Please, please help with our May itinerary!
Feb 9th, 2011, 11:47 AM
#21
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Yes, that's the link! Thank you Ellen!
Re:Mocenigo, many times I was so tempted to change from this hotel to something closer to St. Mark's Square but after reading tons of positive reviews on TripAdvisor about it's location, and your comments in this forum, we're sticking with it.
Ellen, if we stay 3 nights in Siena, can we do it without a car? We'd be very happy with just relaxing and doing day trips somewher.
Re:Mocenigo, many times I was so tempted to change from this hotel to something closer to St. Mark's Square but after reading tons of positive reviews on TripAdvisor about it's location, and your comments in this forum, we're sticking with it.
Ellen, if we stay 3 nights in Siena, can we do it without a car? We'd be very happy with just relaxing and doing day trips somewher.
Feb 9th, 2011, 12:10 PM
#22
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True, the location of Al Ponte Mocenigo would not be everyone's choice. But based on your interest is strolling and having quiet times in the midst of your vacation, I think you will enjoy the location and not be troubled by its distance from San Marco. You will definitely appreciate the less expensive restaurants and closeness to the San Stae vaporetto stop.
I'm sure you could find much to do without having a car, between the town of Siena itself and a bus ride to other spots. (I try to be helpful and realistic about the usefulness of cars in various locations in Italy. However, I don't drive and therefore have never rented one.)
Meanwhile, with your hiking interest in mind, I discovered this listing at the Firenze Turismo site.
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/terr...ance-ring.html
It is a listing of a 178 km hiking/biking itinerary around Florence. If you click on the "description" ink at the bottom, you will find detailed instructions broken into manageable walks with good details ("length of route: 17.5km; Time required: 3hours; difficulties: none" and so forth), including how to reach the area of the walking by public transport. Unfortunately, to get a prepared map of the routes described, you must get it from the tourism office. It is not included in the description. I suppose one could attempt to plot the route on a good map.
I'm sure you could find much to do without having a car, between the town of Siena itself and a bus ride to other spots. (I try to be helpful and realistic about the usefulness of cars in various locations in Italy. However, I don't drive and therefore have never rented one.)
Meanwhile, with your hiking interest in mind, I discovered this listing at the Firenze Turismo site.
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/terr...ance-ring.html
It is a listing of a 178 km hiking/biking itinerary around Florence. If you click on the "description" ink at the bottom, you will find detailed instructions broken into manageable walks with good details ("length of route: 17.5km; Time required: 3hours; difficulties: none" and so forth), including how to reach the area of the walking by public transport. Unfortunately, to get a prepared map of the routes described, you must get it from the tourism office. It is not included in the description. I suppose one could attempt to plot the route on a good map.
Feb 9th, 2011, 12:53 PM
#23
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Ellen, you're just a wealth of knowledge. Thanks for taking the time to look up the hiking info for me.
I'd like to get your help on choosing a hotel for Rome. I remember you mentioned Dalphne Inn. I've read reviews on the Trevi one but would like to know if you know of any in the Piazza Navona/Campo de' Fiori/Pantheon? It seems to be popular if one wants to be close to everything with restaurants and shops nearby. I was looking at Palarmento. Would you know of any small hotels in the area that are $200/night or less? I love to get anyone else's suggestions please!
Also, please recommend hotels for Florence/Siena. We're trying to find hotels that are around $150-200 in all the major cities but it hasn't been possible. We figure we save money on lodging so we could spend it elsewhere.
Thank you!
I'd like to get your help on choosing a hotel for Rome. I remember you mentioned Dalphne Inn. I've read reviews on the Trevi one but would like to know if you know of any in the Piazza Navona/Campo de' Fiori/Pantheon? It seems to be popular if one wants to be close to everything with restaurants and shops nearby. I was looking at Palarmento. Would you know of any small hotels in the area that are $200/night or less? I love to get anyone else's suggestions please!
Also, please recommend hotels for Florence/Siena. We're trying to find hotels that are around $150-200 in all the major cities but it hasn't been possible. We figure we save money on lodging so we could spend it elsewhere.
Thank you!
Feb 9th, 2011, 01:12 PM
#24
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I actually looked over the hiking itineraries for myself (I'll be in Florence after Venice in early April). One of the shortest hiking itineraries is a really great route and easy to reach from Florence. The hike "La Certosa-Firenze" begins at a spot reachable by bus #37 from the center of town and takes you over a route back to Florence, finishing at the famous Piazzale Michelangelo. Since I hope to visit the Certosa del Galluzzo where this walk begins during my visit, I may take this walk to get back to the city.
