Useful Links

Traveling for business and pleasure can lead to a good amount of positive and negative experiences. I've found the following sites and services helpful in my own dealings. I hope you'll find them useful.

Assisi

Hotel La Fortezza
Piazza del Comune, 06081 Assisi, Perugia, Italy
Tel 075 812418; Fax 075 8198035
The best thing about this small seven room hotel is that it is located in the city center of Assisi. That may also be a drawback as parking is quite a walk - and it can be taxing if you are lugging a suitcase with you. The hotel is a bit hard to find as it does not front a street, but rather is situated on a walkway up many steps from the Piazza del Comune. While the hotel is downright inexpensive, you do miss what you're not paying for. Be keenly aware that the bathroom doubles as the shower - very European with no shower curtain or way to contain runoff water. This was very unpleasant during my stay as my traveling companion and I showered at different times of the day - which left us with a soggy bathroom at all times. The hotel is pleasant otherwise - if you must watch your budget.

Anne's Italy
Anne Robichaud, Tours and Services
Pian Della Pieve, Assisi 06081 Perugia, Italy
Tel: (011-39) 075-802334; Fax: 075-813698
What can one say about a woman who not only loves life, but lives it for the adventure it can be? That's Anne Robichaud. She moved to Italy in 1973 and has lived with her husband Pino and her family - taking on adventure after adventure over the years. Today, among other services, Anne provides custom tours of her adopted homeland. Check Anne's site often for information on her lectures and cooking instruction. If you're lucky, you might catch Anne in the U.S. during her annual coast-to-coast lecture series. Even if you're not interested in her services, do check out Anne's website. Among other things, Anne is a talented writer and her site is filled with some great stories.

Florence/Firenze

Hotel Monna Lisa
Borgo Pinti 27, near Santa Croce, Florence 50121, Italy
Phone: 055/2479751; Fax: 055/2479755
Ever wanted to stay in a 15th-century palazzo? On my first trip to Florence a friend recommended this out of the way hotel. Not knowing what to expect I was pleasantly surprised. Furnished with a "grand tour of Europe" era style, it felt as if we were being welcomed into someone's private home. Our room overlooked a small, quiet garden. The hotel is about ten minutes walking distance from the main sites - which is bad when your feet hurt, but good when you want to distance yourselves from the crowds. Keep in mind when reserving a room that there is a newer addition to the hotel (the Annex) which may have a different feel to it.

Hotel Balestri
Piazza Mentana, 7 - 50122, Florence, Italy
Tel. 055 214-743; Fax 055 239-8042
Seeking a room with a view? This hotel is merely blocks away from the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. Romantic views of the Arno River await you - but be aware that your balcony will be of no use at night as the river is home to a bevy of flying insects who will make a bee-line for the lights in your room. Our double room was large by European standards with a long, narrow bathroom - separate shower and tub with soft, thirsty towels. Be aware if you are driving that the streets around this area are narrow and many are one-way. I made a wrong turn into the Piazza Repubblica and sweated bullets while trying to find a way out without hitting the masses of dazed tourists taking in the sites or consulting their maps.

Rome/Roma

Scala Reale
Via Baccina 40, 00184 Rome, Italy
Tel: US: 888-467-1986 Italy: 39/06.474.567
If you've seen the sites of Rome, you've also seen the crowds of tourists scrambling after tour guides - each waving their tell-tale "follow me" signs - the yellow umbrella, the blue and white flag, the walking stick with the colorful scarf tied on. These all fall under the category of "how NOT to see Rome". A much better alternative is Scala Reale. This group offers a bevy of personalized tours (most maxing out with six participants). On our first trip to Rome we signed up for one of Scala Reale's tours and enjoyed it so much, we took two more in the days to follow. What makes them so unique? It's their guides. Most of them are American's studying or living abroad. Imagine if you will, taking their Vatican tour guided by an Art History major. Or being shown the sites of the Forum and Colliseum through the eyes of an architect. On each of our tours our small groups took well needed breaks at such places as a wine bar, a gelateria, and a lemonade stand. Each tour made for a memorable information filled half day. And in such small groups, I felt entirely comfortable asking as many questions as came to mind.