My husband, 4 & 7 yr. old daughters and myself will be in Italy from 12/22-1/5. We wanted to rent a car and base out of Urbino around the 28-30th to see the Marche area. I've not been able to find a vacancy in Urbino, or raise answers to e-mails sent to potential(?) hotels. Does any one know if Urbino is near ski sites, or is this a typically busy time of year no matter where you are in Italy. Any alternative suggestions to Urbino in the Marches? Thanks!

Have you tried Macerata? We are staying there in March at the Hotel Claudiani. They are 4 stars, relatively inexpensive (100 euros/night) and are well located.

If you stay at the Claudiani in Macerata check into the suites on the top floor. I believe there are two. They have balconies with fantastic views and are not overpriced. Having said that, Macerata is not nearly one of my favorite places in Marche. Urbino is great, and I am surprised you can't find anything. Ascoli Piceno is another fantastic town in Marche, but it is in the southern portion. It would probably take around 4 hours to drive to Urbino from Ascoli. In Ascoli there is a fantastic midieval hotel in the center (whose name escapes me) and it is great. It is very new, so do some research. But it is a little pricey. It is one or two blocks from the Piazza de Poppolo. The restaurants in Ascoli are great and cheap. There should be some decent skiing around 45 minutes west of Ascoli. If you do stay in Urbino you can also check out the Furlo Gorge around 30 minutes south of Urbino. Fantastic restaurants there at La Ginestra or across the street at Mussolini's favorite restaurant. For a wierd experience check out Mussolini's room above the restaurant and also his dining room next door. Also, there is a great restaurant in Frontone in the little village on top of the mountain. Pesaro is also worth a day trip as is Urbania. Gubbio and Assisi are not far. Skip San Marino. Have a great time.

Thank you for your replys. Since posting, I did find a room in Urbino @ the Hotel Bonconte in Urbino for 3 nights. Thanks newyorker for the town tips. Skip San Marino...I guess I thought it might be a kitchy place to go for the kids passports (like Gilbralter)...but you seem to know the area. Again, thanks for the imput.

Note to "cape" - - your "title" (message header) on your question about Turkey does a disservice to all on this forum - - not the least of which, to yourself. It requires everyone to open your post to see what you info are seeking. You should re-post with a message header that refers to Turkey, and ideally gives as much information as is practical, right in the message header, so that others know what you are asking.

The logical extrapolation of your Turkey posting is that every single post would have the same header:

"Please answer".

Best wishes,

Rex

ttt...