Sorry, aside from the Daphne Inn, my most recent stays in Rome were at places outside your budget. In Florence I'll be staying with a friend.
Have you tired using venere.com to widen your search for hotels? You can sort by price and then come back for info on your new choices.
Sorry, aside from the Daphne Inn, my most recent stays in Rome were at places outside your budget. In Florence I'll be staying with a friend.
Have you tired using venere.com to widen your search for hotels? You can sort by price and then come back for info on your new choices.
Feb 9th, 2011, 05:38 PM
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What type of accommodations are you looking for? Are you looking for a traditional hotel? It may be difficult to find a traditional hotel within your price range in the major cities during May.
If you are open to B&Bs, check Flamini Domus Charming Suites. Its right near Campo de Fiori. We're checking in the day you leave and paying 120 euro/night.
The rate is about the same for Alloro B&B in Florence.
Regarding rental car rates, we paid just under $145 for a 3 day rental through AutoEurope, and that includes the CDW with zero excess (no deductible), liability, etc. Just search around for the best rate and see if AutoEurope will match it. They matched that rate for me and threw in the zero excess. If you are patient and friendly with the rep I usually find they will go the extra mile for you
Good luck with your planning.
If you are open to B&Bs, check Flamini Domus Charming Suites. Its right near Campo de Fiori. We're checking in the day you leave and paying 120 euro/night.
The rate is about the same for Alloro B&B in Florence.
Regarding rental car rates, we paid just under $145 for a 3 day rental through AutoEurope, and that includes the CDW with zero excess (no deductible), liability, etc. Just search around for the best rate and see if AutoEurope will match it. They matched that rate for me and threw in the zero excess. If you are patient and friendly with the rep I usually find they will go the extra mile for you
Good luck with your planning.
Feb 9th, 2011, 07:07 PM
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In Rome, we've stayed several times at Residenza Canali ai Coronari. I love its location, about one block from Piazza Navona on a quiet side street filled with antique stores. The rates vary depending on the number of nights, and we always got a discount paying cash, so it would be in your price range. The rooms are nice, though not luxurious, and the staff is very helpful. The Residenza is kind of like a B&B, but there's staff onsite 24 hours. They provide breakfast, but we usually skip theirs and instead have cappuccino and cornetti at a bar on Piazza Navona.
In Florence, on our most recent trip we stayed at a B&B, Casa dai Tintori. The owners are SO friendly and helpful, and the rooms are beautiful. We were there with our daughter, and once Valeria learned she liked chocolate, my daughter received all sorts of special treats each morning at breakfast. The location is also good (that's important to us), about a 10-minute walk to Piazza Repubblica, and closer to some very good gelaterias.
For a hiking idea, outside of San Gimignano (which I assume you'll visit as a day trip from Siena) are the remains of a middle ages fortified village, called Castelvecchio (google the name for pictures). It's located outside San Gimignano to the southwest (though more south than west). To get to it, we drove south on the road from San Gimignano to Volterra, about 3 km, and parked in San Donato, a tiny hamlet. We then walked south about .1 mile on the road to a sign marked Cammogio; the sign also says it’s the path to Castelvecchio. The walk was pretty and remote; it took 35 minutes back, and a bit longer to get there, as it was mostly uphill (we're relatively fast walkers). The route was up and down, and some parts were steep with loose rocks, though the beginning was on a rough (four-wheel drive) road. But to arrive at the ruins, in the middle of the forest, was magical and just a bit creepy. The fortress at the front, and the church at the rear, are the most put-together (reconstructed by volunteers, I'm guessing), with walls and bits of walls for many buildings.
Also, there's a path that circles San Gimignano entirely on the outside of the town walls, with (of course) gorgeous views of the countryside.
In Florence, consider walking up to Piazzale Michelangelo. I'm a runner, and ran up to there several mornings, just as the sun rose. Not many others there at that time of day, and the views of the city below in the morning mist were fabulous.
On the car rental, we use AutoEurope, as do a number of other Fodorites. We've always gotten great service from them; they're easy to contact from Europe if there's a problem or you need to change anything. And the one time when a competitors prices were better, AutoEurope met those prices.
