Backpacking trip to Italy?

[John Webb]

My girlfriend and I are looking to take our first trip to Italy. We both have never been and just wanting some info. We both have our past ports. Looking to travel in mid May for about 2 weeks. We both are very outdoor people thinking about making it a "backpack around Italy" trip. We both are use to traditional vacations, stay at one hotel and tour around the immediate area. Not really looking for that kind of trip. I have heard alot of people just taking there hiking packs over with minimal things. Were only there for 2 weeks wanna see as much as possible, like maybe few days here few there so we can maximize our trip. Not really sure if we should rent a car for our trip or just take trains and public transportation. That's where I hoping to get some advice. Also what would be the best city to fly into kinda to make it our base or Central city where we can fly into and leave, or can we fly into one and leave out in another? Any ideas? The activities were looking for are.... we wanna see the big attractions of course the ones you see on tv or read about but also some stuff you don't hear about like local spots, maybe fun little towns by the sea. We both like the ocean, good little ma and pa restaurants, good beaches, winery's, stuff like that. Any help or recommendations will be great. Thanks for your time