Italy 3* hotels: Verona, Pisa/Lucca, Siena, Assisi
 

I'm looking for hotel suggestions in these cities for March. I'll be using public transportation so closeness to the train-bus route would be a plus, also en suite wc, b'fast included, elevator, tv. <BR>I'm leaning:) more towards Pisa vs Lucca but plan a daytrip there. In Verona I'm thinking of the Hotel Giulietta & Romeo???. TIA Regards, Walter <BR>

We've stayed at the Umbra Hotel in Assisi on two trips. We love the hotel and their food and the people are very nice. It is an old 16th century palazzo turned hotel on the Piazza del Commune. Marilyn

Walter, Try these for decent value and <BR>good locations. <BR>Verona---Due Capuleti <BR>Lucca---Piccolo Puccini <BR>Siena--Santa Caterina or Piccolo Oliveto <BR> <BR>Cannot speak to Assisi. Good luck !

I'm pretty sure that you don't want to stay in the train station area in any of the cities you mention :-) Stay right in the middle of he action, even if you have to catch a taxi here and there to shuttle you between a train station and your hotel. Though I don't know Lucca very well, chances are that the "damage" would be bearabl there ... <BR> <BR>SIENA: We know that you probably will take the bus to Assisi ... any other bus daytrips planned? Anyway, it's well known that our choice 3-star in town is the Chiusarelli (mainly because of its easy access, parking alternatives and closeness from the sites). Quite a few friends using Siena as a base for bus daytrips stayed there and not a single one was unpleased. Though, when compared to some other, it lacks character, family ambience, romantic setting, etc (really a no nonsense type of hotel) it's well kept and clean, confortable with all ammenities and it was at most 100mts from Siena's main bus stop at the San Domenico church. <BR> <BR>I understand that things have changed. It looks like they have moved the buses from the square in front of the church. Though I may be wrong on this, apparently they moved the inter-city buses further north (via Tozzi, la Lizza and Piazza Gramsci area) and the local buses serving the old town, mainly to Piazza del Sale. If that's indeed so, the Chiusarelli would still be a good option (the walking distance to the buses would have increased to 300-350mts). If you're arriving by train, bus #6 should take you close enough to the hotel. For info on local and provincial transportation refer to <BR> <BR>http://db.sienanet.it/web/train/welcome.asp <BR> <BR>Bob's indications have been referred to by others but they lay outside the walls (granted, not dramatically so). One other option in the old town, though quite far from the buses, would be Palazzo Ravizza in the southwest corner of the city. <BR> <BR>ASSISI: Buses and train arrive in the Basilica Sta. Maria degli Angeli area (woth a visit), some 4km out of town. Marilyn's Umbra is hard to beat, right in tghe thick of things (we had dinner there, didn't stay). On the minus side, it may be closed if you're getting there too soon in March and, if you're travelling solo, you may feel somewhat out of place ... never mind! One other very good option (recommended by my mother ... travelling solo :-) would be the Hotel dei Priori close by, some 200 mts towards Sta. Clara church. <BR> <BR>

VERONA: The only 3-star we used in the old town, Residence Hotel Castelvecchio would be a very good choice for families of 4 to 6/7 people (they've got very nice studios and one-two-three-bedroom appartments with breakfast). Travelling solo I'd probably go with the Giuletta & Romeo or Bob's de' Capuleti. The former is a shade better located (the action develops north of the Arena) and the latter may pay a price (mainly among Americans in Italy) for carrying Best Western's logo ... <BR> <BR>PISA: We have used the Royal Victoria, overlooking the Arno and very convenient to the maze of little streets in the old town, a stroll through which is a must specially in the evening/night. This is the oldest in town, has lots of character and its antiques, frescos, big rooms, etc., are a testimony for the days of grandeur and glory in the past, and is managed by a very nice family. On the minus side, it hasn't got a/c (no problem in March) and rooms overlooking the river are noisy if one has to leave windows open (like we had to in the heat of July). If you like your windows open unless it's freezing, better ask for a room in the back. When we were there 3 years ago, I had a strange feeling of sadness for the hotel ... as if all the traces of past glory didn't fit somehow (relatively few guests, quiet atmosphere, etc.). At the time they were renovating some public rooms. I certainly would go back, if nothing else to check if my impression would change. If I'm not wrong, bus #7 should take you there from the train station. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Walter, we stayed at the Hotel Giulietta e Romeo (only a 2 minute walk to the arena)and found it a very nice place to stay. Clean, fairly large rooms and a very pleasant staff. In Assisi we stayed at the LaFortezza Hotel. Strange litle place at the top of a long series of steps, just up from Santa Chiara church in the Piazza del Comune. We had a room for 3 people and it costs us about $75.00 US. No breakfast though.

