I am going to Italy in May for the 5th time. 16 days, round trip from US to Rome. No hotels this time, I want to rent an apartment near Train in a central location so I can do day trips by train to towns in region. Last 4+ days will be in Rome, in an apartment (never get enough of Rome). Any suggestions on a Town to use as my home base? Montecatini Terme? Lucca?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
Without a car, I would choose Florence, which is Tuscany's capital and the transportation hub. Since you have at least 10 days in Tuscany, maybe you could split your time between Florence and another city (Siena or Lucca for example) depending on where you want to go. But if you want one and one base only in Tuscany, then Florence is the logical choice. You can maximize your visits from Florence with the frequent train and bus options to most of Tuscany.
Posted by
OP
Fort Myers, Florida, USA
23 posts
Thank You Roberto !! I agree, Florence it is. Going to stop in Orvieto for a few nights first, suggestions on place to stay would be appreciated. Also planning a week in Cinque Terre before going back to Rome. Maybe stay in Santa Margherita Liguri.....what do you think? I've been to Cinque Terre 3 times but it's like a "magnet" - keeps pulling me back.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
In Florence I generally suggest the hotel La Scaletta on via Guicciardini, near Ponte Vecchio, which is fabulous (I think Rick Steves also suggests that one in one of his books). However I don't have a lot of knowledge of Florence hotels, since all the times I traveled there (or lived there growing up), I didn't need hotels having my family there.
Although La Scaletta and the Oltrarno district in general, are my favorite, since you intend to travel around on day trips, you may want to consider something a little closer to the train station. Just stay away from via Nazionale, via della Scala, via Alamanni, via Jacopo da Diacceto and Piazza Stazione/Piazza dell'Unita'/via Valfonda (all near the station) because there is a lot of bus/tramway traffic on those streets, so it's noisier.
The Ligurian Riviera is beautiful everywhere and I am not surprised you keep wanting to go back to the Cinque Terre. The Cinque Terre is a beautiful place to stay, but I never stayed there overnight since I used to vacation at our beach house near Forte dei Marmi and Marina di Massa, so it was just 40 min. for me by motorcycle (I commute to work longer now). However my favorite other place in Liguria is a small town called Moneglia, between the Cinque Terre and Sestri. I stayed there quite a few times and, at least in those days, few Germans or Americans like the Cinque Terre (except for my wife). To reach it one would need to drive through the darkest, narrowest and longest tunnel from Sestri. The tunnel is so narrow that you can drive only alternatively in each direction. Once on the side of Moneglia, I felt like coming to a secluded Shangri-La. Actually you could choose that as a base, since the trains between Genoa and La Spezia stop there as well, so you can go to the Cinque Terre or Santa Margherita in just minutes.
Posted by
OP
Fort Myers, Florida, USA
23 posts
Well, you've certainly given me more to think about. I've been online today and found a B&B in Orvieto; I sent "Valentina B&B" an email this afternoon. Florence has been tough for places to stay, I may spend Tomorrow going over Cinque Terre and your suggestions. Maybe stay on the train thru Florence and head straight for CT. Thanks again, you may hear from me again..