I am down to two choices for our week in Tuscany. Romitorio di Serelle just outside Castellina in Chianti and Fattorio Vittico outside of Greve - everyone suggested staying south of Siena but couldn't find anything that met my requirements of budget, private outdoor space, and kitchen. The later is 330 euros more for the week.

CTerre - has anyone stayed in the apartments associated with Hotel Argentina (#19) - other option is La Conchiglia apartment - have to pick up the keys in La Spezia - we need to drop our car somewhere prior to CT - I assume we can drop in La Spezia which will make it easier.

Rome - Romesweethome # 3030 Via di San Fransesco - is this an ok area - other choice is in the middle of historic district - I really wanted Trastevere - but need to comfortable with the location.,

Venice - found two nice apts. in Dorsoduro district but no terrace - other option was in Cannaregio - is that area ok for two late 50's people?

Thanks for all of your help - this forum has been invaluable!!

If you arent set on Rio Maggiore in CT .. we stayed at

http://www.cinqueterre-laposada.com/...partments.html

The sole y luna apt.
It was one of the most beautiful apt. ever.
The view is out of this world. The owners were very nice. We loved the town of Corniglia.

**********

In Venice we stayed at

http://www.knowital.com/veneto/venic...partment1.html

I would stay there again. the owners were so nice. the uncle met us at a nearby bar, bought us a drink and gave us the keys. the was a bottle of their Prosecco waiting in the frig.
Magnifico.

*********
In Rome, we stayed at
http://www.romesweethome.it/apartmen...-apartment.asp

The apt a bit unusual but clean, safe and serviceable.
The location was EXCELLENT. Not far from bridge over to Trastevere.

Campo di Fiore is my choice. I have stayed near Trevi and Vatican. The market area is so colorful and lively.

Have fun planning..

jetset - thanks - I was looking at Corniglia and didn't know - hard to tell when you have never been there - those apartments look great - I sent a request to owner. Thanks again -

Ask about Sole Y Luna is there arent pics on that site.
if you dont hear back by email, fax them. I even called once to make sure reservations were solid.

We would go back there anytime and highly recommend it. I just cant say enough about the apt. It was the best.
The terrace overlooking the Gulf of Poets was unbelieveable.

They have a little restaurant right there, but you can walk to village center and find more.

It was fun and easy to take the boat to the ooter little villages.

try this for view of Sole y Luna
http://www.corniglia-laposada.it/

dd, I am unclear on the Rome address: is 3030 a street address or an apartment number for Rome Sweet Rome? My daughter rented an apartment at 139 Via San Francesco a Ripa for several months this past autumn. The neighborhood was great. This street leads right to the main square in Trastevere, and has many shops and restaurants. She walked to the Piazza Navona area every day and walking just about anywhere is certainly possible. There is a good bus line nearby though (the #8, maybe?)

For a place to stay south of Siena and will meet your requirements, look at Fonte Bertusi. I have stayed there 4 times. The location could not be better. I love everything about Fonte Bertusi and it is located in the heart of the most beautiful part of Tuscany.

http://www.fontebertusi.it/eng/

For a great apartment in Venice with a small balcony, I recommend Palazzo Foscarini. I have stayed there 3 times. It's located in Dorsoduro and a wonderful apartment.

http://tinyurl.com/canalg

Can't look up the Rome place. You need to supply a link.

As for Venice, anyplace in Venice is good. It's a pretty small and compact place. And safe. However, we especially liked the Dorsoduro because it was away from the crowds at Piazza San Marco and the Rialto. But this would be true for Canneregio too, and a terrace would be great.

Oh my, I hate to see you make that mistake in Tuscany. Look at Fonte Bertusi above, and here is more:
http://www.cretaiole.it/home.en.php

Terre di Nano--at Monticchiello

I think this is the Rome apartment:

http://www.romesweethome.it/apartmen...rancesco-1.asp

It looks like it is very close to my daughter's apartment.

Jet - link didn't work, but they don't have our dates when I emailed them.

Suki: It was the apartment number on the site - not address. was called sanfrancesco. I'll check out the link you gave me as well.

Bob - by mistake you mean the two specific places or just the location? please expound! I can't afford cretaiole- sent a message to Fonte Bertusi - it looks really nice - we really want a private garden/terrace to eat outside and read/drink wine, etc.

Thanks to everyone for info and links!!!!

Suki - this is the same apartment I was looking at 3030. Glad to know the location is good - I'll book it!

dd, the link is to the Rome Sweet Home apartment #3030 that you referenced in your first post. I'm not crazy about the colors in that apartment, but the terrace looks great! As I said, if you want Trastevere, this location is very good.

zoecat - I could not get that link to work - could you look at it again and see if it's missing something. Sorry and thanks!

ddandbob,

I'm not sure why the link will not work for you. I clicked on it and it worked. You could google Fonte Bertusi and find the website that way.

I mean location !
That is always my first criterion. Make an offer--these places are hurting too.

zoecat - it was the link for Venice that didn't work. I looked at Fonte Bertusi - looks fabulous - no prices on web site that I could find so waiting to hear back from them.

Hi,
We stayed here in Dorsoduro:
http://realvenicevacationflats.com/

The second floor apartment has a great terrace. We're in our late fifties. I've done a verbose trip report, which you'd find if you click on my name.

Cheers

Thanks to everyone for help - we are all set except for Venice. I found a VRBO # 227717 address Dorsoduro 3515 - please comment on that neighborhood - the apartment looks good - is it to far or to scary? Other choice is Corte Campo or La Calcina although we would prefer an apartment. Maybe waiting is better as the prices might come down closer to our September departure? What do you experts think?

Bob - we went with fonte bertusi for Tuscany - I'm sure we will be glad.
Thanks again to everyone. Now to the details of what to see and where to eat at each stop - That will keep me busy for the next several months - and I will be digesting this forum each day!

You guys are great!!

Good for you--you will love that area. Here are some pics to get your juices flowing:
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3827