
what a fab little place and great driving roads.
went there straight from classic le mans in the tvr chimaera.
roof down motoring in tuscany.....loved it !

[miguel38]

Thanks for the help,

we decided that we dont want to be in a different place each night, but i fancied an explore so were heading to Verona for 2 nights then down to Florence for one night before heading to Lucca for the wedding.

I’ve semi planned a route from Pisa to Verona off the motorway through the mountains, Via Zocca according to google maps.

Any hints or tips? I'm thinking by going this route the views will be amazing and the road should be fun as well.

Thanks again all

[AnotherClarkey]

miguel38 said:

Thanks for the help,

we decided that we dont want to be in a different place each night, but i fancied an explore so were heading to Verona for 2 nights then down to Florence for one night before heading to Lucca for the wedding.

I’ve semi planned a route from Pisa to Verona off the motorway through the mountains, Via Zocca according to google maps.

Any hints or tips? I'm thinking by going this route the views will be amazing and the road should be fun as well.

Thanks again all

Sounds like a fine plan. Going through the hills can take a long time - it will be fun though. It might be worth noting some 'escape routes' out to the autostrada at various points in case you are running too far behind schedule.

Have a great time!