maxi

Hello, everyone. A while ago, I was here, trying to plan a Christmas trip but unfortunately it is not possible anymore. And now, I am planning a trip to Italy next May and am trying to get some help again.

I am travelling with DH and our baby (by then, he will be 16 months and will have been travelling with us a few times already, including to Europe).

DH and I got married in Pienza in 2005 and we would like to go back. We are thinking of going to Rome too (I have been there with a friend in 1998 but DH has never been there).

We will have 12 to 14 nights. We would like to fly round trip to Rome because it's a direct flight but it's not a must. We can fly through another European city if open jaw makes sense.

So, We want to visit Rome and go back to Southern Tuscany and go to another place. Where can we go? Umbria? Chianti? Northern Tuscany? or what? And in what order?

If we fly home direct from Rome, the departure will be at 12:50 am. And we have never driven to FCO. So, I am not sure if it is a good idea to make Tuscany our last stop.

FYI, we went to Florence, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast and Venice in 2005.

I would like to have a big picture now, so that I can decide about tickets and then hotels.

Thanks.

pjsmart

What do you want to do with your time? With a toddler, it might make sense to limit the number of places and range of activities. You might want to spend five hours in the Ufizzi; I doubt he will. On the other hand, he would probably enjoy the Boboli Gardens.

Agriturismo sites would allow you to relax on a working farm that provides accommodations that range from spartan to resort-like. We spent five days in October at La Sovana in Sarteano and enjoyed it. Web site: http://www.lasovana.com/

Its location near the border with Umbria put us in position for easy day trips to Siena, Assisi and Pienza.

At the end of our time in Tuscany, we drove to Rome and spent two days at Lido di Ostia, which is on the sea and close to FCO.

Alternatively, you could take the train from Chiusi -- about 7-8 km from Sarteano -- to Rome.

5alive

I haven't been, but the video I've seen of the Greek ruins in southern Italy and Sicily looked really fascinating.

I also hope to go to the lakes some day.

Henry

Maxi,
If departing from Rome make that your last stop. Consider going by train directly to Orvieto after landing in Rome. Then pick up a car when you leave Orvieto for southern Tuscany and drop the car back in Orvieto on the way from Tuscany to Rome.

My trip report may give you some ideas http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35046872

Henry

maxi

Thanks for all your comments/suggestions.

I didn't response earlier because we were trying to change our trip to accomodate my sister, as I posted in another thread.

Unfortunately, she was just notified at work that she could not take the holidays as planned, so we are back to a trip for the 3 of us.

I am now thinking that we would go to Rome, Tuscany (Pienza) and Umbria for a total of 13 to 14 nights in the middle of May.

I guess we could pick up a car in FCO and drive upon arrival and leave Rome for our last stop (Thanks, Henry!).

Will it be better to go to Umbria or Tuscany first?

And is Orvieto a good base to see some of the towns often mentioned in Umbria (Assisi, Spello, Pergia, Todi, etc.)? I read in another thread about Umbria that it would be better to stay around Spello.

Sorry for all the confusion with my posts. I am just trying to see what possibilities we have.

Thanks again!

Flame123

Picking up a car at FCO upon arrival is a good choice I think, provided you will not be too jetlagged to be driving. Since you are travelling with a toddler, the less you have to change transportation modes with so many items to drag with you, the better. I found it quite easy to do this and while it is a bit daunting to drive out of the airport and get to the correct highway to start your traveling, it is not bad, and I did it without GPS.

Orvieto is a beautiful small town but it is NOT a convenient place from which to visit other towns in Umbria. I would stop there on my way out of Rome and spend a night (or two). Then continue onto either Tuscany or Umbria (I think it is pretty immaterial which is first, they are neighboring regions). I have spent extended time in both regions and they are both fabulous.

In Tuscany, we spent a week in Montalcino which I absolutely fell head-over-heels in love with, although the hotel we stayed was not something to rave about. Restaurants there, people, views, etc. were breathtaking.

A good base for seeing Umbria would be the small (and flat!!) town of Bevagna where we recently stayed. We stayed at Palazzo Brunamonti and I can most highly recommend it. From there it was easy goings to almost every small town in Umbria.

If there is anything else I can help you with, let me know. And have a great time !!

Lexma90

I agree with the other poste. Pick up your car after you arrive, and head directly to Tuscany or Umbria. Orvieto is a nice little city, but not so convenient to the rest of Umbria.

We stayed in Spello the last time we visited Umbria, and while I loved the little town, it is very steep. Going up and down it daily with a baby in a pack or a stroller would be a pain. Bevagna would be a good choice - and you can always visit Spello while staying in Bevagna.

Which to do first, I don't know that it matters. If you want to settle into your trip by starting with a place that you've already been to, then begin in Tuscany. Then to Umbria, then Rome. We ended our trip in Rome, as well. We dropped the car in Foligno (about 10 minutes drive from either Spello or Bevagna), and took the train straight from there to Rome; it was very easy. We rented through Auto Europe (Avis, I think), and the rental office was about 20 feet from the door to the train station.