Not too small. Not too big. Someone suggested Greve which is very nice. I might add...1) make sure you are in a town within a few clicks (walkable) of a train station; or often-served bus line.2) find a town with basic services like a butcher, hardware store, farmacia, maybe even a small super.3) find a town that hosts a weekly market4) consider areas other than Tuscany. Umbria and Le Marche also have much to offer.5) be close to a rental car office for those times when you want a car6) make sure thetown has at least one BancoMatWe lived several months in a small town on the Adriatic coast that most would consider very remote. 30 min by bus to a car rental. 20 minute walk to a train station. We wanted for nothing.
Spend a night on the Sacre Monti above Varese. Stay at Hotel Borducan. Eat at Trattoria Irma close to the observatory. Take the funnicular down in the morning and walk up the sacred path. Lunch at Montorfano. You will remember it forever.
For your first visit to Italy, you must spend a few days in Rome. The food is not as good as Parma. The wine not as good as Chianti. The air not as clear as Assisi. The sun not as warm as Puglia, but it’s ROME!
That's a very short drive; about 35 km. Train or bus takes you out of the way with connections, and costs each passenger. But a taxi is one rate for several people, will take you right to your door (if possible), and probably less schelping of luggage.Be sure to get a "real" taxi from the queue at Malpensa, or better yet a car or shuttle service; not from a guy grabbing your bags and hussling you to his private car. Agree on a price first. You might Google "car service Malpensa."
Ciao, I can't answer your question, but my wife and I are also visiting Piedmonte for the first time in August. We will be in the foothills (Varese) for a few days and then use Alba as a base to discouver the wine region. Plan to rent a car (super-easy in Italy) to get around, but will train into Turino for a day from Alba. In general, we have found (after 30+ trips to Italy and a year-long stay) that a rented car is great for making a gira to see small towns, but a hastle to drive and park in cities. Buon viaggio!
I highly recommend booking early any trains that require reservations, like the Frecce lines between big cities. Its easy at trenitalia.com. Rent a car for excursions out of town.
Ciao Bribris,OK. In Verona especially (more so than anywhere else in Italy for some unknown reason), costs are very high; rental costs included. But prices drop rapidly as you get out away from town. If you don't absolutely need to be near Verona, Vicenzo is right down the road, and is steeped in history and visually alot like Verona. I love a little town at the north end of Lake Garda called Riva del Garda; about 45 minutes by train/bus from Verona, through a lovely valley. Hope this helps.
I'm sure you are getting many fine responses, but...My wife and I rented a property for 6 winter months, 5 km north of Spoleto in a borgo called Eggi. We had no car, but found walking and bus service more than adequate. Best shape of my life.The owners are Americans who travel the world, but call Umbria home. It was spectacular and very affordable. Spoleto is a nice walk down a back road or ancient trail. There is a train station, and Spoleto is a truly medieval/modern town. Not too many tourists. All the "real" Italian stuff. A short drive/train to all the best Italy has to offer.Go here http://www.rossgate.eu/casa/home.htmlThe house is an old farm house with a seven-hundred year old "community" oven attached. Best Thanksgiving turkey ever. Great kitchen, super-comfortable beds, oil from the trees in the yard, saffron from the first crocus in spring. If you've read Michael Tucker's book about Umbria, this is the place their friends own.Tell Bruce or Jojo that Mark and Lori from Tennessee sent you. Give Lauro (the butcher) a big hug. Tell the guy at the bar on Trente Triste to make your coffee "in vitro" like Marco orders it. Tell Christian at Arco Druso (top of the town, best pizza in Umbria) to keep a few truffles ready for our return.BTW, I'd be glad to share pics and stories about that wonderful time. mark@markandlori.com
Re: Le Marche - It is beautiful! I spent some time in Ascoli Piceno, and it was un self-conscious and passively welcoming. Drove north to Urbino, and was able to see snow to the west and the Adriatic to the east. But, the days seem very short, as the sun drops behind the mountains early.If you like the feel of Le Marche, you might try getting into the mountains of Umbria. Check out Norcia; small but sophisticated. Best pork in the world.If you want a little bigger town, but still crave a truely Italian lifestyle, visit Trento up near Lake Garda.
