I have been to the Cinque Terre two times and I cannot get enough. Hope to return next year.
Bologna is a fantastic city in my humble opinion. :)
Savona is my favourite place in the world. I wish I could stay there forever. If only I could find a job I would.
I absolutely loved my stay in Montagnana! I was there two years ago, and it was one of the best stops on my trip!!
Salerno is definitely less dangerous than Naples. I duly recommend it to use it as a base for touring around the area (1 day in Pompei, 1 day on the Amalfi Coast, 1 day in Capri). Salerno has nothing really special to offer, but is quieter than Naples and from the train station to the hostel is a nice walk. From Salerno Harbour leaves boats to the Amalfi coast and Capri (2 different boats leaving from 2 different parts of the harbour). The train to Pompei is a 20 minute journey.
I like Trent becouse is a beatuiful city and becouse it's Chiara Lubich's hometown.
Como and neighbouring areas are a nice place indeed. Walk walk walk, nature nature nature, town after town, up on the hill with the funicolare, the gorgeous Duomo in town. The shops and the docks, very nice.
When in Argenta, you MUST visit the museum of water hydrolics systems, if not for its bizarre features, then at least to say hi to "Riky the Ranger" who runs the place, and offered to take me and my friend trout fishing, but because it rained, took us for lunch at his place nearby and cooked us the best Italian feast I've ever had!!! Argenta is full of character. It's extremely relaxed, and generally off the tourist trail, so you feel very much in the middle of the Italian countryside, worlds away from anywhere else! GO GO GO!!!
Marina di Massa is really cool for the whole family, it's even a great place to surf!
I visited Terminillo in the 3 or 4 times in a summer several years ago and it was wonderful. Cool and lovely. One word of caution is don't go in August unless you really, really like crowds. The camping fields, the hotels and the bars are totally jammed. Have fun!
If you are travelling on your own, do ALL you can to avoid staying close to the station - it is an extremely seedy area. The rest of Naples is beautifully chaotic, and feels much safer. Great food and great people.
Lovere is fantastic -- much better than resort areas of Maggiore, Como and Garda. The piazzas, restaurants, hotels, but especially the people and their "bergamasch" dialect.
I have never been to Bionaz, but I hear that it is wonderful. It is where my people come from. There are very few of us in the U.S. Some day I will go there.
I went to Sperlongo 2 years ago in the summer time. I spent a month in August, it was very hot! Beautiful Beach. Lots to do for both young and old. I stayed in Old Sperlonga and had a great time! Met lots of nice people!
If you're in Verona in the summer don't miss the "Arena di Verona" summertime outdoor operas. Even if you're not into opera, it's an experience.
It is just a wonderful place. I've been to Taormina at least eight times and I wish I could work and live there-- even for just a couple of months!
Positano is glamorous -- just as it is in the movies.
I have visited Sorrento twice. I absolutely love it there, it is one of my favourite places in the whole world. I would strongly reccomend anyone to visit Sorrento and the surrounding area, as it is beautiful and the culture is fantastic! I can't wait to go back!
I absolutly loved the town. It left Florence looking like another overcrowded, dirty metropolis by comparison. Siena has everything you could ask for, more history in a mile than you could imagine.
When you arrive in Venice go to the tourist info booth and get a "Rolling Venice" card. It's worth the price just for the money you save on vaporetto passes alone.
Perugia is a wonderful place to visit. The people are very friendly and there is a lot to do both in town and in the surrounding areas. I can not wait until I visit again.
Arezzo is the city where the famous film "La vita č bella" by Roberto Benigni was filmed. Around the city there are around ten to twelve panels telling which scenes have been filmed there. For those who like that film and for those who do not know it but are looking for a marvelous, quiet, Tuscan city -- Arezzo is the place!
Bergamo is one of the most beautiful towns in the whole world!
I met up with a load of guys who were going down to Willys Pub in Amalfi. We had a fantastic night people there from all over the world and the drinks were reasoably priced. I would recommend the pub to anyone who likes a good night out and a drink.
Most hostels in Rome are located near the train station. It's a very touristy area, but it's a reasionably central area in the city and it's nice to be able to walk directly to your hostel from the train station. If you stay somewhere not near the train station, there's also a metro stop at the train station, so you can usually get to your hostel that way.
I wouldn't bother going to Milan unless you absolutely have to see Da Vinci's Last Supper or the Milan Cathedral, because those are the only things worth seeing in the whole city. Other than that it's not a pretty city and many backpackers feel they would have rather skipped it. Important tip: if you do want to see Da Vinci's Last Supper, visits must be booked by phone well in advance ([+39] 02 89421146), and it's not open Sundays.
I have lived near Chiavari since 2001, and I should say it is a very nice place to spend a day or two in the summer. There are very nice sandy or pebble beaches in Chiavari itself, and most of all nearby (Lavagna). The city is quiet and safe. You can use Chiavari as a base for visiting Genoa, Portofino, and San Fruttuoso.
Modena is wonderful. Very peaceful with wonderful food.
Florence is sort of a little-Rome. It has a similar feel, with several museums, cathedrals, and other assorted old stuff, but on a much smaller scale than the overwhelming abundance that Rome has.
I visited Collelongo two years ago in the month of August. My father, Francesco Guanciale, was born in the town along with his brother Donato. Our trip was planned around the town festival in celebration of St. Rocco. I was able to meet many of my relatives that I had only heard about or seen pictures of in the past. I definitely will go again and enjoy the scenery, friends and family get togethers. I currently live in Greensboro, NC with my wife Carli. We are both from Newark, OH which is where my grandfather Domenico Guanciale immigrated to from Italy in the early 1900s.
Villavallelonga … A beautiful town at the end of the road in a valley bordering on Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo. Many people from Rome come in summer to R&R.
Alghero … It is a lovely town -- great places to stay and eat, is not too expensive, and of course it has a marvelous coastline. Beautiful beaches with crystal clear water and funny sea weeds. I loved staying here and I hope to return soon.
Abetone … This was a great place for a first time mountain skier! Not many hard runs, mainly greens and blues. Avoid the late afternoon slush.
Acquasparta … Very nice Italian village. Magnificent landscapes!
Sermoneta … I was born in this town and my memories just won't let me off the hook. Well at least not yet.
Catania … I visited in September, planning to stay a couple of nights seeing the city. The hostel and the city made me stay 5 days. The weather was fantastic (except the last day) and I spent most of my time down the beach.
Agerola … If you want to use this as a base to explore Naples and Capri, you will spend one to two hours on challenging roads, and summer is probably worse.
Lucca … This city has medieval walls and inside there are miles of old narrow streets. We rented bikes and biked on the paths that go along the top of the walls.
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