April trip - itinerary help
Feb 5th, 2005, 11:03 PM
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April trip - itinerary help
Leaving from NY on Apr.3rd arriving in Rome on Apr.4th at 7a.m. Renting a car and going straight to Florence. We need a hotel about 200 dollars a night for 1 night stay in Florence.Any suggestions and a restaurant in Florence reasonably priced for dinner. On the 5th we will be going down into chianti,leaving Florence around 3pm, were we will stay on the 5th&6th nights at a B&B on the advice of friends.On the 6th visiting Siena. On the 7th going to Venice we have reservations at a B&B about 5 min. walk away from San Marco. Then taking a train on the 9th at 1630 hrs. to Rome arrive in at 2100 hrs(9pm). Staying 4 nights at the Hotel Concordia. Need restaurant help in Rome,Venice,Chianti,and Siena.Is this to much traveling for us? We are both in our 30's and any suggestions are welcomed(sites,tours,retaurants,etc.).Thanks in advance.
Feb 7th, 2005, 10:04 AM
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Hotel Dali in Florence maybe. Check out lonelyplanet and rick steves info as well as this board. Why are you bypassing Siena to go to Florence your first night? How about Rome to Siena for night one, tour into Chianti for a few nights, then Florence, then train to VEnice. Take some deep breaths.
Feb 7th, 2005, 10:36 AM
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pjc115, Italy is so RICH with beautiful and historic sights everywhere you turn, the more time you spend in a city the better. 1 of 2 nights in an Italian city is just not enough.
Having said that, I should add that on our first family trip to Italy, we only had 1 night in Siena and I loved it! However, the city that received a unanimous vote for the most fun from the whole family was Rome, and we also had the longest stay there...4 wonderful nights.
I suggest a minimum of 4 nights for Rome. Rome needs careful planning and a stay at a hotel with a good location, central and in a walkable neighborhood near major sights, is important. We loved the location of the Hotel Nazionale a Montecitorio on Piazza Montecitorio, a short walking distance from the Pantheon and lots of restaurants nearby, walking distance to lots of sights like the Trevi fountain etc.
Florence was very crowded during our days there in June, even at 11:00 pm the Ponte Vecchio was still crowded! I found the crowds and smoggy traffic of Florence to be overwhelming. We had 2 nights in Florence and although it wasn't long enough to see all the major sights, I was grateful to be leaving florence after 2 nights! My "kids", ages 22, 18, and 17, agreed that florence is a place to get into and out of as quickly as possible. However, there are many people who love florence. I think it's more enjoyable in the uncrowded slow seasons. We stayed at the HOtel Silla in florence in a quiet but still convenient neighborhood just across the Ponte alle grazie bridge from the Uffizi gallery, and a convenient walk to the boboli gardens. Hotel Silla is a comfortable hotel with very helpful staff. Rooms are comfortable but not especially memorable.
Venice is an amazing and unique city, very romantic. We had 3 nights in Venice and that was just right for us.
How many total nights do you have? You will have the best time if you research where you really want to visit, and narrow it down to as few cities as possible. Try to spend at least 3 nights in a fewer number of destination cities. 4 nights minimum for Rome.
Buon viaggio!
Having said that, I should add that on our first family trip to Italy, we only had 1 night in Siena and I loved it! However, the city that received a unanimous vote for the most fun from the whole family was Rome, and we also had the longest stay there...4 wonderful nights.
I suggest a minimum of 4 nights for Rome. Rome needs careful planning and a stay at a hotel with a good location, central and in a walkable neighborhood near major sights, is important. We loved the location of the Hotel Nazionale a Montecitorio on Piazza Montecitorio, a short walking distance from the Pantheon and lots of restaurants nearby, walking distance to lots of sights like the Trevi fountain etc.
Florence was very crowded during our days there in June, even at 11:00 pm the Ponte Vecchio was still crowded! I found the crowds and smoggy traffic of Florence to be overwhelming. We had 2 nights in Florence and although it wasn't long enough to see all the major sights, I was grateful to be leaving florence after 2 nights! My "kids", ages 22, 18, and 17, agreed that florence is a place to get into and out of as quickly as possible. However, there are many people who love florence. I think it's more enjoyable in the uncrowded slow seasons. We stayed at the HOtel Silla in florence in a quiet but still convenient neighborhood just across the Ponte alle grazie bridge from the Uffizi gallery, and a convenient walk to the boboli gardens. Hotel Silla is a comfortable hotel with very helpful staff. Rooms are comfortable but not especially memorable.
Venice is an amazing and unique city, very romantic. We had 3 nights in Venice and that was just right for us.
How many total nights do you have? You will have the best time if you research where you really want to visit, and narrow it down to as few cities as possible. Try to spend at least 3 nights in a fewer number of destination cities. 4 nights minimum for Rome.
Buon viaggio!
Feb 7th, 2005, 11:31 AM
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Hi pj,
>Is this too much traveling for us? <
It is a bit rushed until you get back to Rome, but might be just right for you.
Are you driving directly from Rome to Florence? If so, I suggest that you take the train and pick up your car in Florence: a) you will be jetlagged, which is not a good way to learn how to drive in Italy and b) you will have to pay for the car and parking.
>Is this too much traveling for us? <
It is a bit rushed until you get back to Rome, but might be just right for you.
Are you driving directly from Rome to Florence? If so, I suggest that you take the train and pick up your car in Florence: a) you will be jetlagged, which is not a good way to learn how to drive in Italy and b) you will have to pay for the car and parking.
