Long weekend in Italy - Which City?

[MrBig]

The need to have a trip away booked for next year is becoming too great, need to get something in the calendar. Never been to Italy, so where would folks recommend? 4 adults, no kids, only 2 petrolheads

I've always wanted to see Venice, but I feel like that only needs a day and I'm not sure there is anywhere nearby I want to visit, other than Lake Garda, but that's more of a summer holiday destination IMO.

Interested to hear thoughts and opinions...

Edited by MrBig on Thursday 17th November 11:36

[the-norseman]

Fly into Pisa, one day there, train to Florence, 2-3 days there then fly home.

[TO73074E]

Turin if you want to see the Lingotto (old Fiat factory) and also the FCA Heritage hub is there. One of my favourite cities in Italy.

[CooperD]

Never been myself but heard good reports from a colleague who spent a month travelling around Europe about Bologna. She said it was very nice with plenty of sights to see. Also not too far from Modena and Maranello.

[StuTheGrouch]

MrBig said:

The need to have a trip away booked for next year is becoming too great, need to get something in the calendar. Never been to Italy, so where would folks recommend? 4 adults, no kids, only 2 petrolheads

I've always wanted to see Venice, but I feel like that only needs a day and I'm not sure there is anywhere nearby I want to visit, other than Lake Garda, but that's more of a summer holiday destination IMO.

Interested to hear thoughts and opinions...

Edited by MrBig on Thursday 17th November 11:36

You could fly to Verona and stay there. Lovely city. Short train to Venice for the day and/or a train the other way to Peschiera to see Lake Garda.

Naples is interesting, being a bit of a dump upon first impressions but Pompei and a few cool islands (Capri being one) are within easy reach.

I'm sure Rome could fill a weekend for you.

[Turn7]

Florence or Rome, loads to do and see in both.

[Antony Moxey]

If you fancy Venice a couple of years ago we flew to Florence, had a couple of nights there then took the train (about two hours) to Venice and had a couple of nights there. We did it in February so the crowds weren't mental. Also worth visiting either Rome or Milan, loads to see at both.

[Harpoon]

I'd suggest Bologna.

Twenty minutes on the train to Modena if you want the Ferrari museum etc, 45 minutes to Florence but a great city outright, especially if you like food

https://www.timeout.com/news/this-italian-city-has...

[Regbuser]

What time of year, OP?

Am partial to Bari, Catania, and Palermo, but wherever you go, it's great !

[Gnevans]

Harpoon said:

I'd suggest Bologna.

Twenty minutes on the train to Modena if you want the Ferrari museum etc, 45 minutes to Florence but a great city outright, especially if you like food

https://www.timeout.com/news/this-italian-city-has...

Easy to Venice by train from Bologna. Same with Florence. Lots of Modena museums and great food @ Antica Moka https://www.anticamoka.it/

[Mastiff]

the-norseman said:

Fly into Pisa, one day there, train to Florence, 2-3 days there then fly home.

Job jobbed - saved my typing it!

Do this.

[Megaflow]

Mastiff said:

the-norseman said:

Fly into Pisa, one day there, train to Florence, 2-3 days there then fly home.

Job jobbed - saved my typing it!

Do this.

Thirded. Florence is fabulous.

[the-norseman]

Pisa is nice but only really needs 1/2 days max, I ended up staying there 6 days recently thanks to Ryanair.

[Freakuk]

Harpoon said:

I'd suggest Bologna.

Twenty minutes on the train to Modena if you want the Ferrari museum etc, 45 minutes to Florence but a great city outright, especially if you like food

https://www.timeout.com/news/this-italian-city-has...

Bologna - Ducati and Lambo museums also ;-)

You could spend a few days in Venice quite easily, Florence or Rome also, you could fly into Pisa have a look at the leaning tower etc then drive on to Florence which is only an hour or so down the road, done that a few times.

[cliffords]

StuTheGrouch said:

You could fly to Verona and stay there. Lovely city. Short train to Venice for the day and/or a train the other way to Peschiera to see Lake Garda.

Naples is interesting, being a bit of a dump upon first impressions but Pompei and a few cool islands (Capri being one) are within easy reach.

I'm sure Rome could fill a weekend for you.

Another vote Verona lovely city and day trip to Venice and day trip to Garda

[Griffith4ever]

Florence San Gimingano and Sienna are all within easy reach of each other.

I'd find a place to stay in SG and then day trip the others, with the most beautiful Tuscan evenings ot relax and enjoy dinner and peace.

[dozen]

Venice and Bassano del Grappa. Visit the Tomba Brion

[MrBig]

Regbuser said:

What time of year, OP?

Am partial to Bari, Catania, and Palermo, but wherever you go, it's great !

Spring, March - May most likely.

[boyse7en]

If you like history and art, then there is plenty in Venice to fill several days. This time of year it is relatively quiet as well so you can get around much better.

Otherwise I'd go to Florence

[The Leaper]

Wife and I have been to loads of places in Italy....maybe 25+ or so. All those recommended so far are good.

We have been to Verona 4 times so we must like it especially. We were there in September 2022. Besides being easy to get to by plane and the airport is quite close to the city centre, it is small enough to explore easily on foot or by local bus etc. Loads of great restaurants too. Also, easy to get the train for a day out to Venice, Padua, Vicenza, Mantua, Bologna...Florence even on the Frecciarossa fast train service. Best to book train tickets etc before leaving UK. I use Trenitalia's English website.

And if you are going to visit well known tourist places eg the Ufezzi art gallery in Florence, Sistene Chapel at the Vatican, I certainly recommend booking from UK and paying for a timed entry ticket, otherwise the queues can be huge.

R.