We will be in Italy for 2 weeks in May. The first week will be spent in Lucca, Florence and Bologna (with a possible side trip to Parma). We are flying in to Rome and then taking the train to Lucca and will be taking the train to Florence and Bologna as well. When we leave Bologna we would like to see some towns like Assisi, Cortona and Orvieto. Would it be better to stay with trains for the rest of the trip (eventually ending up back in Rome) or to rent a car for the Bologna-Orvieto leg and then drop off the car in Orvieto before taking the train back to Rome? We are also trying to figure out where the best place is to stay in Rome since we have a 9am flight at FCO. Previous threads have recommended against staying in Ostia Antica or airport hotels. Any advice? Thanks, Jane
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US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
These current discussions address most of your questions:http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/29770/tuscany-or-umbria-by-train.htmlhttp://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/29844/tuscany-towns-by-train--or-do-we-need-a-car.htmlRe your last question: most travelers on this forum sleep in Rome on last night and have hotel arrange for early taxi to pick them up and get them to the airport.