My husband and I are going to Italy for 9 days (2 of 9 will be travel)this November around Thanksgiving.<BR>1. What are some ideas for itineraries for seeing some cities in addition to Rome?<BR>2. What are some recommendations for good hotels in Rome within the $100-$150 Euro range? <BR>3. Will there be Christmas decorations etc out at this time? <BR><BR>I appreciate any help that you can give us!

You really need some good old-fashioned "book time", at your local public library, bookstore or both, to see what makes your mouth water about Italy.<BR><BR>You could do two other destinations "pretty well", or one other destination really well.<BR><BR>There simply is no one right choice for everyone. Your closest choices are:<BR><BR>1. Umbria - Assisi, Todi, Orvieto and so much more. Best done with a car, and very pleasant to go "a-discovering" this way.<BR><BR>2. Florence and other parts of Tuscany. Farther in kilometers, though curiously, the train from rome to Florence will get you there then a car will get you to Assisi (about half the distance).<BR><BR>3. Catania - - Pompeii, Naples, and the Amalfi coast. A less obvious choice for November.<BR><BR>Or quite honestly, you could make it to any other part of Italy if you choose: Sicily, Venice and the Veneto, Apulia, you name it.<BR><BR>You first question needs to be: move twice or once? - - and then follow what "moves" you the most.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Rex,<BR>Thank you for taking the time to respond! I will take your advice and definately do some research about this region. I have been to Milan, Como, Florence, Venice and Siena, but my husband has never been to Italy. I am trying to make the most out of our short time there.<BR><BR>Thanks again!<BR>Kim

You're very welcome, though I am almost puzzled now. With that much experience, were you looking for suggestions of places you have not been? Or little towns?<BR><BR>Sorry I didn't address the Christmas decorations question. I simply don't know.<BR><BR>And your price range for Rome is distinctely on the low side. Check out www.venere.com and maybe search this forum for "Smeraldo" (no personal experience with this one, though).<BR><BR>

toppers<BR>

Just returned from Rome and checked out a hotel that we had tried to make reservations at but it was booked. It's called the Residenza Farnese. It's in the Campo Fiori area right next to the Farnese and is about $140-150 per night. It has a beautiful little lobby and is very smart. It has the added benefit of being on a very quiet street compared to most of Rome. <BR>Book early as they really fill up quickly.