Sarah

I don't think I fully relaxed until about the 4-5th day. Remember jet lag and the days you spend getting oriented. I lingered in the cafe then, drank cappuccinos back to back. I wondered on other days but always with the apprehension that I should be a some museum, church, or GREAT RESTAURANT/Patisserie.

San Giminano is about 1.5 hours from Florence with a switch along the way. I was not crazy about San Gimnano. Kind of reminded me of colonial villages we have in the U.S. Very historical and a pretty little village. It just does not seem like anyone lives there. Seems like everyone comes about from the modern town down the hill. A number of tourist shops and souvenir stands make up the village. A cute place to stop off if you are driving through Tuscany but not worth a visit on a short stay in my opinion. I would do two trips into Siena versus a day in Siena and a day in San Gimnano. So much more art in Siena. Even if you are not a regular museum goer as I really am not. You can ?t help but get pulled in by all that surrounds you Siena and Florence.

Don't forget you will also be only 40 minutes from Pisa in Florence. I have not visited Pisa but apparently it boasts one of the prettiest squares in Europe. According to lonely planet Florence anyway.
Livette It is worth your while to look up some restaurants before you trip. Again more than one is a good idea. I used ?Food Lovers Guide to Florence?, ?Eating your way through Tuscany?, I think was the second guide. I left the first guide with the hotel. It will be outdated by the time of my next trip. The second I read and returned to B&N (shhh!!!).

I was not crazy about either guide but it was great to have a resource. I found a dessert shop ?Hemingways? in Santa Croce that has International award winning chocolate tort(?). Dolce & Dolcezee which I missed!!!! And a third patisserie that is regarded as the best in Florence. I will try to look it up on the internet for you. Just would not have happened on to these places on my own. Most importantly they told me a bit about wine. If you are not a big wine drinker a guide can point you in the right direction. You will be a wine drinker with the proper guidance.

Livette

Ivitaly, thanks for the website on Palazzo Olivia. That good that your parents are still talking about it huh? I'm going to check it out in a bit.

Sarah, you are a hoot! LOL about the B&H story . Oh my and that place with the international winning chocolate tort... I MUST go there - I must!

I know for sure Siena will be a day trip from Florence. And I know to take the bus because the train leaves you in the outskirts of the city. Pisa and Lucca are on my list as well. I really really want to do Cortona so I'm going to research how this can be done from Florence. I'm sure I'll need to train then bus somewhere.

I am so excited about this trip and like many people on this board say "half of the fun is planning it". What the heck was I thinking considering an escorted tour LOL

I would love for you to send me that other information you mentioned at your convenience. Please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]
Thanks for all you help!

Cathryn, are you kidding me? No need to apologize for getting in on the thread. This information is for all. I'm happy if any of this feedback can help make your trip special too.

Linda

HelenG

I'm joining this thread also. I too have become addicted to this forum. We are planning our first trip to Italy next May. Rome for 4 days, staying at Hotel Contilia (E160 per night -by the Termini Station), and planning to see all the must sees, then to Florence for three days staying at Hotel Globus (E180 per night), 2 nights at Sienna at Santa Catarina (E160 per night), then down to Capri - staying at either LaMinerva or Villa SanFelice (E190 per night). We also plan on travelling by train and/or bus from city to city. All the information and advice on this forum is phenomenal. I want to thank all of you. I just hope that when I come back and post impressions of hotels, sights and restaurants - they will be just as helpful to others. I too opted not to take an escorted tour and do it "my way" - and am very much encouraged after reading hundreds of posts. I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip and I too apologize for cutting into your thread. I can't wait for my trip.....

MarkY

Helen, is there any reason you're backtracking so far? That's a lot of time consuming travel. Once your in Rome, instead of heading north only to return farther south (Capri) than where you started, why don't you go to Capri from Rome and then make your way north?

If you haven't booked your tickets yet, I'd fly open jaw. It will save you much travel time.

My wife and I are taking my mom, brother, and aunt to Italy next May. We just purchased our tickets and we're going to fly into Rome and out of Milan, or vise versa.

The reason I say "vice versa" is because we've only purchased the Phoenix to London part of our ticket since they had a $300 special last week. I'm going to purchase the open jaw part once I know if we're going north to south or south to north.

Good Luck with your planning.
Mark

Livette

MarkY,

I checked out Palazzo Olivia and e-mailed them for availability late September. If they are not booked then I'm going to book it. Ivitaly seemed pretty pleased and it looks really nice. And, it has a lift . So, hopefully one down, two to go.

