Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Umbria - Please critique these hotel choices.
Nov 14th, 2004, 09:44 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Umbria - Please critique these hotel choices.
I've been doing a lot hotel research, reading trip reports and reviews both here and at slowtrav and continue to be amazed by the number of choices available in these places. Here is my latest (and ever evolving) short list. What do you think? Feel free to suggest your favorites. Comment on location as well
Siena area: Apartments Le Meridiane, Frances Lodge
Chianti: Fattoria Vignale, Fagiolari, La Locanda, Residence San Sano
Southern Tuscany: Le Traverse, La Costa, L'Olmo
Florence: Tourist House Ghiberti
Venice: Pensione Calcina, Novocento
Umbria: Antica Fattoria del Colle in Deruta, Palazzo Bocci in Spello, Residenza d'Epoca San Crispino in Assisi.
My current thinking is 4 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Florence, 4 nights in Tuscany and 3 nights in Umbria.
Thanks,
-Bill
Siena area: Apartments Le Meridiane, Frances Lodge
Chianti: Fattoria Vignale, Fagiolari, La Locanda, Residence San Sano
Southern Tuscany: Le Traverse, La Costa, L'Olmo
Florence: Tourist House Ghiberti
Venice: Pensione Calcina, Novocento
Umbria: Antica Fattoria del Colle in Deruta, Palazzo Bocci in Spello, Residenza d'Epoca San Crispino in Assisi.
My current thinking is 4 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Florence, 4 nights in Tuscany and 3 nights in Umbria.
Thanks,
-Bill
Nov 14th, 2004, 10:30 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bill, there is a big difference in costs for these choices. And, I assume you are driving. Location is always the key. Frankly, I see the first 3 locations as one--they are all within :45 if you stay in the middle near Siena. I could even argue that you could include Umbria from the right location. Have you considered a week rental rather then 3 or 4 hotels in Tuscany and Umbria? I do like your Florence choice. I would add Pension Accademia to your Venice options.
Nov 14th, 2004, 10:31 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Bill, have fun planning your trip...I know I enjoyed the planning stage! Our first family trip to Italy in June was amazing.
Your itinerary looks good to me...4 nights in Venice, 3 nights in florence, 4 nights in Tuscany and 3 nights in Umbria looks doable. Is this your first trip to ITaly?
But here's what I would change it to: 4 nights Rome; 4 nights Venice; 2 nights Florence; 4 nights in EITHER Tuscany/Chianti region/or Umbria, in a small town or a medieval hill-town, with day-trips.
If you like smaller towns and countryside better than big cities, you can also consider leaving Florence out, or doing florence as a day-trip from Chianti or Siena. In which case you could do Rome, 4 nights; Venice: 4 nights; 6 nights somewhere in the countryside or smaller towns of Tuscany/Chianti/Umbria, with day-trips.
I haven't stayed in the particular hotels you mentioned, but I can tell you've done your research as I have heard good things about many of them. Hope this doesn't confuse you more but I'll tell you the hotels we stayed at which I can highly recommend:
for Venice: Pensione Accademia in the dorsoduro area of Venice; ask for a room with a garden view. We loved this nice cozy place...it's decorated with style, including some antiques...nice breakfast. Helpful desk staff. Nice breakfast. Moderate prices for Venice. Ask if the work on the small canal outside of the hotel is finished or not. It was to be finished by fall 2004.
For Rome in case you decide to include Rome: Hotel Nazionale a Montecitorio on Piazza Montecitorio, Rome; this is a classy 4-star hotel with an excellent central location...a little pricey but we thought it was worth it. Nice breakfast. There are 3 hotels in rome with similar names so make sure this is the one on Piazza Montecitorio.
Siena: Loved the Palazzo Ravizza...get a room with a garden view...we could see down into the garden, over the walls of siena, and out into the green hills of Tuscany...SOOO romantic! Fantastic breakfast. This one is within the walls of Siena and if you have a car they do offer parking. (Parking is a big problem in Siena so that's a big plus! but remember you can't drive into the historic heart of Siena...no traffic allowed, you have to walk, which is what makes it so charming.)
