ITALY Readers's Tips - Italy is so incredibly popular as a travel destination, there is no such thing as an and34;undiscoveredand34; gem any longer.ut there are places that are less overrun than most.f they are accessible by train then they are probably less convenient to get there, and require further modes of transportation after a local train does deposit you at a station. So the term and34;off the beaten trackand34; is relative but worth pursuing.ou may not be the only ones when you get there, but it may still feel like you have a bit more space and attention from the locals etc. One such place is Ravenna and its environs.ot on a major train line, but still not hard to get to, with a change of trains in either Ferrara or Bologna. The absolutely stunning byzantine mosaics is what attracts many, often daytrippers that are gone by dinner time when the town suddenly seems handed back to the local population. You can walk from one mosaics location to the next, but the Basilica of SantApollinare in Classe is a bit further out by the sea, you may want to take a bus on a hot day. Check out this site (click. Ravenna is notand32; a beach town, that is why it has a fairly quiet normal life (as opposed to those beach locations further down the coast, Rimini and such.ut you can reach some nice beaches easily, and be back in town for dinner and a late stroll (often to the sounds of local brass bands in the town square, with families in attendance and kiddies dancing very smalltown cute. Ravenna is no secret, but you will be amazed at how many of the RomeFlorenceVenice crowd have never heard of it.ou just may find you'll love it for a couple of days or so. That is just one of many, I trust others on this board will suggest more for you.

I'd support Michael's comments re: Ravenna.ertainly worth considering.lso don't write off Ferrara itself which is a lovely town and we spent a great week there last year. For me there's levels of off the beaten track and I've so far yet to see Rome/Venice/Florence.'ve no problem with people who do (in fact we would have made Venice for a day last year were it not for illness.'ve also not been to some of the more remote locations in (say Calabria or Basilicata, where a tourist might be viewed with amazement. I seem to get most from places where your encounters are with Italians who are relatively unused to tourists (or at least not bored by them, yet (or maybe as a result are generous with time and support.'ve still enjoyed Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre etc.but I've also enjoyed La Spezia, Torino, Genova, which tend not to be dominated by tourists. Personal taste, but it's good to see that you're seeking a balance. really should get myself to Rome sometime though regards Ian Can anyone recommend a hotel in Fiumicino We would like to spend the day visiting Ostia Antica and it makes sense to stay near the airport.We will have a car. Thanks so much for any suggestions.

Hi JJ, We stayed at the Holiday Inn E

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