I know I responded to your other thread - I think I didn't remember about this thread until I saw it. The Residenza Canali does have at least one room (billed as a double deluxe, I think) that has its own private balcony/terrace. We didn't use it much, because we prefer sitting where we can people-watch. But if you want some time to chill out without lots of other people around, you may enjoy that (and of course you can buy your own bottle of wine to have on your terrace). The Residenza is not luxurious, and doesn't compare to del Senato, but the staff is wonderful, and the place is clean and comfortable. We didn't really like the breakfasts (though others like them very much), but we don't eat much for breakfast anyway, so we would always walk over to Piazza Navona and have cappuccini and a pastry at a bar on the Piazza.

Just to expand your options for Rome:

The Hotel Forum in Rome has a rooftop terrace with views of the Colosseo and the Forum

http://www.hotelforumrome.com/hotel-...ome-webcam.htm

The moderately priced, family-run La Rovere hotel is in between the Vatican and Trastevere with private terraces and some partial views of the Tiber and historic buildings (but you can find it a good 20-minute walk from there to a variety restaurants if you want something more than the nearest Trattoria (a very nice one named Sor'Eva)

http://hotellarovere.biz/index.php?o...d=16&Itemid=60

If you are mainly interested in the historic sites in Campania, heading for the vicinity of Salerno (in an attractive B&B or agriturismo or a beachside location between Atrani and Salerno) would put you in a position to see Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum if you have a car.

For a visit to the Piano Grande, I recommend that you check out Visso, which I think is a prettier town than Norcia and less toursted

http://www.deliciousitaly.com/visual...&regione_id=10

No luck at the Hilton Ann, promotion is valid only to the end of August 2010 and we will be there in October

Steps ~ I actually have Casina del Orso bookmarked. Have you stayed there?

Hey Fodorites, does wrenwood have to go to the airport to rent a car? Can she rent a car in the city but leave it at the airport at the end of the trip??? I've never driven in Italy so truly don't know what would be best/easiest.

I fell in love with Bernini's works while in Rome. The Borghese Museum and a church called Santa Maria della Vittoria were amazing-not to mention the altar area in St. Peter's. The Pantheon was another amazing place (although not Bernini).

Regarding Pompeii-we planned for a morning there but ended up staying almost all day. We took ourselves to Naples to the Archeology Museum the next day just to see more of the items. I'd keep Pompeii separate from the other ruins just in case. Just my opinion.

wren,

alas, no. I stayed in Norcia while in the area, and didn't like it. I think I would have preferred the area near Visso. Here is a Sept 2009 tripadvisor review, in Italian, that is all favorable, containing positive remarks on the quiet, the easy access to the siights, the comfort, cleanliness and recent renovation, the large bath with shower, plus a delicious breakfast (the reviews said they hoped to return soon with friends).

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ra_Marche.html

Be aware that travel to Castelsantangelo sul Nera would really be an adventure off-the-beaten track, where the main activity is deep immersion in nature and hiking. Another possibility much more hooked up to civilisation is the beautiful town of Ascoli Piceno

http://images.google.com/images?clie...N&hl=en&tab=wi

I stayed at the Guiderocchi there and enjoyed it immensely, although I got a bargain on the room price.

Steps ~ I also have Guiderocchi bookmarked. Did you eat at the restaurant there?

We would have 2 nights there or Norcia ~ arrive and eat dinner, then one full day to explore, and the day we leave we would be headed to Monticchielo.

What did you not like about Norcia? (was looking at Palazzo Seneca)

Dudette, from what I have heard I don't want to be driving in the city! A car to the airport seems to be from 45-55 Euros for the 3 of us, I think that will be much easier. I'm hoping we'll go from the airport to Naples to the Archeology Museum on the way to wherever we stay next.

Steps, is Ascoli Piceno a better choice for 2 nights to explore the mountains a little? Do the mountains look higher or more dramatic from Ascoli Piceno or from Norcia?

I emailed Guiderocchi, they have a special where the second night is free.

What I didn't like about Norcia was that it was so full of cutesy tourist stuff about pigs and also quite jammed with busses of pilgrims (cult of St. Benedict). I don't recall the views of the mountains being dramatic. I also didn't like where I stayed and where I ate: The Gran Grotta Azzura.

