5 week Italian itinerary help needed.
Jul 29th, 2011 | 01:06 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 278
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5 week Italian itinerary help needed.
Hi we are planning another 5 week trip to Italy. We have carefully read helpful posts (Ron in Rome and Tom in San Diego) on this site, as well as Trip Adviser, Slow Travel and Frommers. We have locked down our itinerary but still have some questions. So here is hoping that some well seasoned Italian travellers can help.
Milan 16 September 6pm arrival
Apartment booked in Navigli area (4 nights).
We want to see:
Last Supper (tickets booked)
Brera Pinoteca
Ambrosia Pinoteca
Parco Sempione and climb to the top of the Arco della Pace
and the Torre Branca.
Castello Sforzesco for a Tour - Completo dei Percorsi Segreti
Navigli boat trip
La Scala museum
Cimitero Monumentale - Sunday guided tour
Questions:
1. VIP Is there a TIM shop at Malpensa Airport where we can purchase a local SIM card for our unlocked phones?
2. Is there a Navigli night boat trip (not a dinner trip)
3. Is it possible to walk from the Navigli district to the Duomo
4. The tour we have booked for Castello Sforzesco is a tour of the secret passages (underground). I read somewhere there is a tour of the walls but cannot find any information about it.
5. We will take the train from Malpensa airport to Stazione Centrale. How can we get from there to the metro station Porta Genova in the Navigli district?
6. Is it worth a shopping trip to Il Salvagete Via Fratelli Bronzetti or Mercato Fauce Via Fauche?
7. Does anyone know where there is a supermarket in the Navigli district?
8. Does Milan have a transport pass? Can this be purchased on line?
9. Does anyone know how to navigate the tram system in Milan. Is there a downloadable tram map somewhere?
10. Are there any enotecas that have wine tastings of Lombardia wines?
20 Sept Train to Genova.
B & B Il Borgo di Genova booked 4 nights.
1 day trip to Camogli
Questions:
1. Is there a user friendly public transport system in Genova?
24 September train to Riomaggiore
Apartment 5Terre booked 3 nights.
We may do a walk with Pall (trekguy) if he is available.
Otherwise the time will be spent between the five towns with some walks on the shorter Red trail walks.
Questions:
1. Any suggestions for short, not overly arduous red trail walks?
2. Does the Tourist Office have good trail maps?
3. Does the 3 day pass include travel by boat as well? How often do the boats run?
4. Any suggestions for particular times to take photographs from the boat in the evenings of any particular towns?
5. Are there any supermarkets in Riomaggiore, or should we bring provisions with us from Genova?
27 Sept - Train - Riomaggiore to Lucca
B & B Il Seminario (booked 3 nights)
We want to visit Mercato di Lucca, Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi and Museo Nazionale di Villa Guinigi.
Climb the Torre, visit the Duomo , Piazza del Anfiteatro, Torre dell Oro and Basilica San Giovanni e Reparata.
1 day visiting Pistoia.
Questions:
Where can we hire bicycles for cycling along the walls for a couple of hours?
Any suggestions of things to see in Pistoia?
1 October - Train Lucca to Firenze
B & B Cimbue 9 booked for 4 nights.
We want to see the Pitti Palace, Baboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo, Medici Chapel, San Lorenzo Market
, the Baptistry and climb the Campanile.
If we can make the time, we will take a bus trip to Fiesole.
Questions:
Any suggestions for taking evening/dusk photographs of Firenze from Piazzale Michelangelo?
Where do we catch the bus for Fiesole from?
4 October - Train Firenze to Arezzo
B & B Il Gran Ducato booked for 3 nights
1 day bus trip to Cortona.
7 October Train - Arezzo to Orvieto
Instituto San Lodovico - booked 2 nights.
We want to see the Duomo, Pozzo San Patrizio and the underground caves.
Church of San Domenico, Museo del Duomo, Roca Albornoz
, Walk down Via del Dolci and through the medieval quater and along Viale Corducci.
