deziner

I have learned so much from all the wonderful posts on this site! Hopefully someone will be kind to answer a few questions I have, too.

I am planning a 10th wedding anniversary trip to Italy and we leave in 9 days!! I want to be very organized/knowledgeable. It's my husband's first trip to Europe!!! and my first time back in the 10 years of our marriage - I want to make it wonderful for him so I don't have to wait another 10 for my next visit!

ROME:
We're staying east of Campo de Fiori. What is the approximate walking time from there to 1 - Vatican and 2- Colloseum? Let's say if we're on a mission to catch a tour versus strolling along. (I know - if we were REALLY 'on a mission' we'd grab a taxi, but just to get an idea.)

Also, if we chose to walk to the Colloseum, is the Jewish Ghetto area in between interesting to allow extra time for? Besides just admiring architecture, etc. We have only 2 full days in Rome and want to hit the key secondary sites which seem to be north of this area (Pantheon, Trevi, Novano, etc.)

TUSCANY:
We're picking up our car at Termini and praying we have the luck of several posters who've made it out to the Autostrada in one piece! As we head to our inn in Castellina in Chianti we'd like to spend the day exploring southern Tuscany. Question: What's a good route? Exit autostrada by Chiusi and visit Montepulciano and Pienza? We have 3 days for 'hill towns' and will spend the 2nd day in Siena and San G. The 3rd day driving the Chianti loop? Anyone with a hint for 'the BEST' stop in Chianti to see any olive production? Too early for that? Favorite stop on that Chianti loop? Specific recommendations? The 2nd day - is San G better in the morning and Siena afternoon/evening for dinner?

In general, between Orvieto and Castellini - is there a difference north to south/east to west on the landscape and the typical cypress-tree-lined-vistas I'm hoping to see in every direction? Is most all of Tuscany equally picturesque?

VENICE:
after (hopefully) a short visit to the CT, we will be driving to Venice, cutting north of Florence. Any picturesque central Italian towns come to mind worth stopping at for lunch? Or punch it to Venice and eat at an Autogrill along the way? We have 3 days there. Also, we're dropping our car at Piazzale Roma. Looks convenient (on Mapquest), but is this wise? Doable? Eyewitness says that's a very busy/crowded area.

So, say we drop the car there, sounds like we just take a short walk and we can catch a water taxi. Question: if our hotel is near the Ponte di Rialto, how are we going to get the 'must do' ride all the way down the canal into San Marco on the number 1/82 for our first grand sight that everyone talks about? Drop our bags and then take a second ride? Ride to San Marco and then walk behind it with luggage to our hotel?

Should we get a 3-day pass for the vaparetto? Will we use it during our 3 final relaxing days of wandering before our departure home?

Autostrada question: (I've been trying to memorize all the tips on Slowtrav.com) sounds like we can use cash or credit card equally for all car/toll related expenses? Cash is payed to a person and no need for exact change anywhere?

Food etiquette question: I LOVE American/Italian food and hope to love the real thing, BUT I absolutely cannot tolerate onions. Are they in everything? Is it horribly rude of me to ask if a certain selection contains onions?? Or if it's possible to make it sans onions???

Any answers/tips are much appreciated!!

elaine

Hi
from Campo dei Fiori to the Vatican is I'd say about a 25-35 minute walk. I walked from the Pantheon, and of course that was somewhat longer.

There isn't much to see in the Ghetto area because almost all of it was torn down. The synagogue does offer guided tours,in fact that's the only way you can see it. There are some Judaica shops and Jewish-style restaurants, but I really didn't find much that interested me there,as opposed, for example to the Ghetto in Venice.

With only two days in Rome, I'd spend half to 2/3 of one day at the Vatican, preferably with a guided tour. The rest of that day can include the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

On the other day I'd say see the Colosseum and Forum (again,with a tour, otherwise the Forum can just look like a pile of rubble) and the rest of that day browsing from the Spanish Steps to Trevi fountain back to Campo dei Fiori.

The 3-day vaporetto pass is considered a good deal if you're going to take the vaporetto at least 6 times, I think that's the break even.

I do find myself walking in Venice more than taking the boats, so I can't really say which you should do.

Do you have guidebooks and maps to take with you? Have you clicked on the top of this screen on Destinations? fodors offers lots of suggestions for short stays in many cities.

I have e-files; if you'd like to see them,email me at
[email protected]

buon viaggio

Henry

deziner,
You might consider getting off the autostrada at Orvieto. Civita di Bagnoregio is worth a look. About an hour west you can see Sorano, Pitigliano, Sovana, and Saturnia (pick a place to overnight). Take SS2 (cassia) north and Bagno Vignoni, San Quircio d'Orcia, Pienza and Montalcino are on your way to Siena.

bobthenavigator

Wow--so many questions !
The S-146 route between Pienza and San Quirico is hard to beat for Tuscan terrain. You may want to divert slightly down to Bagno Vignoni--only 3 miles south of San Quirico. You are too early for olive harvest. Plan lunch in either Montepulciano or Bagno Vignoni depending on time.

I would skip the CT--you do not have time. Yes, just punch it up to Venice. There is really no place to stop, and the Autogrill ain't too bad.

Have a great time--I can tell you are excited.

deziner

Thank you all -- Very helpful!

1. That Rome itinerary is just what I had in mind -- and I do have tours scheduled. Yes, I have 2 guidebooks, a AAA driving map and a pocket street map of Rome and Venice. I have a stack of Italy books from the library and have read so much online that it's overwhelming me. Now I am trying to organize my notes/tips for each area.

2. Just what I needed for the southern tuscany drive. Thanks! and YES, I am extremely excited!