ellenem

The information to validate your train tickets is partially correct. You must validate ticekts for R trains--the slowest ones--because those tickets are not for a specific train, just for a specific route. You aan use it on any train at any time for the route. Validation (stamping wth date and time in the yellow machine) proves that you have used it.

Your ticket between Rome and Venice will probably be on a fast train that has a reserved seat--a specific ticket on a specific train--and does not require validation. If you don't use such a ticket, you cannot just hop on another train.

vaporetto = public water bus with a variety of set routes/stops throughout Venice, relatively inexpensive, especially if you purchase a travel card for multiple hours

motoscafo = private water taxi you hire to take you from one specific location to another specific location, very expensive

April 25 is a holiday throughout Italy, so whether in Venice, Rome, or Pompeii you will run into Italians taking a break. It will actually be good that you are not attempting to change cities on April 25.

annhig

ellenem is right about pre-booked train tickets - which is why I suggest being careful about pre-booking tickets for trains you amy not make.

in your situation, i would suggest booking a hotel in walking distance of Venezia Santa Lucia station , perhaps along the rio terra lista di Spagna ,which runs along the northern side of the grand canal to the east of the station. [you come out of the station, turn left and there you are]

it's not a glamourous position, but it's easy to get a vaporetto [water bus] to wherever you want to go, and it's vey convenient for arriving and leaving by train.

if you go to google maps, put "rio terra lista di spagna" into the search -box, then when it comes up, enter hotels into the same box. they will come up as orange dots that you can click on to get the detail, or use the list to the left of the map.

TeaLoverDenise

Thank you ellenem, that is very helpful.

Just purchased our return Roma Termini/Venezia S.Lucia [ticketless] train tickets online, allowing for plenty of time to collect baggage, clear immigration, catch the Leonardo Express, and grab a bite to eat in Roma Termini.

Assume Leonardo Express ticket kiosks are easy enough to access within FCO...

TeaLoverDenise

Thank you annhig - we've already booked our Venice hotel, which is located near the Accademia Bridge.

ellenem

You will have to validate your Leonardo Express tickets!

Peter_S_Aus

I wrote a couple of trip reports about Venice, and they are here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

and
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...st-verbose.cfm

They are a bit long, but if you've got a lazy hour or two, they may be of interest.

Anne's suggestion of a hotel near the station makes sense. Another possibility is a B&B - al Campaniel, which is easy to find, near the San Toma vap stop. My daughter and a friend stayed there a year ago, and found it very good.
http://www.alcampaniel.com/

Sassafrass

TeaLover,

I am so glad Venice is back on your itinerary! I was sad thinking you might not get to go.

We actually stayed in Hotel Galleria for several days 6/7 years ago. We had, I think, their smallest room and a shared bath, but it was great. When we opened the shutters and looked out at the Grand Canal it was as if we were in a movie. The vaporetto stop is nearby also, so perfect location, yet not in the middle major tourists, and very quiet at night. It is in a great area for walking.

Anne's suggestion of a hotel near the station is also good. We stayed in the area once when just traveling through for a night and it was OK and cheap, and I would certainly do it if the budget required it.

annhig

Anne's suggestion of a hotel near the station is also good.>>

alas, too late. but the Accademia shouldn't be too difficult to access on the vaporetto from Santa Lucia.

Tea-lover - hope you have a great trip.

TeaLoverDenise

Thank you again everyone, so very, very much. We are now working on Rome hotels so I will nip over to Rome threads and take a look.

We really wanted to stay at AntiquaRoma http://www.antiquaroma.com/ but they are fully booked.

And don't want to tarry with Rome hotel reservations now in light of the Pope's resignation today. Rome may be 'buzzing' in the months ahead.

Kind regards to you all -

hazel1

We stayed at the Hotel Galleria a few years ago and loved it. We were in Room #10, which was quite large with a private bath. They brought breakfast to the room on a tray and we ate in front of the window looking out onto the Grand Canal, happily watching the morning boat traffic go by. I think we only paid $150/night for the room in Sept 2009.

TeaLoverDenise

Hi hazel1, We asked for Room #10 and understand it to be this one: http://www.hotelgalleria.it/reservation.asp

Prices have increased since 2009! We are paying E200/night which equates today to approx $267.

hazel1

TDL - now that I thik about it, it was probably E150 we paid (around $200 at the time), not $150, so I guess the price increase is a bit more realistic. Even so, I think it's a good price for a great location - you'll have a wonderful time!

rialtogrl

You'll love the Galleria and looking out over the Grand Canal. Right around the corner, you can eat well and inexpensively at Taverna San Trovaso and even more cheaply on crostini and wine at the stand up only bar Gia Schiavi down the canal from the taverna. There is another great little wine bar a few doors down from Gia Schiavi, too.

HappyTrvlr

On National Liberation Day which coinsides with the Feast of San Marco, Venice's Patron saint, ,yes, there will be crowds as many Italians are off from work for the day. We had a great day as I mentioned earlier by walking into the neighborhoods. Avoid the pedestrian bridges over the Grand Canal that day and get lost in the neighborhoods, so problems there. The main walkway from the train station, Strada Nova? will be like a flood of people coming from the trains. Avoid places I mentioned and you'll be fine.

hollywoodsc

I haven't read ll the posts so pardon if I'm repeating. There are free walking tours of Rome that leave every evening from the Keats/Shelley house at the base of the Spanish Steps. It will give you a good overview of the historic center of Rome walking past the Trevi fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona...

You can download podcasts to listen to as you visit sights instead of taking a guided tour. eg Ostia Antica. I listened to Rick Steves and it was great.
If you're going to Ostia Antica, then you could skip Pompeii. In my opinion Ostia is better anyway. It's closer, less crowds and seemed to have more ruins. As I said, my opinion.

I did a day trip with Viatour from Florence and enjoyed it. They seemed like a reputable company.

Your trip sounds wonderful. Allow lots of time to sit and people watch while enjoying a drink. Participate in the passiagiata, the evening walk, before dinner and of course a gelato afterwards!

Deno111

Hi Denise,
G'day from Australia. We stayed at Ca Pagan when in Venice, and it was perfect. You will not find better hosts, they were so nice, and very helpful. The owner recommended an amazing restaurant.

Website - http://www.capagan.com/

We found it on Trip Advisor, and the reviews were spot on.

Enjoy.

TeaLoverDenise

Thanks again everyone!

We have now booked: flights; hotels in Venice and Rome; Rome/Venice return train tickets; and Rome/Naples/Pompeii train tickets.

Now the fun part begins: cobbling together a loose itinerary (leaving room for serendipity!) for 2 days in Venice and 8 days in Rome.

Appreciate your tips, advice, and help. xx

mogsanova

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