My first message here, so please forgive in advance any errors. My many hours of searching this site have been invaluable! Am flying with husband and two daughters (ages 13 and 8) to Venice in mid February. First Europe trip for our family! Will be staying at Locanda Orseolo for three nights. Then, picking up car in Venice, and driving to Rome. Would like to spend three nights in Umbria. Here are my questions. First where to stay in Umbria in February? I have done so much research that I am going a little crazy. Would love to stay in a farm house, think my daughters would love this. Do not need an apartment, am leaning towards a B and B. Would love a place that also has family dinners, as I believe this would be another great experience. Am not stuck on Umbria, could also do Tuscany, but think that my kids would love Asissi. We do not need anything particularly fancy, but clean, and some English spoken (I am listening to language tapes non-stop, but this is my first trip to Italy and with kids I am a little nervous). Any help and suggestions on where to stay would be so appreciated! Second question is: When driving into Rome can we make it to the train terminal to turn in our car or am I crazy? Will drop off at the airport if you suggest, but that is, of course, out of the way. Dropping off on a Saturday, around noon. Third question: Any other tips, advice, on kids activities most appreciated. In Rome we are staying at the Villa San Pio. A little out or kids? Thanks again for all your help!

A few, I hope, helpful comments:

1. I can't imagine why one would drive from Venice to Umbria. I strongly recommend training Venice to Orvieto and renting a car there. Avis is a five minute cab ride from the train station.

2. My wife and I stayed a few nights last month at Locanda Rosati, just outside of Orvieto. It is a marvelous place serving great dinners that are orchestrated by the owner, an unforgettable man. They have a website.

3. Orvieto has many enchanting diversions for kids including underground caverns, etc.

4. I'd drop the car back in Orvieto and train to Rome. The drive to Rome, and certainly within the city, is not only unmemorable but, IMO, hazardous.

We visit Umbria spring and fall. I'd be pleased to answer any questions.

Dale has a great solution--I concur.
If you want to drive and stay more in central Umbria then look at Malvarina.com near Assisi. If you want Tuscany then look at lacosta.it

We stayed at the Villa Rosa in Montemelino, Umbria. If you go to the website www.slowtalk.com, you can bring up a few reviews of it. It's about 15 km from Perugia. The Villa is a 300 year old farmhouse with two B&B rooms, an apartment, and a free-standing two bedroom cottage. It is smack dab in the middle of the most bucolic countryside you'd ever want to see! The owners are a young married couple. He's Italian, and has grown up in Umbria (and speaks impeccable English), and she's Australian. They know Umbria inside out and they're the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. If you are there on a Monday evening, cooking classes & dinner can be arranged with one of Perugia's well-known chefs. The Villa is a decent location to visit Gubbio, Orvieto, Assisi, Todi, etc. We stayed there and fell in love with the place.

Thank you for all of your advice. It is much appreciated! Unfortunately, Locanda Rosati is closed in February. I have contacted Malvarina and Villa Rosa. Dln, do you have a trip report on this part of your trip? I read your other trip report, it was great!Would love more information! Thanks again!

kar, if you go to www.slowtalk.com and look up their vacation reviews, you will find mine. My screen name on that website is caramello, so you won't have any trouble finding it. The young couple who own Villa Rosa are Megan and Lino, and they are the most wonderful, helpful people you'd ever want to know. And the Villa is gorgeous!