Bologna, Florence, Venice 5 days
Oct 21st, 2016, 12:03 PM
#22
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Jean, You make a good point. You got me thinking 
Bedar, The trick is search for 'Google Flights'. Then click on the link to google flights. Which takes you to the google flights interface screen. It helps you find destinations by price and sends you to the airlines that have that price.
Enter in your dates of travel and your starting city or airport. In the destination box you can enter someplace specific or someplace broad like 'Europe' or 'Caribbean'. You can filter by number of stop, price, duration, etc., or you don't have to filter.
Then click on the 'Explore Map' picture or in the menu section in the upper left. Destinations show up on the explore map with prices. If a destination doesn't show a price click on the dot at the destination and a price will show up. Then click on show flights, it will show the various airlines and prices.
For example I knew I wanted to travel around Dec 24 to Dec 31, so I entered those dates and JFK as my departure point and Europe as my destination. All the different destinations and fares showed up on the explore map. As I click them, I can see airlines and flight itineraries.
If I like the itinerary, I click on it and it reveals more information. Sometimes you'll see that the itinerary has too long a layover so you don't go there or choose another itinerary which is maybe a little more expensive but a better flight.
You can change the dates when you're looking at it. I would have preferred to return on Jan 1 so I tried it, but saw it raise the price by 300 per ticket. If you choose an itinerary it gives you a button that takes you to the airline sight.
When I started researching I had no idea where I would wind up going. I just knew that I wanted to spend no more than x dollars.
Google flights told me where I could go in that time frame for that amount.
Yesterday, I was trying to choose between, Marseilles, Stockholm, Lisbon, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and had a stack of guide books from the library from all of them.
All of a sudden I saw on the google flights explore map the fare to Bologna for 749 on TAP. I realized I could go to Florence where I had never been and was more appealing to me then everything else I was researching. I clicked on it not knowing if it would show me some long layover, but lo and behold it's only a 1 1/2 stopover in Lisbon. Bingo!
I can't emphasize enough what a good and fast tool, Google Flights is. I've been using it to help me find trips for the last couple of years.
Bedar, The trick is search for 'Google Flights'. Then click on the link to google flights. Which takes you to the google flights interface screen. It helps you find destinations by price and sends you to the airlines that have that price.
Enter in your dates of travel and your starting city or airport. In the destination box you can enter someplace specific or someplace broad like 'Europe' or 'Caribbean'. You can filter by number of stop, price, duration, etc., or you don't have to filter.
Then click on the 'Explore Map' picture or in the menu section in the upper left. Destinations show up on the explore map with prices. If a destination doesn't show a price click on the dot at the destination and a price will show up. Then click on show flights, it will show the various airlines and prices.
For example I knew I wanted to travel around Dec 24 to Dec 31, so I entered those dates and JFK as my departure point and Europe as my destination. All the different destinations and fares showed up on the explore map. As I click them, I can see airlines and flight itineraries.
If I like the itinerary, I click on it and it reveals more information. Sometimes you'll see that the itinerary has too long a layover so you don't go there or choose another itinerary which is maybe a little more expensive but a better flight.
You can change the dates when you're looking at it. I would have preferred to return on Jan 1 so I tried it, but saw it raise the price by 300 per ticket. If you choose an itinerary it gives you a button that takes you to the airline sight.
When I started researching I had no idea where I would wind up going. I just knew that I wanted to spend no more than x dollars.
Google flights told me where I could go in that time frame for that amount.
Yesterday, I was trying to choose between, Marseilles, Stockholm, Lisbon, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and had a stack of guide books from the library from all of them.
All of a sudden I saw on the google flights explore map the fare to Bologna for 749 on TAP. I realized I could go to Florence where I had never been and was more appealing to me then everything else I was researching. I clicked on it not knowing if it would show me some long layover, but lo and behold it's only a 1 1/2 stopover in Lisbon. Bingo!
I can't emphasize enough what a good and fast tool, Google Flights is. I've been using it to help me find trips for the last couple of years.
Oct 21st, 2016, 01:09 PM
#23
"Another advantage, I can leave the bulk of our luggage at the Bologna hotel, to which we'll return on the last night, and travel lighter to Venice and Florence."
I don't understand this at all. Why would you be leaving the "bulk" of your luggage in Bologna? Why would you bring stuff that you're just going to leave until you return to Bologna to fly home? It's only a one week trip!
