txtravelmom

3 days and 13 nights, arriving 7:30am June 15, Sunday, husband and I with 2 teenage boys (15 and 17)
Day 1-arrive in Rome, take car or train to Assisi-1 night
Day 2-daily Mass, enjoy area, leave by noon off to our base for 3 nights-Tuscany

Need some place to be our base but not sure where, considering agritourism, some will let us stay for 3 nights,
Things we want to see and do-visit one winery, taste olive oil, go to San Gimignano, hike, enjoy the views.

Day 5-leave and drive and drop off car before Cinque Terre, stop at Pisa and Lucca on the way

3 nights in Cinque Terre- if we have a car where do we drop it?

leave by train to Rome for 5 days, 6 nights
One day from Rome would be a long day trip to Pompei
Leave from Rome.

Little background, I have been to Europe and family hasn't. Kids and husband want Pompei, Hubby wants Tuscany, I want CT. Everyone is excited about 4 days in Rome. Kids love to eat, and try anything. Considering apartment in Rome. Would like to find lodging, no more than $200 a night, and I am worried about that. Need a place that is clean and safe, I don't need the bells and whistles. Staying at winery with olive trees in Tuscany would take care of my husband.

kybourbon

Drop Assisi as it's out of the way and too much driving after an overnight flight. If you haven't booked flights yet, you might try a flight into Rome and home from Florence or Pisa (or vice versa).

crckwc1

IMO it's not out of the question to take a train to Assisi after your flight, but driving might not be wise. You could arrange to pick up a car in Assisi I imagine. For seeing Tuscany, we based in Siena and drove in several directions seeing lots of Tuscany. We enjoyed staying at Fullino Nero Rta in Siena, booked through www.booking.com, a nicely equipped apartment located outside Siena where it's quiet and peaceful, free parking, reasonably priced, little-to-no-English spoken but we managed ok even though we speak no Italian. For a wonderful all-day wine tour with meal included, book with Donatella. I have lost her web address but her email is [email protected] (or browse her in). She is so much fun! By your name, I assume you're from Texas? Howdy!

kybourbon

>>>You could arrange to pick up a car in Assisi I imagine.<<<

If there were car rentals there. AFAIK, the major ones aren't. Foligno would be the closest for car rental. Even if they were, they wouldn't be open by the time the OP reached Assisi. They would have to train or bus (backtrack to pick up at Foligno on Monday.

You could take the Sulga bus from FCO to Assisi, but you would still have the car rental problem.

Since Assisi is out of the way and not listed as a must, it just doesn't make sense in this itinerary.

You could train to Orvieto upon arrival, spend the night, enjoy the town while recovering from your flight and pick up your car there the next morning (fyi - rental car companies in any of these smaller areas will close in the afternoons from around 12 - 4). It's just a short drive from Orvieto to southern Tuscany (Montepulciano, Pienza, etc.). Visit Tuscany a few days, drive to CT, drop the car in La Spezia (a car is useless there), visit CT a few days, train to Rome.

txtravelmom

Haven't bought our flights, but looks like we can fly out of Bologna instead of Rome.
We will spend 5 nights in Rome, looking for an apartment that will sleep 4. A one bed room is OK if they have 2 twins or 2 sleep sofas. Our teenage boys can not share a sleep sofa.
One night in Assisi.
3 night in Tuscany. Looking for agriturisomo that is a winery or olive farm with tastings. Found a place south of Sienna, but actually is just a farm house. Recommendations for a base? Have also considered Montalcino
We have discussed heading to Florence for a day instead of Pisa and Lucca.

bvlenci

In my opinion, the Cinque Terre is much more out of the way than Assisi, and in June, it's absolutely sinking under the weight of the tourists there. I wouldn't go there unless you plan to do some serious hiking on the high trails, which would liberate you from the postcard-buying hordes. If you plan to do this, you should be fit and have good hiking shoes, as there's a lot of climbing involved, and some slippery spots. The easier lower trails can't be counted on to be open, as there have been numerous landslides there in recent years.

Paquintravel

We stayed in an apartment in Rome by Campo de Fiori it was reasonable and slept four. We were able to go to the Roscioli bakery for breakfast in the mornings and the location was good. The website is
http://www.residenzagiubbonari.com. Have fun ou your trip.

mama_mia

Have stayed in the following in Rome (Balestrari, Campo dei Fiori area) when it was listed with Sleep in Italy. New listing agent, but I can recommend the apartment and location.
http://www.thekeytoitaly.com/Balestrari.html
Also stayed here, at Casa Paradiso (Navona, Campo dei Fiori area):
http://www.vrbo.com/305032
Did not stay at this apartment (Casa Paradiso loft)but it is owned by same folks:
http://www.vrbo.com/320914

I heartily recommend the above.

Have you considered Amalfi coast as an alternative to Cinque Terre, since you are planning on seeing Pompeii anyway? It will be crazy crowded, as will Cinque Terre. There is much to do, though, and you can get off the beaten path somewhat by choosing a smaller town and doing some of the wonderful hikes.