Questions:
1. Is there more than one underground tour?
i.e. is the underground tour www.orvietounderground.it and the Grotte del Funaro the one and the same?
2. Are there regular tours in English?
3. Do we change trains in Tributina for Tivoli?
9 October Train from Orvieto to Tivoli
B& B Villa d'Este - booked 2 nights.
Question:
1. Is there public transport to get to Villa Adriana and Villa Gregoriana?
2. We need to take the train from Tivoli to Rome. Do we need to change again in Tributina?
3. Is there a way of getting from Termini to Piazza Navona - public bus/metro or do we just walk?
11 October Tivoli to Rome:
Apartment Campanella Gem booked 5 nights
We will visit Castel St Angelo, St Peter's (climb to the cupola), Scavi Tour (booked)
the Pantheon (evening tour), Campo dei Fiori and Villa Borghese.
Question:
What is the best way to get to the airport from Piazza Navona area. Our flight leaves at 11pm. We probably need to be at the airport 3 hours before hand.
Is there a tour of Castel Sant Angelo?
Readers will probably think that we have missed the main sights, but we have been to Milan, Florence and Rome before and have visited the Duomos, Vatican Museum, Colosseum, Forum etc.
Many thanks in advance to anyone who can assist us.
Read more: http://www.frommers.com/community/fo...#ixzz1TU0StPaf
Milan 16 September 6pm arrival
Apartment booked in Navigli area (4 nights).
We want to see:
Last Supper (tickets booked)
Brera Pinoteca
Ambrosia Pinoteca
Parco Sempione and climb to the top of the Arco della Pace
and the Torre Branca.
Castello Sforzesco for a Tour - Completo dei Percorsi Segreti
Navigli boat trip
La Scala museum
Cimitero Monumentale - Sunday guided tour
Questions:
1. VIP Is there a TIM shop at Malpensa Airport where we can purchase a local SIM card for our unlocked phones?
2. Is there a Navigli night boat trip (not a dinner trip)
3. Is it possible to walk from the Navigli district to the Duomo
4. The tour we have booked for Castello Sforzesco is a tour of the secret passages (underground). I read somewhere there is a tour of the walls but cannot find any information about it.
5. We will take the train from Malpensa airport to Stazione Centrale. How can we get from there to the metro station Porta Genova in the Navigli district?
6. Is it worth a shopping trip to Il Salvagete Via Fratelli Bronzetti or Mercato Fauce Via Fauche?
7. Does anyone know where there is a supermarket in the Navigli district?
8. Does Milan have a transport pass? Can this be purchased on line?
9. Does anyone know how to navigate the tram system in Milan. Is there a downloadable tram map somewhere?
10. Are there any enotecas that have wine tastings of Lombardia wines?
20 Sept Train to Genova.
B & B Il Borgo di Genova booked 4 nights.
1 day trip to Camogli
Questions:
1. Is there a user friendly public transport system in Genova?
24 September train to Riomaggiore
Apartment 5Terre booked 3 nights.
We may do a walk with Pall (trekguy) if he is available.
Otherwise the time will be spent between the five towns with some walks on the shorter Red trail walks.
Questions:
1. Any suggestions for short, not overly arduous red trail walks?
2. Does the Tourist Office have good trail maps?
3. Does the 3 day pass include travel by boat as well? How often do the boats run?
4. Any suggestions for particular times to take photographs from the boat in the evenings of any particular towns?
5. Are there any supermarkets in Riomaggiore, or should we bring provisions with us from Genova?
27 Sept - Train - Riomaggiore to Lucca
B & B Il Seminario (booked 3 nights)
We want to visit Mercato di Lucca, Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi and Museo Nazionale di Villa Guinigi.
Climb the Torre, visit the Duomo , Piazza del Anfiteatro, Torre dell Oro and Basilica San Giovanni e Reparata.
1 day visiting Pistoia.
Questions:
Where can we hire bicycles for cycling along the walls for a couple of hours?
Any suggestions of things to see in Pistoia?
1 October - Train Lucca to Firenze
B & B Cimbue 9 booked for 4 nights.
