Help with our itinerary : suggestions please!
Nov 11th, 2004, 12:31 PM
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Help with our itinerary : suggestions please!
Hi everybody:
Okay, we have our tickets! (SFO-FCO,MXP-SFO) We have our hotel in Rome squared away. We just need you to help us fill in the holes in our plans.
Any suggestions for a sleeping aid on the 2nd leg of our trip from Newark to Rome so we can sleep and not be in knots when we get to Rome?
Rome..3 nites Smeraldo (close to Piazza Navona etc.)
In Rome we plan to relax and take some walks, see the Trevi fountain etc and eat first day.
Next two we plan to do most of our tours (Coloseum, St Peters, Trastevere area etc)
THEN we rent a car in or outside of Rome. Some people on this forum have picked up their cars in Orvieto but is it necessary? Is there a place outside of Rome to pick up the car?
We will have 5 days then to drive thru the Tuscany area with maybe an overnite in Cinque Terre.
Then we were driving up to Venice and dropping the car off there. Venice is 3 nites.
We are then leaving out of Milan (1 nite, get there by train)
OR.... we could do Rome, then train to Venice then pick up the car and do our drive in Tuscany and CT and drop the car in Milan.
I kind wanted to save Venice for the end, but....
While we enjoy museums and churches we want to just walk and eat and shop and enjoy the beauty of each place we see.
Any suggestions?
Thank you all for your wonderful posts. You help so many people make a trip run smoothly. PT
Okay, we have our tickets! (SFO-FCO,MXP-SFO) We have our hotel in Rome squared away. We just need you to help us fill in the holes in our plans.
Any suggestions for a sleeping aid on the 2nd leg of our trip from Newark to Rome so we can sleep and not be in knots when we get to Rome?
Rome..3 nites Smeraldo (close to Piazza Navona etc.)
In Rome we plan to relax and take some walks, see the Trevi fountain etc and eat first day.
Next two we plan to do most of our tours (Coloseum, St Peters, Trastevere area etc)
THEN we rent a car in or outside of Rome. Some people on this forum have picked up their cars in Orvieto but is it necessary? Is there a place outside of Rome to pick up the car?
We will have 5 days then to drive thru the Tuscany area with maybe an overnite in Cinque Terre.
Then we were driving up to Venice and dropping the car off there. Venice is 3 nites.
We are then leaving out of Milan (1 nite, get there by train)
OR.... we could do Rome, then train to Venice then pick up the car and do our drive in Tuscany and CT and drop the car in Milan.
I kind wanted to save Venice for the end, but....
While we enjoy museums and churches we want to just walk and eat and shop and enjoy the beauty of each place we see.
Any suggestions?
Thank you all for your wonderful posts. You help so many people make a trip run smoothly. PT
Nov 11th, 2004, 02:56 PM
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PTDreamer,
Pick up the car in Rome and just drive out...not a big problem. With only 5 days between Rome and Venice, you might want to skip CT. Spend a night in Orvieto, then 2 nights in Pienza/Montalcino area and 2 nights in Chianti area or perhaps San Gimignano. Drive to Venice, though I'd just hang on to the car...park at the Piazzale Roma and take the Vaporetto into Venice. Drive to Stresa on Lake Maggiore for the last night or two, which is about a 45 minute drive to Malpensa.
For the car, I'm more of a convenience person so my recommendations may or may not be the most cost effective. However, do factor in the possibility of turning the car in at Venice vs. just keeping it the cost could be a wash....for example if turning it in results in an 11 day rental, then a 14 day rental isn't much difference as weekly rates are cheapest...however, parking at Piazzale Roma isn't exactly cheap. But getting to Stresa and Malpensa a car is best. Have a great trip whatever you decide.
Pick up the car in Rome and just drive out...not a big problem. With only 5 days between Rome and Venice, you might want to skip CT. Spend a night in Orvieto, then 2 nights in Pienza/Montalcino area and 2 nights in Chianti area or perhaps San Gimignano. Drive to Venice, though I'd just hang on to the car...park at the Piazzale Roma and take the Vaporetto into Venice. Drive to Stresa on Lake Maggiore for the last night or two, which is about a 45 minute drive to Malpensa.
For the car, I'm more of a convenience person so my recommendations may or may not be the most cost effective. However, do factor in the possibility of turning the car in at Venice vs. just keeping it the cost could be a wash....for example if turning it in results in an 11 day rental, then a 14 day rental isn't much difference as weekly rates are cheapest...however, parking at Piazzale Roma isn't exactly cheap. But getting to Stresa and Malpensa a car is best. Have a great trip whatever you decide.
