12 days in Italy
May 17th, 2011, 08:30 AM
#21
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If you are looking for a room with 2 beds, look for a twin (as opposed to a double, which is one double bed vs 2 twin beds).
I 2nd Peter's rec of Hotel Casci in Florence. It's a wonderful place to stay on a moderate budget.
I 2nd Peter's rec of Hotel Casci in Florence. It's a wonderful place to stay on a moderate budget.
May 17th, 2011, 01:01 PM
#22
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We stayed at Hotel Casci on our first visit to Italy (for our 25th wedding anniversary). It was an excellent experience and they even did our laundry for us (don't remember what it cost, but consider that a coin laundromat is going to cost you about 15euro so to have it clean and folded and on your bed when you get back from a day's sight seeing, I'd pay 20)
In Venice, we stayed at Hotel Leon Bianco, and in Rome at Hotel due Torri Roma (near Piazza Navona). This fall, I discovered the due Torri is now out of our price range (well, we'll be in Italy for nearly a month, so we have been pretty picky budget-wise). Hotel Julia looks like a good budget choice, and it is really well located for a first-timer. (We will be staying elsewhere this Fall, but at a place a bit off the beaten track.)
In Venice, we stayed at Hotel Leon Bianco, and in Rome at Hotel due Torri Roma (near Piazza Navona). This fall, I discovered the due Torri is now out of our price range (well, we'll be in Italy for nearly a month, so we have been pretty picky budget-wise). Hotel Julia looks like a good budget choice, and it is really well located for a first-timer. (We will be staying elsewhere this Fall, but at a place a bit off the beaten track.)
May 19th, 2011, 02:24 PM
#23
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First thanks to Peter_S We have taken your adavice and planned our itinerary as you suggested. I have booked the Santo Stefano B&B (not to be confused with the Hotel- too pricey) for our stay in Vienna and we are now looking at the other suggestions by uhoh_busted for the Hotel Cascia - Florence and Hotel Julia in Rome. Just received replys from both and I think they will come out within budget. Thank you to MFNYC for the tip on double vs twin. Did not have that figured out.
We would also like to do a possible winery tour from Florence - Any suggestions? I have emailed the companies from Travelslow and await their response. I am also looking at Walkaboutpass.com mentioned on one of the other forums. Has anyone else taken this tour? It seems to incorporate a number of things we would be interested in? Oh Peter thanks for sharing your stories - I did enjoy. any other helpful hints? I would greatly appreciate.
We would also like to do a possible winery tour from Florence - Any suggestions? I have emailed the companies from Travelslow and await their response. I am also looking at Walkaboutpass.com mentioned on one of the other forums. Has anyone else taken this tour? It seems to incorporate a number of things we would be interested in? Oh Peter thanks for sharing your stories - I did enjoy. any other helpful hints? I would greatly appreciate.
May 19th, 2011, 02:35 PM
#24
hope you've not quite decided on your florence hotel yet!
I stayed here for 2 nights very recently [just got back in fact] and it was very nice, and reasonable: http://www.residenzacasanuova.it/
it's a B&B in a beautifully furnished and appointed apartment, on the eastern side of the city, but in easy walking distance of the centre - 10 minutes brings you to the Duomo. As well as your room you have the run of the apartment with plenty of seating in which to read the many books, and a lovely terrace from which to enjoy the view over the roofs of florence. It's close to the san ambrosia market, and if you're lucky, one of the owners, Beatrice, will be doing a tour of the market while you are there. [tastings and lunch for €30 each - a real bargain!].
it's not a particularly smart part of town but very interesting with loads of typical restaurants in the area and some very good shopping.
sorry to sound like an advert but if you want something other than a standard hotel, this may well be for you.
I stayed here for 2 nights very recently [just got back in fact] and it was very nice, and reasonable: http://www.residenzacasanuova.it/
it's a B&B in a beautifully furnished and appointed apartment, on the eastern side of the city, but in easy walking distance of the centre - 10 minutes brings you to the Duomo. As well as your room you have the run of the apartment with plenty of seating in which to read the many books, and a lovely terrace from which to enjoy the view over the roofs of florence. It's close to the san ambrosia market, and if you're lucky, one of the owners, Beatrice, will be doing a tour of the market while you are there. [tastings and lunch for €30 each - a real bargain!].
it's not a particularly smart part of town but very interesting with loads of typical restaurants in the area and some very good shopping.
sorry to sound like an advert but if you want something other than a standard hotel, this may well be for you.