Ascoli Piceno is simply lovely but not a great base, I don't think, for one day to explore the mountains. Better stay close to the mountains. (To my regret, I didn't eat at the Guiderocchi restaurant, except for breakfast. Those were the days when I didn't understand that, unlike other places in the world, eating at your hotel in Italy can be the best choice.)

For scenic drama and hiking, I would be tempted to stay right in the Monte Sibilini or very close to it, in the mountains. I wouldn't be daunted by it being off the beaten track. I'd love it.

Were I to base in Ascoli Piceno, I might head for the adriatic sea and the Monte Conero peninsula for hiking. I've never been, but it's always looked so lovely to me.

http://www.conero.it/en/conero/conero-park

oh no, just when i think that it can't get any worse, someone finds yet another goorgeous and little frequented [by English speaking tourists at any rate] area that I just long to visit.

in my wanderings round the net, i found this hotel which looks like just the ticket for a few relaxing days by the sea:

http://www.hotelalessandra.it/

half for full -board only, but I suspect that with a proprietor -chef, that shouldn't be much of a sacrifice.

a few days in the mountains after that would be lovely.

Ann, I think that ice and snow in Cornwall is invading your brain, looks like you should head to Italy to thaw out, don't you think? ;)

I think you'll all get a kick out of the current "plan" for Rome. I am now planning FOUR nights, have given up the idea of a rooftop terrace at a hotel, and looking seriously at 2 apartments where the owners are around to help 3 people who have never been in Italy, much less Rome. Starting to feel more comfortable with it, apartments are in Piazza Navona-Pantheon-Campo dei Fiori areas.

The more I look at it the more I think we may have to skip staying in the mountains, not enough time. If we were to try to get to the mountains, my time for Pompeii, Herculanum and Vesuvius gets really tight, and that's giving up Villa Cimbrone and Paestum.

I suppose we could do a day trip to Piano Grande and Castelluccio from Monticchiello ( and eat lunch at Taverna!)

Thoughts?

Here is an apartment that is in Navona-Campo dei Fiori area and has a terrace (two penthouse apartments). Just reserved the pink one for early June.
http://www.residenzagiubbonari.com/home.html

hey wren, I just noticed your earlier post about Terre di Nano - I stayed there in 2007 and really enjoyed it. Such a lovely setting and nice people. We were so close to driving into Montepulciano, and one day we took an impromtu drive to Cortona - easy going from there.

Have a great time!

Thanks Sheri, their availability is what determined our vacation time, I really liked what I saw on the website, and Giorgio was incredibly patient in answering all my tons of questions every time I emailed him!

Any tips on great restaurants for dinner, or even where to shop for "supplies" as we are staying in Casetta so will be making our own breakfasts, and packing some lunches.

wrenwood - it sounds as if you trip is coming together.

remember the slow traveller's mantra - less is more!

this is the apartment we have booked in Rome in Feb -

www.lacasaclelia.com

as someone pointed out to me it's partially underground but the owner, Catherine, has been very user -friendly and helpful.

regards and happy new year

The whole idea of "basing" yourself and taking days trips is fundamentally flawed. Most of these small towns fill with tourists during the day and empty at night. You don't get a real sense of them unless you stay overnight when the tourist hoards leave. You miss that by using the base strategy. I just move every day or two and get a much better experience of these places.

wren, Giorgio is a great guy. We picked up our car in Chiusi next to a supermarket that we used, and for each of the three nights we spent at Terre di Nano, we cooked dinner in our apartment, but you won't have any trouble finding supplies.

The day we drove to Cortona, we went through Castiglione del Lago, found a grocery store deli for some of the best fast pizza ever and had lunch at the lakeside park. It was such a relaxed, non-planned out day. It's good to give yourself a little breathing room while planning.

Most of our lunch outings were spontaneous, but La Porta will be the closest restaurant to you (in Monticchiello), which we enjoyed for lunch, but I know many Fodorites have recommended it.

annhig,

Your link to the apartment doesn't work for me.

wren,

I think a day trip from Montechiello to the Monte Sibilini is way too ambitious. If you want some hiking in Tuscany, consider heading to nearby Monte Amiata.

http://www.monte-amiata.com/

http://www.seetuscany.com/itineraries/amiat.htm

I think you are wise to leave yourself plenty of time to explore Pompeii, Paestum. etc.

Have a great trip!

that's because I got it wrong, zoecat.

mi dispiace. try this:

www.lacasadiclelia.webs.com/