ERJH3502

Since I perused these message boards diligently before we left for Italy I wanted to give a quick report of our trip.

We flew into Rome on July 7th and was picked up at the airport by Rome Limousine Shuttle--the price was E50 for the four of us. Our hotel was Hotel Parlamento which we really enjoyed--great location between the Pantheon and Spanish Steps. The staff was exceptional. We had requested 2 rooftop terrace rooms and they were perfect for our needs. While in Rome we visited the Borghese Gallery, private tour of the ruins,(E50/hour for 3 hours) private tour of the Vatican, (same price) Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter-in-Chains Church. The kids (ages 16 and 20) loved the ruins tour and also the Scavi tour. We ate at Marios (close to the hotel), Macharoni (sp?)near the Pantheon, and Quirino(sp?) near the Trevi Fountain. All our meals were very good. Rome was a wonderful city.

On July 11th we took the train to Florence. That was quite the experience. The train was an Eurostar and did not have much luggage storage. Of course all of the Americans had luggage that wouldn't fit and we had a luggage jam in the aisle. Finally, that was resolved--all the Italians took it in stride and were very nice. In Florence we stayed at the Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci. It was a quad room which was huge and absolutely wonderful. The hotel had a beautiful rooftop terrace and it was a quiet oasis for us in the late afternoon. In Florence, we toured the Duomo, (husband and son walked to the top and took great photos while myself and daughter shopped) the Uffizi, the Accademia, the museum behind the Duomo that has wonderful sculpture and the original bronze baptistery doors, Santa Croce and leather school, Brancacci Chapel with Masaccio frescoes (I loved that). My daughter and I had the best time shopping--wonderful gifts and great leather products. We shopped on the street next to the Arno and then we crossed the bridge and shopped on the street that runs between Ponte Vecchio and Santa Trinita. We could never catch the Santo Spirito church open. Our restaurants were Mama Gina's, Leonis, and dinner on our rooftop terrace one evening. Our best meals were here in Florence. Everyone agreed that one of our favorite art works was David.

On July 14th we left for Sestri Levante. Our train was an intercity train so we had plenty of luggage storage. We had a 15 minute change in Pisa but the station was so confusing that we missed our connection and had to wait for another train 45 minutes later. On the way to the coast we passed thru Carrara which was a nice surprise. At first I thought the mountains had snow on them and as we got closer we realized it was the marble giving off the white gleam. Amazing to think that Michelangelo was there5 centuries ago picking out his marble for his sculptures. We stayed at the Grand Albergo in a junior suite. It is a pebble beach and was crowded but still beautiful. Our hotel had a rooftop pool so we stayed there to chill out and take a break from sightseeing. We just ate at outdoor cafes while there. While there we saw no Americans until we boarded the train to leave.

On July 16th we took the train to Venice and had a change in Milan. We had another 15 minute window but this time we made it thanks to the boards being accessible right away as we got off the train. No problem with luggage on both legs since they were intercity trains. When we arrived in Venice we took a water taxi for E50 to our hotel--Hotel American Dinesen. We loved this hotel and its location on a small canal in the Dorsoduro section. I had requested 2 rooms with canal views and it was worth the extra money for us. We had perfect weather until we got to Venice and then it became very hot so we had to take little breaks during the day in the AC room to revive us, being Americans! There was the cutest little hat/gift shop across the way and we would look for the owner each day with her small dog in attendance. We had no set agenda but to wander the canals and take in the views. My husband and I did go to the see the Sculfa where Tintoretto had his "Sistine Chapel." It was not my favorite but he did have a small painting of "Three Apples" that I liked. My husband and son did take the elevator to the top of the Clock Tower and got more great photos. We did sit in the shade at Florians at lunch and have a few snacks and drinks and listen to the orchestra. It is an expensive break but true magic. Our last night there we took a gondola ride for E120 for 45 minutes about 8:15 PM. It is my understanding that is more expensive in the evening but I wanted to catch the setting sun in conjunction with the blue hour at dusk. That was a wonderful way to end our trip. As for food we had eaten and drank so much that we just ate at casual outdoor cafes. When we left our hotel we took a water taxi to the airport and split the cost with a couple--I believe for the 6 of us it cost E120.

Overall, we had a great trip in part due to all the tips I had read here on the boards. Hopefully, some of our experiences will prove to be helpful to others.

vivi

Enjoyed your report, your hotels sounded perfect! I had almost the exact same itinerary as yours in May, such a memorable 3 weeks, sigh.

nini

Sounds like you and your family had a great trip. We have a room booked at Hotel Parlemento in mid November. Price and location appealed to us. Was your room quiet? That is always a concern for me. Did you enjoy the location? It appears to be convenient for the restaurants that we like.

ERJH3502

We had no problem with noise at Hotel Parlamento but of course we had the AC on and that may have covered up any noise that we may have heard. The location was perfect. We walked everywhere except for the Vatican and the Borghese Gallery. There was construction going on the bottom level--I believe they are putting in a courtyard--but that was no problem. You have to go up a couple of flights and there is a small elevator to use for luggage. I would definitely stay here again.

sandi_travelnut

Who was your tour guide?

