Book Meals and Sites Before we leave?
Jun 1st, 2005, 01:40 PM
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Book Meals and Sites Before we leave?
Hi all! New to the site..found it after booking hotels..But, Should I be booking dinner and the sites or tours before we leave on the 21st of June? Kind of wanted to go with the flow...but do want to eat and tour the big name sites...what do you think? Rome 3 days, Siena 3 days, San Remo 1 day, then Bellagio for 3 ..Venice for 2..advice..PLEASE..first trip to Europe..my travel agent hasn't offered much help. Thank-you!
Jun 1st, 2005, 01:54 PM
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Hi mich,
You don't have to book restaurants before you go unless you have a particular place in mind for a particular day.
May I ask why you are doing "San Remo 1 day, then Bellagio for 3 ..Venice for 2.." instead of Venice for 4 days?
You don't have to book restaurants before you go unless you have a particular place in mind for a particular day.
May I ask why you are doing "San Remo 1 day, then Bellagio for 3 ..Venice for 2.." instead of Venice for 4 days?
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:00 PM
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Ira,
Have seen your name a lot! Don't know why..we heard from some people we work with not to go to Venice at all...that didn't sound right to me...and they were not really friends...my husband does like to move around...car trips are his favorite! so that's why...I'm lucky he doesn't have me in a different place every night!
Have seen your name a lot! Don't know why..we heard from some people we work with not to go to Venice at all...that didn't sound right to me...and they were not really friends...my husband does like to move around...car trips are his favorite! so that's why...I'm lucky he doesn't have me in a different place every night!
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:05 PM
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Hi Mich,
>...we heard from some people we work with not to go to Venice at all..<
My Lady Wife and I have been to Venice about 8 times and are still thrilled each time we go there.
>..my husband does like to move around...car trips are his favorite! <
I can understand that. (This is not to be considered and endorsement.)
2 days in Venice is better than not seeing Venice at all.
If you want to go on the Secret Itineraries tour of Doge’s palace Phone number for reservations is
011 39 041 520 9070.
>...we heard from some people we work with not to go to Venice at all..<
My Lady Wife and I have been to Venice about 8 times and are still thrilled each time we go there.
>..my husband does like to move around...car trips are his favorite! <
I can understand that. (This is not to be considered and endorsement.)
2 days in Venice is better than not seeing Venice at all.
If you want to go on the Secret Itineraries tour of Doge’s palace Phone number for reservations is
011 39 041 520 9070.
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:13 PM
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Hi stacey,
Venice has stolen Ira's heart. Your only way out of this with him is to remind him this is your FIRST trip to Europe and there will be others. You will return some day to his beloved Venezia, as she will steal your heart, too. (And she will!)
Venice has stolen Ira's heart. Your only way out of this with him is to remind him this is your FIRST trip to Europe and there will be others. You will return some day to his beloved Venezia, as she will steal your heart, too. (And she will!)
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:21 PM
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You might want to look on this board for recommendations of tour guides/companies for particular sites and then book it before you go. We thouroughly enjoyed our tours with Context Rome but there are many others mentioned on this board with glowing recommendations as well.
We fell in love with Venice as well!!
We fell in love with Venice as well!!
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:23 PM
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Rookie,
Thanks! It is our first trip...and am SO excited! I am sure we will fall in love with Venice and ...can't wait to see what else! Anything you wish you had known on your first trip?
We love history, but...will not want to spend all of our time in museums..love new people, places, sights, and smells...oh and tastes, too!
Thanks! It is our first trip...and am SO excited! I am sure we will fall in love with Venice and ...can't wait to see what else! Anything you wish you had known on your first trip?
We love history, but...will not want to spend all of our time in museums..love new people, places, sights, and smells...oh and tastes, too!
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:24 PM
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Personally, I liked Venice, but didn't fall in love with it or want to overstay my 2-night, 3-day visit. Sure, it was cool to see the "postcard" you're used to seeing pop to life when we arrived, but it was super expensive, smelled funny, and was crowded.
To me, it felt like going to Rio de Janeiro and saying you saw Brazil -- an overpriced, tourist-trap city that's quite scenic -- sure, but not representative of the rest of the country.
Now that I've ripped on it -- I will say that Venice is a "must see" at least once. It's a truly unique city, just not one I feel I need to go back to anytime soon.
Happy travels.
