We’ve been planning our summer trip to Italy for a couple of months now. Starting in Lake Como and going to Venice then south to Florence. We have a four days in our schedule and might like to go to Sorrento or Chianti region. We want this to be our “rest time” before heading into Rome and then Barcelona. Any suggestions? We are also open to a beach area around there.
It’s not clear to me whether you want lodging recommendations for your entire trip or just the Sorrento/Chianti piece. If the former I can recommend Hotel Flora in Venice - just off the Grand Canal I recently stayed there. It’s small, old, and quaint but it was comfortable with a good location near St. Marks Square. In Rome last year we stayed in the Starhotels Metropole Hotel located near the Termini train station. It’s a larger hotel than the the one in Venice, but it had good food, good service, a comfortable room and great location for getting around Rome.
I can’t help you with the Sorrento region. I’ve never stayed there.
Budget? Como, Venice, Rome and Florence have a wide range of accommodations ---- some fantastic, but they can be expensive (especially on Lake Como) Do you have four days in each spot? Do you have a car?
Sorrento, being down south of Rome while the rest of your trip is North of Rome, is a bit out of the way relative to the other places you are visiting. I’d suggest saving it for your next trip to Italy, because you are bound to want to return. 
Instead, I suggest somewhere on the Ligurian coastline or the Tuscan hill towns.
Agree with musicamusica that more details on budget, level of lodging desired would help in making specific recommendations.
Villa d’Este in Como!
Here are the details: after 5 days in London, we will be in the Lake Como/Milan/Venice for 7 days. Florence for 4 days. We have lodging for those locations - a mix of mid-level hotels and VRBO type apartments.
The next 4 days are what we are trying to plan. I’d like it to be our “rest stop” and would prefer being by the water (inland with a pool would do, too ) Budget - up to $500/night for 4 but I’d like to keep it under that. Not luxury level, more “homey” - I want to feel like a local One idea would be to rent a house in Florence for 8 days but that means we will most likely need a car. Anyone have experience with renting cars/driving in the Florence area? Also, we have teenagers with us who may not enjoy being in a remote area for too long.
If you want that Tuscan country feel, with real proximity to Florence—look at the Pensione Bencista . I have not been there for a few years but I used to stay there frequently. One of my favorite places and half way between Fiesole and Florence and the No. 14 (?) bus stops right there so a car is not required. Very relaxing and very very nice people. Just about the most gorgeous spot near Florence with a view to die for and VERY homey. I always laugh since it’s right next door to the very expensive and deluxe Villa San Michele and I would rather stay at Bencista in a heartbeat. If you prefer to use a car they have ample free parking.
Here is their website:
@musicamusica, your recommendation is exactly what we’re looking for (if we end up staying in Florence the full 8 days.) Unfortunately, it is booked on our dates. But the search has yielded some properties worth considering. Thanks!
@doschicos, I will check out the Ligurian coast. Any specific areas?
Damn. That area between Florence proper and Fiesole is really great. The bus goes from Fielsole to the Termini station and takes around 15 minutes each way . I love Fiesole, it’s peaceful, a wonderful place to explore (Roman ruins!) and a calm restful spot after the crowded summer hub-bub in Florence. I highly recommend staying there rather than Florence. I am envious of what sounds like a beautiful trip! Enjoy!
@lilmom With teens in tow and not wanting to drive, I’d suggest going to the Cinque Terre towns. Beautiful seaside towns and no need for a car (most don’t allow them!) but you can take the little train between the villages or even hike around. Very relaxing. It’s an area where your teens could go explore on their own without worries.
I love the Tuscan hill towns and could make a few recommendations but they are better suited to do with a car. Siena would be a top spot to recommend though and/or Lucca. Yes, a pool would be ideal in summer.
Driving isn’t bad assuming one in your party is up to it but they do drive fast. My husband loves it!
Also–go to Airbnb and check out the area south of the Boboli and Porta Romana. It’s very peaceful up there but still a quick walk or bus ride right to the Oltrarno. I used to rent an apartment there but can’t find it online for the life of me.
Here is an example:
@doschicos, Funny you should mention Cinque Terre because that was the 4 days on our itinerary that we took out. I was concerned that it was out of the way and from articles I read, summer tourists crowd the place. If anyone has traveled there in the summer, let me know your thoughts!
When in the summer are you traveling? Much of Italy is crowded in the summer. June is much better than July or August.
Try look this place up in Venice https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/880052. We stayed there for three nights and it was amazing. Make sure you try the cafe just a block down. I forgot the name but you should see it once you make a right on the main street.
We’re traveling mid June to mid July. The only time all of us have off together. @kchendds, what a bummer, that property is booked on our dates, as well. I haven’t tried airbnb but since some of your have had positive experiences with it, I will check it out.
Have you considered staying on the Lido in Venice? We like it—a fun, easy boat ride (5 minutes) to Venice proper. The vaparetto is cheap and some hotels even have their own boat to take you there.
http://www.marcopoloetc.it/h_excelsior_lido_311/eng/mpe_311_Hotel%20Excelsior_Ve.html
the Excelsior has a lovely pool and is right on the Lido beach
Driving in Florence takes skills. The roads are super narrow and it’s confusing. When we went to Italy the first time and rented a good size sedan and it was a mistake! We then rented a BMW 3 series wagon the second time and we drove from Venice all the way down to the south of Tuscany and it was a little bit better. We skipped Florence (city) though and stayed in a couple farm houses along the way down and stayed in an amazing historic cave house in Pitigliano.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g194946-Viareggio_Province_of_Lucca_Tuscany-Vacations.html
Viareggio is a great beach town. A lot of locals go there. We used to go there when the kids were younger. It’s kind of like Jersey Shore, but Italian. You could get great seafood at restaurants on the strip. You could stay at their “Grand Hotels” or rent an Airbnb place.
We used to rent and drive in Italy. Kids’ dad used to say he could drive stick, but after few experience I found it was not the case. I opted to rent automatic at twice the cost (but told him it was marginally more expensive), and we drove all over Italy. We found it to be quite easy. We drove to Florence, and other nearby towns in Tuscany.
This June D2 and I are going to Lake Como and Florence for 10 days. We are staying at a Melia hotel at lake Como, and I booked a room through Secret Escape for Florence.
http://www.lacasadegliarchi.com/en/
It’s beyond amazing, the house and the town itself especially at night!