Hi Walter, <BR> <BR>I'd love to hear some detail about your public transportation plans--I'd like to visit the area again, but am somewhat concerned about limited schedules. Thanks.

1st off, Thanks everyone! for all the info and will check-out those hotels. Carol: Originally I was going to rent a car in Verona but decided use the trains/buses and my backpack for the ease of getting around. Haven't gotten into precise details yet but via train there are no problems (frequency-wise) for the Milan-Verona, Verona-via Florence-Pisa, Pisa-Lucca, Pisa-Florence legs. From nearby the Florence train station express buses depart for Siena hourly on a 1-1/4hr journey. And from Siena to Rome (8 buses/day) and to Assisi (1 bus/day) and then from Assisi a train to Rome. Paulo give me this website on another thread/topic for the Siena/Rome/Assisi buses (other cities also) www.lazzi.it/senaautolinee/index_e.htm HTH Regards, Walter <BR>

Walter, I read the Assisi bus schedulles somewhat differently. I may be wrong though and you better check once in Siena. <BR> <BR>I would guess that S.M.Angeli is the church and therefore just a very short distance to Assisi's train station. Therefore, the Freccia dell'Appennino schedulle should read: <BR> <BR>daily (4:30pm-6:25pm); Mondays through Fridays (10:50am-1pm); Saturdays (8:40am-10:35am) <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Walter, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the info--I don't know why it never occurs to me that I could enter Italy from Milan instead of Rome--you've given me an entirely new perspective. BTW, years ago I took the slow local bus from Florence to Siena--it took 3 hours, but we never got on the major highways and the landscape was so beautiful that I felt as though I was living inside a Renaissance painting--it was a wonderful experience.

Paulo: I believe you are right but I will check in Siena. I just saw the "Assisi" on the schedule and assumed:) 1 per day. I would *much* rather leave in late afternoon vs. late morning. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. <BR>Carol: Don't know if this will help but I checked Alitalia and the "tiss" website for a Boston-Milan R/T fare before and after I purchased my tickets. I went to my TA to purchase the tickets except with an "open-jaw". Fly into Milan and return Rome-Milan-Boston, and the tickets were the exact same price:). So I got the Rome-Milan leg for free. Regards, Walter <BR>

Piccolo Puccini in Luca is a delight. Quiet pretty rooms (we paid about $70) and you can reach out the window and touch (almost) the house Puccini was born in. <BR>A block away is Da Leo, an inexpensive restaurant serving some of the best food we've ever had, anywhere. <BR>Use Lucca as your home base. Bus service is excellent. We took Pisa in on a day trip (about 45 minutes by bus)

Walter, We were in Lucca in Sept. and stayed at a very nice hotel, Hotel San Marco. Very modern, art deco design. Great b'fast and service. <BR>About $115 US/night. <BR> <BR>It is about 2-3 blocks outside of the walled city and you have to walk thru some of the nicest pieces of architectured houses I've seen in quite awhile to get to the gate. <BR> <BR>It's right on the bus line and about <BR>$5 US cab ride from the train station. <BR>I really liked Lucca. <BR>My father in law was born and raised there so we got "The Tour" since he flew over and hooked up with us. <BR>Kal