Born, raised, and lived 53 years in the US, but never felt a sense of "community" around me. My wife and I lived in Puglia (2 months) and Umbria (6 months), and after only two days in Italy, and I was "home" for the first time in my life.Of course, it's hard not to speak in generalities, but your question has made me think about specific reasons I would move to Italy in a heartbeat. Here goes...1. Purposeful walking. Almost everywhere (big city or rural borgho) you can walk to get groceries, wine, or to take a coffee. In fact, walking itself become a reason. We use the excuse of picking wild greens, but in fact, we just want to take a few hours in the sun.2. Other transportation. Italy's trains and busses can get you everywhere, cheaply.3. History. There is never a reason to be bored if you have any curiosity about who walked this road before you.4. Art. Something for everyone; and a lot of it.5. Food. Fresh and local is the norm. I made many new friends (mostly old cantadine) asking about some wierd greens at the market.6. Bread. Yes, a separate category from food.7. Wine. All the hype is stripped away. When an Italian winemaker puts it in the bottle, it is ready to drink. The tempation to try something unknown is always around. Just like their cars, clothes, and shoes, Italian wines are about style.8. Variety. Italy (as we all know) is not just one country. A day on the train will let you trek in the Dolomites, or bake on a beach.9. Patience. A long coda at the post office is a perfect way to ratchet down the hustle Americans live through daily. It took me a while to find this groove. I heard it said that only after you have sat for three hours doing nothing can you call yourself a real Italian.The Italians who cater to the tourist crowd are supreme actors. They smile shamelessly as they take 50 Euros from you for a Caprese and a glass of local white wine. However, all you have to do is look them in the eye, smile, and try to speak only in Italian. Suddenly, you are their long lost friend for whom they would do anything. That's something else I had few of in the US; friends.On language: I have studied French, Spanish, and German with limited success. However, I was able to pick up Italian very quickly for some reason. Whereas other languages have "universal" uses, there is only one country where Italian is spoken - Italy.We learned very early how to see beyond the tourist verneer, and see Italy like an Italian. So, I won't gush about it. My best Italian language tutor was a guy who drank at my favorite bar. He complained about taxes, bureaucracy, the kids these days, the postal service; basically everything US citizens complain about. Italians want very badly to pick up and move to the US. Perhaps, l'erbe e sempre piu verde.
Comments posted
Not too small. Not too big. Someone suggested Greve which is very nice. I might add...1) make sure you are in a town within a few clicks (walkable) of a train station; or often-served bus line.2) find a town with basic services like a butcher, hardware store, farmacia, maybe even a small super.3) find a town that hosts a weekly market4) consider areas other than Tuscany. Umbria and Le Marche also have much to offer.5) be close to a rental car office for those times when you want a car6) make sure thetown has at least one BancoMatWe lived several months in a small town on the Adriatic coast that most would consider very remote. 30 min by bus to a car rental. 20 minute walk to a train station. We wanted for nothing.
Spend a night on the Sacre Monti above Varese. Stay at Hotel Borducan. Eat at Trattoria Irma close to the observatory. Take the funnicular down in the morning and walk up the sacred path. Lunch at Montorfano. You will remember it forever.
For your first visit to Italy, you must spend a few days in Rome. The food is not as good as Parma. The wine not as good as Chianti. The air not as clear as Assisi. The sun not as warm as Puglia, but it’s ROME!
That's a very short drive; about 35 km. Train or bus takes you out of the way with connections, and costs each passenger. But a taxi is one rate for several people, will take you right to your door (if possible), and probably less schelping of luggage.Be sure to get a "real" taxi from the queue at Malpensa, or better yet a car or shuttle service; not from a guy grabbing your bags and hussling you to his private car. Agree on a price first. You might Google "car service Malpensa."
Ciao, I can't answer your question, but my wife and I are also visiting Piedmonte for the first time in August. We will be in the foothills (Varese) for a few days and then use Alba as a base to discouver the wine region. Plan to rent a car (super-easy in Italy) to get around, but will train into Turino for a day from Alba. In general, we have found (after 30+ trips to Italy and a year-long stay) that a rented car is great for making a gira to see small towns, but a hastle to drive and park in cities. Buon viaggio!
I highly recommend booking early any trains that require reservations, like the Frecce lines between big cities. Its easy at trenitalia.com. Rent a car for excursions out of town.