We want to see the Pitti Palace, Baboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo, Medici Chapel, San Lorenzo Market
, the Baptistry and climb the Campanile.
If we can make the time, we will take a bus trip to Fiesole.
Questions:
Any suggestions for taking evening/dusk photographs of Firenze from Piazzale Michelangelo?
Where do we catch the bus for Fiesole from?
4 October - Train Firenze to Arezzo
B & B Il Gran Ducato booked for 3 nights
1 day bus trip to Cortona.
7 October Train - Arezzo to Orvieto
Instituto San Lodovico - booked 2 nights.
We want to see the Duomo, Pozzo San Patrizio and the underground caves.
Church of San Domenico, Museo del Duomo, Roca Albornoz
, Walk down Via del Dolci and through the medieval quater and along Viale Corducci.
Questions:
1. Is there more than one underground tour?
i.e. is the underground tour www.orvietounderground.it and the Grotte del Funaro the one and the same?
2. Are there regular tours in English?
3. Do we change trains in Tributina for Tivoli?
9 October Train from Orvieto to Tivoli
B& B Villa d'Este - booked 2 nights.
Question:
1. Is there public transport to get to Villa Adriana and Villa Gregoriana?
2. We need to take the train from Tivoli to Rome. Do we need to change again in Tributina?
3. Is there a way of getting from Termini to Piazza Navona - public bus/metro or do we just walk?
11 October Tivoli to Rome:
Apartment Campanella Gem booked 5 nights
We will visit Castel St Angelo, St Peter's (climb to the cupola), Scavi Tour (booked)
the Pantheon (evening tour), Campo dei Fiori and Villa Borghese.
Question:
What is the best way to get to the airport from Piazza Navona area. Our flight leaves at 11pm. We probably need to be at the airport 3 hours before hand.
Is there a tour of Castel Sant Angelo?
Readers will probably think that we have missed the main sights, but we have been to Milan, Florence and Rome before and have visited the Duomos, Vatican Museum, Colosseum, Forum etc.
Many thanks in advance to anyone who can assist us.
Read more: http://www.frommers.com/community/fo...#ixzz1TU0StPaf
Jul 29th, 2011 | 06:37 AM
#2
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,526
Likes: 14
In Florence, I suggest you add the Accademia to see the statue of David and Santa Croce (not far from your hotel).
Although you can catch most buses at the Florence train station (SMN), there might be a closer stop for Fiesole near your hotel. I would ask the hotel.
>>>1. Is there more than one underground tour?<<<
Yes.
>>>i.e. is the underground tour www.orvietounderground.it and the Grotte del Funaro the one and the same?<<<
No. I believe the Grotte del Funaro is a restaurant.
>>>2. Are there regular tours in English?<<<
For Orvieto Underground, yes, but just a few times per day.
>>>3. Do we change trains in Tributina for Tivoli?<<<
There was a major fire at Tiburtina last week, but should be sorted out by Oct. Orvieto/Tivoli requires a train change at Tiburtina.
I would drop Pozzo San Patrizio if you are doing the underground tour as the well just wasn't interesting.
>>>2. We need to take the train from Tivoli to Rome. Do we need to change again in Tributina?
3. Is there a way of getting from Termini to Piazza Navona - public bus/metro or do we just walk?<<<
Tiburtina is a major train/bus/metro hub just a couple of metro stops from Rome's main station Termini. Where exactly is your hotel?
Enter Tiburtina and your hotel address and you will get travel options.
http://www.atac.roma.it/?lingua=ENG
>>>Villa Borghese.<<<
Is reservation only.
>>>We will visit Castel St Angelo, St Peter's (climb to the cupola), Scavi Tour (booked)
the Pantheon (evening tour), Campo dei Fiori and Villa Borghese.<<<
You might consider getting the 3 day Roma Pass which will give you free admission to your first two sites (best use is Borghese Galleria and either Capitolini or Colosseum), use of the Rome buses/trams/metro (the electric line 116 runs through the center up to the Borghese) and discounts after you use the two free. I would have suggested you buy the Roma & Piu at Tivoli, but it is currently unavailable. If when you visit, it's available and you are leaving for Rome the next day (it's 3 consecutive days), it might be a good deal as it would cover your admission (9€)there and your transportation to Rome.
