annhig

If you fancy the lakes, Garda is also beautiful and lots to do if you get bored just lazing about!

nessundorma

S4842,

I would resist all these suggestions that you move around a lot in Italy and stick to your first impulse to have an extended stay in Firenze or nearby. All the places being mentioned are indeed beautiful, but I could add another 20. That's just how Italy is. You'll really get a chance to experince Italy in a new way if you spend time in one place.

VCM

We were in Italy in April for a second time. I agree that 11 days in Florence is too much time.
Venice is beautiful - but expensive - so keep that in mind as well.
We spent a night and day in Assisi based on a recommendation from this site. We were looking for a "real" Italian village/town. Assisi is great. If you search on this site you can probably find the talk.

I would also agree to get a return flight out of another city. We flew into Rome and out of Milan.

sugardog

Do not spend 11 nights in any one spot. That is a mistake. We had 4 days in Rome and wished we had limited it to two!!

We just got back from a driving trip. We started in Paris and drove to Italy. We drove through Tuscany on the way to my grandparent's hometown of Agnone in Molise (gorgeous place, but out of the way). We drove back to Rome, spent time there. We also drove through the Italian Riviera, Genoa, Pisa, and back to Paris. After seeing and doing, here is my recommendation:

Florence--no longer than 3 days, two at most
Rome--three days
Tuscany--several days to a week
Italian Riviera--several days to a week
Lake Como--have never been but people rave about it

S4842

We have decided to stay at the Ca'Pisani in Venice for four nights. Then, move on to Florence for 6 nights and stay at the Lungarno Hotel. I love Florence and could spend weeks there, but I figure that we can do Tuscany day trips if my fiance wants. Then, we are off to Rome for the end of our trip (4 nights). Any hotel suggestions? Rome is confusing!!!

tuscanlifeedit

Just remember to do exactly what you would like to do. We have spent a week in Florence every winter for the past four years, and enjoyed it tremendously. Florence has more to see in terms of art and architecture than many cities. And if you are a city person, it could be just right for you.

But I also like your plan for the Big Three.

What's your hotel budget?

tuscanlifeedit

And before I go to sleep let me add two recs:

In Venice, Room 242 at the Hotel Ala is the best bargain in the city. We spent our honeymoon there and went back again this March. Write to the hotel directly for rates. This is a large room in a well located hotel, with pretty fabrics, a Murano chandelier, a mural and the best: a balcony on a side canal where singing gondoliers pass by every afternoon.

In Florence, consider an apartment. The larger Santa Croce apartment at
florencevillas.com is where we stayed when I used to work for that company.

NatalieM

If you want something slower paced and romantic, how about 4 or 5 nights in one of the smaller cities...Siena or Cortona? We did a trip last year that included Rome, Venice and Florence, then a week in a farmhouse just outside Cortona. Cortona was the best! We found amazing lodging at very reasonable prices.

nessundorma

I loved staying at the Ca'Pisani! It's a great location, and has great jacuzzis. The hotel staff also gave us excellent restaurant recommendations, and were quite attentive.

I recommend the Albergo del Senato in Roma, facing the Pantehon. It is best to stay in the historic center, around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, which is the most convenient for seeing the sights except the Villa Borghese and is very atmospheric.

Another hotel favorite of mine is Teatro Pace 33, just off the Piazza Navona.

S4842

Since this is our hoenymoon, we will be happy to splurge, but I don't want to pay 1000 euros a night! Basically, I would love a hotel in Rome that is in a great location and luxurious and romantic, but not stuffy - someplace that feels special. Also, a helpful staff would be a plus. I haven't been to Rome for 11 years (when I was a college student) so this is very confusing for me.

nessundorma

Albergo del Senato fits your description very well. If they are not already booked, I highly recommend you grab a room there.

mw2006

We'll be in Italy for our honeymoon on just about the same dates. We haven't been before, so our itinerary is a bit more ambitious and I can't really give advice for where to stay or what to do, but I can tell you where we are staying. Locanda Orseolo in Venice is highly recommended by lots of honeymooners. They tend to book up very quickly though. www.locandaorseolo.com

In Florence, check out Relais Grand Tour. It is a B&B, but different and gorgeous. It is one of the reasons we are staying in Florence as well as the Tuscan countryside instead of daytrips from one location. Very interesting rooms. www.florencegrandtour.com

I am not so sure how I feel about our Rome hotel though and don't think I would recommend it. I personally regret having booked it. St. Regis Grand Hotel. Oh well.

Congrats!!!

bardo1

S4842,

Here are a few Rome hotels that have will fit your needs (all perfectly located in the Centro Storico, luxurious, romantic but not stuffy):

http://www.hotelpontesisto.com (especially this one - not too expensive either!)

http://delaminerve.hotelinroma.com (this 5-star jewel is splurgish but well under 1000E!)
Double Standard 385 Euro
Double Superior 425 Euro
Double Deluxe 525 Euro
Junior Suite 585 Euro

www.residenzafarneseroma.it
(another good, moderately priced choice)

bardo1

S4842,

Sorry, I just noticed that the Residenza Farnese website above does not work except to look at the hotel, rooms, and get location/phone/fax numbers. The English language portion doesn't work at all. It's still a great option - you'll just need to telephone them.

RESIDENZA FARNESE
Via del Mascherone, 59 Rome
Tel. +39.06.68.21.09.80
Fax +39.06.80.32.10.49

braziliantraveller

Rome: we got the Starhotel through Priceline. Excellent hotel, excellent localization (2 blocks from the Central Station), helpful staff (as far as the Italian standards), great breakfast, nice restaurants around..

Lastly,
I always say this: please, take very good care of your stuff when in Rome.

Enjoy!


Roma - Starhotel Metropole
4 stelle
Via Principe Amedeo, 3 - 00185 - Roma - Italia
Tel. +39 06 4774 - Fax +39 06 4740413
E-mail [email protected]

bat

bardo previously mentioned the Raphael in Rome. Friends stayed there for their honeymoon and recommended it.