TRSW

Finally my days to go is less than the # of days(139 down/138 to go)since I first put into motion my first trip to Italy!!!

I originaly booked an escorted tour with Gl**us. But after finding this site and absorbing the insights from all the seasoned travelers here at Fodors and a few other sites, I canceled the tour(lost only a $200 deposit)and now am going to Italy myself.

I am flying into Venice for 2 nights, staying at Corte Contarina. Plan on taking in the usual sites and just walking throughout the city, and with my sense of direction, getting lost multiple times,and just taking everything in.

Then taking the train to Florence for 5 nights, staying at Pensione Ferretti. I have booked day trips to Siena and San Gimignano. I am looking at some of the options that are offered by Accidental Tourist, especially the cooking ones(I cook for a living) Of course I will spend at least 2 days doing Florence proper. I was wondering, all of you out there, do you think Pisa is a must see? Have read mixed reviews. Or any other suggestions for day trips are very welcomed.

Then once again on the train down to Rome for 5 nights. I still havent picked a hotel, so once again, suggestions are welcome. Looking in the 125-150(or less if the location is right)euro per night? This part of the trip is still in the planning stages. I have planned one whole day to do the Vatican, St Peters, etc...

Any help is greatly appriciated. I am an avid photographer, love history and arcitechture(sp?) and of course have a love for great food!!

Once again, thanks again in advance for all of your help.

Tom

PS Hi to Loveitaly, elaine and tiff

ira

Hi TRSW,

>..I canceled the tour(lost only a $200 deposit)and now am going to Italy myself.<

Good for you.

>do you think Pisa is a must see?

No.

I suggest a day in Orvieto. It's about 1 hr from Rome by train.

You could also do an overnight there on your way from Florence to Rome.

Tiff

Is it noon where you are yet, Tom? If so, then this is for you!

Congrats about being past the half way mark, the closer you get baby, the closer we get, Yeah!

<I am an avid photographer.> Make sure you bring black and white film, unless of course you are bringing a digital, then please disregard above advice, hee. I ADORE my black and whites, there was this rainy day in Rome, and OH MY, what great photography, I am completely an amateur, but I humbly think I have a good eye (at least one anyway, hee!) If you are a great photographer, you will be in heaven.

My best Tom, keep me posted on the days, I'm right behind you! And don't we have some fantastic trip reports to keep us going?!? Tiff

Geckolips

When in San Gimignano, when it is time to use the restroom do NOT use the public one on the side street! It is just a hole in the floor! It reeks and is very nasty. It is worth it to stop in a restaurant or gelato shop and buy a drink or gelato, anything - to use their restroom! Nice town but horrible public restroom...what some people will do to save a couple euros!

TRSW

Tiff - It's only 10:30 right now in Seattle, but hey, I'll start the holiday weekend early!!! LOL

As for the Black and White photos, Already in my plans. Like you, I find B&W just soo moody. Thats how I got hooked on photography way back when. My high school only had a B&W lab set-up. It was such a blast messing around in the darkroom, especially doing high contrast shots. And yes, it is great reading all these trip reports. Gives me alot of suggestions on what to do and where to eat.

Ira - Thanks for the suggestion about going to Orvieto.

Geckolips - Thanks for the heads up on the bathroom.

Statia

You're closer than me, Tom. I have 148 days to go for my second trip.

Congrats on getting closer! You are going to fall in love with Italy.

Tiff

Tommy Tom, are you still there? 'Ralstonlan' has saved us, check out his thread, and then the site in the thread, it's fantastic! We can make it now!
Eureka! LOL T.

Tiff

oops, here, now you have it, in the midst of my excitement, I forgot to paste the thread I wanted you to see!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34626201

TRSW

Tiff-

Thanks for the heads up. Actually I saw the post from him earlier and bookmarked the site. I also have the Sorrento webcam bookmarked.

I cant remember if I have seen you and your husbands itinerary for your trip. Would you mind filling me in? And if you dont mind me asking, where are you from?

Thanks,

Tom

Tiff

Good morning Tom,

No I don't mind you asking at all, my husband and I live in the Minneapolis.

