Finalized trip to Italy
 

We have finalized our trip to Italy and I am looking for some feedback on our hotel and itinerary choices. Frankly, I have been a little surprised as to a lack of response from my posts? Am I doing something wrong? Well, anyway, here goes-
We are staying in Rome for 3 nights at the Hotel Majestic, continuing on to Florence where we are staying at the Helvetia & Bristol for 4 nights. We are including 2 day trips out of Florence- one to Siena and San Gimignano and one to either Lucca or Cinque Terre. From Florence, we are continuing to Venice for 3 nights at the Luna Baglioni. We are taking a full day guided tour in Rome and then will explore on our own. In Florence, we are taking a 1/2 day guided tour, using private drivers when exploring outside of Rome and exploring on our own 1 day. In Venice, we are exploring on our own (as of now)- except when we visit the Jewish Ghetto. How does this sound? Any comments would be greatly appreciated, both on hotel choices and itinerary.

Hello,
I haven't stayed in any of your hotels unfortunately, but you might check out www.tripadvisor.com and see if there are any reviews.
I would definitely opt for seeing the Cinque Terre region... it is amazing and should not be missed!

TexasAggie: Thanks for the reply. I have checked out almost every site imaginable and have seen very positive feedback... but most were dated 1-2 years ago and I am looking for current feedback.

Paci
If you have a minute (or more) read my todays post about the Italian Wedding trip. I dont know about your hotels, or when you are going for that matter, but at the moment it is abnormally cool in Rome, Florence and Venice.
This isnt advice, just things to watch for.
1. We had no trouble with pickpockets - just be aware.
2. There are 2 Venices -- get off at the right one (the one with the canals).
3. Unless you are particularly fascinated by the craft -- dont waste time on Murano Glass blowing tours. Glass overpriced, and hi-pressure salesmen. If you want to buy glass do it in Venice proper or better yet - Florence.
4. Travel light
5. Watch out for low-flying pidgeons especially if you are well dressed.
6. Siena - right on. I assume you are going to have a Eurail pass.
7. Make reservations prior to leaving if you are to visit any museums. Tremendous crowds this time of year.
8. Above all -- dont sweat the small stuff, and you'll have a great time and a lifetime of memories.

The guided tour in Rome is defintely a good idea, since you will only be there for 3 days and I find Rome can be a little imposing on its own--so many places to see and things to do. We took a one-day tour that included the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Vatican City. We also took a tour of the Jewish ghetto in Venice, which was very interesting.

I agree with everything on above post. Make sure you spend a whole day in Siena. There is a multi tour pass which we purchased at first museum which was great. Make sure you tour the frescos at the duomo costs extra but worth it. Remeber Siena train station is outside the walls, assume you are not using cars. Guides sound great. Possibly a trick you might use is to go to Italy search first and then type in the specific destination, then you will see all hits for that place. You can find a wealth of info, hotels, places to eat, best way to get there. Love San G even with all the tourists.

The itinerary seems fine except for Florence. The day trip to Siena and San Gim is a fine idea. Although you would probably enjoy the day more if you could spend the entire day in just Siena?the day might be too rushed to do both towns.

Also, if you want to see anything in Florence, you are not giving yourself much time there. Therefore, I would save the CT for another trip. Don?t forget that getting from here to there takes time and that is a lot of traveling in four days.

Sorry that I don?t know your hotels. Since you are planning to much in such a short time, I would double-check to see that the hotels are in central locations.

This is only a suggestion. I, too, find the Florence segment hectic.

What if you took the train from Rome to Siena? See Siena and San G. (you could hire a private driver to San Gim). Spend that night in San Gim. Then head to Florence for 3 nights. This would give you more time in Florence and reduce some of the travel time. After you're in Florence you could decide whether you still want to do the Cinque Terre day trip.

Does that make more sense? (These itineraries get soooo confusing after a while!)

Your trip looks great but totally unlike any of my 12 trips to Italy. The hotels are well reviewed but out of my price range, and you will be spending all of your time in the famous art cities. We try to spend half of our time in the smaller villages. Since you will return, perhaps you can see the other Italy next year.

Everyone- this is what i was looking for. Great replys! I am going to answer individually.

Shrink- we are going the last week in Sept - 1st week of October. Great advice. Heard the same thing about the Murano Glass tour so we will not waste our time doing that.

Beth - thanks for the input.

Hopehana - we are using a private driver when travelling to Siena. I know this sounds very indulgent but it is our 30th wedding anniversary and we are splurging. Our travel agent knows all these guides and it is our hope that we will see a little more by using a driver.

Lorac- we may take your advice and skip Cinque Terre or only do a portion of it. This is making us crazy because we have heard so many wonderful things but we know we can't see everything. We are also very early risers on vacation and plan to be out and about early so as to not waste the time and yet, try to appreciate our time in Italy. Also, all the hotels are in the best locations because that was the most important thing to us. We wanted to be able to walk to various sites, etc.

Jeanne B. - considering your response

Bob the Navigator - you are great. Have seen many of your posts and have been jotting down things left and right. I would love to do more of the small towns but this is our first trip to Italy and my husband feels that we need to do the "tourist" thing (more of less) the first time around. That is why we are trying to schedule side trips out of Florence. When you say "smaller villages" what are you referring to. Is there something we should know about or should do differently than Siena or San Gimignano? Saw your post (I think it was you) about Orvieto. I am going to look into that.

For your first time in Italy, I agree that Rome, Florence and Venice offer so much and will give you a great taste of Italy.

Using a private driver will certainly save you much time. He/she will know the roads, where to park, can drop you off at the closest spot to where you want to go, etc.

Recognize that you may not get to all of your "must sees" but whatever you do and wherever you go will be wonderful. Just be sure to give yourselves enough time eat the gelato, drink the wine, eat the local specialties and to stop and smell the roses...as the Italians do.

Coincidentally, we did a similar trip for our 30th anniversary in 2001 and had the greatest time...and you will too.

Hi Paci,

I also suggest not going to Cinque Terre.

With only 4 nights in Florence, I think one day trip is suffcient.

Try to include taking the no. 7 bus from the train station up to Fiesole and have an aperitif on the terrace of the Bar Bleu and watch the sun go down.

Paci, What I mean is to spend several nites in a location with no tour busses and no 5 star hotels--not just a day trip to another crowded art city.
Your trip is fine for a first timer, but my best trips to Italy completely avoid any town of over 10,000. Next year do the Lakes, the Ligurian coast, and rent a rural villa in Tuscany.

Ira - Like Bobthenavigator, your posts are also very informative and helpful. Will try to follow through with your suggestion because I know you know the ins and outs of Italy.

Bobthenavigator- we wanted to do the "Lakes" this time around but obviously, not enough time. I much prefer the countryside and smaller towns also but felt that we had to see an overall of Italy first. The closest we are getting to the "Lake" region is to stay outside of Milan our last night at a place called L'Albereta. I believe it is located in a vineyard, 45 min. from the Milan airport (which we are flying out of the next day to return home). We are leaving Venice, spending a couple of hours in Verona on our way to L'Albereta. You are very lucky to have spent so much time in Italy.

Lorac1127- By the way, loved your advice about the gelato, wine, etc.