vrbo.com is a great site for apartmemts rentals (wordlwide). The rentals is by owners so it is my experience they are far more expeditious to solve any unsatisfactory matter. If in Rome for 5 days there are, at a minimum, two things you definitely need to do: 1) get an apartment near easy public transport, 2) get a Roma Pass.

I rented this aprtm: http://www.vrbo.com/175368 LOVED IT! The emphasis for the trip was The Vatican as I went to visit a relative studying there. The location was outstanding. Have fun, your trip covers two of my Top Five Destinations: Nice and Rome....ahhhhhh!

I don't think zeppole's suggestion of dropping the car in Florence or Pisa is such a good idea. It's better to avoid driving in cities, and the airports in Florence and Pisa require another trip to get to the main train station. Dropping in Orvieto is good. Chiusi is another possibility. In both Orvieto and Chiusi, the car rental places are close or quite close to the train station, requiring a short taxi ride at most.

As for driving distances, look them up on one of the online mapping programs, like Google or www.viamichelin.com or www.mappy.com. You can get not only distances but (estimated) driving times and detailed instructions.

Should you be in Orvieto at any mealtime, I heartily recommend I Sette Consoli. My favorite in all of Italy.

A very nice and charming place to stay near Orvieto is Locanda Rosati.If you have dinner there,it is a tasty and interesting experience. I second I Sette Consoli..Just delicious!

Locanda Rosati is simple inn, very welcoming, great food...loved it.

As for a first time in Rome, the Vatican area for an apartment is not particularly interesting or attracrtive. Staying closer to the historic center might be a more enjoyable experience.

I and many others feel that www.sleepinitaly.com offers wonderful apartments. This agency is very reliable and efficient, offering good service. Rome Shuttle is also great...have used them many times for airport transportation.

We have settled on Montalcino and found a lovely B&B. I asked owner for info on getting there from Rome. Do you all have any suggestions. We will rent a car, but should we rent in Rome or...? Our flight gets in from Nice at 13:50. I'll never get used to those times (I have a son-in-law in military too!) I think it is 1:50 afternoon. Now the hard part - getting back to Rome and finding a hotel that is charming, near public transportation, at a reasonable price $125 euros max). I figure I will have eaten and drank all my money away. You might see this on my other post, so be patient with me. I'm getting panicked.

Don't panic!

Try Pensione Barrett in Rome. It has a website. It's a great location.

Are you going straight to Orvieto from Roma? Why not rent the car there?

Mimar, whatever your judgment of driving in cities in Italy (and Pisa is not a big one), it makes little sense to drive all the way from northern Tuscany to southern Umbria just to drop off a rental car in a town one has already seen.

And I second Locanda Rosati, too.

My head is killing me. When we fly into Rome, we will immediately rent a car at the airport and drive to Montelcino. We reserved three nights there. Our original plan was to spend the last three nights of our trip in Rome after dropping the car at the airport. Does it make more sense to drop the car in Orvieto and maybe stay there one night? I looked at Locanda Rosati, loved the website, but I don't think my husband would like it. He's sort of stuffy. So, if you know of any other recommendations for overnight, it would be great. Maybe two nights in Rome would be enough since we've done the "tour". This is a casual Rome encounter - food, people, etc. But please help with another Orvieto stay.

My mistake, I was referring to the Pensione Barrett's website in Rome - such fun. I did write to Locanda, but in the event they are booked, another option please. Maybe we should just stay out of Rome and do the countryside, end in Orvieto, but then, how do I get to the airport for the early AM flight?