I am doing my research for my trip to Rome next March and I need more information about the Nazionale Hotel. Can anyone give me any insight on this hotel? I have absolutely no knowledge of Italy at all. What are the must-sees? I would also like to take a daytrip somewhere as well...is Venice too far? I would love to ride in a gondola. I am also willing to forego Rome if there are more picturesque cities to see in Italy. We are ok with joining a tour to learn our way around.

We are strictly budget conscious and would like to save as much money as possible or at least to maximize our dollars. I will go ahead and read as much as I can about the country and try to get a feel of what Italy has to offerybut I would love the boardys insight as well.

TIA,

Renee

Renee, it's funny..I just posted a question about Hotel Nazionale in Levanto..I find little information about it. In my searches..I have found many good things about the hotel in Rome..Did you try a Goggle search..also do a Fodors search. Lots of stuff..Looks nice! Rome is wonderful..don't skip it!!

Thanks Allison....will do.....also please forgive the extra y's and d's in the last paragraph....don't know what happened there!

I know Hotel NAzionale in ROme. Its position is excellent because it is right on Piazza Montecitorio, site of the ITalian Parliament. It is a 4 star hotel therefore it shouldnt be bad. I have passed in front of it many times (I live near Rome) and it has the charm of an elegant old style hotel. Have a look through www.venere.com, select Rome, then sort the hotels by name and you'll find it. You can read the reviews left by those who stayed there and you can go directly to their site. Anyway, other info I can give are these: the hotel is right near Via del Corso which is one of the most important and famous shopping streets in Rome. At walking distance you have the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia with the Vittoriano, Piazza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza del Popolo with its amazing churches one of which has got some of Caravaggio's masterpieces. What else? Near the hotel there is gelateria Giolitti, one of the most knows ice cream places, if you enjoy ice creams. So I would recommend it, mostly because it is in the heart of Rome!

Hi Renee,

Venice is sort of far for a day trip.

If you really want to ride in a gondola, why not fly into Rome or Venice and out from the other?

You should do at least 2 nights in Venice.

As always....you guys are the best!!

I'll give you the name of a better hotel than the Nazionale. It is in the same square as the Nazionale across the road and called the Colonna Palace Hotel - they are both 4 star. I met a lawyer from America in the Colonna Palace last year who had stayed at the Nazionale and he said it wasnt as nice as the Colonna Palace but it looked alright from the outside. As regards situation you couldnt get anything better (either hotel) - they are right in the centre of the historic centre and most importantly (if you like quietness) no traffic passes the hoteld as they are situated in Parliament Square and Italian police patrol this area night and day. Some of the Rome hotels can be very noisy with traffic passing. Florence is also a lovely city (not so dramatic as Rome). Venice is my favourite place on earth but I think its a bit too far to go for the day from Rome although on our first trip to Venice, we did it as a day trip from Florence (this is certainly possible) We went back a year later for a week. You can either visit several places (and get a flavour) or to one or two in depth. My advice, read up on Italy - buy one good book, take on board others comments and then make your own mind up. I am sure, like us, you will want to go back after your first trip. All the best.