Our friend Bill Holtzman helped set up our trip and advised us on the itinerary. This is a photo our favoriate bed and breakfast, Villa Lucia. It is just outside Florence, about half and hour by car. The hotel is surrounded by olive orchards, and view of the Tuscan countryside is spectacular. If we had it to over again we would schedule 2 or 3 days here to just relax, but you can also use Villa Lucia as a base from which to visit Lucca, Pisa, and other cities and sites in Tuscany. There is also a golf course not far away.
We booked our rooms via email, villalucia@yahoo.com.
This is our other favorite bed and breakfast, which is located in the hills outside Todi. Again, one could spend quite a few days here, and use it as a base to explore Umbria, or just to relax and enjoy the countryside. It is about 15 or 20 minutes drive from Todi.
Rome, high end:
Best restaurants: in Rome, we liked La Rosetta. The seafood was incredible. This is a good place
Rome, casual dining:
Florence, high end:
La Rosetta, near the Pantheon. Phone number:
Enoteca Antonio.