TonyaN

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum, and have spent some time scanning the posts. If I had more time, I'd go through them much more carefully before asking your help, but please have pity...I'm studying for the bar exam and have not had time to finalize plans for a trip to Rome in August. My husband and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary as well as my completion of law school, so this is a special trip.

Hotel - I've read reviews of so many hotels they are running together. Although I generally stay away from chains, I'm actually leaning toward a chain this time because I'd really like a fitness room. I'm not terribly worried about breakfast at the hotel, as long as I can have coffee.

I've looked at a couple of Boscolo hotels, as well as the (gasp!) Ramada near Termini Station. I also looked at the Lord Byron, but understand that while it's a beautiful property (and they quoted a wonderful price), it's not in a great location for exploring? I'd rather not spend more than $250 (US).

I'm also torn between staying in Rome for the entire trip (8 days) or planning a side trip for 2 or 3 days. I'm quite certain we'll find lots to explore in Rome, but I'd love to see another part of Italy. I thought about Naples or Amalfi Coast. A friend suggested that we avoid Florence in August, noting that it would be full of tourists and hospitality industry employees, but few Italians. Thoughts?

I thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.
Tonya

NorthShore

Many people would say skip the fitness room requirement as you will get plenty of exercise from walking and stair climbing. I like to lift weights, but time my workout schedule so I take a break on my vacation.

sanda24

I don't remember if the hotel we stayed at had an exercise room - probably not but it's in a fabulous location and you get plenty of exercise walking everywhere! The hotel is the Santa Chiara and isn't more than a 15 minute walk to anything. We stayed there 5 years ago and it was about $200/night and worth every penny. We did a side trip to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast which was wonderful. We had a wonderful old hotel in Sorrento. Our room overlooked the sea and it was beautiful. I can't remember the name but could find it if you're interested. Sandy W

Dayle

Hi Tonya,

Congrats on school! I would recommend 4 -5 days in Rome, then Tuscany or Umbria. August is peak season for vacationing Italians and tourists on the Amalfi Coast! The beautiful Tuscan countryside would be a very nice change after Rome. Even if it's busy with tourists in Tuscany, it won't have the same impact as a crowded city.

Buon viaggio!

Weadles

I would not stay near the train station, and totally agree with the other poster who thinks that you'll get plenty of exercise in Rome just walking everywhere. I'd also highly recommend the Santa Chiara just for location alone and/or the Albergo del Senato, although that will probably cost more than you want to spend.

Since Rome is going to be brutally hot in August ( we were there two summers ago in August) I'd recommend a few days on the coast. For pure romance and beauty, it's hard to go wrong in Positano. If you're looking for more of a city, Sorrento is worth exploring for a few days, and has more hotel options in different price ranges than Positano.

Good luck, and congratulations on both your anniversary and ( hopefully!!) the bar exam!

LoveItaly

hello TonyaN, personally I would not stay in the area of the train station in Rome although some do and seem to find it satisfactory.

Rome will be very hot and humid no doubt (you will see from reading other threads here it already is).

I agree with others, with all the walking you will be doing I would not make a fitness room my top priority for a hotel. Stay at a hotel where you can go to a cafe near the hotel and sit outside and have your morning coffee, wake up and people watch. It is better than going to the theater IMO.

I agree with your friend about not visiting Florence during August. Even the residents do not want to be in Florence during August if they have any choice in the matter. If you have time to visit the Amalfi Coast I believe you would really enjoy this side trip and it would be a good change from Rome, as wonderful as Rome is.

Congratulations on your completion of law school and best wishes to you for the Bar Exam. Italy will be a wonderful way to celebrate your accomplishments!

ira

Hi T,

If you want to visit Rome, I suggest the full 8 days there with a daytrip to the ruins at Ostia Antica and another daytrip to the hill town of Orvieto.

If you are open to suggestions, I think that flying into/out of Naples, staying in Sorrento and visiting Naples and Pompeii, the towns of the AC, and just relaxing would be better.

Doble_Vergasser

The idea of Rome and something else (something more relaxing) might be good. I might get flamed here but Rome does not need eight days, but it does need three or more to do properly.

Also flying open jaw really helps the traveler (fly into Rome and out of Naples or Venice or wherever). Saves a lot of hassle.

What with your finishing the degree and challenge the Bar exam (and a tenth anniversary), you might want to program in some "relaxing" into the trip.

subcon

i hate to be a wet blanket but if you haven't already booked for the amalfi coast towns, you can pretty much forget it for this year. besides it is a madhouse in august when it seems almost all of italy decends upon it. even adriatic resorts like rimini are packed.

i like ira's suggestions with the caveat that antica ostia is low lying and will be beastly hot and virtually unbearable if the humidity is high.

personally, i could find enough to do in rome to occupy 8 days but i'm also a church/museum type. just a bernini or carravagio hunt could occupy several days.

orvieto is a nice day trip and would put you in the hills which will be a few degrees cooler as would be an overnight in assisi.

whichever, congratulations and have a swell time!!!

jabez

As much as I love Rome, I tend to agree with Dayle.
I would try and get a place closer to Piazza Novona and either train to Orvieto or drive to southern Tuscany (my personal choice).
I love Rome for long stays, but you're young and will return. Get away from the heat (as best you can) and enjoy the hill towns. If you can fly into Rome and leave from Florence,that might work best.