Just got the final okay from DH to make a return trip to Italy - sooooo excited!!!! Last time we went with another couple, this time taking our daughters (ages 18 and 21).

Will prolly be making multiple posts for input and information as the plans come together so please, bear with me!

Want to pretty much retrace the trip we did before but with some changes so that's where you guys come in. Have scoured the Fodors, Slowtrav, tripadvisor, etc. sites but still need advice. Our basic m.o. is: see what we can but not go crazy with museums, art, 'stuff'; shop a little but not obsessively so; absorb the local scenery, flavor, food, etc.; see the countryside; eat ALOT; get the idea?

Don't want to break the bank but don't mind spending US$150 - 300 per night on rooms if they're worth it...

Here's what I have so far with questions in between: (need help with the question parts!)

Departing May 8 or 9, 2005:
USA -> Naples
--driver pick us up, drive to Positano
--hotel (3 nights): Palazzo Murat (stayed there before and loved it!) Plan to eat at Il Ritrovo and Dona Rosa

--train to Siena, cab to hotel
--hotel (4 nights): thinking Palazzo Ravizza - (did certosa last time and loved it but want to be inside the walls this time). What do you think? good choice?

--rent car - drive to Tuscany area
--hotel (4 nights): thinking Villa Pambuffetti in Montefalco. What do you think? Will we be able to walk to shops, retaurants, markets? Would like to cook some while were there so maybe other place with kitchen? Which one withing walking distance to everything even if in different town? (Yes, will have car but want to walk if possible)

--turn in car, train to Rome.
--hotel (3 nights): Albergo Ottocento just off Piazzo Barbarini

--DEP for USA (sadly)

Let me know your input, can always count on fellow fodies!!!!!!

hightide, I am not famaliar with the hotels you listed but your itinerary IMHO looks wonderful!!! And May is such a beautiful time to visit.

Now, your hotel in Rome. I am not famaliar with that hotel either but I personally like to stay by the Piazza Barbarini. You will probably get suggestions from many that this is not the right area to stay in. I happen (in a friendly manner) to disagree. And know there are others that like this area also.

Your lucky daughters!! Am sure all four of you will be counting the days until May arrives.

>>>--train to Siena, cab to hotel
--hotel (4 nights): thinking Palazzo Ravizza - (did certosa last time and loved it but want to be inside the walls this time). What do you think? good choice?

--rent car - drive to Tuscany area
--hotel (4 nights): thinking Villa Pambuffetti in Montefalco. What do you think? <<

This seems like a little too much time in Siena. Also, Montefalco is in Umbria - not Tuscany.

I much prefer the area south of Siena - around Pienza - to any other area in Tuscany or Umbria. Why not stay 2 days in Siena, and then split the remaining up into 3 days near Pienza & 3 days near Montefalco (I've driven through a few time, but never lingered much).

Did I send you my Italy itinerary that I've sent to over 200 people on this and the aol board. I have some wonderful drives in the Pienza area described, along with sections on the Amalfi coast (we've stayed at Murat 3 times), and Siena (stayed at Ravizza too). E-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy.

Stu Dudley

Since there are four of you and you even talk about cooking, I'd really be tempted to rent an apartment in Tuscany for the week in a town where you can do just what you mentin and go from there. Siena is OK, but a full day or just one night would suffice in my humble opinion, so you can spend a full week in one place. I'm with Stu about Pienza, which is wonderful, and practically next door to Montepulciano, and so many other places.

I'll plug these great apartments in Montepulciano -- mostly two bedrooms and super reasonable and wonderful.

http://web.tiscali.it/poggiolo/poggiolo_home.htm

The rest sounds good. Interesting that you are returning to Palazzo Murat. We stayed there and while it was fine (but we did have a disappointing room) I've always sort of regretted not staying at a place with a view instead -- which seems to be what Positano is all about.

LoveItaly: Thanks! As for hotel in Rome we stayed there before - was across the square and one street over from the Bernini Bristol where our original reservations were... but was half the price and larger rooms! Know what you mean though about mixed reviews about the area but we liked it... I remember your previous post about murano glass - want me to pick you up a SMALL piece?!?!?! hehe

Stu: re: too long in siena: we really loved the city though and didn't get to fully 'explore' it before plus one day we're there is a Sun. so will just be a 'hang out' day.

re: Montefalco: oops, yup, umbria, not Tuscany. Will look into Pienza, that looks interesting, have read about it. Already doing 4 hotel changes, don't know about adding another but up for ideas. Would love to receive your Italy info. If not too much trouble, email to: [email protected].

Thanks to both of you for input!!!!

Four nights in Montefalco are, in my opinion, at least two too many.

