1st trip to Italy
 

Going to Italy for the 1st time the last week of Sept on a Globus tour. Can anyone tell me the weather to expect? Will be visiting Rome, Venice, Florence and Pisa. What should I not miss? HELP!!!

If you get a chance, go to St. Michelle in Venice. It is a small island that is a cemetary -- kinda eerie but cool. <BR> <BR>In Rome, Vatican City is a must. The museum and the cathedral are incredible. <BR>And, if you get a chance, the museums on Capitoline Hill are something to see. (I loved the remnants of a colossal statue of Constantine). Enjoy your trip! <BR>

Guidebooks, Mary, guidebooks. You're going to want to buy several. At least two for Pisa alone, as you should plan on 5 or 6 days there. Marley pretty much already covered Rome and Venice.

It seems that xxx's mind has snapped! Oh well, it had to happen sooner or later. Bye, xxx, say hi to the Mole People.

xxx's mind is no more snapped than the general goofiness of Mary's question. <BR> <BR>but maybe xxx is so _ _ _ _ _ whipped by someone that he/she can't think straight.

If you have time in Rome, Hadrian's Villa outside of Rome is fantastic. <BR>

FLORENCE-1)Bargello-Renaissance <BR>sculpture museum, great & interesting works of Michelangelo, Verrochio, Donatello, Cellini, overlooked by most tourists. 2)Belvedere Fort-great view of the city. 3)Boboli Gardens of the Pitti Palace. <BR>VENEZIA-1) Santa Maria dei Miracoli-if you can only visit one church, this is it! Totally overlooked by tourists. Renaissance, human-scale, exquisite. Covered in colored marble inside & out designed by the famous Lombardi family. Just been renovated. 2) La Caravella in the Hotel Saturnia-dine at one of the best restaurants. Lunch is a great deal (as far as prices in Venezia go) 3)Buy a Vaporetti pass-best deal in Venezia. For unlimited travel throughout Venezia & the surrounding islands. Great way to get your bearings of the city not to mention the view. 4) BEST VIEW OF VENEZIA-no, it's not from the Campanile next to San Marco where everyone goes. It's from the Campanile of the Chiesa San Giorgio on the Isola San Giorgio Maggiore. 5) Any show at the Palazzo Grassi. Some of the most creative, thought-provoking, beautiful & intelligent shows ever mounted have been at the Grassi. Mary, have a great trip to one of the most magically beautiful countries in the world!

Hi Mary <BR>How much time will you have in each place?

Thanks to all who answered my questions. The more info I can have the better before venturing out to Italy. We'll have only 1 to 1 1/2 days in each place so I need to make the best use of my time.

We did a similar trip 9/26/99 to 10/9/99. Weather was very, very hot and very humid in Rome (our first stop). It was more comfortable after we left Rome. Got rained on for an hour or two in Venice. Otherwise great weather.

Rome - St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City) is a must see. It is truly an astonishing site and no matter what your religion, a moving experience. <BR>As you enter, you will see Michelangelo's Pieta on your right. Unfortunately, it's behind bullet proof class due to one those crazy attackers many years ago - but an amazing work of sculpture when you consider that Michelangelo was only about 26 yrs old when he completed the sculpture. Also, if you have the time (& stamina), I'd suggest the trek up the stairs to the upper level of the Basilica. I think it's about 300 something steps - but then you have a much closer view of the interior section of the dome. There's a 5 1/2 foot high railing (sort of cage protection) so you can look down at the floor, approx 100 feet below. Then you can go to outside and you're on the "statue" level (these are the apostles & saints that overlook St. Peter's square) - from here you have but a few more stairs to complete the trek to the next tier. At either level, you can get a spectacular view overlooking the city of Rome. <BR> <BR>If you happen to be in Rome on Sunday morning, then you can experience the outdoor service in St. Peter's square held in front of the Basilica. Think it's conducted at about 11:00 am (?) each Sunday morning. If the Pope's in town and feeling well, he's usually in attendance. <BR> <BR>By the last week in Sept, weather should be pretty good. But as a previous poster said, it may still be a bit warm in Rome. By warm, I'm talking temps in the low 80's and some humidity. Before you leave, suggest you check a few weather sites (www.weather.com) or connect thru NY Times weather to see how each of your cities are doing.