jet519

My husband & I just got our itinerary for a trip to Italy May 27-June 4. It is a complimentary trip through his company which is a wine and spirits distributor. So our trip is partially to visit the winery of our host as well as see the sights of Canelli, Turin, Pisa, Florence and Rome.

Here is the plan which is not too detailed:
Arrival in Milan 5/28 at 12:50, transfer to Canelli by bus. Arrive at Grappolo d' Oro hotel at 2:30. Welcome cocktail and buffet lunch at 3:00. 4:00-visit to Bosca and Verdi spumante winery. 8:00- Dinner at "Dinos".

5/29 8:30- Tansfer to Turin & visit of the city. Free lunch time from 1:00-3:30. Return to Canelli.
6:00- Capitolo straordinario dei Cavalieri del Verdi
(does anyone know what that means???)
8:00 Gala dinner in the Bosca cellars

5/30 9:00-Departure to Pisa by bus (will we see any of the coastline along the way?)
12:00-Visit of the "Campo dei miracoli" Square
1:00 Free lunch
3:00 Departure to Florence by bus
6:00 Accomodation to "La Residenza Hotel"
7:00 Dinner at "Michelangelo" Restaurant

5/31 9:00 Visit to city center with guide
12:30 free lunch
3:00 Visit to the Botticelli exibit ( is this in Uffizi?)
7:00 Dinner at "La Bussola" restaurant

6/1 8:30 free morning and lunch
2:30 transfer to Rome by bus
6:30 accomodation at the Sofitel Hotel
7:30 dinner at the Sofitel terrace overlooking Villa Borghese

6/2 8:40 transfer to Vatican, for Papal Hearing
lunch free and afternon free
8:30 Dinner at Er Pallaro Restaurant

6/3 9:00 Visit of City by bus with guide
lunch and afternoon open
7:30 Dinner at the Taverna Trilussa, Trastevere

6/4 going home

Now I need all the advice I can get. If anyone can tell me anything about the restaurants, hotels listed that would be great. Also it looks like we have lots of free time so I am wondering how to best use it and how much we will be able to walk to various sights near our hotels.

Should we try to get tickets before we leave if we want to see "David" in Florence? Or can we take a chance on going early Tuesday or have conceirge help us get tickets when we get there?

Any other advice is appreciated. I am a little concerned about the first day we get there, it sounds packed and we will be coming off of a long flight, I will need to freshen up and it sounds like there is very little time allowance for that once we get to the hotel in Canneli. I may have to miss the cocktails in lieu of a shower!

Thanks for any advice!

ellenem

Interesting itinierary--I agree that you will be pressed on your first day. Since it is a buffet lunch, you can probably show up at 3:30, after a shower, and grab a quick bite before heading out to the wineries.

>>Capitolo straordinario dei Cavalieri del Verdi (does anyone know what that means???)
I'm wondering about this one myself. An online translator said "understand it extraordinary of green knights." I don't think so, especially since you are visiting a Verdi (green) winery. Sorry, no help here.

I doubt you will see any of the coast on your way to Pisa.

Both your Florence and Rome hotels are well-located and nicer places. You can walk easily to major sights from both.

The Botticelli exhibit is a special exhibit. I believe it is at another location, not in the Uffizi.

You have enough time in Florence that I think you could reserve to see David once you are there. I would especially wait till after your city tour the first morning (David might be included in this tour). You could have your hotel reserve for the following morning.

>>Also it looks like we have lots of free time so I am wondering how to best use it and how much we will be able to walk to various sights near our hotels.
What are your interests? It would be easier to make specific recommendations if we knew.

ira

Hi jet,

>It is a complimentary trip through his company which is a wine and spirits distributor. <

Your suppliers are going to treat you to a marvelous tour.

Can I get a job with DH's firm?

kct

I recently returned from Florence and can tell you the David statue is at the Accademia museum. It is closed on Mondays. I saw your hotel there "Sofitel" and it is nice. They should be able to get a reservation for you at the Accademia so you don't have to wait in line. My advice to you is to email them now to get the reservation - sometimes you can't get it the day before.

kct

the cost to get into see David is 6.50EU per person and they will probably tack on an extra 3EU each to make a reservation.

buck1116

there is an excavation area under the Vatican which shows the burial place of St. Peter's bones. tour can be done with english speaking guides. regardless of one's faith it is quite a wonderful and moving tour. the excavation is called the "scavi" I think. you have to get advance tixs; you can find info on web.
Also you are so close to the Borghese, you might want to pop in and see beautiful Bernini sculptures there.

jet519

Thanks to everyone for your comments and advice. I think I will do some more reading of the travel books I have and figure out how to use free time. Since we don't know what we will see on the tours it is still a little bit difficult to plan until we go on those. This is my second trip to Italy but husband's first so at least I will have a clue as far as Florence and Rome. Last time I went it was a free trip with my girlfriend who earned it through selling Pampered Chef so we just went on tours and had some free time then as well. I usually plan every minute so it might be nice to be more spontaneous with our free time, but know what our options are as well.