I'm helping friends plan their first trip to Italy. They're staying where we stayed two years ago-15 mins. south of Florence. If anyone has stayed in this area, do you know
- is the Coop open on Sunday in Montelupo?
- would the shops and restaurants in Forte de Marmi be open on Sunday?
- Can you confirm the gorgeous scenic route around Volterra? I know we took it and can't quite remember what roads/hwys. we took.
Also our friends arrive early Fri. a.m. into Rome and leave at 5pm the next day. They want to make the best of their 2 days there and would like to tour the Vatican and Coliseum. They would also like to walk around and see some hilights. I've only been there one day on a bus tour so can't be very helpful. Would you suggest they do the coliseum tour and city tour their first day (they will be jet lagged) and then the Vatican tour on the Saturday? What is the best way for them to get from the Rome airport to downtown? And do you know if there are lockers at the Rome airport where they can leave the majority of their luggage for a couple of days? Anyone you can recommend in Rome that could do the Vatican and/or Coliseum tours?
Think that's it!! Thanks for any input you can give.

anyone??

Do they have a hotel yet? With so little time in rome, I'd recommend a hotel with good location. We loved the Hotel Nazionale a Montecitorio on Piazza Montecitorio, a short walk from the Pantheon, Giolitti's gelato place, and lots of great restaurants. We also walked to the Colosseum and the Roman forum, then took the public bus back to the hotel. We took the public bus to the Vatican and St. Peter's and took a taxi back to the hotel, which we found right across the street from the Vatican at a taxi stand.

Because the HOtel Nazionale a Montecitorio is so perfectly located, our private tour guide was willing to meet us in the lobby of the hotel for the Ancient Rome tour. Worked out great! Her name is Francesca Caruso, though she has since married so I don't know if she changed her last name. She's fluent in English and Italian with an excellent accent since her mother spoke English...Her e-mail when I contacted her last June for our trip was [email protected] As far as transport from the airport, I recommend you have the hotel set it up, because they will get the flight number and will keep track and know if the flight is late, they'll still have someone there to pick you up! Hotel Nazionale is very good. Oh and they have a great breakfast.

The coop of Montelupo is closed on sunday

forte dei marmi shops and restaurants open on sunday

the scenic route to Volterra called Volterrana start from Florence pass from Montespertoli, Castelfiorentino, Montaione and ends in Volterra. Other scenic route to Volterra is the SS68 who starts near Cecina, pass from Volterra and ends in Colle Val d'Elsa. Both are very scenic and windy with colors changing at every turn and many nice villeges to stop to have something to eat.

I assume they are going back to the airport to pick-up a rental car?
There is a manned left luggage at FCO Airport, it is at the far end of 'Terminal C Arrivals'. No matter what terminal they arrive at all they have to do is: After clearing Customs you enter the Arrival Hall, turn right and keep walking, when you hit the wall you're there .
They can either train & taxi to their hotel or if it is close to the station just walk. www.limoservicerome.com is a nicer option.
www.contextrome.com (formerly Scala Reale) is best small group (6) guide company IMO. Regards, Walter