A request for advice by Rebecca, UK, could be of interest for many more non first time Italy travelers
We are travelling to Italy for 2 weeks in April. We have been to the main cities (Rome, Florence, Venice) previously so would like to see different parts this time. We arrive in Milan. Would it be best to hire a car for the whole time or use the train system. We are on a fairly tight budget. Where do you suggest we go?
Let’s sum up:
1. You visited the main art cities in your previous travel to Italy
2. You would like spend your holiday in destinations other than Rome, Florence, Venice
3. You are traveling on a budget
4. You’ll be flying into Milan
For points 1. and 2. , as you having already visited Rome, Florence, and Venice, would be interested in traveling to other destinations, I would suggest areas such as Umbria, Southern Tuscany and Cinque Terre. Such destinations are among the favourite by travelers, so unfortunately crowded too, but enable you to comfortably plan, in an area not so large, a holiday including countryside, food and wine itineraries, art cities, and sea.
For point 3., you should consider accommodation as agritourism or B&B’s located close the border Umbria-Tuscany.
That will save you money, as Umbria is a bit less expensive than Tuscany, and enable you to plan excursions to centers such as S.Gimignano, Siena, Montalcino etc….located in the close Southern Tuscany area
Also, from there, you’ll be able to reach by train, Umbria destinations such as Perugia, Assisi, Todi, Spoleto, medieval centers perfectly preserved, which definitely are worth to see. It will take you a short time. So, coming to your concern over car hire, this solution would enable you to mostly travel by train, limiting the use of car just to your excursions in the Tuscan countryside.
After visiting classic Tuscan countryside and art cities, as in April you are likely to encounter fine weather, you could reserve some days for the seaside.
Cinque Terre could suit your plans, it is close to Tuscany, you can get there by train and stay there does not require you to rent a car. Also, it is not so far to Milan, assuming you’ll fly out from there.
Browse more than 5,000 accommodation in Italy bookable online