Suze, you didn't get too personal. Actually I appreciate your imput. Two years ago I was surprised with a trip to Florence and Tuscany for a special birthday. My husband made all the hotel choices, through recommendations of a coworker who vacations a lot there. We stayed in Fiesole at a place called Penscione Benchista. Breakfast and dinner was included in the price of the room. We were back at the Benchista every night to see the sun set over Florence from our terraced room. The Benchista would ring a huge bell at exactly 6:30PM to announce to the guests that dinner was being served. After dinner we sat all night on the terrace sipping wine and cappuccinos. It was so relaxing. I never regretted leaving the city of Florence behind for the night.

Actually, Oldmyst, although I realize you and Suze have veered off into a different converstaional direction, this is what I do, and it's served me well:

I usually do a little research on chowhound.com or egullet.com. I write down the names, addresses and phone numbers of about 3 or 4 restaurants I'm interested in based on those threads. I might supplement with a few recs from Fodor's postings or things I've seen in articles, etc.

If I'm able to hit one or more of them while I'm on holiday, great. If not, I just wing it. And winging could also mean asking the concierge one night if I want someone to call and reserve for me. And then sometimes I'll just walk by a place and decide it looks/smells good.

Enjoy Rome.

Topping this post to let other people get back on the original subject...

bkm

TTT