Ciao Bribris,OK. In Verona especially (more so than anywhere else in Italy for some unknown reason), costs are very high; rental costs included. But prices drop rapidly as you get out away from town. If you don't absolutely need to be near Verona, Vicenzo is right down the road, and is steeped in history and visually alot like Verona. I love a little town at the north end of Lake Garda called Riva del Garda; about 45 minutes by train/bus from Verona, through a lovely valley. Hope this helps.
I'm sure you are getting many fine responses, but...My wife and I rented a property for 6 winter months, 5 km north of Spoleto in a borgo called Eggi. We had no car, but found walking and bus service more than adequate. Best shape of my life.The owners are Americans who travel the world, but call Umbria home. It was spectacular and very affordable. Spoleto is a nice walk down a back road or ancient trail. There is a train station, and Spoleto is a truly medieval/modern town. Not too many tourists. All the "real" Italian stuff. A short drive/train to all the best Italy has to offer.Go here http://www.rossgate.eu/casa/home.htmlThe house is an old farm house with a seven-hundred year old "community" oven attached. Best Thanksgiving turkey ever. Great kitchen, super-comfortable beds, oil from the trees in the yard, saffron from the first crocus in spring. If you've read Michael Tucker's book about Umbria, this is the place their friends own.Tell Bruce or Jojo that Mark and Lori from Tennessee sent you. Give Lauro (the butcher) a big hug. Tell the guy at the bar on Trente Triste to make your coffee "in vitro" like Marco orders it. Tell Christian at Arco Druso (top of the town, best pizza in Umbria) to keep a few truffles ready for our return.BTW, I'd be glad to share pics and stories about that wonderful time. mark@markandlori.com
Re: Le Marche - It is beautiful! I spent some time in Ascoli Piceno, and it was un self-conscious and passively welcoming. Drove north to Urbino, and was able to see snow to the west and the Adriatic to the east. But, the days seem very short, as the sun drops behind the mountains early.If you like the feel of Le Marche, you might try getting into the mountains of Umbria. Check out Norcia; small but sophisticated. Best pork in the world.If you want a little bigger town, but still crave a truely Italian lifestyle, visit Trento up near Lake Garda.
Born, raised, and lived 53 years in the US, but never felt a sense of "community" around me. My wife and I lived in Puglia (2 months) and Umbria (6 months), and after only two days in Italy, and I was "home" for the first time in my life.Of course, it's hard not to speak in generalities, but your question has made me think about specific reasons I would move to Italy in a heartbeat. Here goes...1. Purposeful walking. Almost everywhere (big city or rural borgho) you can walk to get groceries, wine, or to take a coffee. In fact, walking itself become a reason. We use the excuse of picking wild greens, but in fact, we just want to take a few hours in the sun.2. Other transportation. Italy's trains and busses can get you everywhere, cheaply.3. History. There is never a reason to be bored if you have any curiosity about who walked this road before you.4. Art. Something for everyone; and a lot of it.5. Food. Fresh and local is the norm. I made many new friends (mostly old cantadine) asking about some wierd greens at the market.6. Bread. Yes, a separate category from food.7. Wine. All the hype is stripped away. When an Italian winemaker puts it in the bottle, it is ready to drink. The tempation to try something unknown is always around. Just like their cars, clothes, and shoes, Italian wines are about style.8. Variety. Italy (as we all know) is not just one country. A day on the train will let you trek in the Dolomites, or bake on a beach.9. Patience. A long coda at the post office is a perfect way to ratchet down the hustle Americans live through daily. It took me a while to find this groove. I heard it said that only after you have sat for three hours doing nothing can you call yourself a real Italian.The Italians who cater to the tourist crowd are supreme actors. They smile shamelessly as they take 50 Euros from you for a Caprese and a glass of local white wine. However, all you have to do is look them in the eye, smile, and try to speak only in Italian. Suddenly, you are their long lost friend for whom they would do anything. That's something else I had few of in the US; friends.On language: I have studied French, Spanish, and German with limited success. However, I was able to pick up Italian very quickly for some reason. Whereas other languages have "universal" uses, there is only one country where Italian is spoken - Italy.We learned very early how to see beyond the tourist verneer, and see Italy like an Italian. So, I won't gush about it. My best Italian language tutor was a guy who drank at my favorite bar. He complained about taxes, bureaucracy, the kids these days, the postal service; basically everything US citizens complain about. Italians want very badly to pick up and move to the US. Perhaps, l'erbe e sempre piu verde.