IWe will be will be flying into Rome and going to Montapulciano for one week in June. After Montepulciano we will be staying in Orvieto for 2 days then off to Rome Airport for a flight the following day. Does any one have any suggestions on small towns not too far outside of Rome but in direction of Chiusi where would should consider for the first night after a long plane ride. I would appreciate a recommendation where we could stay on the first night. On the last night we will probably stay by the airport but open to suggestions.

We will be picking up a car in Chiusi on the second day after arrival. Since I have been in Rome 3 times I have no desire to get a room there on the first. The location should not be too far and in the direction of Chiusi.

Thanks

Willem46

I would re-order the trip and go from Rome to Orvieto first. Or stay in Chiusi - it's a lovely town with good food and a great museum.

I have 2 ideas for you, and in both cases I would avoid A-1 and the GRA and approach from A-12 and Viterbo.
The first is Locanda Rosati---9 km west of Orvieto--be sure to have dinner here--a real experience.
The other is www.hotelromanticapucci.it in Bagnoregio--be sure to see Civita the next day.

I agree with StCirq's advice.

If you do decide to stay in Chiusi, stay up the hill in the historical part of town. You can take a taxi from the train station up the hill (10 minutes). I liked staying at this small hotel-

http://www.albergolasfinge.it/eng/home.htm

And, don't eat at La Solita Zuppa in Chiusi- it was the worst meal in my 25+ trips to Italy.

Oh,I made that mistake, too, zoecat. I didn't know Italy could produce anything quite that bad.

I second Bobthenavigator's suggestion of heading in the direction of Viterbo. Unless you arrive on a Friday or Saturday, I'd probably stay the first night at Lake Bracciano and drive past Lake Bolseno the next day. (L. Bracciano is a popular weekend destination.) Driving time to L. Bracciano would be about an hour and onward to Montepulciano the next day about 3 hours.

If you are picking up your car in Chiusi, then sleep in Chiusi the night before. It is very easy to reach by train, but once you arrive in the train station, you will need a taxi to take you to your hotel, because the train station is below the hill town. The taxis are readily available outside the train station, and it is a short cheap ride to hotels.

I've never eaten at La Solita Zuppa in Chiusi, but I had a very, very nice meal with wine at Zaira in Chiusi, which is only a few steps away. Ask the wait server to recommend what is fresh for the evening, and ask to see the Etruscan wine cellar below the restaurant.

Before dashing away to Montepulciano, you might very much enjoy visiting the small but wonderfully laid out Etruscan museum. Many, many visitors to Tuscany never bother with Etruscan history in Tuscany -- which is really a pity, since Etruscan culture is quite colorful and engaging.

I think staying near the airport the night before your departure is fine. If you arrive early enough, a trip through Ostia Antica is highly rewarding in you are going to Italy for more than a scenic vacation, and want to learn about its history.

Thank you to all the great suggestions. I have chosen to go right ot Chiusi from the airport and stay in town. The next day I will pick up a car and drive to Montepuciano. On the return I have booked the Airport Mariott with Marriott Points that I have accumulated. The itinerary looks like this
1 Day in Chiusi
7 Days @ Sant' Antonio (Montapulciano
2 Days @ B&B Garibaldi's Orvieto
Return

All your suggestions were as always excellent.

Milli Grazie

Willem46