I posted this earlier but forgot to specify Italy in my search topics. Sorry if you are reading this twice. <BR><BR>OK, I think I have caught up somewhat from the trip so I will try to give you my report. First of all, this trip was for our 10th anniversary (we are both 35). My wife loves art and I love food and wine so our trip was a combination of the two. We walked too much and tried to see too much but with 2 small children back home we had to squeeze as much in as possible.<BR><BR>ROME: We stayed at Palladium Palace, only 1.5 blocks from the train station (we walked nearly a mile to get there but that is another story entirely - and my wife has already made me relive it enough). The hotel was very nice, clean and the staff was friendly. I did here some people complaining at the front desk because there were some problems with their room and were demanding a discounted rate but didn't get the specifics. We walked to everything except the Vatican and were exhausted by the end of the day. The 3rd day we started taking the subway which was very easy and convenient. We bought tickets at tobacco shops beforehand (.77 Euro) I believe. A cab ride across town only cost 8 Euro, also. My suggestion would be to walk as much as you can but Rome is like most big cities and you don't miss that much by taking a taxi or subway. You will want to do more walking in Florence and Venice.<BR><BR>I am not a big art lover but The Borghese was amazing - get the audioguide to hear about the amazing artwork. Make reservations beforehand, they let people in at specifice times and if it is sold out when you get there you will have to wait a couple hours. Then walk to the Spanish Steps. You get to walk through the park which was fun, you get amazing views AND you end up at the top of the Spanish Steps so you get to walk DOWN!!<BR><BR>When you go to the Coliseum, visit the Forum first (they are adjacent) and buy your tickets for the Coliseum there - this saved us at least 30 minutes of standing in line. I wish I had more information about the Forum before we got there because there were some amazing buidlings and ruins but I didn't know what most of it was. I am now going back and reading to try and pair up info with pictures.<BR><BR>The only restaurant that we loved was L'archetto. Near the Trevi Fountain. We saw the fountain at night and then walked to the restaurant. It was suggested by the hotel and as best I could tell it was packed with locals and very few tourists which made it even better.<BR><BR>We rented a car which I am very happy we did. I was pretty nervous leaving Rome but it was no problem at all. The Autostrada is no different than driving on our interstates here. Plus it is exciting to look at the speedometer and see the needle at 130 (km of course). We were able to get lost driving through Tuscany which was fantastic. We got out several times to take pictures. I believe the trains are much cheaper and much easier but I enjoyed the freedom and will rent a car next time we go.<BR><BR>We left on our 3rd afternoon and drove to Orvieto which was only about an hour once we got out of Rome (which does take awhile). We stayed at Villa Bellago which is out in the countryside but right on a lake. It was very quiet and peaceful - a nice change of pace after leaving Rome. We drove up to the Orvieto that night and I think we were the only tourists left. The people were so friendly. We couldn't decide on dinner so we ended up in a butcher shop buying meats, bread, cheese and wine and had dinner back at our hotel with a view of the lake. Orvieto was my favorite place of all but again I am not the art connoiseur. <BR><BR>I will fill you in on Florence and Venice on my next post.<BR><BR>Matt

mntpa,<BR><BR>Thanks for the report. I wish that I were back in Rome today. We did not make it to the Borghese on our first trip (only to the park). I hope to see the art gallery on our next trip. Glad you had a great trip. Even though the Spanish Steps are covered with people it is really exciting to walk down them!

mntpa,<BR><BR>What made Orvieto your favorite place? I'm thinking about stopping there on a drive from Rome to San Gimignano and was wondering if it's worth it.

Keep the info coming! I go to FLorence and Venice in June for my Honeymooon!

Also just returned from 19 days in Florence and Rome. Have gone to Orvieto twice just on the way from FCO to Tuscany. LOVE the town. Why? It's situated high up and the views are incredible over the countryside as you ascend the road, the Duomo is spectacular on the fascade and inside there is a fantastic chapel with restored fresco work I think by Fra Angelico etc. The streets are lovely and we've had good first meals of the trip there. A bus takes you up to the top of town after parking the car and each time we,ve gotten off at the top only to be greeted by a wedding party in celebration mode. A wonderful intro to the joys ahead as we traveled north toward Tuscany.

We loved Orvieto, too. It is small and elegant and gorgeous. We even took an English language tour of the caves and found that to be totally charming! Learned a lot about what it must have been like to live there hundreds of years ago.