Jules
To me, it felt like going to Rio de Janeiro and saying you saw Brazil -- an overpriced, tourist-trap city that's quite scenic -- sure, but not representative of the rest of the country.
Now that I've ripped on it -- I will say that Venice is a "must see" at least once. It's a truly unique city, just not one I feel I need to go back to anytime soon.
Happy travels.
Jules
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:45 PM
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< Anything you wish you had known on your first trip? >
More Italian! Although you will be visiting areas that are frequented by tourists and most Italians working in the tourist areas speak English, they are very appreciative when we try. At least learn the basics and smile alot. My experience was that when I struggled with their language they were patient to a point and then broke into fluent English. It was humbling.
The Italians take their evening meal latee (8:00 and after) than many Americans and linger over it for hours, so try to eat a late lunch or stop for a gelato around 5:00 to tide you over.
Give yourselves time each day to soak up being where you are.
And by the way, I didn't expect to fall in love with Venice. I thought my reaction might be what Jules' was, so I do realize Venice is not for everyone.
More Italian! Although you will be visiting areas that are frequented by tourists and most Italians working in the tourist areas speak English, they are very appreciative when we try. At least learn the basics and smile alot. My experience was that when I struggled with their language they were patient to a point and then broke into fluent English. It was humbling.
The Italians take their evening meal latee (8:00 and after) than many Americans and linger over it for hours, so try to eat a late lunch or stop for a gelato around 5:00 to tide you over.
Give yourselves time each day to soak up being where you are.
And by the way, I didn't expect to fall in love with Venice. I thought my reaction might be what Jules' was, so I do realize Venice is not for everyone.
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:46 PM
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I had a few surprises in Italy -- I found Italians (in a massive generalization here) to be harsher than I thought they would be. I had this vision of romantic, lovely, even nice people, and it just wasn't so for the most part.
More than any other country I visited (England, France, Greece and Turkey as well on that trip) I found several people in Italy I had dealings with to be brusque, bordering on rude. I'm generally a very likeable person -- very self-deprecating and willing to laugh at my bad language skills -- and having just come from France where I had GREAT experiences, I was a bit surprised to not find the same welcoming feel in Italy.
That said -- I think if I had known that things were going to be a little more -- how shall I say -- "to the point" with the Italians, I would have worn a thicker skin and not let it bother me.
Most of the places we went (Venice, Florence, Rome) were very nice places to visit. Rome is a fast pace, scooter-everywhere kinda place, but absolutely fascinating. I found Florence to be worth way more time than I gave it.
And one last point -- I wish I'd read Rick Steves' book on Rome more closely, so I wouldn't have gotten ripped off at the cafe near the Vatican (a common practice, apparently). Watch them ring up the food, make them account for each charge, and count your change.
Other than that, it was fantastic. The gelato was to die for, the Colisseum did not disappoint, along with a million other things I saw along the way. Don't miss the Pantheon in Rome.
Jules
More than any other country I visited (England, France, Greece and Turkey as well on that trip) I found several people in Italy I had dealings with to be brusque, bordering on rude. I'm generally a very likeable person -- very self-deprecating and willing to laugh at my bad language skills -- and having just come from France where I had GREAT experiences, I was a bit surprised to not find the same welcoming feel in Italy.
That said -- I think if I had known that things were going to be a little more -- how shall I say -- "to the point" with the Italians, I would have worn a thicker skin and not let it bother me.
Most of the places we went (Venice, Florence, Rome) were very nice places to visit. Rome is a fast pace, scooter-everywhere kinda place, but absolutely fascinating. I found Florence to be worth way more time than I gave it.
And one last point -- I wish I'd read Rick Steves' book on Rome more closely, so I wouldn't have gotten ripped off at the cafe near the Vatican (a common practice, apparently). Watch them ring up the food, make them account for each charge, and count your change.
Other than that, it was fantastic. The gelato was to die for, the Colisseum did not disappoint, along with a million other things I saw along the way. Don't miss the Pantheon in Rome.
Jules
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:59 PM
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Thanks Jules and Rookie!
I have Italian for Traveler's on CD...and will remember to just try and be in the moment...not planning everything too much...but, watching for things mentioned here.
I have Italian for Traveler's on CD...and will remember to just try and be in the moment...not planning everything too much...but, watching for things mentioned here.
