First Tour
 

My wife and I are planning a trip to Italy in late Sept. or early Oct. we have looked at a 7 day Italy by train with General tours thru AAA which includes Venice, Florence and Rome. We have thought about adding 3 or 4 days to this by adding extra day in each of the cities of Venice, Florence and Rome or adding 2 days Florence and 2 days in Rome. Also we can start in Venice and end in Rome or we can reverse and start in Rome. We also have heard that Walks of Italy is good for day tours on our extra days. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We are 73 and 71 in good health.

>> we have looked at a 7 day Italy by train with General tours thru AAA . . . <<

Why not just book train tix and go/stay where you want?

I, too, would make independent arrangements. We successfully did this last year (ages 68 and 78) and had no problems. Many on Fodor's will help with booking trains (which we did from home). We did not find language issues to be a problem while we were travelling.

We had three weeks in Europe last year with train passes. We used our computer a lot in the planning stages, asking questions at visitors' centres, checking train timetables, checking out hotels etc. We booked hotels within a short walk of stations - we didn't want to be trundling cases around town looking for a place to sleep. Only booked train seats ahead of time when it was absolutely necessary. It went far easier than we thought it could, and we had a great time. We're in our late seventies.
It's never too late for an adventure.

You absolutely do not need a rail pass of any kind and can very easily arrange this trip on your own. Trenitalia is the Italian national railroad. Buy tickets ahead of time for the best fares.

Thank all of you for your replies. Do any of you have hotel suggestions in Rome, Florence and Venice? What is the best method of booking with the hotels? Is Eurostar Italia a good train line? Should I book train tickets before leaving the USA?

No one can recommend hotels without knowing what your budget is, in euros, and what type of accommodation you are looking for. You can also search here and on Trip Advisor for information from people who've been pleased with their accommodations. A lot of people seem to like booking.com for hotels; others deal directly with the hotels

There is no such thing as Eurostar Italia to my knowledge. The national train system is Trenitalia

>>Do any of you have hotel suggestions in Rome, Florence and Venice?<<

What is your budget?

We really have not set up a budget. The AAA Superior First Class 7 day by train costs $2,299 per person including train travel, hotels and a tour in each of the three cities including entrance fees. It looks like nice hotels cost about 300 euros? We are middle class and only need clean, near the train station and city for conveniences. We do not want or need fancy hotels or restaurants.

If you don't see Naples, you haven't seen Italy.

Please have a look at Costco travel. They will set up your hotels and train transportation, as well as airfare if you need it, and their prices are great. My sis and I did this for Rome - Florence- Venice - Paris a couple of years ago and we were thrilled with the quality and location of the hotels. (You can choose from several hotel options to lower costs if you want.)

I just found a 9 day Italy package for two, for example, at Costco for about $3400.

Welcome to Fodors, NoTourBefore (and after you have obtained advice from the Fodors mob, you probably won't do a tour anyway).

Travelling. First set how many days in each place. Then select hotels. Then organise travelling - and for Venice -Florence - Rome, trains are quick, comfortable, frequent and reliable. It is about two hours by train from Venice to Florence, and two hours Florence to Rome.

It is easier to plan nights, rather than days. So, so many nights in Venice, so many in Florence, so many in Rome.

Www.venere.com is a good website for booking hotels. In Florence, we have stayed in the Hotel Europa, and the Hotel Casci is well recommended too.

Fly into Venice.
Stay three nights
Train to Florence, stay three nights.
Train to Rome, stay three nights.

But it depends what turns you on. Venice for the history. Florence for Art. Rome for antiquity.

Many people will disagree with what I have said about days and places.

I would buy rail tickets on the ground in Italy. It is easy, and ticket vending machines "speak" English and accept credit cards.

Azzure- thanks for the Costco tip. Right now we are up to Venice & Florence 3 nights each,then Rome 3 nights, Sorrento 2 nights and back to Rome for the last night before departure. The cost is $4,400 ea. including air fare to and from Los Angeles, Ca, hotels trains between cities, and private car between Rome and Sorrento both ways. I am looking for a good way to tour the Amalfi coast including Positano and Ravello. Also possibly Naples and Pompei. I thank all of you for you help.

hi notbefore,

if you can, try to put all your Rome nights at the end of the trip to avoid breaking up your time there. your train from florence will come into Termini, and your train to Naples depart from the same station. the same at Naples - to get from the main station to the Circumvesuviana, you just need to change levels. [the train line from Naples to Sorrento - the cirumvesuviana - is underneath the main station.]

so it will be more time-effective overall to go straight from Florence to Sorrento [or wherever] than to split up your time in Rome. You could see Naples on the way to Sorrento and Pompeii on the way back from Sorrento. or vice versa!

Hi notour - you're welcome for the Costco tip. They are great for customizing your own packages in most of Western Europe...however I wish they would expand their offerings to a few more countries; they only deal with the most "popular", heavily-touristed areas.

As far as Amalfi/Pompeii are concerned, I would consider checking with Viator tours...we did a day trip to Siena with them while on the Costco Italy trip, and it was fine.

I've also customized a Hawaii trip with Costco...just FYI. Good prices and service.

We have booked with Costco, the 3 nights in each city, Venice, Florence, Sorrento and Rome. I have heard that Walks of Italy is a good tour service. I was thinking about booking a tour with them the first day in each city and then asking the hotel or other guess for other tours in the city or local area. We could also take a day trip on the train to surrounding cities. What are your thoughts? Also we have been told to buy comfortable walking shoes. Any suggestions? Thank you- John and Bobbie

Over the course of 2 visits to Rome, our tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica with Context Rome, of the Forum and Colosseum with Daniella Hunt of www.rome-tours.com, and an evening food tour with Bruno of www.foodtoursofrome.com were all wonderful. If you love art, reserve ahead for the Accademia and Uffizi in Florence and the Borghese Gallery in Rome. We enjoyed the Secret Itineraries Tour of the Doge's Palace in Venice(also book ahead). You can see a lot in each city on your own, armed with a good map.

yes, good walking shoes or running shoes are really a must. you will spend more time walking and on your feet while touring the sites and comfort is paramount. Many people wear running shoes for walking as they have a lot of support and cushioning. Only you can decide what fits the best and meets your budget. Be sure to wear them before the trip so you know that they are comfortable.

In Venice you can buy a day pass or multi day pass for the vaparetto.. the public water bus.. you can take a great ride on the grand canal, and its also convenient if you want to walk a bit less at times.

yes, good walking shoes or running shoes are really a must. you will spend more time walking and on your feet while touring the sites and comfort is paramount. Many people wear running shoes for walking as they have a lot of support and cushioning. Only you can decide what fits the best and meets your budget. Be sure to wear them before the trip so you know that they are comfortable.

In Venice you can buy a day pass or multi day pass for the vaparetto.. the public water bus.. you can take a great ride on the grand canal, and its also convenient if you want to walk a bit less at times.