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2
Although you can catch most buses at the Florence train station (SMN), there might be a closer stop for Fiesole near your hotel. I would ask the hotel.
>>>1. Is there more than one underground tour?<<<
Yes.
>>>i.e. is the underground tour www.orvietounderground.it and the Grotte del Funaro the one and the same?<<<
No. I believe the Grotte del Funaro is a restaurant.
>>>2. Are there regular tours in English?<<<
For Orvieto Underground, yes, but just a few times per day.
>>>3. Do we change trains in Tributina for Tivoli?<<<
There was a major fire at Tiburtina last week, but should be sorted out by Oct. Orvieto/Tivoli requires a train change at Tiburtina.
I would drop Pozzo San Patrizio if you are doing the underground tour as the well just wasn't interesting.
>>>2. We need to take the train from Tivoli to Rome. Do we need to change again in Tributina?
3. Is there a way of getting from Termini to Piazza Navona - public bus/metro or do we just walk?<<<
Tiburtina is a major train/bus/metro hub just a couple of metro stops from Rome's main station Termini. Where exactly is your hotel?
Enter Tiburtina and your hotel address and you will get travel options.
http://www.atac.roma.it/?lingua=ENG
>>>Villa Borghese.<<<
Is reservation only.
>>>We will visit Castel St Angelo, St Peter's (climb to the cupola), Scavi Tour (booked)
the Pantheon (evening tour), Campo dei Fiori and Villa Borghese.<<<
You might consider getting the 3 day Roma Pass which will give you free admission to your first two sites (best use is Borghese Galleria and either Capitolini or Colosseum), use of the Rome buses/trams/metro (the electric line 116 runs through the center up to the Borghese) and discounts after you use the two free. I would have suggested you buy the Roma & Piu at Tivoli, but it is currently unavailable. If when you visit, it's available and you are leaving for Rome the next day (it's 3 consecutive days), it might be a good deal as it would cover your admission (9€)there and your transportation to Rome.
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2
Jul 29th, 2011 | 07:33 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
trains between Tivoli and Rome run a round about way and take longer perhaps than the more direct buses - I'd take the bus to Rome, terminating when I took it at a metro station from where you could go to any part of Rome with metro service. The buses also serve Hadrian's Villa - some stop right at the ruins entrance but others may only stop on the nearby main road so ask once there.
For lots of good info on Italian trains check out these superb sites IMO - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - You are mainly taking cheap regional or IC trains and thus the Italian railpass would not be cost effective if considering that - even in first class which I always exhort folks to take in Italy, especially if hauling luggage around - and the cost on your trains for first class is not much more really than 2nd class, which on reginal trains can always be really full - may not be but you never know - I have seen groups of school kids swarm on regional trains which act often as school buses. Some regional trains however may not have first class.
For lots of good info on Italian trains check out these superb sites IMO - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - You are mainly taking cheap regional or IC trains and thus the Italian railpass would not be cost effective if considering that - even in first class which I always exhort folks to take in Italy, especially if hauling luggage around - and the cost on your trains for first class is not much more really than 2nd class, which on reginal trains can always be really full - may not be but you never know - I have seen groups of school kids swarm on regional trains which act often as school buses. Some regional trains however may not have first class.
Jul 29th, 2011 | 09:44 AM
#4
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,830
Likes: 0
I see most of your questions about Orvieto have been answered. And yes, Le Grotte de Funaro is a restaurant, in some grottoes or caves.
