Looking for Fodorite coaches for several months as I map out trip in April 2007 to Italy with wife and three children, ages 9, 11 and 13. I'm thinking of starting trip with 3-4 nights in Rome, then on to Tuscany? I'll take any advice on hotels/villas and itinerary as I start to dig in. Many thanks!

Hi there,

Are you sure you want to be in a hotel? With five people, you will need a suite, which many hotels won't have (unless you are looking at the three and four range in which case I would recommend the De Russie or the Albergo Santa Chiara.
Another option that might suit you better is an apartment. Check with www.wheninrometours.com in the lodging section for some options. Good luck!

thanks,I'll check into this option right away, I like the idea!

I agree with the apartment idea, especially for your time of year.(There is often no a/c in apartments we heard about and sometimes the heaters are very small.)

Our kids were 5, 7 and 10 when we went. We found that it was much nicer to come home and cook dinner many nights. We generally ate lunch out while we were touring. Picking up some groceries at an Italian store was fun too.

In Rome, try the Domus Julia. It's the annex to the Hotel Julia. Kind of a cross between a hotel and an apartment, because you will have a front desk at Hotel Julia, plus breakfast provided in the pretty breakfast room. Rooms can be reserved in a number of configurations, with the use of a kitchen and dining room. We paid 170EUR for two people in a twin room this past May. It's on a nice side street that's rather quiet, and is very near the top of the Spanish Steps. I think it's www.domusjulia.it.