In 2010 we hope to return to Italia for 3 weeks. After 8 trips to Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio and Campania we are looking at the Veneto (especially Trentino) and Abruzzo(i). I've read the articles on Life in Italy (grazie Justin) and searched the InterWeb. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for either of those areas?

Have lived in both places. Visit a Palladian villa, see the famous wooden bridge, observe the throngs of tourists in Venezia. Then head south to live/visit the friendliest people on the planet.

stefanaccio,

Molto grazie. We've visited Venezia a couple of times - once staying on the mainland, once in Venezia at Ca'Angili (great location, minimal tourists). We were figuring we'd fly out of Venezia (best airport in Italy!) on our return, letting us have un ombra (force, due) as we visit the bacari.

In the Veneto we are considering visiting the Dolomiti, perhaps using Trentino as a base. What are good times for hiking in the Dolomiti - June or July?

We are less familiar with Abruzzo. We're not really beach people - we thought we'd look for a place between the Gran Sasso and the Adriatic to preserve our choices. Any tips on towns that we should stay close to or visit? Again, what month would be best?

Steve

Steve, Hello. Is anybody home? Sono qui in Veneto adesso as we speak!
I love the Veneto region. I lived here for two years. Have come back home
dopo di moltissimi anni! Right now I am in Vicenza, Veneto, Italia
talking to you from an internet point. Vicenza is great! Look on the
back of an American nickle and you will see the mansion that is here
in Vicenza. Thomas Jefferson used this place called La Rotonda as a
model for his Montecello mansion.

This is the city that Andrea Palladio built and it is a very special
place. It is a treat just to walk down the streets here. You have also
Il Teatro Olimpico which is the oldest indoor theater in the entire
world. Vicenza is just an enchanting place. I like everything about it.
The people are great qui. Mi piace molto come parlano Italian qui. Would
recognize it anywhere.

Was staying with some friends out in the country 15 miles from Vicenza.
Check out my post about Festa delle Rani. Adesso I am staying with Giorgio
at his Bed in Breakfast on Via Trieste, 251. 25 euros a day breakfast included.
Giorgio only speaks Italian as most people in Vicenza only speak Italian.
Got a nice room with a personal bathroom. A nice quaint place with a great
view from the terrace.

From Vicenza where I recommend you spend molto tempo you have Verona the
most under rated city in all of Italy. After Rome it has more Roman ruins
than anyother Italian city and it has an intact Roman arena that is still
used today for operas. It looks like the Colessum in Rome and was even built
before the Colessum. They had all the blood and gore in Verona with
gladiators and wild beasts fighting to the death.

Besides being the city of Romeo and Gulietta Verona is only 20 minutes
from Lake Garda the biggest and deepest lake in Italy. And all around Verona
and Lago di Garda you have this great vine country. Utterly beautiful. Why
continue to go back to Rome over and over when you got Verona.

Placido Domingo is perforing for a whole month right now in the Verona Arena.

Venice is only 45 minutes from Vicenza. I love Venezia but I highly recommend
you do not go there in the Summer. Spring and Fall are the best. It is really humid
here adesso. It rains quasi every day in la notte. Humid like the midwestern U.S.

Trintino Alto Adige is right there bordering the Veneto. Actually Cortina(1956
Winter Olympics) is in Veneto credo. Just by chance vado a Trento domani. Trento
is the capital of Trintino Alto Adige. It is in the mountains so am hoping for
cooler weather. Use to ski all over in them there mountain.

I would like to go to Venice someday. Is it called venezia in italian language?

Ciao Villa!

Siamo molto geloso! Sei in Italia e noi siamo qui Accidenti!

Our travels in the Veneto have been limited to a couple of visits to Venezia and driving from Venezia to Toscano via Bologna. Your descriptions are very helpful. However, it appears we will now have to stay 6 settimani in order to see the many sights. What a shame! Unfortunately, Jennifer won't be able to stay away from work that long, and she is unlikely to leave me alone in Italy!

Since we will be travelling with a couple that teaches in California our travel dates may be restricted. It sounds like we should visit as early in June as we can. E vero?

Steve

I would like to recommend this link to everyone want to travel in Italy by train, and many other informations about my country, it can be useful: www.talkzone.com.How to tour Italy.
http://www.talkzone.com/archive.asp?aid=36205
www.unabellavista.com.
Have fun!

If you end up in Abruzzo I would surely put (Civitella del Tronto) on my list of must-see places.