Upon planning our next trip to the Caribbean (we always take a warm weather trip to escape the cold, snowy winters), we decided we could wait for Italy no longer, and changed our destination. At first, we were thinking of April, 2006, but relieve immediately hit my husband's face when I said maybe we should go late Jan, early Feb.
(the time of year we usually travel) It is a quieter time of year for his business, thus much easier for him to be away and not be concerned the entire time.

At first we were only going to go to Florence. (I have been to Rome and Florence once before - he has never been to Italy.) But as the planning continued, we decided to add Venice. I posted here and got so many great responses. One of my favorites, because of the responses, was a post I titled, Why do you love Venice?" Take a look if you want to, we were trying to decide if we should go there as well, we were really leaning towards it, and I adored the replies.

So the end of January, we fly into Florence, stay 4 1/2 days, train to Venice and stay 4 1/2 days, fly home from there.

We are very excited, and actually the more I read, the more happy we are that we are going in a slower season. It is more our style. We like less of a touristy feel.

The weather that time of year, whatever heather! We'll dress appropriately. I hope it works out. I also posted another thread, something like, “Would we be crazy to go to Florence in January?” Got some encouraging responses there, too.

Excited for you! It is fun looking forward to it, isn’t it? I thought of you immediately when I saw the webcam post, that will get it through!

My best wishes! Have a safe Memorial Day weekend out in lovely Seattle, looks like you are getting some GREAT weather, Tiff

Tiff

p.s. BTW, I think you have a really amount of days in each city of your trip.
And with your profession, you are going to LOVE Italy. The food, the wine, the bread, the gelato, Ahhhhh!

p.s.s. I used to live in Seattle, loved it, great part of the country!

Tiff

oops, sorry, that was meant to read "really NICE amount of days".

quot;>

TRSW

Tiff

Thanks for answering my questions. And I am now addicted to the webcam. Watched the sunrise yesterday. I will be sure to take good notes and post a trip report when I get back.

I have been here in Seattle now for 12 years and cant see living anywhere else. Unless I could get ajob as a cook in Italy!!!

Hope you and Mr Tiff are having a great weekend also.

Tom

TRSW

Well it is now down to 107 days to go!!! The last three weeks have flown by!!

Finally made a choice as where to stay in Rome. I have rented an apartment near Piazza Navona through sleepinitaly.com for 90 euro per night. www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_leuto.html This is going to be great!!

Tiff and Statia - What are your countdowns at now?

AuntIda

This has to be one of the most BOOOOOOORRRRIIING 1/2-sided cellphone conversations I've ever heard.

Quite clogging up the internet and this board and either have a one-on-one email exchange or get on the real telephone.

TRSW

AuntIda - You must be having a hard time dealing with "the change of life" or are you just bitter about life in general?

Have a nice day!! Big smoochies!

Tom

Tiff

LOL, Tom.

Mean People Suck.

Indeed my days are dwindling down! Something like 211 now, lol.

I think going the apartment route is an excellent way to get the feel for an area, feels less like a tourist, and also a wonderful way to save money.

I am excited for your journey in October! What a great time of year, not too hot, not too cold...

Statia's stepdaughter has been visiting her, so she hasn't been here much, just in case she doesn't see your post.

Cheers to you Tiff

Statia

Hi Tom. Hi Tiff.

I'm at 116 days, or 16.5 weeks. It's actually ticking by pretty fast.

LoveItaly

Hi Tom!!, I will add to this "boring conversation" LOL. I just saw this thread and so glad that you have your trip details worked out. The apartment in Rome sounds ideal Tom.

My daughter & SIL are due back from Rome today, I will be interested in how hot and humid it has been.

I know all of you with reservations are counting the days until your plane takes off for Italy. Although I had planned on going to Italy this September I am going to wait until 2006.

Tom, I lost the note I made to myself regarding the best black & white film to buy. Would you post that again? Thanks, and take good care.

Tiff

Hi Love,

I think they told us Tri-X.

Tom, will confirm, he's good lad.

Tiff

p.s. Glad your daughter and SIL will be back today.