We are looking for a centrally located, safe hotel in Rome in the $200. range and are open to any suggestions.
Also, while in Florence, we are wondering if it is possible to take a train or bus from Florence to San Gimignano and Volterra then back to Florence in the same day.
Check out the other recent post, entitled "Hotels in Rome...any reccomendations?". The Search function will also bring up a lot of great suggestions.
I would suggest any of the hotels listed around Termini, it is a great location for getting around with the metro and a short walk to all but colosseum and st peters, metro to both. Hotel Oceania is good, but folks have mentioned several others
You might want to know that Grayline has a nice one-day tour to San G. and Siena. One hour in San G. and 4 hours in Siena. The Siena part includes a very nice tour. My wife and I have done this trip and outside of wanting a bit more time in San G., it was a great trip. In Florence, Grayline tours is offered by CAF Tours. About 52Euro.
We just checked out of Hotel Aberdeen yesterday at the Rick Steves rate of 150 euor (including breakfast)
48 Via Firenze (near the Oceanic)
Easy walk from Termini (will arrange pick up at airport for 45 euro, bargin if you have 4 people at 11 euro for train)
close to Repubilcca Metro and bus lines
we have stayed at this hotel 3 times before, very nice.. clean, great staff, good breakfast... and centrally located...
Happy Travels,
David
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On your day trip from Florence to San G. and Volterra, it's really easy to get to and from either from Florence. However, once you get to either, it's more difficult to get between the two. There is very good local bus transportation between San G. and Siena if you want to do that. For Volterra, you can do it but you need to take the local bus to Colle di Val D'Elsa and change to the bus for Volterra. Watch out for Sundays. Bus schedules are really reduced.
I've used buses for both San Gimignano and Volterra. It would not be practical to visit both towns in one day by bus (train is not an option). You would need to go from Florence to Poggibonsi to San Gimignano back to Poggibonsi to Colle Val d'Elsa to Volterra back to Colle Val d'Esla and back to Florence. No way to do all that travel and still give adequate time to each town. Better to either choose one or the other or make 2 day trips. You can pick up a handy schedule at the bus station. For web version of the bus schedule, see Tim's link on 08/27 question about "Bus to florence from siena." Both towns might be possible by rental car. Maybe someone who has done that can comment.