May 19th, 2011, 05:40 PM
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JK, the guidebook "Secret Venice", published by Jonglez, is worth a look. It lists lots of small things, like the significance of the single white stone set into the path leading to the door of the Church of San Pietro in Castello, or the significance of the lozenge shaped piece of porphry marble in the doorway of the Basilica. It also lists a few gardens that are worth visiting (and they are mostly hidden from view), the strange runes inscribed on the lions guading the Arsenal and the location of the indoor bowling alley (and attached bar). Also the female prison produce stall on Guidecca on Thursday mornings, the iconography of Canova's tomb in the Frari.
Check out the Olivetti showroom in the Piazza, reopened after restoration of the architect Scarpa's original design from the 1960's. I've not seen it yet, but it looks pretty special from the photos. I sort of got hooked on Scarpa last visit, and went all over Venice in search of his work. The interior of the apartment that we stayed in was designed by a student of Scarpa, so there was a nice linkage there.
Tiny details in the cosmos, I suppose, but they all go to making Venice a more intimate place.
Check out the Olivetti showroom in the Piazza, reopened after restoration of the architect Scarpa's original design from the 1960's. I've not seen it yet, but it looks pretty special from the photos. I sort of got hooked on Scarpa last visit, and went all over Venice in search of his work. The interior of the apartment that we stayed in was designed by a student of Scarpa, so there was a nice linkage there.
Tiny details in the cosmos, I suppose, but they all go to making Venice a more intimate place.
May 22nd, 2011, 12:14 AM
#28
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Personally, I don't think you need 4 nights in Venice, I would suggest spending more time in Rome.
We stayed in the Santa Croce area in Venice because it was close to the train station. There were some lovely restaurants down along the quiet side canal which we discovered after chosing a place on the main canal which was expensive and medicore. We should have explored more. Don't always settle for the restaurants on the thoroughfare, if you will. There are gems hidden all over Venice. Look at the menus and prices before making a decision. The restaurants are supposed to post their menu and do not mind if you look at it. Many will have the waiter try to get your attention to eat there, don't feel bad if you decide to walk away. It's part of the experience.
As for where to stay in Rome, I like to stay over by the Vatican, however your daughter might prefer something more lively.
We stayed in the Santa Croce area in Venice because it was close to the train station. There were some lovely restaurants down along the quiet side canal which we discovered after chosing a place on the main canal which was expensive and medicore. We should have explored more. Don't always settle for the restaurants on the thoroughfare, if you will. There are gems hidden all over Venice. Look at the menus and prices before making a decision. The restaurants are supposed to post their menu and do not mind if you look at it. Many will have the waiter try to get your attention to eat there, don't feel bad if you decide to walk away. It's part of the experience.
As for where to stay in Rome, I like to stay over by the Vatican, however your daughter might prefer something more lively.
May 23rd, 2011, 01:48 PM
#29
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Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. We have tentatively booked Venice for 3 nights (given we don't arrive until Monday morning) Florence for 4 and Rome for 4 nights. Starying - tentatively - at the Santo Stefano B&B in Venice, Hotel Casci in Florence and Hotel Julia in Rome.Chosen mainly based on suggestions and cost with location thrown in for good measure.
Now - does anyone know of a good and reasonable website to visit to arrange a daytrip from Florence to the wineries or surrounding area. I have gotten estimates of 720E - 340E which will break our bank. We will not have our own transportation so I guess that's a factor. But really 720E for 8 hours. I did read about a bus tour that leaves from the train station (I think) in Florence and also goes to Pisa and thru Siena. Has any used it? This would be much more reasonable at about 72E each. any thoughts?
Also - taking the train from Rome to Venice when we arrive -our plane arrives at about 10:00 am- Since I have no idea how long customs will take or the trip from the airport to the train station should I prebook (if we can do that from the states) our seats on the 12:45 to Venice or the 1:45 to be safe (although I would hope we can make the earlier one) or just wait until we arrive at the train station? Traveling from Venice to Florence and then on to Rome I'm not too concerned about as we will actually be there and can play it by ear (or so I hope)
In additon which museums are a must to reserve from here in the states - especially in Venice. Our hotel in Florence said they will book the Uffizi and Academie if we tell them when. Should I avail myself of this.
We have seen Vineyards in Chile and South Africa so touring Tuscany is not so much for the Vineyards but the experience.