ERJH3502

We had 2 different tour guides but I had contacted Isabella Ruggiero. She was referred to me by a friend. Her e-mail address is [email protected]
Isabella did our Vatican tour and a friend of hers, Margharita, did our ancient ruins tour. Both were very good. Margharita is an archaeologist and had actually worked in the Colosseum. Both ladies are Roman and spoke excellent English. Isabella had been baptized in St. Peters. I thought the price was fair after comparing different tour prices....especially nice that it was just the 4 of us.

tdyls

Why did you feel that Pisa train station was confusing but big Milano Centrale (and presumably Roma Termini as well) was not? What made Pisa confusing?

ERJH3502

I know it does seem as if the larger city train stations would be more confusing. At Pisa, when we got off the train there was no board that showed the platform locations. We had to go down stairs and go back up stairs to the platforms. Plus there was construction. We actually never saw a board of departures. My husband asked a station employee to figure out where we needed to go. He had learned the Italian phrase to ask "where is the platform for"...it came in handy. Ironically, our train to Sestri Levante was right across from our Florence train but we didn't know this at the time. Oh well, it gave us a chance to experience the Italian McDonald's!

smoot60

bookmarking

Italy08

ERJH3502 - Thanks for the info. We are a family of 4 going next May and I have been online for months checking out quads and apts. Two questions for you. How much was the vatican tour? Did the hotel in Florence have a quad room?

Italy08

ERJH3502 - I saw great reviews on Trip Advisor for the Florence Hotel. Someone mentioned a quad room, but when I tried to find availability it only mentioned triple and they don't have an email address. Can you give any more info??? thanks.

ERJH3502

The Vatican tour cost E55 or E50 per hour and we did a 3 hour tour thinking it would be enough and it was the right amount of time for us because it was very overwhelming and we couldn't have done much more and enjoyed it. Having the tour guide was wonderful because she pointed out famous works and also certain things that she liked. Before we went into the Sistine Chapel we studied a scroll of the ceiling and the The Last Judgement since there is no talking in the Chapel which of course people don't comply with. She pointed out many aspects that we would have missed otherwise. Also, what was very enjoyable was the ancient sculptures in the courtyard...the Laocoon was especially impressive.

As for the Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci I did post a review on TripAdvisor. We loved the hotel and they do have a quad room. I contacted the hotel directly by e-mailing them at [email protected]
When we go back to Florence we will stay there. The configuration of the room was 2 single beds and 2 beds pushed together for the queen bed. The room had a vaulted ceiling and a very nice size bathroom. The staff was exceptional...the location perfect. It is near the Santa Trinita bridge so it was very convenient to everything. Oh, and the quad room was a great price--E200/night.

ERJH3502

The Beacci also made reservations for us at the Uffizi and at the Accademia. The Brancacci Chapel requires reservations but that can be done the day before. We had planned on going to the Chapel of the Magi which also needs reservations but did not have enough time. The hotel will glady take care of these reservations for you.

Italy08

ERJH3502 - Was the tour E50-55 per person?

Thanks for all the info I will email the hotel for rates and availability. Trying to find apts for short stays is tough and trying to find quad rooms we like as been daunting. Glad I started early!!!

Thanks again.

ERJH3502

The rate for the tours is per hour so the total for one 3 hours tour for a family would be E150 or E165 for the higher rate. If looking for a hotel in Rome that has quads I believe that Hotel Parlamento may have those. May be worth a check if you are interested in that location.

ERJH3502

Another hotel that has quads in Rome is Fontanella Borghese near the Spanish Steps. I had a couple of friends stay there and they liked it.

Italy08

I think I am going to book the vatican tour through Isabella. Was it very crowded when you were there? As for places in Rome, I was lucky enough to contact Natalia from Dolce Roma. She rents an apt in Campo dei Fiori area. She and her husband come very highly recommended and are very attentive to their clients. Even give you a cell phone to use. Florence was the issue because we will only be there for two nights and its hard to find an apt. Thanks to your info, hopefully I will stay in a quad at the Tornabuoni. I could not plan this trip without these posts. It has been so informative.

ERJH3502

We were at the Vatican on a Tuesday. I thought it was crowded but Isabella said we were lucky, that usually the crowds were worse. She said that Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to go and the worst are Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

KonaKini

I really enjoyed your report as well, ERJH3502. My sister and I are looking to travel to Italy next year and I was just wondering if you would suggest to try and do an itinerary like yours or do you know anything about escorted tour companies like Perillo? Your thoughts please.

ERJH3502

I am not familiar with Perillo tour company. Each time we have traveled I have made all the arrangements. Usually, I do a lot of research and read these boards plus guide books. Our Italy trip went very smoothly. I contacted the hotels directly to make reservations and had a good idea of what we wanted to do. I booked our train tickets ahead of time and that was easy on raileurope.com If I had to plan the trip over I would probably do the exact same itinerary. At first I had planned for us to go to Cinque Terre but could not find hotel availability. However, it worked out for the best because the kids loved the rooftop pool in Sestri Levante. If it weren't for the kids we may not have gone to the coast but it was a nice respite between the sightseeing. I definitely liked starting in Rome and ending in Venice. I wish we could have had more time in Florence and Rome--we had 3 full days each city, 2 days at the beach, and 2 1/2 days in Venice. The guide books that I found helpful were Rick Steve's for the tours of attractions, Frommer's, Fodor's, and Dummies for restaurants, hotels, etc.
We enjoyed the freedom of doing what we wanted and when we wanted and if you prefer guided tours then you can always arrange that in respective cities. Hope this helps...feel free to ask any questions.