Buon viaggio!
Your itinerary looks good to me...4 nights in Venice, 3 nights in florence, 4 nights in Tuscany and 3 nights in Umbria looks doable. Is this your first trip to ITaly?
But here's what I would change it to: 4 nights Rome; 4 nights Venice; 2 nights Florence; 4 nights in EITHER Tuscany/Chianti region/or Umbria, in a small town or a medieval hill-town, with day-trips.
If you like smaller towns and countryside better than big cities, you can also consider leaving Florence out, or doing florence as a day-trip from Chianti or Siena. In which case you could do Rome, 4 nights; Venice: 4 nights; 6 nights somewhere in the countryside or smaller towns of Tuscany/Chianti/Umbria, with day-trips.
I haven't stayed in the particular hotels you mentioned, but I can tell you've done your research as I have heard good things about many of them. Hope this doesn't confuse you more but I'll tell you the hotels we stayed at which I can highly recommend:
for Venice: Pensione Accademia in the dorsoduro area of Venice; ask for a room with a garden view. We loved this nice cozy place...it's decorated with style, including some antiques...nice breakfast. Helpful desk staff. Nice breakfast. Moderate prices for Venice. Ask if the work on the small canal outside of the hotel is finished or not. It was to be finished by fall 2004.
For Rome in case you decide to include Rome: Hotel Nazionale a Montecitorio on Piazza Montecitorio, Rome; this is a classy 4-star hotel with an excellent central location...a little pricey but we thought it was worth it. Nice breakfast. There are 3 hotels in rome with similar names so make sure this is the one on Piazza Montecitorio.
Siena: Loved the Palazzo Ravizza...get a room with a garden view...we could see down into the garden, over the walls of siena, and out into the green hills of Tuscany...SOOO romantic! Fantastic breakfast. This one is within the walls of Siena and if you have a car they do offer parking. (Parking is a big problem in Siena so that's a big plus! but remember you can't drive into the historic heart of Siena...no traffic allowed, you have to walk, which is what makes it so charming.)
Buon viaggio!
Nov 14th, 2004, 10:51 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bob,
Yeah...the week in one place plan is still very much an option, especially from a financial point of view. I've seen cute apartments in either in town or on agriturismos for under 1000 euros for a week, which could save a bunch on lodging.
It seems like it would be much easier to just stay in one place and do day trips, but I've read some people mention that the "back and forth" gets old after a few days.
What location/property would you suggest if one wanted to visit Siena, Orvieto and Assisi/Spello as day trips?Within walking distance of a town or village would be good.
melissa,
Thanks for your suggestions on adding Rome. It is very possible that we may end up doing just that. I appreciate your comments on the places you stayed.
As far as hill town location goes we are ideally looking for something either within city walls or within 10-20 minutes walking of a small town so we could walk to town for dinner and explorations.
-Bill
Yeah...the week in one place plan is still very much an option, especially from a financial point of view. I've seen cute apartments in either in town or on agriturismos for under 1000 euros for a week, which could save a bunch on lodging.
It seems like it would be much easier to just stay in one place and do day trips, but I've read some people mention that the "back and forth" gets old after a few days.
What location/property would you suggest if one wanted to visit Siena, Orvieto and Assisi/Spello as day trips?Within walking distance of a town or village would be good.
melissa,
Thanks for your suggestions on adding Rome. It is very possible that we may end up doing just that. I appreciate your comments on the places you stayed.
As far as hill town location goes we are ideally looking for something either within city walls or within 10-20 minutes walking of a small town so we could walk to town for dinner and explorations.
-Bill
Nov 14th, 2004, 03:02 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What about Politan apts. in Montepulciano. Great town--close to major roads---intown with lots of good food choices. Or, if you want a hotel, then La Costa is a good locations for you or Le Traverse if you want to spend less.
