Travel from Nice to Rome

Hi sunsethill,

Firstly, the Italian Riviera, I love Vernazza in the Cinque Terre. There are heaps of reasonably priced accommodations right near the water, stay away from the train station.

Albergo Barbara, Maria Capellini's rooms, Gianni Franzi's rooms are all near the water with good rates. For higher end accommodation try La Mala - just gorgeous, beautiful sea views.

Vernazza is one of the nicest towns, beautiful restaurants, gorgeous sunsets. Easy train travel between the towns and great trails to walk.

Tuscany, you could either stay in Florence and visit the surrounding Tuscan countryside or stay out of Florence and take the SITA bus back to visit Florence.

We stayed in a villa in the Chianti region (Panzano-in-Chianti) for 5 nights and also stayed in Florence for 3 nights. My preference would be to stay in the countryside and travel to Florence to visit for the day. However, having said that it would depend on your likes/dislikes.

We booked a VERY reasonably priced tour guide/driver for the 2 of us and explored the Chianti with her for around 8-9 hours.

Here is my review following our tour:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187895-i68-k2189851-l13632555-Tuscany_s_VERY_BEST_tour_guide_What_a_fantastic_day-Florence_Tuscany.html

If you decide to stay in Florence I can recommend the Alloro B&B right in the heart of things in Florence.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187895-d603057-Reviews-Alloro_B_B-Florence_Tuscany.html

Ask for the balcony room, rates are very reasonable! We paid 99 euro in July last year for the only balcony room with a fantastic breakfast served to your room.

In Rome I can recommend some excellent accommodation right near the Pantheon. It gets fabulous reviews, has great rates and the hosts are very kind, accommodating people.

It is the B&B Baldassini:
www.baldassinibeb.it

Here are the great reviews you can read for yourself;
http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187791-d646309-Reviews-Baldassini_B_B-Rome_Lazio.html

You are very welcome to use my past guest discount code(BBB777) to obtain a small discount on your accommodation. All Fodor's members are welcome to use it in fact.

Also, if you book, the owner will issue you with your own discount code for a further discount, you can use both discounts in the one booking!!

I was so impressed during my last stay in June that I am returning to stay again in March next year.

Here is some additional information I compiled folowing my last stay in Rome (my favourite Italian destination), I hope Fodorites will find it useful:

http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k2729911-l17879042-Via_Delle_Copelle_Could_this_be_the_best_spot_in_Rome-Rome_Lazio.html

http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k2742362-l17949429-Part_2_Via_delle_Coppelle_Best_part_of_Rome_you_decide-Rome_Lazio.html

Happy travels,
Melissa