I recently read on ItalianNotebook.com about a trail around the rock on which Orvieto sits. It sounds like a pleasant walk, and you seem to like walks, so take a look:
http://www.italiannotebook.com/places/ring-rock/
I recently read on ItalianNotebook.com about a trail around the rock on which Orvieto sits. It sounds like a pleasant walk, and you seem to like walks, so take a look:
http://www.italiannotebook.com/places/ring-rock/
Jul 29th, 2011 | 11:33 AM
#5
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,526
Likes: 14
>>>I recently read on ItalianNotebook.com about a trail around the rock on which Orvieto sits.<<<
Used to be free, but now there is a fee/permit involved. With only two nights in Orvieto, they will be lucky to do what's already on their list.
Last time I stayed at San Lodovico, you had to buy a combo ticket for the funicular and bus (you want to get off at Piazza Ranieri) which was about .20€ more than a funicular only ticket. Don't know if that is still the case as the funicular was down for maintenance all of last summer so we had to bus to the top after we turned our car in. The nuns have a coin operated laundry if you need it.
http://www.orvietoonline.com/orvieto...d_orvieto.html
Used to be free, but now there is a fee/permit involved. With only two nights in Orvieto, they will be lucky to do what's already on their list.
Last time I stayed at San Lodovico, you had to buy a combo ticket for the funicular and bus (you want to get off at Piazza Ranieri) which was about .20€ more than a funicular only ticket. Don't know if that is still the case as the funicular was down for maintenance all of last summer so we had to bus to the top after we turned our car in. The nuns have a coin operated laundry if you need it.
http://www.orvietoonline.com/orvieto...d_orvieto.html
Jul 29th, 2011 | 11:36 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Tivoli when I was there had nearly no tourists even though the Villa d'Este is in town and is a tourist magnet - it seemed liked a nice typical town so I think it is a nice choice that is off the beaten path and so unlike the heavily touristed Orvietos and the hopefully overrun with tourists Cinque Terre towns.
Jul 29th, 2011 | 12:39 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Milan tram question. use: www.atm-mi.it to plan your route. With a little patience you can figure out how to enter your starting point and your destination. THe system will calculate your best route and advise which Tram bus or metro line to take. It is also possible to print the "orrario in vigore" that with limited Italian I translate as the hours of operation. From this same site you can answer your centrale to Genova question. M2 the green line runs directly from Centrale to Pt. Genova. You can download a metro map. Laslty there is a "multi ride" ticket for the Metro/tram/bus lines in Milan. You have a few options. a 24 hour pass for E3, a 48 hour pass for E5.50 and the "Carnet" for E9.2 good for ten rides.
I trust this helps and safe travel
Rolo
Good Luck,
I trust this helps and safe travel
Rolo
Good Luck,
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Jul 29th, 2011 | 02:42 PM
#8
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Thanks so much for all the helpful hints.
Thanks kybourbon for the informationon San Lodivico and the funicular. Orvieto does have a Carte Unico so I will check that out a bit more.
Thanks charnees for introducing me to ItalianNotebook which in turn re-connected me with Anne's Italy - a site I had looked at a couple of years ago and had forgotten. I got quite a few hints on Rome and Cinque Terra from there.
Thanks rolohof for the information on the Milan trams. I will have to get my husband to translate. I have an cursory understanding of the site but he will need to do an indepth translation so that we don't take the transport in the opposite direction to which we want to go - as we once did in Verona!
Thanks PalenQ for theinformation on the bus from Tivoli and the Rome metro stops. We are staying in the Piazza Navona area where there are no metro stops - I understand there are only some sort of buses (electric?)
Thanks kybourbon for the informationon San Lodivico and the funicular. Orvieto does have a Carte Unico so I will check that out a bit more.
Thanks charnees for introducing me to ItalianNotebook which in turn re-connected me with Anne's Italy - a site I had looked at a couple of years ago and had forgotten. I got quite a few hints on Rome and Cinque Terra from there.
Thanks rolohof for the information on the Milan trams. I will have to get my husband to translate. I have an cursory understanding of the site but he will need to do an indepth translation so that we don't take the transport in the opposite direction to which we want to go - as we once did in Verona!
Thanks PalenQ for theinformation on the bus from Tivoli and the Rome metro stops. We are staying in the Piazza Navona area where there are no metro stops - I understand there are only some sort of buses (electric?)
