What would be the best place in Italy for parents (early 50s) and grandparents (active 70s) 7day vacation?

Question

They are interested mainly in food, wine and shopping (not too high end) as well as some art/architecture. This will be their first European trip and I would love to keep it to maybe 2-3 places in Italy. I read a lot about Florence, Sienna and Rome. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks

Answer 1

Rome, Florence, and Siena wouldn't be a bad choice for a 7 day trip. This area has a lot to see and do and is compact enough to get around in using the trains and bus system (Florence/Siena) that they won't be using up a lot of time in transit. There's plenty of opportunity for shopping and lots of art, architecture, and great food. They'll have time for a side trip or two if they're interested in that. It's a pretty easy train trip from Florence to Pisa to see the leaning tower. From Rome they could see Tivoli, Orvieto, or Ostia Antica if they're interested.

Depending on when they'll be here, they may be able to participate in one of the thousands of interesting local festivals.

It would be difficult to pick a poor itinerary unless they were to try to cover too large a territory for the time available for the trip.

Answer 2

I can highly recommend Radda in Chianti.  I was just there and it was amazing.  We stayed at My Hotel Radda and were able to book several trips for wine tasting and went to several small towns to do shipping not big name shopping but things made there in the towns.  The food and people were amazing.  The wine the best ever and the prices were easy (as easy as they can be with the falling dollar) on the wallet.  

www.myhotelradda.com

www.castellomeleto.it

Check these out contact me if you have follow up questions

Answer 3

Hi, i'm italian, from Turin..

if they're interested in Food and wine, Piedmont (the region of Turin) is full of them..

Specially in cities of Asti, Cuneo, Alba, they are really famous for wine and typical food...

About art i advice you to visit Turin, Milan, Florence, Siena (with just 1 "n".. eheh everyone here on yahoo answer usa confuse it =P), Venice, Rome exc exc, but it would need more than 7 days... so, i think the places you've choose are perfect, also for wine and foods..

so.. any helps >> just ask

ciao!

Answer 4

Italy is consider by many the best choice if your'e traveling to Europe. Any place you choose inside Italy will become a rewarding experience.

I would consider Rome for it's importance in history and everithing it has to offer (specialy if your looking for Art/Arquitecture), and for the rest of the trip please consider the Amalfian Coast, a place considered to have one of the best panoramic views on the coast of Italy. This is 65 Km south of Naples, it's name due to the town of Amalfi a beautifull place built on a rocky cliff so narrow that there's only one street that goes upward to another town called Ravello (a natural balcony with the greatest view of the sea).Jackie Kennedy used to live there and so did Richard Wagner, there are vineyards in Ravello that you can go visit, there's also great food in southern Italy and something you might also consider is that the south is less expensive than the north.

Nearby are the ruins of Pompeii (45 Km), another beautifull place 10 km from Amalfi is Positano, you can get a glimpse of it in the movie "under the Tuscan sun". From Sorrento (30 Km to the west) You can take a Ferryboat to the island of Capri famous for it's Blue Grotte. There is a famous white wine from this region of Campania, LACRIMA CRISTI (Christ's tear) also known as VESUVIO DOC.

If you want any further information, even  if your destination is different from my sugestion or if you want to see photos of Amalfi please ask me by E-mail.

Answer 5

siracusa in sicily

www.ilrosowne.com

ww.bbnaif.it

Answer 6

If you want to know italy the best place is Tuscany. You have 70% of art and architecture here in the region, Firenze, Pisa,Siena,Lucca and of course a trip to the island of Elba where Napoleon has been exiled.

Look at this hotel, we suggest :

www.hotelilio.com

Answer 7

After Venice and Florence, relax in Le Marche region.

It's a beautiful area, still undiscovered by mass tourism.

The food and wine are fantastic, shopping is great especially for shoes and bags,  there are outstanding art cities (Urbino and Ascoli), and nice beaches to boot.

Enjoy!