Any and all suggestions welcome. Also please remember that our reservations can be changed if someone has a suggestion that can't be beat. (Long winded - I know - I apologize ahead of time)
Thanks
Now - does anyone know of a good and reasonable website to visit to arrange a daytrip from Florence to the wineries or surrounding area. I have gotten estimates of 720E - 340E which will break our bank. We will not have our own transportation so I guess that's a factor. But really 720E for 8 hours. I did read about a bus tour that leaves from the train station (I think) in Florence and also goes to Pisa and thru Siena. Has any used it? This would be much more reasonable at about 72E each. any thoughts?
Also - taking the train from Rome to Venice when we arrive -our plane arrives at about 10:00 am- Since I have no idea how long customs will take or the trip from the airport to the train station should I prebook (if we can do that from the states) our seats on the 12:45 to Venice or the 1:45 to be safe (although I would hope we can make the earlier one) or just wait until we arrive at the train station? Traveling from Venice to Florence and then on to Rome I'm not too concerned about as we will actually be there and can play it by ear (or so I hope)
In additon which museums are a must to reserve from here in the states - especially in Venice. Our hotel in Florence said they will book the Uffizi and Academie if we tell them when. Should I avail myself of this.
We have seen Vineyards in Chile and South Africa so touring Tuscany is not so much for the Vineyards but the experience.
Any and all suggestions welcome. Also please remember that our reservations can be changed if someone has a suggestion that can't be beat. (Long winded - I know - I apologize ahead of time)
Thanks
May 23rd, 2011, 04:06 PM
#30
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My DD and I traveled together in Italy and it was wonderful. We liked these very affordable and charming hotels with nice twin rooms and ensuite baths:
In Rome, the Domus Julia (apartment wing of the Hotel Julia), very nice breakfast room in the Hotel, nice front lobby, good location and relatively quiet street.
In Venice, the Hotel Riva, a cute one-star hotel that has corner rooms which overlook the confluence of two tiny canals where singing gondoliers glide by; simple breakfast provided in nice breakfast room overlooking one canal. We had triple room #1. No lift, though.
In Florence, the Relais Cavalcanti, right near the Uffizi in a great locarion; very tasteful and homey little 'hotel' which is one floor of a building the family has owned for centuries. A young woman started this hotel, designed it, and now runs it with her sister, I think. Has a very lovely kitchen and dining room, open to guests 24/7. No breakfast provided, but it does have complimentary packaged pastries, and hot drinks always available. The room is open for your own use, too. Each guestroom has a small fridge, too.
Be aware that many hotels will give you a nice discount for paying in cash (EU), if you book directly with the hotel. (If you do this, like we did, be sure you plan ahead to have enough euros on hand at checkout day. I forgot. But I had brought three ATM cards, so I could pull out the max amount on each card.)
In Rome, the Domus Julia (apartment wing of the Hotel Julia), very nice breakfast room in the Hotel, nice front lobby, good location and relatively quiet street.
In Venice, the Hotel Riva, a cute one-star hotel that has corner rooms which overlook the confluence of two tiny canals where singing gondoliers glide by; simple breakfast provided in nice breakfast room overlooking one canal. We had triple room #1. No lift, though.
In Florence, the Relais Cavalcanti, right near the Uffizi in a great locarion; very tasteful and homey little 'hotel' which is one floor of a building the family has owned for centuries. A young woman started this hotel, designed it, and now runs it with her sister, I think. Has a very lovely kitchen and dining room, open to guests 24/7. No breakfast provided, but it does have complimentary packaged pastries, and hot drinks always available. The room is open for your own use, too. Each guestroom has a small fridge, too.
Be aware that many hotels will give you a nice discount for paying in cash (EU), if you book directly with the hotel. (If you do this, like we did, be sure you plan ahead to have enough euros on hand at checkout day. I forgot. But I had brought three ATM cards, so I could pull out the max amount on each card.)
May 23rd, 2011, 07:00 PM
#32
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I'm trying to work on a trip report, but there are a number of guides who do day trips from Florence that do not charge as much as you've written. Try Luca Garappa from Hills and Roads. We adored him.
Or just take the Sita bus to Siena.
Or just take the Sita bus to Siena.
May 30th, 2011, 11:52 AM
#33
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Hi all - Have reserved the Hotel Julia for our stay in Rome but was just reading some reports and someone mentioned the AGV2001 B&B in the Vatican area. Since I will be with my daughter does anyone have an opinion as to which area might be better for us. We are first timers to Italy but would lilke to use our budget wisely i.e. money on food, sights etc and less on housing.
