Italy

[Simon-JG-hr]

Was just wondering if anyone had much Italian travel experience? I've decided to take up British Airways offer to get reward flights at half the usual mile rate.

I love Italy, but have mostly been there in the winter, and usually up in the nortern, Alpine areas. Was planning on something a little further south, sometime in October or November. First choices are Tuscany or Rome. So, if anyone has any recommendations for good places to go, or any hidden gems of the accommodation market, please pass them on. I'm thinking specifically of anywhere with a nice terrace for a good cigar, preferably with a great view.

[Puff Scotty]

Spent a few weekends in Rome...love the place...but you'll have to narrow down your search1

[RickMG]

Simon, assuming you will have a car I highly recomend this place and location. We were about a mile out a beautiful road from Poggibonsi and the villa we rented for nine nights was fabulous and had a rooftop picnic area which had a wonderful view of all the surounding Olive Trees and the cities of Poggibonsi and San Giminiano which was 11 km from us. Here is a link to the place: http://www.italy.tuscany.it/melachecca.htm but if you search Melachecca you might find it rented through other agencies. We paid, in October of 2008 about 600 euros for the entire time. Here are my photos of that trip which can also been seen on my facebook page below. https://picasaweb.google.com/RickMG/ItalyOct2008

The Tuscany portion of the trip starts https://picasaweb.google.com/RickMG/...45533236241538 and goes from there. I have a lot of pictures of the villa along with pictures of me smoking on the rooftop and views of the sunset. The villa is all by itself with a gated drive. It would take about 20 minutes to get to Sienna which we went to about three times but no more than an hour to drive to so many hill towns it was amazing. We took the train once to Florence and drove once. I advise the train as you get it right in the middle of Poggibonsi. Very short ride. Also, there is a great supermarket nearby with everything you need for a great picnic. Have fun. Sorry, there are a lot of pictures.

Here you go: https://picasaweb.google.com/RickMG/...47209022118194

[sbthang]

I can heartily recommend the Bardolino Wine Festival (Sept 29 - Oct 3) on Lake Garda - 25kms from Verona... Garda is simply stunning - it's one of my favourite places in Italy.

The Wine Festival (Festa dell Uva) is based in Bardolino with Wine tasting (obviously) Concerts, Fireworks and Italian cuisine... we stayed at Hotel Vela D'Oro (HERE) 1km outside of Bardolino and loved it.

Autumn sun, good food and wine - doesn't get any better IMHO.

Steve

[sbthang]

Rick - what a fantastic couple of places to visit

[Simon-JG-hr]

Wow! Looks like a fantastic trip Rick. Thanks for sharing that. Will definitely look at that in the future. Just me this time though... That's the only bit of narrowing down I can offer really (plus accommodation budget of up to ?400 - it is only me after all). Apart from that, anything goes. I have no real plans, other than spending a few days soaking up the Italian atmosphere, wine and food.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Ooh... a wine festival... Now, that's certainly something to think about... Like your thinking Steve!