Jun 1st, 2005, 03:17 PM
#16
I have been to Venice twice (only times I've been in Italy) and I love it and I would return there again in a heartbeat, probably before going anywhere else in Italy (I visited in combination with Paris and Switzerland trips).
I was not interested in doing any formal tours, so don't know how to advise about that. We had a great book of maps that showed different walks which we followed on our own. Mostly we just wandered around and got lost.
Things that would have been helpful to know:
1) You stamp your own ticket before boarding a vaporetto.
2) Vaporetto numbered routes go both directions (so when boarding the 52 for instance you want to be sure it is headed toward the train station not the Lido... learned that one the hard way!).
3) If you look up at the corner of old buildings there are often arrows painted, pointing the general way to major sights like San Marcos, Rialto, Accadamia bridge, etc. This can help if you get turned around.
4) Ask your hotel the name of the closest vaporetto stop name and its route number.
I never book meals, but then again I'm pretty casual about restaurants. Just look around for what looks best when I'm hungry, or during the day for someplace nice for that evening.
As for your itinerary, not enough days in Venice
I was not interested in doing any formal tours, so don't know how to advise about that. We had a great book of maps that showed different walks which we followed on our own. Mostly we just wandered around and got lost.
Things that would have been helpful to know:
1) You stamp your own ticket before boarding a vaporetto.
2) Vaporetto numbered routes go both directions (so when boarding the 52 for instance you want to be sure it is headed toward the train station not the Lido... learned that one the hard way!).
3) If you look up at the corner of old buildings there are often arrows painted, pointing the general way to major sights like San Marcos, Rialto, Accadamia bridge, etc. This can help if you get turned around.
4) Ask your hotel the name of the closest vaporetto stop name and its route number.
I never book meals, but then again I'm pretty casual about restaurants. Just look around for what looks best when I'm hungry, or during the day for someplace nice for that evening.
As for your itinerary, not enough days in Venice
Jun 1st, 2005, 03:35 PM
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If you know what company you want to use and the dates you would like to go, I would suggest reserving now. While I have only been in March, summer does tend to be a busy time.
<Anything you wish you had known on your first trip?>
1.How easy train travel would be. Travelling with kids I was worried about getting all our luggage on the train, etc. It was a breeze!
2.Street names in Rome are chiseled in stone on the sides of buildings. Not too many street signs like we are used to here.
3.Make sure any restaurant recommendations you have include the address!!! It is much easier for you to find it yourself on a map. By the way we used the streetwise maps and loved them. Laminated, easy to fold and despite the smaller size we never found a street, no matter how small, that wasn't on there.
<Anything you wish you had known on your first trip?>
1.How easy train travel would be. Travelling with kids I was worried about getting all our luggage on the train, etc. It was a breeze!
2.Street names in Rome are chiseled in stone on the sides of buildings. Not too many street signs like we are used to here.
3.Make sure any restaurant recommendations you have include the address!!! It is much easier for you to find it yourself on a map. By the way we used the streetwise maps and loved them. Laminated, easy to fold and despite the smaller size we never found a street, no matter how small, that wasn't on there.
Jun 1st, 2005, 04:01 PM
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It's amazing what things one finds enchanting. We only spent two days in Venice and the three things we remember most fondly are the vegetable market near the Rialto Bridge (What are those long pinkish beanpods with pale yellow spots?), the fish market with stalls of fresh fish, particularly the octopus, and a delightful shopowner from whom we tried to get directions back to the Rialto after getting hopelessly confused in the tiny little alleys which even the sunbeams seemed reluctant to enter. After numerous hand gestures, blank looks, big smiles from both her and us, she sent us on our way with one final word "couraggio".
Jun 1st, 2005, 04:55 PM
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What's up with the mention of cats and Venice? I have seen it come up few times now...are there a lot of cats around...love cats..
Am staying at the Belevedere for three days end of June...any suggestions for "must do's"?
Am staying at the Belevedere for three days end of June...any suggestions for "must do's"?
Jun 1st, 2005, 05:51 PM
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Good Lord! Venice is a unique world treasure unlike any other place on earth. Smelled funny? That's the smell of a port city. It's not an amusement park. It's not a tourist trap anymore than Florence, or London, or Rome. It is more expensive than many destinations primarily because, here's a shocker for you, EVERYTHING has to be brought in by boat and then hauled to its destination by hand labor. Some people might have noticed that there weren't a lot of cars, trucks, motorscooters, and taxicabs roaring around the streets of Venice.