Nov 11th, 2004, 03:28 PM
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As far as picking up the car in Rome- we picked up at avis near the train station. It was easy to get out of the city and onto the autostrada - only about a 5 min drive. We got the best price through autoeurope.com - they use many car companies including avis.
I think your first trip idea sounds the best - I agree only one night in Milan. Not much to see there although I highly recommend the Duomo - simply amazing. Last supper painting requires reservations in advance - fyi.
I think your first trip idea sounds the best - I agree only one night in Milan. Not much to see there although I highly recommend the Duomo - simply amazing. Last supper painting requires reservations in advance - fyi.
Nov 11th, 2004, 08:11 PM
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Yes, we can skip C.T. but I dont want to, but we can. We were thinking of spending one nite in Portovenere and boating to a few towns.
Orvieto sounds wonderful and especially the restaurant Ira posts about.
How much does it cost to park the car rental in Piazzale Roma?
As far as the last supper, we will make reservations. We would also like to see La Scala and stay the nite at a hotel at MXP. Anyone have an idea about where? Maybe Villa Malpenza? Anyone stayed there lately?
PT
Orvieto sounds wonderful and especially the restaurant Ira posts about.
How much does it cost to park the car rental in Piazzale Roma?
As far as the last supper, we will make reservations. We would also like to see La Scala and stay the nite at a hotel at MXP. Anyone have an idea about where? Maybe Villa Malpenza? Anyone stayed there lately?
PT
Nov 12th, 2004, 06:48 AM
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Hi PT,
>How much does it cost to park the car rental in Piazzale Roma?<
About 20E/day.
You could also leave the car in the parking lot at the train station in Mestre - I think that that is about 5E/day - and take the train in to Venice (about 1E).
>How much does it cost to park the car rental in Piazzale Roma?<
About 20E/day.
You could also leave the car in the parking lot at the train station in Mestre - I think that that is about 5E/day - and take the train in to Venice (about 1E).
Nov 13th, 2004, 02:20 PM
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PTDreamer,
Yes as Ira says Piazzale Roma is about 20 euro a day, not cheap but is convenient...if you aren't staying too long it really works best.
Alternatively, you can also park at Tronchetto which is also on the Venice side of the causeway...a little less but not much and the vaperatto ride is a bit longer.
Directions for both, head straight into Venice over the causeway, for Tronchetto keep in right lane and bear right. For Piazzale Roma stay straight a little further through the next light or two, turn right into the garage entrance, get your parking card and listen for the audio for parking level to park on.
When returning to Piazzale Roma, have your parking card with you and pay on the lower level first before going up to your car, they will program it there after payment to exit the garage.
Yes as Ira says Piazzale Roma is about 20 euro a day, not cheap but is convenient...if you aren't staying too long it really works best.
Alternatively, you can also park at Tronchetto which is also on the Venice side of the causeway...a little less but not much and the vaperatto ride is a bit longer.
Directions for both, head straight into Venice over the causeway, for Tronchetto keep in right lane and bear right. For Piazzale Roma stay straight a little further through the next light or two, turn right into the garage entrance, get your parking card and listen for the audio for parking level to park on.
When returning to Piazzale Roma, have your parking card with you and pay on the lower level first before going up to your car, they will program it there after payment to exit the garage.
Nov 13th, 2004, 02:43 PM
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Thank you everybody
It seems that we will probably keep the car once we are out of Rome until we hit Milan.
Checking rates for renting its not that much more than a 5 day rental and we will have a place to keep luggage and all the stuff we will buy along the way: bottles of wine, gifts , minature leaning towers of Pisa, now that hubby wants to go there, too.
We love to tour around, anyhow, so we just need to find the right car for the trip.
I will check autoeurope again, and for right now the only question I have is:
what type/size of car have you rented that you were pleased with?
It seems that we will probably keep the car once we are out of Rome until we hit Milan.
Checking rates for renting its not that much more than a 5 day rental and we will have a place to keep luggage and all the stuff we will buy along the way: bottles of wine, gifts , minature leaning towers of Pisa, now that hubby wants to go there, too.
We love to tour around, anyhow, so we just need to find the right car for the trip.
I will check autoeurope again, and for right now the only question I have is:
what type/size of car have you rented that you were pleased with?
Nov 13th, 2004, 02:53 PM
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In ORVIETO, if possible, have a meal at the "Vissani" at Baschi and only 6 miles from Orvieto. One of the best restaurants in Italy !
