sandralist

We didn't actually stay in the Westin but only ate lunch there. The hotel lobby is a grand old throwback in a class all its own. The only reason I book BBs in the center of Florence is that they are generally so much cheaper. If I had the possibility of a free hotel room at the Westin, I'd read the reviews, and if there aren't problems with the room, I would stay there. For me, walking out the door into the thick of it in Florence is a mixed blessing. The crowds are intense in the core of Florence, and the restaurants are not particularly better. Personally, I never care about old-world charm in a hotel. It's nice if it's done well, but I am perfectly okay with a standard Marriott-type, because they are often very comfortable with all the mod-cons.

Although we ate lunch at the Westin, we stayed at a new B&B called Emozioni Charme, which is right on the via del Corso (Tourist House Ghiberti couldn't accommodate us). We booked it through booking.com, and it was quite comfortable and fun, and the staff was terrifically charming. It too has a beautiful common terrace, this one open-air, with fetching views of the Duomo, which is only steps away, as is the piazza della Repubblica. If you are planning on walking your legs off in museums, or are the type of traveler who likes to dash back to the hotel during the day a few times, then Emozioni Charme or Tourist House Ghiberti have excellent locations for that and BB coziness. (The Emozioni Charme is soon opening a small hotel in the same building, which will have a full-fledged breakfast room. Right now they give you a voucher for a neighboring cafe, which is fine with me because I like to sleep in anyway).

sformby

Thanks for the Lucignano suggestion, I enjoyed "Certified Copy" (couldn't have remembered the name of it unless you brought it up, but one can never forgets Juliette Binoche) and wondered at the time what little town it was set in.

ekc

My only concern with driving to Ostia Antica, touring the site, then dropping the car off in Rome, would be leaving my luggage unattended in the back of the car. If you do, be sure it is in the trunk, totally hidden from sight.

I can't remember off the top of my head, but you might look into whether Ostia Antica has a left-luggage facility. I don't remember seeing one when I was there last year, but I wasn't looking for it either.

sformby

Thanks for the tip ekc.

sformby

Well, I think our itinerary is now set:

Florence: 3 nights Westin.
Pick up car.
Bevagna: 3 nights Residenza Porta Guelfa.
Drop car at Rome airport
Rome: 4 nights Marriott Grand Flora

Since we are staying in Bevagna for three nights, I'm trying to decide what are the touring options for some small town charm for our two full days. I think we'll skip Perugia this time. I'm undecided on Assisi. I've just got guidebook-itis right now. It all sounds good, but time is limited. Any thoughts on driving/sightseeing for the two days? I was thinking Spello and Montefalco for sure.