Gree65

this will be our third trip to Italy and we will have 9 days in the country. this is what I am thinking of doing:

Arrive in rome March 24-spend the night near the airport to recover.
March 25-pick up car and drive to San Quirico d' Orcia
March 25-29 stay at Palazzo del Capitano
March 30-travel to Bologna and spend the night
March 31-April 1- Venice (drop off car at airport)
April 2-fly home from Venice
April

We have been to Rome twice already and wanted to retunr to Venice. I am taking an Italian language class and my instructor is from Bologna and recommended the city as the food is wonderful.

Gree65

Sorry-posted too soon!
Questions:

1) Where to stay in in bologna?
2) Should we pick up our car the first day and get out of Rome or staick with staying near the airport? We have been to Orvieto, but only as a stop-over on the way to Castellina.
3) Any suggestions for Venice hotels?-La Calcina is booked.

Gree65

In light of recent threads, I apologize for asking where to stay in bologna without more information.
WE would like to be near the city center and would like to spend less then 150E for the night. I was looking at Albergo Centrale and Paradise Hotel as well as Hotel Roma. Any thoughts?

For Venice:
Looking at Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo
Palazzo del Selvadego
Hotel Giorgione

Thanks in advance

bobthenavigator

I would change 3 things:
1. Get the car as you arrive and drive as far as Orvieto or at least Tarquinia
2. Forget Bologna--you only have 9 days and Venice has more to offer.
3. Why drop at the venice airport--tht is very inconvenient. Drop at Piazzale Roma

Gree65

We've been to Venice already and just wanted to return briefly. So, I'd still like to see Bologna, especially with the advice of my instructor(unfortunately she has family there, so not much hotel help).
Bob, I was thinking of Orviteo as we loved Civita and we only saw the Duomo last time. I'll search for hotels for Orvieto-do you have a recommendation?

I will drop the car where you recommended-thanks! Is there easy service to the island from there?

Bob, any suggestions for Venice hotels? We stayed at La Calcina last time and it is booked (of course!). Hotel Flora is booked as well. I e-mailed Locanda Orseleo, Locanda Martini, Palazzo Duodo and Casa Rezzonico. Any other thoughts?

thanks for all of your help!!

ira

Hi G,

It is with some trepidation that I disagree with bobthenavigator, but
Rome FCO to San Quirico d' Orcia is 2:30 hr. Rome FCO to Orvieto is 1:34 hr.

The extra driving time is not going to be significant. Get in the right lane and drive the speed limit.

For places to eat in Bologna, I can highly recommend:

Da Cesarina, across the piazza from San Stefano.

Nuovi Notai, Via de' Pignattari, 1 - just off Piazza Maggiore







Piazzale Roma is on Venice Island. See www.mappy.com

Gree65

Thanks Ira. I couldn't decide if I should just go straight through to San Quirico. We have driven straight through both times on our trips to Italy-one 8 hours (which I would not so again) and another 3 hours to castellina. I thought maybe there was more to Orvieto that would be worth seeing. We only saw the outside of the duomo and had lunch to rest on our way to Castellina last year, then went over to Civita which was wonderful. Would it be worth another day in Orvieto or just keep going? We will be arriving at 3pm to the airport which is why I wa thinking of staying closer to Rome. Any thoughts given this information? I figured we would get to Orvieto by 6 (we don't check our luggage).

thanks!

Gree65

Sorry for the spelling errors!

ira

Hi Gree,

>Would it be worth another day in Orvieto or just keep going?

Orvieto is well worth a day, and even a night.

One of the best restaurants in Italy is I Sette Consoli
Pzza Sant’Angelo 1A
phone/fax 011 39 0763 343911

Gree65

Thanks!
Ira, any Venice hotel suggestions or hotels in Bologna? I've inquired about a number of them, but am waiting to hear back.

I'll plan to stay in Orvieto the first night.