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Bragging rights: Planning my first trip to Italy this May

Bragging rights: Planning my first trip to Italy this May

Old Apr 22nd, 2006, 07:48 AM
  #41  
MaureenB
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Travman, did you get museum reservations in Florence yet? Our hotel made them for us. I understand from my daughter that things have changed drastically in Italy since Easter-- more people, higher prices.
Landini, you are right-- when in Italy, my daughter will be our guide! Really looking forward to this trip.
 
Old Apr 24th, 2006, 07:27 PM
  #42  
 
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Hi Maureen,

We reserved these two tours. They probably would seem overpriced to someone living there, but we decided it would be worth it to us.

The Original Florence Walk
http://www.italy.artviva.com/italytr..._florence_walk

A Perfect Morning in Tuscany Tour
http://www.italy.artviva.com/italytr..._tuscany_italy


I found the following. I'm going to call and reserve tomorrow:

"The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service."

We now are going to start looking into what we should get done for Venice!

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Old Apr 24th, 2006, 10:20 PM
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I too loved the Uffizi. The Botticelli Room alone was incredible. I also enjoyed -- if it is still there-- ending with a fruit salad at the rooftop cafe. Great view of the cathedral.

I also loved the San Marco Museum, once a monastery, in Florence.

You might consider a two-hour or three-hour tour of ancient Rome. I studied a lot of European history in college. Still, gettting the specifics that "make it come alive" didn't happen on my first trip, even though my brother is fluent in Italian. Things weren't labeled like they are here, you had to know the information yourself. On our second trip we did a private tour with Daniella Hunt. It really made a difference. I liked her a lot but there are several other great tours out there.
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Old Apr 25th, 2006, 01:59 AM
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just got back from 7 nights in Rome and read your thread. Regarding the Vatican museums, I tried the fax no. given numerous times with no result. By the time you go, [ie after 1st May] you can book a tour of the vatican gardens plus the sistine on line, but the garens arn't open until May. AS we were staying in an apartment we didn't have ahotel to hope, so we just turned up. THe first time we gave up as there were just too many people; the 2nd time, we got to the Vatican at 8.45, and it took just over an hour to get in. WE found it quite difficult to find our way round, but followed Rick Sheves' tip to see the Pinocateca first, so we could use the group exit to St. Peter's at the back of the Sistine Chapel at the end. Also that is in a good spot for the cafeteria [very reasonable] and loos. Then we just plunged in. Best were the egyptian stuff, the estruscian jewelry, an the raphael rooms, though by then we were flagging a bit. Not sure how a tour with 20+ people would work, as you see what the guide wants you to see, not what you are interested in. Might be the place where a private tour pays off, or just do the gardens and the sistine chapel. THere are other musems, like the one on the capitoline hill, which are almost as good as the vaitcan, and far less crowded. After the museums, we wandered around St. Peter's, had a very expensive beer, got the bus back to our apartment, and fought over who got the bath first! Good luck!
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