tarakinspa

Me and my new husband whos family is originally from croatia are going to croatia and wanting to plan a tour of italy prior. I have never been to europe and always wanted to see italy. I am set on Rome, Florence and Venice but hotel wise I am overwhelmed. We want to see the sites but we also want time to still be romantic newlyweds before we head to croatia, any suggestions, im totally lost.

Thanks
Tara

rex

Do you have at least eight nights (just for Italy)? How much can you afford for hotels (just for Italy)? $1500? $2500? $3500?

Start with that, and "we" can get you started.

Best wishes,

Rex

rex

Bringing your message back up "to the top", since it is your first message here, ever...

tarakinspa

oh wow I didnt think this ever got posted, hmmm, would have been helpful
LOL.

But I have managed to book my trip through various online travel sites, how does this sound to ya??

Flying into Rome for 4 nights at the Palace Boscolo, train to Florence booked through trenitalia for 4 nights at Hotel Degli Orafi (Room with a view then to Venice for 3 days staying at the Hotel Saturnia. From Venice we are renting a car and driving to Croatia for another 10 days.

Now I am wondering whether I should book any guided tours at all. Or should we just wing it?? Limo/car service has been suggested to me as an alternative to taxi transfers which can give you a tour but I am unsure which to use and for how long and where, any suggestions?

Thanks so much!

tarakinspa

anyone there anymore

rex

I think you haven't gotten any further replies because it didn't sound like you had any concrete questions. The itinerary sounds fine; the hotels are fine as far as I know, even though I don't know of them personally. Do you NERED top take guide dtours in any of theseplaces; well, no, but if you so desire, there is quite a bit of info here on tours, in Rome at least.

I think that a limo or car and driver to pick you up at the airport can feel like a welcome sight. I have used it often with 4,5 6 or more - - not so much with two. I did have the same driver do a driving tour of Rome with us in May 2001, and i have to say I question whether we got the real value from it (maybe too much sitting on arrival day, and too much fatigue when we did get out and see some places).

Are there other questions implied in your plans?

I am guessing you have the ten days in Croatia fairly well mapped out, at least in your head? You don't ask any specific questions about that part, and I wouldn't be the person to ask about them anyway.

tarakinspa

Thanks, my question to start was generalized being my first trip and all but now with the hard part done I was really looking for tour and transportation recommendations specifically, I am unsure whether we really need one and whether you can just ask a driver once there or recommended to do so by booking prior. I am overwhelmed with all there is to do and see and although I want to have a carefree exploration without time limits I am afraid we will miss out.

As far as Croatia yes we have family there and family meeting up there so itinerary and stay is with them, thank goodness imagine how overwhelmed i'd be if I had to plan that too LOL.

ira

Hi tara,

There is express shuttle service from Rome FCO to Rome TE station for about 10E pp. I suggest you use this and take a cab to your hotel. Cab from airport is about 50E.

In Florence, your hotel is about 1 1/2km from the train station. If you don't have a lot of luggage, it's not a bad walk. Otherwise I suggest a cab.

In Venice, I suggest that you get directions from your hotel as to how to get there using the vaporetto from the train station.

As far as guides go: I think that you can see and enjoy the main sites with the help of a good guide book.

Have you looked at the suggested walking tours for these cities at www.fodors.com?