I don't understand this at all. Why would you be leaving the "bulk" of your luggage in Bologna? Why would you bring stuff that you're just going to leave until you return to Bologna to fly home? It's only a one week trip!
Oct 21st, 2016, 06:40 PM
#25
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My wife tends to bring to much and decides when we're there what to use, but that's a whole other topic.
In discussing with her, we decided we will press on to Venice the first night.
I still have to decide if I should stay in Bologna the last night Friday 12/30 or try to get to the airport from Florence on Saturday morning 12/31.
I also have to decide if I want to go to Florence from Venice on Day 3 eve or Day 4 morning.
The flight is at 1:25PM. If I'm reading it right, the first train from Firenze S.M. Novella to Bologna Centrale is at 8:30 AM arriving at 9:42 AM. If I need to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of time that's 10:25 AM, giving me about 40 minutes to find my way to the bus and get to the airport. I suppose I can also take a cab. That's a little close for comfort.
Revised destination itinerary:
Day 1 (Sun) Arrive Bologna Airport 4:30 PM, bus to Bologna and train to Venice, stay Venice.
Day 2 (Mon) See Venice, stay Venice.
Day 3 (Tues) See Venice, stay Venice [OR See Venice, evening train to Florence stay Florence.]
Day 4 (Weds) Train to Florence,[OR wake up in Florence] see Florence, stay Florence.
Day 5 (Thurs) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 6 (Fri) See Florence, evening train to Bologna, stay Bologna [OR stay Florence leave in morning]
Day 7 (Sat) Bus to Bologna airport, fly home 1:25 PM.
In discussing with her, we decided we will press on to Venice the first night.
I still have to decide if I should stay in Bologna the last night Friday 12/30 or try to get to the airport from Florence on Saturday morning 12/31.
I also have to decide if I want to go to Florence from Venice on Day 3 eve or Day 4 morning.
The flight is at 1:25PM. If I'm reading it right, the first train from Firenze S.M. Novella to Bologna Centrale is at 8:30 AM arriving at 9:42 AM. If I need to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of time that's 10:25 AM, giving me about 40 minutes to find my way to the bus and get to the airport. I suppose I can also take a cab. That's a little close for comfort.
Revised destination itinerary:
Day 1 (Sun) Arrive Bologna Airport 4:30 PM, bus to Bologna and train to Venice, stay Venice.
Day 2 (Mon) See Venice, stay Venice.
Day 3 (Tues) See Venice, stay Venice [OR See Venice, evening train to Florence stay Florence.]
Day 4 (Weds) Train to Florence,[OR wake up in Florence] see Florence, stay Florence.
Day 5 (Thurs) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 6 (Fri) See Florence, evening train to Bologna, stay Bologna [OR stay Florence leave in morning]
Day 7 (Sat) Bus to Bologna airport, fly home 1:25 PM.
Oct 21st, 2016, 08:01 PM
#26
I still think the Venice v. Florence question is up to you to decide. My choice would be to wake up in Florence on Wednesday, but I admit my bias toward Florence. How early in the morning are you (honestly) able to catch a train? 7:30? 9:30? 10:30? Unless you're early starters, it could be afternoon before you reach Florence. A half day lost, and you'd have to go to the hotel to drop your luggage before you could head out to see the sights.
Oct 22nd, 2016, 05:47 AM
#27
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Bedar - I don't know what TAP is, but since you asked about airfares, I bought my tix in August for next March for $798 r/t RNO to FCO (with 2 changes, of course), and FLR to RNO (2 changes). Delta.
Governator - I think your revised itinerary looks good without the [alternatives]. Stick to going to Bologna the night before your flight, and you'll be fine.
Governator - I think your revised itinerary looks good without the [alternatives]. Stick to going to Bologna the night before your flight, and you'll be fine.
Oct 22nd, 2016, 07:14 AM
#28
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Holly, There's a shuttle that goes from Florence to BLQ, but I agree with you, it will be easier to stay in Bologna the night before the flight. I can even do a little early morning sight seeing before leaving for the airport.
Jean, You're right about us losing half day if we train to Florence on Day 4 instead of eve of Day 3. So eve train it is.
Now I can book my hotels. Any recommendations in the budget (80 Euro or less) category?
