Italy Trip in march
 

Hi,

My partner had booked an 2 week anniversary trip to Sydney, Hamilton Island (Qualia even after I made him read MacMyDays review) and then Melbourne. We had to cancel this due him getting a bit ill so the long haul flights wouldn't work anymore. However he really needs the break, we're looking to head to Italy on Friday and I thought I'd see if the ever knowledgeable luxury forum had some recommendations .

- Rome for 3 nights (currently interested in the Hotel Eden)
- Driving to the Tuscan countryside hotel for 1 or 2 nights (I currently have no ideas about this)
- Driving to Florence for 3 nights (either the FS or St Regis)
- Possibly Venice for 2/3 nights (currently interested in the Gritti Palace)

I know we'd need to drive from Rome to the tuscan countryside but are the trains between Florence and Venice plausible with 1 piece of large luggage each in exec class?

Many thanks!

I have stayed in Eden, FS Florence and Gritti Palace, all are spectacular. I also recommend Il Salviatino in Florence which is out of the city and more rustic villa style - very relaxing.

Also look at Hotel de Russie for Rome - the gardens and courtyard are gorgeous. I have very fond memories of breakfast in that courtyard. I've stayed at both but prefer Eden.

I've never stayed in the Tuscany country side but I'm interested in Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco for the future.

I've never driven or got the train between them though.

I will do a relatively similar trip end of March/ April. In Rome I booked the Eden. 3 nights is not much. Eden runs a 4 for 3 promotion so perhaps this could be an option. In Florence I will stay at St. Regis this time, stayed at the FS in the past. While location of the StR is more central the FS is a very fine hotel. If walking is not a problem and it´s the first time I would tend to FS or if you from pictures both like equal choose by price. At Venice I booked Ca Sagredo and Aman. 2 nights Venice seems very short to me.

Rosewood's rooms in Tuscany wont't be open in March... only the multi-bedroom villas

Also suggest Taking a look at the FT Italy Forum.

A train from Florence to Venice is definitely the way to go. You can't take a car into Venice anyway...

In Florence, the Four Seasons is a true WOW. St. Regis is more central but it didn't excite me.

12 years ago (low season too)-- so grain of salt:

St. Regis in Rome. Very nice hotel. Huge room, but seemed a bit far from major attractions.
St. Regis Florence. Stayed when it was still the Grand Hotel. Loved it. Had a fresco on the wall and view of the Arno. Location was also great.
Gritti Palace: After a general strike forced us off the train and in to rental car from Florence to Venice, the Grand Hotel called the Gritti Palace to let them know about the issue. Gritti Palace couldn't modify our reservation, but they upgraded us to a great room directly overlooking the Grand Canal. Venice is small, and so everything was convenient to the hotel. A great experience.

Castello di Casole is wonderful and I still have dreams about the Four Seasons Florence.

prefer the Hassler to the Hotel de Russie in Rome but don't really like any of the options.

You can´t drive directly to the hotel but the parking garages are quite near to each other. If you travel to another destination it´s cheaper to hold the car and pay for the garage than changing cars. Also you can leave some non-necessary laguage in the car so you mustn´t take a few pieces of laguage with you on the water taxi. Even if Venice is your final destination I would consider to return the car at Piazzale Roma if you have a car anyway. Mostly should be more convenient and even cheaper.

Would also highly suggest FS in Florence, Hotel Eden in Rome, and Aman in Venice.

Just booked a week for ourselves in Florence and Rome at Four Seasons and Hotel Eden :)

In some cases you don´t have an Option (for excample on the way from one hotel to the other) and I don´t think it´s that dangerous to let things in a closed trunk in a garded garage. Nevertheless I wouldn´t left my jewels there but don´t have problems with my laundry or not needes clothes.