Rail Travel in Italy - schedules

This took a very long time to figure out BUT Rick Steve's website has a link to the Deutsche Bahn Website:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

You can enter a city from anywhere to anywhere and it has the info by rail or bus. To go to Florence - we can catch a train in Bucine (10 minutes away) and be in Florence in 1 hour arriving at the Florence Santa Maria Nouvella station.(SMN)

Here is a link to their app for smartphones

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/prices/individual_planning/railnavigator.shtml

Terme di Rapolano Thermal Spas

25 minutes from the Il Poggiolo are very ancient thermal spas located in Terme di Rapolano. The springs of the Antica Querciolaia and San Giovanni, at Rapolano are ancient and famous, popular since the fourth and third centuries before Christ and greatly appreciated by the Republic of Siena during the fourteenth century. The sulphuric-bicarbonate-calcium waters of the San Giovanni Thermal Spa delivers 1100 liters a minute at a constant temperature of 39 degrees, and the establishment offers numerous other valuable services making up and complementing the beneficial properties of the water.

From what I can tell there are several "spas" that offer day services.

Markets and food shopping

Ambra - Fattoria di Riomaggio- best meat shop. Ambra has a weekly open market on Tuesdays

Bucine has an open market on Wedensdays

Montevarchi Gastronomic Market : The first Saturday of every month (mornings only) hosts Montevarchi’s nationally recognized Gastronomic market, with food specialties from all of Tuscany and Italy.

Arezzo Antique Market: The first weekend of every month hosts Arezzo’s famous antique fair.

For more Market info:
http://www.tuscanyitaly.info/marketdaysintuscany/marketdaysintuscany.htm

Restaurant suggestions in Rome per Therese's friend Jorge

In my opinion it is virtually impossible to find a bad restaurant in Rome.

But here are my 4 favorites:

1.Cecilia Matella –

Via Appia Antica 125/127/129, Roma Italia- TEL: 06/513-6743 –
located just outside of the Ancient City walls next to the catacombs on the famous Appian Way (the worlds oldest highway). You can eat “al fresco” and serves some of the best dishes I have ever had. During the spring and summer, our family would go there at least once a month for Sunday lunch. It is a must-go-to when I am in Rome.

2. Girrarosto Toscano –

located close to the Roman Embassy near Via Veneto. Via Campania, 29, 00187 Rome, Italy 064821899 Awesome Tuscan dishes. I once had one of my all time great meals there.

3. Galeassi -
Piazza Santa Maria Trastevere #3, Roma Italia – TEL: 06/580-3775 – located in the trendy part of town called Trastevere. Stroll through the old alleys and see the different shops, boutiques, old churches etc. This section of Rome is where the true “Romanaccio” (true Roman) is said to come from.

4. Capo De Fero –

Via Cosimato 16, Roma, Italia – TEL: 06/581-8038 – In my estimation this is a must. I stumbled upon this restaurant in the early 2000’s upon a suggestion of someone I met on the plane from Milan to Rome. He did not steer me wrong. A great value and great food. Known for their Rigatoni alla Democratica (Democratic rigatoni [why democratic I have no clue) . Not a tourist trap, but everything is home made and served at the speed of a typical Roman restaurant – not too fast. So enjoy some wine and guaranteed you will leave full and satisfied.

Therese's friend Andy's note about Roma

Therese has a friend, Andy, who grew up in Rome. here are his notes:

Arrive in Rome:
Check bag in locker @airport.
Take LOCAL CAB to Ancient Ostia (20 min)
Ask “how much” before get in any cab
Get phone # of cab to get cab back to airport
Ask if hotel has driver from airport

Get to hotel mid afternoon
Late afternoon
Walking Spanish steps
Tiber East – Capital Hill (nice view look front/back)

Forum/Pantheon/Coliseum

Go 1st (2- 2.5 hours)
Sistine Chapel – enter thru Vatican museum & aim for 8am (early).
Beeline to Sistine Chapel (20 min walk). Amazing.
Maybe get snack & go to Basilica. Pizza stands – can specify how big want.

St Peters Basilica
Basilica – go to roof (extra & worth it -Rome & Vatican /gardens view). Bathrooms clean here.
Try & jump on tours here& there.

St. Peters – outside
Castle Sant’Angelo – good Rome stuff, some good little stands to check out.
Cross Bridge into Old Part of Rome; Piazza of Nazana (great place to hang out/cafes etc)

5 minute walk = Pantheon
Spanish steps – top of steps = gorgeous views & top has subway

Coliseum – have to pay but worth it
Spanish Steps, Pantheon,
Fountain of Trevia

Dinner – go into local place & ask them where THEY would go for nice dinner; local wine is white (get carafe)

Sorrento – ask hotel for driver/to negotiate

If you are visiting Rome....

If you plan on visiting Rome, here are some interesting places, other than the norm and some restaurant finds.

ART : MAXXI www.fondazionemaxxi.it

The National Museum of XXI Century Arts. A place of cultural innovation and overlapping disciplines and a laboratory for artistic experimentation

SHOPPING : White Gallery, 54,000 SF of store! Rome's first major " lifestyle" store.

FOOD:

GRANO a trattoria with Roman fare but deliciously prepared and served. Yummy veal cheeks , carbonara and tripe. At Piazza Rondanini 53 www.ristorantegrano.it

LA FUCINA

Gourmet pizzas, Via Giuseppe Lunati

FELICE a TESTACCIO

Every night is a different dish, always packed. Via Mastro Giorgio. Www.feliceatestaccio.it

SALUMERIA ROSCIOLI

"Prima della cucina" delicatessen, restaurant and wine bar . Via dei Giubbonari 21. Www.salumeriaroscioli.com

SAID

A 1923 chocolate factory that now has a cafe. Via Tiburtina 135. Www.said.it