I'm working on an itinerary that will take my family of 2 adults/2 kids from Rome (1 night) to Orvieto (2 or 3 nights as a base with side trips) to Siena (2 or 3 nights as a base with side trips) then back to Rome for 3 nights. We want to rent apartments and avoid hotels, would love to stay in the city and avoid renting a car (but won't rule that out if pressed). To make things crazy, we're going the beginning of June. I love VRBO. But, I'm disappointed to find that the options for short stays in Orvieto and Siena are a little limited. How do I piece reservations together for those two cities when there's a time delay with back and forth asking about availability? You're the smartest travelers on the planet ... any advice on apartment strategy you can offer would be fantastic. :)
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
Suggest you train to Orvieto on arrival, no matter when you get in. then add the extra night to your Rome time at the end. Makes for a more efficient travel schedule.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11815 posts
Barb: We stayed here http://www.ripamedici.it/IndexEng.html in Orvieto and it is like an apartment although it is B&B. There are 2 bedrooms, which Sabrina rents out independently, but if you rent them both, you'll have an apartment with sitting room, tiny kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. In Siena we stayed in a B&B too, but in Rome, try http://www.palazzo-olivia.it//. Both places were very quick to respond to inquiries. Overnight, in fact.
Posted by
Caruthers, CA, USA
244 posts
Two years ago I booked a trip to Rome and Tuscany 6 days before we departed. I placed ads on Craigslist describing us ( 2 professionals in their 50's) and got replies I could work with. Since it was so close to the date, the scammers did not bother with me. Planning a little further ahead, if you're going to use CL you have to be ready for a bunch of scammers. You need to learn how to expand your email responses so you can see the sending IP address. I've got the IP address for Lagos, Nigeria memorized. It's worth it to try, if you're savy and careful. It's the money the scammers want.
Posted by
OP
Lake Forest, Illinois, USA
59 posts
Sabrina at Ripimedici in Orvieto was amazing. I'm sad to say that I couldn't find a way to match my itinerary with her availability, but she was so responsive to my inquiries (even with the 7 hour time difference) that I know I'm missing something good by my not being able to figure something out to be able to stay at her apartment. :(
Posted by
OP
Lake Forest, Illinois, USA
59 posts
This is really embarassing to admit, especially on this forum, but I can't seem to be able to put an itinerary together for my family. I know exactly where we want to go and do, and we're flexible in general. But with the time delay in communication and with some who don't reply for days to availability requests, I'm feeling stuck. If it were just me, I'd be ok living on the go, but with kids, I need some set places to stay. Any advice? Having so much trouble with Siena and Orvieto ...
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11815 posts
When are you traveling Barb? Have you tried agriturismos outside of Siena? I think some will take you for 3 nights.