Jul 29th, 2011 | 05:20 PM
#9
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,526
Likes: 14
>>>Orvieto does have a Carte Unico so I will check that out a bit more.<<<
It might not be easy to get your money's worth from the Carta Unica. The price on Orvieto Online is old. The current price is 18€. The funicular/bus combo is only about 1€. I guess if you have time to visit most of the things on the list, you might get the value.
http://www.cartaunica.it/home.htm
English link for Milan metro:
http://www.atm-mi.it/en/Pages/default.aspx
FYI - You are supposed to buy a ticket for your luggage on the Milan metro, but I'm not sure anyone does.
http://www.atm-mi.it/en/ViaggiaConNo...%20Urbani.aspx
Map for the electric lines Rome:
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9
It might not be easy to get your money's worth from the Carta Unica. The price on Orvieto Online is old. The current price is 18€. The funicular/bus combo is only about 1€. I guess if you have time to visit most of the things on the list, you might get the value.
http://www.cartaunica.it/home.htm
English link for Milan metro:
http://www.atm-mi.it/en/Pages/default.aspx
FYI - You are supposed to buy a ticket for your luggage on the Milan metro, but I'm not sure anyone does.
http://www.atm-mi.it/en/ViaggiaConNo...%20Urbani.aspx
Map for the electric lines Rome:
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9
Aug 2nd, 2011 | 05:42 AM
#10
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Hi Rasputin, some info regarding Milan:
1. VIP Is there a TIM shop at Malpensa Airport where we can purchase a local SIM card for our unlocked phones?
I'm not sure about a TIM shop in Malpensa, but for sure you may find one inside the Stazione Centrale where you are supposed to arrive with your train from MXP.
2. Is there a Navigli night boat trip (not a dinner trip)
Yes, it's called "Itinerario delle conche". It's a 55 min cruise (no dinner) and operates from Alzaia Naviglio Grande 4 every friday, saturday and sunday. The last scheduled run is at 6.15 p.m.
They also operate 3 night runs at 8.30, 9.30 and 10.30 pm but ONLY if a minimum of 15 passengers is reached.
You may find some info on this link:
http://www.naviglilombardi.it/pubbli...D_M=663&ID=382 (sorry, in italian only)
3. Is it possible to walk from the Navigli district to the Duomo
Of course it's possible: allow 25-30 minutes to reach Piazza del Duomo from Navigli district. You start from Porta Ticinese (at the confluence of both Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese), then straight north to "le colonne di S.Lorenzo" (columns of St. Lawrence), all the way down to via Torino (one of the main shopping streets in Milan). Via Torino ends in Piazza Duomo.
Hope you'll find the info useful.
Enjoy your trip.
1. VIP Is there a TIM shop at Malpensa Airport where we can purchase a local SIM card for our unlocked phones?
I'm not sure about a TIM shop in Malpensa, but for sure you may find one inside the Stazione Centrale where you are supposed to arrive with your train from MXP.
2. Is there a Navigli night boat trip (not a dinner trip)
Yes, it's called "Itinerario delle conche". It's a 55 min cruise (no dinner) and operates from Alzaia Naviglio Grande 4 every friday, saturday and sunday. The last scheduled run is at 6.15 p.m.
They also operate 3 night runs at 8.30, 9.30 and 10.30 pm but ONLY if a minimum of 15 passengers is reached.
You may find some info on this link:
http://www.naviglilombardi.it/pubbli...D_M=663&ID=382 (sorry, in italian only)
3. Is it possible to walk from the Navigli district to the Duomo
Of course it's possible: allow 25-30 minutes to reach Piazza del Duomo from Navigli district. You start from Porta Ticinese (at the confluence of both Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese), then straight north to "le colonne di S.Lorenzo" (columns of St. Lawrence), all the way down to via Torino (one of the main shopping streets in Milan). Via Torino ends in Piazza Duomo.
Hope you'll find the info useful.
Enjoy your trip.
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Jul 24th, 2011 09:25 AM