On trains and passes, usually the passes are not cost-effective, but I'm not a train pass expert, so I can't tell you more than that. For the train trips you'll be taking (i.e., Venice to Florence, Orvieto to Rome), you can just buy point-to-point tickets at the train station. I don't think you'd need to make reservations for those common routes.
In Florence, on our most recent trip we stayed at a B&B, Casa dai Tintori. The owners are SO friendly and helpful, and the rooms are beautiful. We were there with our daughter, and once Valeria learned she liked chocolate, my daughter received all sorts of special treats each morning at breakfast. The location is also good (that's important to us), about a 10-minute walk to Piazza Repubblica, and closer to some very good gelaterias.
For a hiking idea, outside of San Gimignano (which I assume you'll visit as a day trip from Siena) are the remains of a middle ages fortified village, called Castelvecchio (google the name for pictures). It's located outside San Gimignano to the southwest (though more south than west). To get to it, we drove south on the road from San Gimignano to Volterra, about 3 km, and parked in San Donato, a tiny hamlet. We then walked south about .1 mile on the road to a sign marked Cammogio; the sign also says it’s the path to Castelvecchio. The walk was pretty and remote; it took 35 minutes back, and a bit longer to get there, as it was mostly uphill (we're relatively fast walkers). The route was up and down, and some parts were steep with loose rocks, though the beginning was on a rough (four-wheel drive) road. But to arrive at the ruins, in the middle of the forest, was magical and just a bit creepy. The fortress at the front, and the church at the rear, are the most put-together (reconstructed by volunteers, I'm guessing), with walls and bits of walls for many buildings.
Also, there's a path that circles San Gimignano entirely on the outside of the town walls, with (of course) gorgeous views of the countryside.
In Florence, consider walking up to Piazzale Michelangelo. I'm a runner, and ran up to there several mornings, just as the sun rose. Not many others there at that time of day, and the views of the city below in the morning mist were fabulous.
On the car rental, we use AutoEurope, as do a number of other Fodorites. We've always gotten great service from them; they're easy to contact from Europe if there's a problem or you need to change anything. And the one time when a competitors prices were better, AutoEurope met those prices.
On trains and passes, usually the passes are not cost-effective, but I'm not a train pass expert, so I can't tell you more than that. For the train trips you'll be taking (i.e., Venice to Florence, Orvieto to Rome), you can just buy point-to-point tickets at the train station. I don't think you'd need to make reservations for those common routes.
Feb 9th, 2011, 07:26 PM
#27
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Ellen, www.verene.com is a good site, I've heard about it, haven't tried it but I will. Thanks for the hiking info.
Thank you abenedek and Lexma90, just great info on those B&Bs (I love them by the way) and car rental.
I'm truly touched by all the time and concern everyone has taken to help me. This is the best forum ever! I'm sure I'll be able to find just the hotels we need and everything will work out just great.
Thank you abenedek and Lexma90, just great info on those B&Bs (I love them by the way) and car rental.
I'm truly touched by all the time and concern everyone has taken to help me. This is the best forum ever! I'm sure I'll be able to find just the hotels we need and everything will work out just great.
Feb 9th, 2011, 08:19 PM
#28
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abenedek, Flamini Domus Charming Suites is lovely but not available for the nights we need, though their other property is.
Lexma90, I love Residenza Canali ai Coronari! It's central, clean and so cheap compared to what I've seen so far! How do you find these places??? I'm checking out your other recommendations.
Lexma90, I love Residenza Canali ai Coronari! It's central, clean and so cheap compared to what I've seen so far! How do you find these places??? I'm checking out your other recommendations.
Feb 9th, 2011, 08:53 PM
#32
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Hi,
I travelled to Italy last year (in May) and would suggest that you definitely visit Florence. That city is absolutely beautiful! We could only stay for two days and believe me, that wasn't long enough.
We were told that it would be quite expensive but prices were reasonable.
I travelled to Italy last year (in May) and would suggest that you definitely visit Florence. That city is absolutely beautiful! We could only stay for two days and believe me, that wasn't long enough.
We were told that it would be quite expensive but prices were reasonable.
Feb 10th, 2011, 04:43 AM
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Sorry to hear that Flamini Domus isn't available, I'm not familiar with their other property.
Unfortunately, Residenza Canali is also E94 per person per night, so that may also be out of your price range.
