aduncan

We will be traveling to Rome in July with a 16 year old girl and 13 year old boy. We will spend about three days in Rome before spending a week in Umbria and then returning to Rome for another two or three days.

Looking for recommendations on what to see, and hotels in Rome. Nothing fancy, don't plan to be there much. My daughter loves dance, my son sports. Thoughts?

annhig

hi aduncan,

first of all, can I ask why you are splitting up your time in Rome? it'd be a lot more efficient if you grouped all your time in Rome all together [assuming that at the end of the trip, you'll be flying home from Rome] at the end of the trip.

have you got a guide book to Rome or have you accessed on-line guides like the ones on Fodors? there are lots of things to do in Rome, and 5 days [or is that nights?] gives you a reasonable time to see some of the main ones - the Colosseum and forum, St. Peter's and the Vatican, Ostia Antica, the centro storico - you might have to do a bit of research to find things connected with dance and sport though.

as for hotels, there are some recent threads on this forum dealing with exactly that subject.

aduncan

Some friends rented the house in Umbria and we are working around their schedule for the visit to Rome, as well as working around some of our schedules at home. Thanks.

GoodLuckGirl

During the summer, hotels in Rome can range from expensive to moderate depending on, of course, location. Research various areas of the city on booking websites. White it is buzzing with activity, the Vatican area will prove plentiful. From that location, you can hop on the metro to access other areas of interest. Although more expensive, I prefer the more central and charmingly compact location of the Pantheon or Trevi Fountain, which affords you the convenience of navagating the city on foot to either the Colosseum and Roman Forum in one direction, and the Spanish Steps, Vatican, and Trastevere in the other. Consider an apartment. They can be quite reasonable.
For a calendar of events dedicated to culture, sports, theater, dance, etc. in Rome during that time frame, research the websites goitaly.about.com or Eventful Rome.
Check out the Fodor forums for invaluable resources and advice regarding city tours, attractions, and suggestions.
Buono Viaggio

indy_dad

See if this helps:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...log-photos.cfm

annhig

Some friends rented the house in Umbria and we are working around their schedule for the visit to Rome, as well as working around some of our schedules at home. Thanks.>>

aha - so do I gather that you are stuck with your split time in Rome? or is there a possibility to re-arrange it?

assuming not, an apartment probably isn't practical for 2-3 nights [the minimum you can usually rent for is 3 nights, and I'm not sure that it's worth it for such a short time] so i would suggest looking at a hotel somewhere near the Piazza Navona or Pantheon, as being most central to the things you are most likely to want to see.

if you could get all your nights together, preferably at the end of your trip, then an apartment would be a good idea.

aduncan

The house we have is about 10km from Todi. Would you recommend train/bus or renting a car from Rome for the week in Umbria? We plan to see some sights such as Perugiaand Assissi. Another question--thoughts on Orviento or Spolleto? We love wine and Orviento seemed to have quite a bit in that area.

dreamon

Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto and Spoleto are all on the train line (but you will need to change trains). Check www.trenitalia.com for train timetables and www.umbriamobilita.it for buses. However, whether you need a car depends a bit on how far your house is from the train station and how many things you want to pack into a day. You can obviously visit more places in a day with a car but it is often less relaxing.

aduncan

Sorry to jump around on questions, but does anyone have experience with Hot Wire for booking hotels in Rome? Good, bad, avoid??

annhig

The house we have is about 10km from Todi. Would you recommend train/bus or renting a car from Rome for the week in Umbria?..

how were you planning on getting there? is there a train station in Todi? if not, you're going to need a car anyway.

aduncan

I think there is a bus in Todi from Perugia.

KTtravel

For a family of 4, I think a car will offer you the most versatility.

GoodLuckGirl

Fortunately,I have had very good experiences booking with the major web sites.....booking.com/Expedia/Hot Wire.
Just make sure you understand the terms regarding a possible cancellation.
And, you must ensure that your amenities will accommodate your family. Are you requiring only 1 room with 2 Double beds, or requesting a Quadruple with a Double bed and 2 singles? Input an option for a Quadruple and continue to search until you find a nice hotel in a good location. My preference continues to be the Pantheon/Trevi Fountain/Piazza Navona in that order.
I think that your kids will enjoy Orvieto for the funicular ride and the facinating wells. And you and your husband will enjoy it for the good wine.
Good Luck.

TexasAggie

It's pricier, but it is very easy to pick up the car at FCO (airport) and navigate toward Tuscany from there. I think a car will give you a lot more flexibility.

annhig

I think there is a bus in Todi from Perugia>>

do the friends who have rented this house not told you more about it? i would want to know a lot more about where I was planing to spend a week of my holidays, especially with teenagers with their well-known low boredom thresholds.

i'd especially want to know how i was going to get out and about when i got there - a bus to and from Perugia [for example] wouldn't hack it for me.

travelmamana

I am going in the summer and have booked what looks like a great apartment (3bdrms) near Spanish steps using vrbo. I've read reviews and had friends who have used the service and have indicated the descriptions and pictures are accurate. The property manager has been very responsive.

aduncan

Thanks all!!! we are meeting this weekend to hash out plans. I'll post an itinerary for input sometime around then.

Appreciate all the suggestions.

Maltesec

Hi Aduncan, I am sorry I can't recommend anything about Umbria, but as for Rome I would suggest you should stay at Hotel Borromeo in via Cavour. You have to consider via Cavour is right in the centre of Rome and very useful if you want to move by train, 'cause is near to the Termini Train Station by one side and to Colusseum and Imperial Fora, at the other end and then teeming with cafés and restaurant http://www.hotelborromeo.com