And why stay in an expensive hotel like Villa Pambuffeti? Almost any agriturismo in the area would be much cheaper and offer more local atmosphere and, with luck, better cuisine.

That said, for traditional Umbrian cuisine, Cucurru (sp? near the main piazza at the top of Montefalco) offers excellent quality at a reasonable price.

Ooooooh so many good ideas - I knew I could count on you guys. Okay, back to the drawing board, in the meantime, keep 'em coming!

>>Palazzo Murat. We stayed there and while it was fine (but we did have a disappointing room) I've always sort of regretted not staying at a place with a view instead<<<

Patrick - next time ask for rooms 1 or 2 in the old wing - they have views (unless they have re-numbered the rooms recently)

Hightide - stay near Pienza for the entire time in Tuscany - you won't regret it. Check out our friend's Apt in the medieval village of San Quirico - just west of Pienza. They rent it out when they are not there. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 full American baths w/ showers, kitchen w/ dining room, living room, and a huge beautiful garden. It's in the middle of town, and there are grocery stores across the street, 5 or so restaurants within 5 min walk, and the entire medeival section is pedestrian only. I'll send you the itinerary - further details are in there.

Stu Dudley

re: palazzo murat: we had #5 before and it was great - hope we can get it again....

Really interested in the apratments. Are they really nice? Would rather have a great place than to try to scrimp (on this trip anyway)....

hightide, I just made a note of your hotel in Rome. That is good info to have. Thanks

And small Venitian glass? Si,si

Oh you are going to have a fabulous trip!

Thank you LoveItaly - will look for something special for you (favorite color?) Yes, really looking forward to the trip, so are our girls. They've heard us go on and on ad nauseum about our previous trip so now they'll get to see first hand what we've been so excited about!!!

Hightide,
I would suggest you didn't retrace your steps but try some new ones....daughters will thoroughly enjoy anything since I'll assume they've not yet been there. I would the rental car out of Naples and just keep it until Rome. Naples (departing) and Amalfi aren't that bad driving, I've done it many times and its far more convenient. I would look into apartments or small villas for your trip, you have a good group for a 2bd situation and would save alot of $s.
Have a great trip whatever you decide!

Good hotel choices and nice itinerary. But, I agree that Montefalco is not your best bet. There are better locations in Umbria, but I would opt for south Tuscany.

Due to input, rethinking Montefalco choice - I think you guys are right other area(s) might be better...

Really appreciate all the ideas - so hard to distill and assimilate all the info available!

Okay, here's an odd thing: why isn't this thread showing up on the Italy forum? I'm fairly certain I specified it - didn't I????

Stu, you open up old rooms. We did our homework before booking, and it was because of the description of that old wing and those two rooms (yes, #1 and #2) that we chose Palazzo Murat. We did request those rooms when we booked nearly a year ahead. They absolutely refused to guarantee we'd be in those rooms or in fact in the old part at all. When we arrived -- before noon in fact -- they gave us a room in the "semi-basement" that was dark but looked out to the lovely gardens, but not what we wanted. They apologized over and over that the rooms we wanted were taken, even though we were the first people who had booked rooms for that date. I was led to believe that certain tour groups or travel agents book those rooms and are given preferential treatment. Sadly those special rooms are the same price. If they had charged extra, we would have gladly booked them to make sure we got them, but as I said they made clear they couldn't guarantee them. That's why we were disappointed in the hotel -- we had hoped for one of those rooms for a year and booked that far ahead hoping we'd get them.

This is like so many people say in Venice -- request a room with a view of the Grand Canal. Well, unless you can be guaranteed such a room at time of booking, you can request all you want. But that doesn't mean you're going to get one.

Too funny. I meant "you open up old WOUNDS".

hightide,

Glad to hear you are rethinking Montefalco. For Umbria, this wouldn't be your best choice. Personally, I think a day trip to Montefalco is just about all that's called for.

I often talk about this place outside of Assisi:

http://www.jpmoser.com/santamariadegliancillotti.html

We loved it there, and the distances to Assisi, Spello, Perugia, and yes, Montefalco, are very easy. The food was superb, the family proprietors were terrific.

Have a great time!

Really appreciate the input!

Still want to stay inside Siena but pretty much convinced me to prolly shave a day or so off...

Next stop maybe instead of Montefalco, one of the other suggestions? (Liking the Pienza prospect) Just want a great apt / villa / hotel but want to be within 5 min. or so walk to town and shops in small town/village.

Will check these all out....

Thanks Stu for the itinerary - wow lots of great info!!!! Printing it out now...

Would it be a Fodors faux pax to post this additionally on the Italy forum?