<p>Lucca is so beautiful, with a medieval wall that encircles the town with a walking path on top. I was traveling with a group as a chaperone, and the youth hostel we stayed in was so nice- roomy private rooms and a beautiful building. We also loved our stay in the university city of Padua, with Giotto’s Arena Chapel.</p>
<p>Oh, PATheaterMom, I agree! Lucca is just wonderful!</p>
<p>And next to Lucca the very charming beach town of Forte de Marmi where Italian families summer, riding bikes around town. Bliss.</p>
<p>I’ve been to Italy in May several times. (There were some very convenient Germany holidays to peg a holiday on.) It’s a nice time to visit. But fall would be nice too. I’ve been over New Years and don’t particularly recommend that! BRRR!</p>
<p>If you can find a tour that stops at some of the villas and gardens north of Rome such as the Villa D’Este and the Villa Rotunda. I recommend that. Places I wouldn’t miss depending on how much time you have: Rome, Florence, Venice, Sienna, Pompeii, Assissi, Ostia, Verona, Pisa, Bologna (more or less that order).</p>
<p>I have rented through Untours in Italy 2 times. Once in Tuscany North (a village between Lucca and Pisa) and once in Umbria, near Trevi. They are wonderful! (I’ve also used them for an apartment in Paris.) The one near Trevi was an agricoturismo.</p>
<p>The Rick Steves guides are great for walking tour and sightseeing suggestions. I also second the suggestion of his Mona Winks. Very helpful if someone in the party just wants to see certain museum highlights. When we went to Paris my girl, 12 at the time, said only 2 museums before we left home. At the end of the 2 weeks we had visited 7 and she’s now majoring in Medieval Renaissance History.</p>
<p>Forgot to add I, solo, took a Rick Steves tour in Provence that was wonderful. I’ve been there quite a few times and the tour offered many things you wouldn’t get to experience on your own.</p>
<p>Can’t say much about tours, because we have mostly been on our own. Check out the Slow travel website if you are at all intrigued by renting. I love Italy, try to get out of the cities if you can - try the hill towns or the Cinque Terre - I have wonderful memories of Radda…</p>