I suggest you do a search for hotels in Rome on trip advisor. You can filter the results by property type (hotels, B&Bs, specialty, etc.), price range and location.
Most properties have a substantial number of reviews. However, my rule of thumb is to disregard the best and worst reviews if there aren't too many. I've always had good luck with the properties I've chosen this way.
Also, I always try to book directly with the hotel, either through their website or email. Since they save on commissions, they may offer you a discount, especially when you stay more then 3 nights.
When you've narrowed your choices down a bit, you can do a search of the Fodor's forums to see if its been mentioned in a thread or trip report.
Good luck
Unfortunately, Residenza Canali is also E94 per person per night, so that may also be out of your price range.
I suggest you do a search for hotels in Rome on trip advisor. You can filter the results by property type (hotels, B&Bs, specialty, etc.), price range and location.
Most properties have a substantial number of reviews. However, my rule of thumb is to disregard the best and worst reviews if there aren't too many. I've always had good luck with the properties I've chosen this way.
Also, I always try to book directly with the hotel, either through their website or email. Since they save on commissions, they may offer you a discount, especially when you stay more then 3 nights.
When you've narrowed your choices down a bit, you can do a search of the Fodor's forums to see if its been mentioned in a thread or trip report.
Good luck
Feb 10th, 2011, 09:38 AM
#34
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<Oh, I just found that that E94/night is per person, not per room, at Flamini Domus, so that's $264/room.>
No, that's not correct - I just checked on their site and a room for two people in May is E120.
No, that's not correct - I just checked on their site and a room for two people in May is E120.
Feb 10th, 2011, 10:17 AM
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hazel,
You are certainly correct, because as I previously mentioned I'm staying there at the end of May.
I think paige meant their other property, as Flamini Domus isn't available for her dates. Or maybe there was some confusion because Residenza Canali is E94 per person per night...
You are certainly correct, because as I previously mentioned I'm staying there at the end of May.
I think paige meant their other property, as Flamini Domus isn't available for her dates. Or maybe there was some confusion because Residenza Canali is E94 per person per night...
Feb 10th, 2011, 02:44 PM
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paigeTN - I have stayed at the Hotel Parlamento in Rome for 7 nights in 2007. It was recommended by a friend and it was great! The location is perfect and the staff was very helpful and fun. I would definitely recommend it.
Feb 10th, 2011, 03:59 PM
#37
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Wow! My head is spinning from reading all of your questions and the many helpful replies! This really is a great site. Planning a trip on your own is probably a wonderful idea - and one we struggled with for quite awhile. We finally decided to go with the guided tour for our first time in Europe (we'll be in Venice, Florence, and Rome with side trips to Sienna & Pisa). I know that Italy in July will be hot & an escorted tour will be somewhat limiting....but this is our comfort level. We hope to return for an independently planned trip sometime in the future! Seeing how much you have to consider in planning your trip - I think we made the right choice for us! To each his own.
Feb 18th, 2011, 09:33 AM
#38
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I've missed this forum! We were away on a ski trip.
Doggma, thank you for the hotel suggestion. It is one on my FAV list. :]
Barbara, yes, that was how I felt. It got really overwhelming after a while but I couldn't tear myself away from the trip planning. There was just SO many details to plan for! I don't blame you for doing a tour trip at all! We've finally opted to do most of the trip on our own, but book day tours, airport pickup, train passes, etc. with a tour company. I know we have to pay a little more but it relieves my stress level, especially since there are only a couple of months to go, and we still have other trips to do before then.
Tour companies have sampler packages which allow you to see many countries in a short time, which is a nice introduction to the major cities of Europe, then you'll know which one is your favorite, and you can return on your own the next time!
Doggma, thank you for the hotel suggestion. It is one on my FAV list. :]
Barbara, yes, that was how I felt. It got really overwhelming after a while but I couldn't tear myself away from the trip planning. There was just SO many details to plan for! I don't blame you for doing a tour trip at all! We've finally opted to do most of the trip on our own, but book day tours, airport pickup, train passes, etc. with a tour company. I know we have to pay a little more but it relieves my stress level, especially since there are only a couple of months to go, and we still have other trips to do before then.
Tour companies have sampler packages which allow you to see many countries in a short time, which is a nice introduction to the major cities of Europe, then you'll know which one is your favorite, and you can return on your own the next time!
