Originally Posted by StewieMac
RJB - thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, my Amex is burning a hole in my pocket, and I want to book
NOW !!
Done some checking on prices/availability, and the choices are:
Turin
Genoa
Bologna
Naples
(in order of gently increasing cost
)
Does anyone want to influence which is the first bit of Italy that I'm going to visit ????
I'm not claiming to be able to give you the full run down, but I've been to a few. I think Bologna might fit your needs, particularly "not too touristy" and "decent grub".
Here's Frommers summary:
The manager of a hotel in Bologna once lamented: "The Americans! They spend a week in Florence, a week in Venice. Why not 6 days in Florence, 6 days in Venice, and 2 days in Bologna?" That's a good question.
Bologna is one of the most overlooked gems in Italy; we've found empty room after empty room here in summer, when the hotels in Venice and Florence were packed tight. Now it's true that Bologna boasts no Uffizi or Doge's Palace, but it does offer a beautiful city that's one of the most architecturally unified in Europe -- a panorama of sienna-colored buildings, marbled sidewalks, and porticos. After fighting those crowds in Rome, Florence, and Venice, you might enjoy a few days away from the tourist crush.
Bologna's rise as a commercial power was almost ensured by its strategic location between Florence and Venice. And its university, the oldest in Europe (founded 1088), has for years generated a lively interest in art and culture. It features the nation's best medical school, as well as one of its top business schools. The bars, cafes, and squares fill up with students, and an eclectic mix of concerts, art exhibits, and avant-garde ballet and theater performances always marks the calendar.
Perhaps because the student population is so large, Bologna is a center of great tolerance, with the national gay alliance and several student organizations making their headquarters here. Politically, communism and socialism figure prominently in the voter profile, which could be why the region has been largely unscathed by the scandal and corruption of neighboring precincts, where blatant capitalism has led to Mafia-corrupted activity.
Bologna is also Italy's gastronomic capital. Gourmets flock here just to sample the cuisine: the pastas (tortellini, tagliatelle, lasagna verde), the meat and poultry specialties (zampone, veal cutlet bolognese, tender turkey breasts in sauce supreme), and the mortadella, Bologna's incomparable sausage, as distant a cousin to baloney as porterhouse is to the hot dog.
The city seems to take a vacation in August, becoming virtually dead. You'll notice signs proclaiming CHIUSO (closed) almost everywhere you look.
I'd definately agree on the "overlooked" sentiment. We stopped overnight but would have liked to saty longer. Probably only good for 2 days on it's own without heading to the countryside, but Florence (overated/dirty IMHO), Verona and Venice (nearly) are an hour away by train.
No experience of Genoa (industrial?) or Turin. Didn't like Naples, but nice time of year for Capri, Amalfi, etc.. Skip Pisa (but liked Lucca for a day), and have heard the Bari region isn't worth the effort.
Would like to hear any views on Sardinia and Sicily?