My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy (Sept 24 - Oct 2), and have lots of questions. I've read many posts on this board, and hope that I can get the same excellent advise from everyone out there.
Tentative itinerary is as follows:
25th (Thurs) - arrive at 8am, Pantheon, Forum and Colosseum, dinner somewhere in Trastavere
26th (Fri)- Vatican Museum, St Peter's, etc. Night walk across Rome (from Rick Steve's book)
27th - Borghese Gallery, shopping, etc. Dolce Vita Stroll (from Rick Steve's book)
28th (Sun) - Porta Portese flea market. Afternoon train to Florence. Galleria dell Accademia
29th (Mon) - Duomo, baptistry, Duomo museum, afternoon shopping in Ponte Vechio.
30th (Tues)- rent car and drive through Chianti and Sienna
1st (Wed) - drive more through Tuscany. Maybe Montalcino? Drive to Rome
2nd (Thurs)- catch 6:45 am flight back home

While we hope to see lots of ancient sites and some amazing artwork, our main goal of the trip is to eat great food, drink great wine, and come home well rested. I know we'll be busy in Rome, but I'm trying to keep the rest of the trip less busy and structured.

1. Is AC important in Rome and Florence this time of year? We're looking at staying at either the Santa Chiara, Villa San Pio or Del Senato in Rome, but my husband is concerned about AC and noise. Some of the reviews on this site made it seem like the AC wasn't reliable at these places.
2. Is the Villa San Pio too far away from the center of the city?
3. We were planning to do the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon the day we arrive - is that too much for our first day, when jet lag will be the worst? Is the 4pm Roman Odyssey Tour the way to see the Colosseum?
4. Where is a good place to stay on our drive back to Rome? Is Sienna a good stopping point? Or should we go further? Maybe stay in Montepulciano? Or would it be a better idea to return our car in Sienna and take the train back to Rome in the morning and spend another day there?
5. Since our flight leaves at 6:45 am, would it be better to stay at a hotel close to the airport the last day and return our car the night before at the airport? Or return our car in Rome the night before, enjoy one last great meal and vino, stay in the city and take the train or get a limo to the airport at the crack of dawn?

Thanks for the help!

In tgerms of getting to the airport on the last morning...the first train from Termini doesn't leave until almost 6:00 AM so consider opting for a taxi/limo or staying closer to the airport.

If you want to get the most out of your trip, forget the well-rested part! You'll have plenty of time to catch up on your sleep when you return home!

You have done your homework, but I am going to throw you a curveball. Start in Florence--end in Rome. Think about it. After you land you still have to train to Termini--and to your hotel from there. Just catch the ES to Florence and be there in 1:40. See Florence--get the car as you leave--see Tuscany--drop car in Orvieto--train to Rome for your last X nites. That will save you time and hassle. Why stay there twice? Good luck, and holler if you need more input.

As usual, Bob has great advice.

Thanks for the advice, Bob. I think your plan definitely sounds less complicated. However, we really wanted to be in Rome over the weekend, since it's the bigger city, and will have more activity, etc. We could fly in a few days earlier, but that would mean change fares, etc. Is it worth it to be in Rome on the weekend?

I am not sure of the the difference. I do know you do not want Florence on a Monday when much is closed. Your call--I just do not like your ending scenario.

First rule in travel to Europe. Always fly into one city and out of another. Never back track. There are too many beautiful places to explore!

I take it this is your first trip to Italy. It is a truly amazing country. The people are so friendly. Bring a postcard or two of your hometown. People love to see where you are from and it opens the doors of communication. I also bring a picture of my twin grandbabies.

The food and wine are beyond compare and the art is world class. Michelangelo has blessed us. I am so fortunate to be able to go back to Italy for the 3rd time this fall. I work hard and chose to spend my money on travel. I love all the people of the world and it is incredible to go and share with them. All of us on here should thank our lucky stars.

I am flying into Amsterdam Sept. 20 and flying out of Rome Oct.10. from Seattle. KLM $712.00 roundtrip.

If you end up at the Forum/Colloseum, I have a suggestion for your meal. It's up on "Nero's Hill" and very tasty and also reasonable. We ate there our first night in Rome and afterwards walked back down the hill to see the Forum etc all lit up by light (at night) It was a fantastic sight. If you are interested, let me know and I'll look it up for you.

Brahmama - I'd love to get the name of the restaurant. Thanks.

Janda O - I agree about flying out of one place and in to another, but since we only had 1 week, thought it would be easier to stay close to Rome. We definitely plan to come back and see more of the country.

This is my 3rd trip to Italy, but it's been 16 years (my dad lived in Milan 85-87), and I just saw the northern part of the country. My husband's never been.

Our flight was $650 round trip from Houston on Continental - via Newark outbound, back through Amsterdam.

Re: Your question about the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon being too much to see for the day you arrive, with jet lag.

Hard to say, as jet lag hits everyone in varying degrees. You don't want to sleep during the day, so you'll want to be doing something, but you may find that you just prefer to sit in a cafe and take it easy rather than go sightseeing.

I just copied this from my travel report

We went first by the Colloseum - all lit up at night - and right next to the Forum. Then we walked up on Nero?s hill to the Nerone Restaurant. We had a lovely meal for our first night of our trip We ordered 2 liters of the good red house wine. Will had veal and I had ravioli. We all shared antipasti, 2 green salads, artichokes, chicory, etc. Bob had rabbit and Jens had steak. We ended with 2 tiramisu and a cream with chocolate. Then the owners treated us to lemoncello which was very nice. It was 80 Euros for the 4 of us. Great place!

........

Try to make reservations - it's small.
Hope this helps.Have a great trip!

TxStone:
Salute from a fellow Texan. I tend to agree with BobTheNavigators' advice. I would hate to tackle the Forum, etc. on my first day. The weekend in Florence wouldn't be a problem as it is still high season. I think a nice (sleepy) ride to Florence would be a good introduction to Italy for your husband.

I have lived in Italy for four years, and I still tackle Rome only a little bit at a time.

Have a great time, no matter what you decide.