Quick survey - off to Italy first visit/1 week over Thanksgiving. We arrive 11/21 AM in Rome (around noon), and depart 11/27 from Florence (late morning). Family trip - two adults, two teenish (14/12 boy and girl).

Flight is booked, so no changing cities Currently thinking about basic hotel stays before finalizing itinerary.

Basically would have 1/2 day in Rome on arrival, then and then the next three days for Rome.

I'm assuming two full days would be sufficient for Florence with teens (probably would be quite satisified with a highlights tour).

Would you:

a) Catch a night train - 6/7 pm- out of Rome to arrive late evening on the 24th and get an early start to two full days in Florence (spending extra night in Florence hotel). One downside is not being able to enjoy the sights from the train window. This would be 3 nights Rome/3 nights Florence.

b) Catch an early morning train (6:30 AM) out of Rome to arrive at about 10 AM on the 25th - so really more like 1.5 days sightseeing in Florence? 4 nights Rome/w nights Florence.

Also - is there a checked luggage area at the train station in each city? Is it possible to leave luggage at the station - either when leaving from Rome or arriving in Florence (depending on which train was taken) or should I count on having to retrieve luggage from hotel before catching train from Rome (night train), or carting it to hotel before exploring Florence (AM train).

Thanks..
Geo.

Various edits -

then and then = "and then"

option b = 3 nights Rome/2 nights Florence.

Doh! option b = 4 nights Rome/2 nights Florence.

I would take the late evening train, providing your hotel knows that you will be arriving late and is OK with that and you won't have a problem with transportation to your hotel.

The sights aren't that great between Rome and Florence. As I recall from an October trip it's mostly brown fields.

Will the Rome hotel hold your luggage until late in the day (some hotels don't hold luggage at all)? Is it close enough to the train station that it won't be a hassle to go back and pick it up to catch the train?

Yes, there is luggage storage at both Termini and Florence. You would need to allow time to retrieve it as often there is a line. Last time I was in Termini they were weighing people's large luggage.

The main Italian stations have left luggage offices ("Deposito Bagagli"). Details are on www.grandistazioni.it. The one at Roma Termini is open from 0600 to 2400, and the charge per item is €4 for the first five hours, then €0.60 per hour for the next seven hours, and €0.20 per hour after that.

Thanks for the replies RE luggage. It looks like there are some hotels reasonably near the stations (3K-4K), so could probably wrassle it onto a tram or bus and get to the station - without too much loss of time, assuming the hotels agreed to store the luggage. Would have weigh that (timewise) vs spending $30 or so to store luggage for the day.

Any more opinions on night vs AM train?

Thnks,

geo

With such a short time in Italy I would want to stay closer to the sights rather than 3-4K away. There are tons of hotels in Rome and Florence within walking distance of the sights and train stations, although in Rome I would rather be away from Termini, near one of the charming squares.

One downside is not being able to enjoy the sights from the train window.>

as dull as Italy can be since the new high-speed rail line was opened you go thru basically no cities and often have windblock barriers obscuring the views - of mountains and hills but all of Italy is practically that.

For a more scenic journey take the slower IC trains on the old classic rail route that goes right thru cities like Orvieto and Arrezzo, etc. But that takes much longer (though can be much cheaper).

Thanks - yes, being on a budget - looks like one of the slower trains is best - only about 19 euro for the trip (pre-paid). Even at night, it would probably be quite picturesque when going through cities...

And - yes, investigating more it looks like some reasonable B&Bs/pensiones (?) closer to train station.

Is Venere.com the best place to check for such lodging, or are there other good websites?

Thnks,
Geo.

Venere and Tripadvisor are the ones I go to for hotels. Definitely review the ratings especially from those with multiple contributions which are often more credible.

Look at Hotel Aberdeen for something pretty near Termini but according to reports here about 15 minute walk and in a nicer area.

I suggest you just have the hotel in Rome hold your luggage until you are ready to head to the train station. Then, go to the hotel, pick up your luggage and taxi to the train station. I also recommend staying in central Rome, closer to most sights, and not near the train station.

Venere is a good sight but you should also use the "Search the Forums" tool at the top right of this page to search for recommended hotels/b&b's. A search should provide plenty of choices.

It would be good to post your hotel budget to get recommendations. In Florence the Hotel Perseo is a short walk from the station and right near the cathedral. A courtyard room would be quieter but in November you will probably have the windows closed so it shouldn't matter where the room is.

http://www.hotelperseo.it/

In Rome, I've stayed at Hotel Kennedy, about 3 blocks from Termini.

http://www.hotelkennedy.net/

If you want a very cheap and very clean hotel in Rome then I suggest Hotel Papagermano. The rooms are tiny but if you're looking to save money this is your place. A few blocks from Termini.

Before you buy tickets for a regional (slow) train ask about group rates on the faster trains.

Thank you for the suggestions. Really - travelling on the cheap. Guess we'd be looking for hotels in the $80-120 per night range (for 4) - so quad room or two doubles.

I've seen a few reasonable sounding B&Bs (Hotel Blackberry House - about 1.5K from station, and Ai4 Cantoni B&B (3k+).

The Papergamano might fit the bill - other hotels maybe if there's some sort of deal going on.

Thanks again!

geo

It's Papagermano, not Papergamano.

http://www.hotelpapagermano.com/

>>>Before you buy tickets for a regional (slow) train ask about group rates on the faster trains.<<<

Group rates are for 10 or more unless you have a child under 12 traveling with you. Then you could get a family rate.

Groups:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

Family:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

As for taking a slower train, I don't think you will see much difference in scenery on this route (maybe in a couple of towns), but you will double your travel time. I was in Orvieto last month and you could watch both trains go by from the hill town. Neither is close to the actual hill town because the trains are down below at the base in the new town. The lines run very close togther. On such a short trip, I value my time over money. There are 2-3 fast trains (AV/ES) per hour most of the day between Rome/Florence. There are only a few IC or R trains scattered throughout the day so the times may not work for you> Most of the IC or R trains do not go to the main train station in Florence (SMN) so you would have to catch another train once you were in Florence. Even with the AV trains, you need to make sure which station you want as later in the day some of the AV trains go to the Campo di Marte station, not SMN (the main station).

As for your hotel budget, you need to look at convents or hostels. 57€-86€ per night for 4 people is very low. There is a convent on the back side of the Vatican that would be in that range which is convenient to the metro, but not to most sites.

I agree with kybourbon about the trains. It is not a very scenic ride, especially in the dark.

I've gotten group rates on Italian trains with 3 people. Perhaps those rates are not in effect but it always pays to ask.

You are talking about spending more than 3 hours on one of those less frequent IC trains vs half the time using a Eurostar service. If the price difference is considerable I can understand but wanted to make sure you have considered the time factor

Would just like to recommend a hotel two blocks from Rome Termini - Hotel Maryleen. It was quiet and newly rennovated with a good breakfast included in the price. Nice roomy bathrooms. Great Italian family own it and very helpful and friendly people. We paid 85 euro per night. We walked to the Colosseum, only about 30 minutes max.