Furthermore, what do you, all, think about using one of the Florence days for an excursion, either organized or by car rental, out into the famed Tuscany countryside? I know it subtracts from Florence city time, but I may never be in Tuscany again. What would be the best excursion? Maybe, I can even rent a car on Day 6 to do an excursion winding up in Bologna (though I'm guessing drop off fee is exorbitant.)
Latest revised destination itinerary:
Day 1 (Sun) Arrive Bologna Airport 4:30 PM, bus to Bologna and train to Venice, stay Venice.
Day 2 (Mon) See Venice, stay Venice.
Day 3 (Tues) See Venice, evening train to Florence stay Florence.
Day 4 (Weds) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 5 (Thurs) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 6 (Fri) See Florence [OR Tuscany excursion], evening train to Bologna, stay Bologna
Day 7 (Sat) Bus to Bologna airport, fly home 1:25 PM.
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Jean, You're right about us losing half day if we train to Florence on Day 4 instead of eve of Day 3. So eve train it is.
Now I can book my hotels
. Any recommendations in the budget (80 Euro or less) category? Furthermore, what do you, all, think about using one of the Florence days for an excursion, either organized or by car rental, out into the famed Tuscany countryside? I know it subtracts from Florence city time, but I may never be in Tuscany again. What would be the best excursion? Maybe, I can even rent a car on Day 6 to do an excursion winding up in Bologna (though I'm guessing drop off fee is exorbitant.)
Latest revised destination itinerary:
Day 1 (Sun) Arrive Bologna Airport 4:30 PM, bus to Bologna and train to Venice, stay Venice.
Day 2 (Mon) See Venice, stay Venice.
Day 3 (Tues) See Venice, evening train to Florence stay Florence.
Day 4 (Weds) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 5 (Thurs) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 6 (Fri) See Florence [OR Tuscany excursion], evening train to Bologna, stay Bologna
Day 7 (Sat) Bus to Bologna airport, fly home 1:25 PM.
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Oct 22nd, 2016, 08:20 AM
#29
Don't rent a car for a one-day excursion into the Tuscan countryside from Florence. For the longest day, you'd have to pick up and return the car at the airport where rental offices are open early and late, although that would mean your driving back in the dark. Not difficult but perhaps a little stressful. Also, the airport isn't in the direction you'd likely want to explore.
You can't drive into small towns and park in the historical centers, so some time is spent finding parking and then walking into and out of the centers. The cost of a one-day rental would be high. If you kept the car to drive to Bologna, you'd have to figure out overnight parking in Florence (hotels in your budget range won't offer it) and pay for that as well as a possible one-way rental surcharge.
There are organized bus tours to Siena and San Gimignano and some include a stop at a Chianti winery. (At that time of year, I don't know how enjoyable the winery experience would be.) It's a fast-paced day that doesn't leave much time for exploring on your own, esp. in Siena. But you only have to show up. You can also, on your own, take a bus to Siena and/or San Gimignano and make it as long a day as the bus timetables allow. (There's also a late-ish train from Siena to Florence.) If it was me, I'd go just to Siena. There's a lot to see, but you'd also have time to wander.
Or you could spend a day going by train to Lucca/Pisa or Montecatini Terme. Both options are easy peasy. Lucca is a walled town, birthplace of Puccini. There is a lot to see in Pisa, although you could concentrate on just the Piazza dei Miracoli. MT is a town in two parts. The lower is a Belle Epoque spa town, and the upper is a classic Tuscan hill town. There is a funicular connecting the two. If you want to climb the Leaning Tower, you need to make timed reservations in advance.
For hotels, try perusing www.booking.com. You can set your budget range, compare guest ratings and reviews. You'll get more/better for your money in Florence than in Venice or Bologna, so consider spending a little more in V and B. Check the locations of hotels. In short stays, you don't want hotels that are somewhat far from the sights you want to see. In Bologna, I'd look for a hotel between the train station and Piazza Maggiore.
You can't drive into small towns and park in the historical centers, so some time is spent finding parking and then walking into and out of the centers. The cost of a one-day rental would be high. If you kept the car to drive to Bologna, you'd have to figure out overnight parking in Florence (hotels in your budget range won't offer it) and pay for that as well as a possible one-way rental surcharge.
There are organized bus tours to Siena and San Gimignano and some include a stop at a Chianti winery. (At that time of year, I don't know how enjoyable the winery experience would be.) It's a fast-paced day that doesn't leave much time for exploring on your own, esp. in Siena. But you only have to show up. You can also, on your own, take a bus to Siena and/or San Gimignano and make it as long a day as the bus timetables allow. (There's also a late-ish train from Siena to Florence.) If it was me, I'd go just to Siena. There's a lot to see, but you'd also have time to wander.
