Jeanne,
I get up early at home..but not in Europe... we were not up till between 8-10 without an alarm... the 9 hour time change killed us.

Hey, neighbor! (Mobile here)

Want to peek at the apartment?!
http://www.rentalinrome.com/rondanini/rondanini.htm
Check out the map.


PS: this is NOT the one some Fodorites complained had "an odor problem" in the shower...eeeew.

Hi Jeanne

That is a great location! I really love the windows (doors maybe? it's hard to tell from the picture) in the living room.

How long will you be staying?

Johanna

I think those are french doors out to the balcony. The large terrace is on the 2nd floor. Having paid a small fortune for Rome hotels I just can't get over the prices of apartments. (Of course, we've yet to actually stay there.)

We're flying to Florence and heading straight to Castellina in Chianti for 2 nights. Then 4 nights in Pienza. Finally 5 nights in Rome. Leave from Rome.

I think you'll enjoy renting an apartment. I rented one on my first trip to Rome and appreciated the extra space. Plus, at least to me, you really do feel like you are part of the neighborhood.

Your intenerary looks great. Have a wonderful time!

Johanna

Yes, Jeanne, around 7 amish. There was a great bar caffe below my apartment in Venice a few years back, and he would start rolling up his metal door just about then, as would all the other bars on the Strada Nova-same for Rome. Can't say for sure in the smaller hill towns, but Tuscany folk are pretty early risers, generally, so I would think the same time.

And you should have a coffee-maker in the apt., but why not email and ask to be sure?

I plan to email her, but will have to wait til August. She is currently "delivery for the vacations". (Her emails have been charmingly incoherent!)

I'm not worried about it. I'm sure we can find/make coffee when we want it. But I've decided to get back on my early morning walk routine (b/4 coffee). Some of my most pleasant memories of Paris were on my walks before sunrise.

My DH can manage one of those italian two-part expresso makers. I've not tried it. As he gets up late and I'm the early riser, I just might take my "french press" to suit my purposes.
Fingers crossed that we get our apartment right on the Tiber east side of the Tiber - sunsets? Yessssss!

Good luck on the apt!

My sister came up with a good idea. She'll pack one of those "Vienna coffee" products....just in case we get stuck somewhere with a coffee craving and no way to satisfy it. One can always get hot water!

JeanneB,

With the possible exception of bathrooms(?!?), anywhere where you can get hot water in Italy, you can get coffee, in my experience.