Linda

MarkY

I emailed them as well. Are you looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom. The apartments look great and it's a great location.

Click on this link and search for "Palazzo" for a bunch of reviews.

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/review...onforlist=Rome

Livette

Hi MarkY,

I e-mailed them on the 1 bedroom because it has a sofa bed with what they call a "real bed" so I think that will do since it's the three of us. I specifically requested the Basilio so I hope it's available.

I'm looking at the San Lorenzo apartments in Florence but I hear it's a hike up to the apts (no lift). My parents may not be too thriled with that aspect of it. The price though is fantastic - only 95 Euros and in a great location.

I'm still looking but getting tired so I may retire my search till tomorrow
. Not yet though .

Linda

MarkY

I just might get to meet you. I put in for the Figaro, for the end of Sept. 2004.

Wouldn't that be a kick?

Livette

You are kidding! I can't believe you'll be there the same time. I put in for the Basilio from 9/26 through 9/30.

That would awesome!

Livette

Ok, I'm retiring now from the search. Marky, here is a link to check out in Florence http://www.sleepinginflorence.com/p04.htm

It's on the ground floor and sleeps up to 6. I know you needed a larger room so this may appeal to you and your family.

Good night

lvitaly

Livette-
Now i am getting a little jealous as the dates you picked are what mine were this year!! I was there from Sept.25-29th.Good time of year as it should not be so hot.If you do get the Basillio( my apartment!) The couch/bed was very comfortable much to my surprise. I hope you get it as you will not be disapointed.

rhkkmk

wow did this thread get lots of action on a semi-holiday--

anyways...we are staying in venice at the schio place in #5....it might work for you with the little extra room for the single...

she is very pleasant to deal with and i am really looking forward to meeting her..i have stayed in this neighborhood in the past and it is great and very convenient---i do not know her building however...

mari808

Not trying to hijack this thread, but

Cathryn, you drove your mother around Scotland last year? Now you're considering a trip w/ her to Italy? I drove my mother around Scotland 2 years ago and am driving her around Tuscany/Umbria in April.

What is this, an underground society or something? Should we start one??

Statia

Linda, it is 70 steps up to the Lepri apartment at San Lorenzo in Florence. So, keep that in mind. That apartment is on one of the upper floors (4th floor, I believe) but Gianna has apartments that are on lower floors, as well.

Livette

Ivitaly,

I got a response from Palazzo Olivia and she said she would give me the 2003 rates because the 2004 were not out yet. However, she quoted me 180 Euros when you only paid 160 so I questioned her on that. We'll see what the response is.

Statia, I'm looking at the apartmens on the lower floor.

Have a great day all.

Linda

Sarah

Livette I got rates slightly higher than people who visited there in October. I thought anyway. Ira told me about a place for 36 they quoted me 41. I was single, Ira was part of a couple.
I saw this at a couple of places.

HelenG

Message to MarkyY -
I know it is a little back-tracking, but we'll be meeting up with people that will be in Capri at the end of our trip. We also thought that it would be a good way to "chill" for couple of days before returning New Jersey. I have done some reasearch regarding "open jaw" - and right now, difference in price is minimal. I'll keep on looking - and will probably wait to purchase tickets till Jan/Feb. Right now the best price - Newark to Rome is $764, Continental - non-stop. I'll check the websites for the airlines mentioned earlier in this thread. Thanks to all again. Due to all the good comments I also looked and booked an apartment at Palazzo Olivia for next May 18-22, 2004. Keep all the good info coming!!!!

MarkY

Helen, your trip makes more sense now.

Linda, thanks for the link. It looks like we are going to book the Guelfa apartment that you mentioned in your link. It's only 200 Euro per night and sleeps up to 6.

I'm waiting for a second reply from Palazzo Olivia as we're changing our dates somewhat. Instead of starting in Rome and leaving out of Milan, I think we're going to fly into Milan and end up in Rome. We're trying to get Sept 24-28.

Keep me informed.
Mark

Cathryn

To Mari808, oh we have so much fun traveling together. I hope when I'm her age my daughter (who is now 5) takes me all over the world!

I have been reading a ton on the forum (it is addictive when you've got something on the burner) and am starting to think I would like to stay outside of Florence but I'm not sure how well this will work with public transport. Oh I love all the possibilities (it is a sickness)!