Or you could spend a day going by train to Lucca/Pisa or Montecatini Terme. Both options are easy peasy. Lucca is a walled town, birthplace of Puccini. There is a lot to see in Pisa, although you could concentrate on just the Piazza dei Miracoli. MT is a town in two parts. The lower is a Belle Epoque spa town, and the upper is a classic Tuscan hill town. There is a funicular connecting the two. If you want to climb the Leaning Tower, you need to make timed reservations in advance.
For hotels, try perusing www.booking.com. You can set your budget range, compare guest ratings and reviews. You'll get more/better for your money in Florence than in Venice or Bologna, so consider spending a little more in V and B. Check the locations of hotels. In short stays, you don't want hotels that are somewhat far from the sights you want to see. In Bologna, I'd look for a hotel between the train station and Piazza Maggiore.
Oct 22nd, 2016, 12:59 PM
#30
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My daughter and her partner took a day-long winery tour from Florence which included lunch at a winery. My daughter enjoyed it a lot more than she expected to. If you want to see the countryside, I would avoid tours that go to Siena or San Gimignano, because Siena could eat up half a day, and S. Gimignano is not in the prettiest part of Tuscany. Look for one that focuses on wineries and the countryside.
Oct 22nd, 2016, 02:41 PM
#31
12 Reasons to Visit Bologna at Christmas
http://spaceinyourcase.com/inspirati...gna-christmas/
It's such a shame you won't be giving an incredibly lovely city with some of the best food in Italy a chance.
http://spaceinyourcase.com/inspirati...gna-christmas/
It's such a shame you won't be giving an incredibly lovely city with some of the best food in Italy a chance.
Oct 22nd, 2016, 04:51 PM
#32
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Guv - Thanks SO MUCH for all that info on cheap air fares. Since we live in the West, we need all the help we can get. Always expensive to fly from here.
Holly - TAP is the Portuguese national airline. We, too, live in Reno area so are interested in good priced flights. You got a good deal there on Delta. I've gone off Delta because of all the stops and how they've changed their frequent flyer program, but if the price were right ...
Holly - TAP is the Portuguese national airline. We, too, live in Reno area so are interested in good priced flights. You got a good deal there on Delta. I've gone off Delta because of all the stops and how they've changed their frequent flyer program, but if the price were right ...
Oct 23rd, 2016, 03:41 AM
#33
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We really love Bologna...in fact we are doing a weekend trip there this coming weekend! It seems a shame to waste so much time in transit to spend so little time in Venice. I would immediately go to Florence and then end with a few days in Bologna.
Here are our pics
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57634399182853
Here are our pics
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57634399182853
Oct 24th, 2016, 06:02 AM
#36
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Jean and everyone,
If we find time for an excursion, we'll look for a tour.
I enjoyed looking at the Bologna pictures, thanks for sharing!
I'll see some Bologna the night, and early morning, before departure.
Thank you Fodorites, for helping me formulate my itinerary!
Final destination itinerary:
Day 1 (Sun) Arrive Bologna Airport 4:30 PM, bus to Bologna, train to Venice, stay Venice.
Day 2 (Mon) See Venice, stay Venice.
Day 3 (Tues) See Venice, evening train to Florence stay Florence.
Day 4 (Weds) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 5 (Thurs) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 6 (Fri) See Florence, train to Bologna, stay Bologna
Day 7 (Sat) Fly home 1:25 PM.
Happy travels!
If we find time for an excursion, we'll look for a tour.
I enjoyed looking at the Bologna pictures, thanks for sharing!
I'll see some Bologna the night, and early morning, before departure.
Thank you Fodorites, for helping me formulate my itinerary!
Final destination itinerary:
Day 1 (Sun) Arrive Bologna Airport 4:30 PM, bus to Bologna, train to Venice, stay Venice.
Day 2 (Mon) See Venice, stay Venice.
Day 3 (Tues) See Venice, evening train to Florence stay Florence.
Day 4 (Weds) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 5 (Thurs) See Florence, stay Florence.
Day 6 (Fri) See Florence, train to Bologna, stay Bologna
Day 7 (Sat) Fly home 1:25 PM.
Happy travels!
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