The Basilica Sta. Maria degli Angeli is at the bus/train station at the bottom of the hill from Assisi. It is 2 blocks down the street toward town and contains the small carcerie (sp?) of St. Francis and where pilgrims visit. It's lovely and worth the visit. To get to Assisi you need to hop the local bus in front of the station. These go up the hill to Assisi regularly. Once in town you can take a local bus close to your destination. (I think this is the way it works. Last time we were there we had a rental car--but don't bother it's easier and safer with their transportation.) Marilyn

Mistake--small carcerie (sp?)-- I mean Porziuncola (sp?) It's the small church within the Basilica that St. Francis built. Indulgences are given for saying your rosary there. Marilyn

Walter, <BR> <BR>I'm topping this to put you in the spot :-) <BR> <BR>Since you've returned, you've been very "economic" in your interventions ... Unless I'm missing some, all I have from your trip are some disjoint sketches. <BR> <BR>We know that your plans were to travel the Milan - Verona - Florence (Lucca-Pisa-Siena) - Assisi - Rome route. We also know that you ended up renting a car instead of relying on public transportation. Then, in your own very economic words: <BR> <BR>- I *loved* your mom's hotel:) Dei Priori/Assisi, I thought the Royal Victoria/Pisa was *very* unique/cool and loved the antique furniture, Chiusarelli was OK and exactly what I asked for location-wise and I did get a parking space in the hotel's small lot which made it worthwhile. <BR> <BR>What else? speak up, man :-) I'd love to hear your impressions on Verona, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Assisi and eventual other smaller cities you may have visited enroute. <BR> <BR>Paulo

would also vote for the Umbra, Piccolo Puccini and the Santa Caterina. Also in Assisi is the Subasio, in a great location, but the rooms vary greatly.

I recommend the Giotto hotel in Assisi. We had a large room with a terrific view. It was not far from the Basilica.

Lucca is a wonderful town and the Hotel San Martino is a great place to stay. It's an 8-room hotel, comfortably and artistically decorated with a lot of attention to appearance. The staff is friendly and helpful and they'll even rent you a bike to pedal around town or the walls surrounding the historic center.

Lucca is lovely, and was one of the highlights of our recent trip to Tuscany. Pisa, on the other hand, is something of a charmless pit...we couldn't get out of there soon enough. <BR> <BR>The place we stayed in Lucca we would recommend highly: Palazzo Alexander. It was, without a doubt, the nicest hotel we stayed at in Italy (and one of the best in Europe at its price level). It's a lovely, charming restored 12th century building within the historic walls. Beautifully decorated, with brand new rooms (GREAT bathrooms with big 2-person tubs, some with jacuzzis) and a wonderful breakfast buffet. The service was warm and genuine - we were given bicycles for the day to tour the city, at no cost. <BR>They have a website if you want to know more. <BR>Good luck!

I have now stayed in two hotels in Assisi - - Umbra and Fontebella. Umbra is superior for location, but has no elevator, in case that is important (for older travelers, for example). I also recall a very nice dinner there (this was two years ago). <BR> <BR>Fontebella is very nice, has parking right in front of it, and has a great restaurant. The hotel is on a steep slope so that you actually enter on the third floor (where my inlaws stayed); we stayed "down" on one, which was as far down as the elevator went - - the elevator does not go all the way down to the restaurant (and breakfast room) - - not really a major problem. All in all, its location is not as quite as convenient as the more "central" choices. <BR> <BR>I also stepped into the Dei Priori, hoping that we might eat dinner there one night, and they only were serving for their "full pension" guests that night (Sunday) - - so I cannot report on anything but its location (essentially the same excellent location as the Umbra). <BR> <BR>One last choice we also considered was the San Francesco - - 100 yards from the Basilica; no restaurant, and the location is not that great for anything else. They do have an elevator. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

has anyone heard of or stayed at the Grand Hotel Guinigi in Lucca? jwg