In a few weeks I will be returning to Italy for 4 months. We will be staying at our apartment in Bagni di Lucca and Casa Debbio, our house in the mountains nearby.
Between working in the garden and enjoying village life we will travel around Italy. We like to return to favourite places as well as explore new areas. Where to go this year?
Of course there will be several day trips to Florence. (Click the highlighted word to see a post on the subject)
Perhaps even an overnight stay. It is wonderful to be up early and walk across the Ponte Vecchio, have it almost to yourself and admire the view of the Arno River.
Pietrasanta is a lovely town on the Versilia coast I love to return to often. It is known for art and there is usually a spectacular installation in the piazza in the centre of town, as well as some great shops, galleries and restaurants.
Portovenere and Portofino are also on the list of day trips. This year maybe I will venture to nearby Tellaro and Lerici for the first time.
It is time to revisit Arezzo, one of my favourite towns in Umbria. The antique market held there each month is always fun.
We always drive through the gorgeous hills of Chianti and Val d’Orcia, visiting Siena, Montalcino and Pienza.
Last year we explored San Quirico d’Orcia for the first time and found it fascinating.
In autumn last year I visited Bergamo Alta and the winemaking areas of Franciacorta, and Langhe. It would be fun to go back in spring to see these gorgeous places in a different season.
Returning to Sicily is also on the cards. We went a few years ago but left before we could visit the western towns of Erice and Trapani when a fierce wind blew us home early.
A trip to Sicily would not be complete without a visit to Ortigia, the town I enjoyed the most on our last visit.
The Amalfi Coast is my favourite place in Italy and I go as often as possible. I have never been to Ponza, but it looks intriguing, so maybe it will call me.
Caffe Florian in St Mark’s square in Venice is celebrating its 300th birthday this year. It is the oldest caffe in Italy and a good reason to visit for a very expensive coffee.
Ravenna is not far from Venice and has the most amazing mosaics…time to go back, it has been at least 10 years since we were there.
Padova, Verona and Ferrara are also nearby and great towns to explore.
There are some spectacular festivals in Italy. We have been to Gubbio for the Corsa dei Ceri, the Race of the Candles. Click the link to Gubbio to see this incredible festival.
I love the donkey Palio in Torrita di Siena.
Camogli holds a Sagra del Pesce in May. It is the world’s largest fish fry. A 28 ton frying pan cooks 25,000 serves of fish to the hoards of people who attend. We went to the fireworks the night before, but have not made it to the actual festival.
Spello holds an amazing festival in June where the streets are filled with art created from flower petals only to have them trampled the next day.
We could revisit a couple of these, but I think the Palio delle Rana in Urbino is a must this year in April. Who would want to miss the sight of young men in medieval costume push a wheelbarrow at speed, with a frog on top, down the street while trying to keep the frog in place? (Photos…official site)
There are many decisions to be made over the next few months.