Italy Itinerary - too much?

Old Dec 31st, 2012, 04:25 PM
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In case my above post wasn't clear, I am suggesting your rent your car on Day 2, in Orvieto.

I am also suggesting that when it comes to returning your car, you return it to Chiusi if you are staying in Tuscany, and return it in Foligno (or Orivieto) if you ended up staying in Umbria. Take the train back to Rome.
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Old Dec 31st, 2012, 08:09 PM
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Where are you finding flights to Miami departing at 8 pm? Most flights to the states depart early morning.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 05:28 AM
  #23  
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Kybourbon -Hotwire Flight is still listed today, though slightly higher than yesterday, but still not bad at $1080. I love we would get to spend that whole last day before departing, but then we are stuck with a 10 hr overnight layover in Germany. Perhaps we could stay at an airport hotel and get a few hours of shut eye. Not sure yet.

I cannot thank you all enough. These responses are giving me such clarity, and I can really see our trip taking shape.

With the help of your suggestions I think we will indeed take a train to Orvieto straight from landing in Rome. Then rent a car once we arrive. I have kind of fallen in love with this place as a homebase for the country part of our stay http://www.locandarosati.it/ has anyone been? From Orvieto the next day, what would your "cant miss" day trip be? 1-2 towns most I suppose depending on driving distance. Beautiful scenery and a stop at a winery a must

Looking for suggestions on where to stay in Rome too, if you feel so inclined! A lively neighborhood with great (non touristy if possible!!) food, streets to wander, cafes to sit at and within a reasonable distance to great sites. Vague, I know. Hotel or BB with a good bed, good shower and good breakfast
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 06:01 AM
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>>>but then we are stuck with a 10 hr overnight layover in Germany.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 07:24 AM
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I think some of the better known towns of Umbria will be a bit of a drive (over an hour) from the Locanda Rosati. However, I think for your short stay, you can find plenty to see in the area, beginning, of course, with Orvieto (one of my favorite towns).
Bolsena is very pleasant and not on all the tourist maps for some reason. Todi (Umbria) is under an hour (my personal limit for day trips). Pienza (Tuscany)would be a pleasant drive up the SS2, which is a pretty route. I think even towns like Pitigliano and Sorano (Grosetto)come in under an hour's drive.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 08:47 AM
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My overall feeling is that you don't quite have a grasp of how very short a time you have for this trip - so short that a 10-hour layover in Germany makes no sense at all, and so short that staying in Orvieto is not the best decision because you will be in a car trying to get to other places for more time than you will actually spend in other places. Time FLIES when you're traveling through Europe.

I agree that Montepulciano or Pienza (which I love!) would make a better base for you. And though I don't think you have time for Rome, if you need a hotel recommendation, I love the Hotel Modigliani.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 09:15 AM
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Looking back at your interest in wine, food and wandering, perhaps Montepulciano is a better base.
Train from Rome to Chiusi, rent car in Chiusi (note--this would probably be a manual), then drive to Montepulciano. Plenty of wine and food options there. Good town for wandering. Pienza and Montalcino are easy drives. Could return in Chiusi, or if you are interested in Orvieto, return there. Train back to Rome.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 09:40 AM
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My first trip to Italy was a few years ago. I am one of the few people that rush around, cram stuff in and like it. We spent a week of our 3 week trip in Rome with the rest in Venice, Bolzano, Lake Garda, Florence, Montepulciano and Greve and San Sano. We barely scratched the surface in Rome. We're seriously considering spending a month in Rome next year. I could spend another 2-3 weeks in Florence. We also drove a rental car with no issues. Do what you feel comfortable with, but with just a week, I would not leave Rome.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 09:49 AM
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WineLady,
On Sunday I had booked and then within 24 hrs cancelled, a flight home like the one you're looking at with a 10 hr layover. We have spent the night in an airport before, and it is not the way to end a wonderful trip. I don't know why so many flights are like that lately. I was saving $200, but it was just not worth it. Best to keep the layovers to no more than 3 hrs and you'll appreciate the whole vacation more. I rebooked yesterday at some lesser known website. We have typically arranged open jaw flights so we don't have to waste time getting back to a city we've aready seen.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 10:01 AM
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My overall feeling is that you like the 'idea' of spending time in Tuscany or Umbria but have little knowledge about either region. The agriturismo you've fallen for is southeast of Orvieto, not where most people base themselves with limited time to explore Tuscany and Umbria. If you looked at the driving times involved, you'd see why.

I suggest you spend some time researching the regions (include Lazio), locate on a map things that appeal to you and find out the driving times involved. Then, based on how much time you want to spend in the car, figure out a logical geographic base within a reasonable distance.

Alternatively, if this agriturismo is definitely where you want to stay, determine what towns/sights are within a reasonable driving distance from it. For instance, from that location, I would consider Todi, Amelia, Lake Bolseno (also mentioned by someone upthread), Viterbo, Pitigliano and perhaps Tarquinia. Some of these destinations are in Lazio.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 10:02 AM
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Sorry, the agriturismo is SOUTHWEST of Orvieto.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 10:05 AM
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If you want to search driving times from the agriturismo on maps.google.com, type in "Locanda Rosati, Orvieto, Terni, Italy" in the box.

https://maps.google.com/
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 11:58 AM
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viamichelin.com will do the same thing.

which you use is a matter of personal preference.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 01:25 PM
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If you end up staying in Locanda Rosati, I recommend that you visit Montefiascone to both sightseee the exceptional architecture but also to drink the absolutely delicious white wine Est! Est! Est! You can combine it with a visit to Soriano nel Cimino, You might find this thread interesting:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...rbo_Lazio.html

I also recommend the 40 minute drive to the Bomarzo monster park, and on the way back a stop in Civitella d'Agliano. Another town that is just about 30 minutes from Locanda Rosait is Torre Alfina, which is a quite impressive castle town.

It's about an hour's drive to Montepulciano from Locanda Rosati, but well worth heading there for lunch one day. It is nice to drive around that area and make a visit to Pienza.

I found it quite difficult to drive in Viterbo.

If you end up deciding to stay someplace, the entire area is filled with lovely vistas, fascinating architecture, good wine and locandas that are just as pretty and well reviewed as Locanda Rosati. Usually it's just a case of more or fewer tourists, more or less shopping.
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Old Jan 1st, 2013, 03:18 PM
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If you drive to Montepulciano, be aware the town has a ZTL. You'll have to look for parking outside/below the town and walk in/up.

We haven't driven into Viterbo, only out which was easy (SS2). We picked up a rental car near the Viterbo Porta Romana train station, stashed our luggage and then explored the town on foot and by taxi for several hours. The town also has a ZTL.
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