In TUSCANY stay at Siena and go around with the car. We stayed at a lovely villa of XVII century in the outskirts of the town.
It's website:http:www.rpilo.it/meridian/meridian.htm
In the VENICE area we stayed at Mestre a 9 minutes train ride to Venice.
We liked the simple hotel Piave, with garage.
Enjoy your trip.
In TUSCANY stay at Siena and go around with the car. We stayed at a lovely villa of XVII century in the outskirts of the town.
It's website:http:www.rpilo.it/meridian/meridian.htm
In the VENICE area we stayed at Mestre a 9 minutes train ride to Venice.
We liked the simple hotel Piave, with garage.
Enjoy your trip.
Nov 13th, 2004, 02:58 PM
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Nov 13th, 2004, 03:33 PM
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PTDreamer,
You will be doing alot of highway driving I really recommend a mid sized car thats heavier duty than a small economy car...you'll want something that can keep up to speeds and not feel like its about to be blown off the highway. A mid sized Alfa or Lancia is probably best.
Yes, a place to leave stuff is great....for trips like you are doing where you are leaving the car but only spending a few nights we typically repack what we need for a night or two into smaller bags and leave the bigger luggage in the truck as well as any other items we've accumulated along the way. I can't say its always safe doing that but can say we've never had a rental car broken into and had any thing stolen. We of course never leave anything of real value left in a trunk for a few days.
You will be doing alot of highway driving I really recommend a mid sized car thats heavier duty than a small economy car...you'll want something that can keep up to speeds and not feel like its about to be blown off the highway. A mid sized Alfa or Lancia is probably best.
Yes, a place to leave stuff is great....for trips like you are doing where you are leaving the car but only spending a few nights we typically repack what we need for a night or two into smaller bags and leave the bigger luggage in the truck as well as any other items we've accumulated along the way. I can't say its always safe doing that but can say we've never had a rental car broken into and had any thing stolen. We of course never leave anything of real value left in a trunk for a few days.
Nov 13th, 2004, 03:47 PM
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I took Ambien to sleep on our Newark-Rome flight, and it was perfect. I took it when they served dinner and was about to konk out when they before they picked up my dinner tray. I woke up about an hour before we landed in Rome. I was not groggy at all from the Ambien. I also took it one the way back home with good results, and I took it one night after we got back and had succumbed to jet lag.
My husband took Benadryl and didn't ever sleep on the plane. Then he was groggy from the Benadryl until the adrenaline and excitement kicked in.
I think Venice would be good to end your trip. By that time, you'll be ready to just wander and get lost. We started out in Venice and ended in Rome, with Tuscany and Positano in the middle. We dropped off our car on the outskirts of Rome, near the Borghese Gardens and had absolutely no trouble.
My husband took Benadryl and didn't ever sleep on the plane. Then he was groggy from the Benadryl until the adrenaline and excitement kicked in.
I think Venice would be good to end your trip. By that time, you'll be ready to just wander and get lost. We started out in Venice and ended in Rome, with Tuscany and Positano in the middle. We dropped off our car on the outskirts of Rome, near the Borghese Gardens and had absolutely no trouble.
Nov 17th, 2004, 02:23 PM
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Is it preferable to have a car in the Lakes region?
We're considering flying into Milan then heading to stresa for 3 nights. From there we would drive down to Siena and keep the car for 5 nights.
I'm trying to figure out when/where to pick up the car. Should we take the train from Milan and rent the car in Stresa? A week's rental would mean we would have the car for 2 of the 3 days in Stresa plus the time in Siena.
Or would it be better to go ahead and rent the car in Milan and drive up to the Lakes?
P.S: This is around April 20th. Is that too early for the Lakes region?
We're considering flying into Milan then heading to stresa for 3 nights. From there we would drive down to Siena and keep the car for 5 nights.
I'm trying to figure out when/where to pick up the car. Should we take the train from Milan and rent the car in Stresa? A week's rental would mean we would have the car for 2 of the 3 days in Stresa plus the time in Siena.
Or would it be better to go ahead and rent the car in Milan and drive up to the Lakes?
P.S: This is around April 20th. Is that too early for the Lakes region?
Nov 17th, 2004, 02:43 PM
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JeanneB,
By far a car is most convenient from Milan (assuming Malpensa) to Stresa, especially if you will require it to get to Siena. And a 5 day rental will cost you about the same as a week rental.
By far a car is most convenient from Milan (assuming Malpensa) to Stresa, especially if you will require it to get to Siena. And a 5 day rental will cost you about the same as a week rental.
