Roma - hotels V apartments

(I did not read this in any sort of reputable journal, but...) 

Rome has more hotels and apartments for rent than any other place in the world. The choices are many ... the reviews on TripAdvisor mixed, the hotel websites hard to decipher, the neighbourhoods varied ... too many choices - too many ways to decide! 

We've been focussed on apartments for the last week or so, and have narrowed it down to these three (click link or photos to see full description):

OVERLOOKING TREVI FOUNTAIN

ROOFTOP PENTHOUSE NEAR SPANISH STEPS / PIAZZA NAVONA

ROOFTOP PENTHOUSE NEAR SPANISH STEPS / PIAZZA DEL POPOLO

If we do decide to go with a hotel, I think we've settled on HOTEL PORTOGHESI

A lot going into making this honeymoonissimo as awesome as possible!! 

A lovely wedding at our Tuscan 'home'

One of our three spots in Tuscany will be at Villa Vignamaggio ... this is in Greve-in-Chianti.

Today, the villa posted some photos of a wedding took place there recently. Other than the fact that the groom's pants are about 2" too long, the entire things looks incredible!! I think we did well picking this spot!

Take a look at the photos here: http://simplybloomphotography.com/blog/?p=4636

Here are a couple of my favs ...

Almost fully booked ...

Just a hotel in Rome left and then we'll be fully booked!!

June 2nd - fly Ottawa to Rome (with a few layovers in between)
June 3-6 in Rome
June 7 - 10 in Greve, Chianti, Tuscany (http://www.vignamaggio.it/)
June 11 - 12 in Montalcino (home of Brunello!), Tuscany (http://www.vecchiaoliviera.com/)
June 13 - 15 in Florence (http://www.palazzoguadagni.com)
June 16 in Monterosso, Cinque Terre (http://www.laspiaggiahotel.com/index.html)
June 17 - 18 in Parma (with a Prosciutto, Parmesan and wine food tour on the 18th!) (http://www.savoyparma.it/)
June 19 - 21 in Venice (http://www.hotelflora.it/en/)

Ch ch ch changes ...

To Amalfi or not to Amalfi ... that is the question. So far, the plan would be to fly to Rome, drive to Amalfi, spend 2 nights, then drive back to Rome - stay for 4 nights then off to Tuscany etc.

We're thinking this may not be the best way to do things because:
A) Amalfi is about 4 hours drive from Rome (not to mention, it's 4 hours after 16 hours in the air)
B) There's a few other places in Tuscany we want to explore
C) Is it worth travelling all that way south for (what is basically) a short weekend.

So - alternatively, we start our trip in Rome, spend 4nights, off to Montalcino (Tuscany) then Greve ...

Unfortunately, however, we've already booked our stay in Greve, and the place we want to stay in Montalcino is booked when we'd be there! Arg! Today, I'm trying to change around some schedules but when email is the best way to communicate (and they are not ... uhh ... quick on email) it makes things a bit tricky!

Tuscany ... BOOKED!

Dillema-issimo solved ... 4 nights at Villa Vignamaggio June 9th - 13th. A few scenes from 'Much Ado About Nothing' were filmed here ... it's quite a large place about 5 miles south of Greve in Chianti, close to Florence. They make their own wine and olive oil on site (not surprising) - very much looking forward to chillaxin' in Tuscany :) ... watching the sun set while sitting in the pool, overlooking Tuscan hills drinking a nice Brunello ... mmmm ...

Venice ... BOOKED!

Another decision made ... hooooray! We'll be staying 2 nights at the Hotel Flora, a boutique hotel in central venice. 

HOTEL FLORA

Hotel Flora - al fresco dining!

Hotel Flora ... superior double room - looks like a nice view! 

Now, just need to make a decision on Amalfi .. .we're thinking the Buca Di Bacco - which looks like a little slice of heaven on earth

Buca Di Bacco ... view from the beach

Buca di Bacco ... nice view!

Finally, a decision still needs to be made on Rome - splurge more? ... or realize that we're not going to spending all that much time in the hotel and look for a nice 3 or 4 star in a good location instead.

Oh yea, and there's still that dillemissimo about Tuscany!

Coming along ... coming along!