First trip to Europe - Venice/Florence/Rome
Jul 12th, 2008, 01:00 PM
#23
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Wow thanks so much everyone!!
I checked the flights and the flight leaving out of Venice is at 11am so not too bad except that there's a 2 hour layover in Rome. Weatherwise would it make a difference which direction we travel being that it will be November?
I know people have been saying to be prepared for rain, i'm just curious how cool it will be that time.
Brats, i'll be sure to check the flights on Weds morning as i have already missed today. I heard late wednesday night is also a good time to check and hopefully will book the flight this week! I received the rate from Locanda Orseolo and for a double standard overlooking the canal is 180 Euro...i think it might be too much so i'll keep looking to see if I find anything else...
Elcon how long was your trip? Any suggestions on mustsees?
I checked the flights and the flight leaving out of Venice is at 11am so not too bad except that there's a 2 hour layover in Rome. Weatherwise would it make a difference which direction we travel being that it will be November?
I know people have been saying to be prepared for rain, i'm just curious how cool it will be that time.
Brats, i'll be sure to check the flights on Weds morning as i have already missed today. I heard late wednesday night is also a good time to check and hopefully will book the flight this week! I received the rate from Locanda Orseolo and for a double standard overlooking the canal is 180 Euro...i think it might be too much so i'll keep looking to see if I find anything else...
Elcon how long was your trip? Any suggestions on mustsees?
Jul 12th, 2008, 04:00 PM
#24
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We were in Venice last November 4th-11th and the weather was beautiful. Temps in the 50s F and sunny every day. I wore a leather jacket with a sweater most days and at night just needed to add a scarf and gloves.
Jul 12th, 2008, 05:40 PM
#25
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November is officially Italy's rainiest month. It is also the peak month for the 'acqua alta' (high water) in Venezia, which can submerge streets and piazzas, making it necessary to walk on specially constructed wooden passagesways over the flooded areas.
http://kim.nyclondon.com/main.php/v/...aqua_alta.html
However, sometimes it doesn't rain at all. And it only rarely floods, and seldom for more than half a day. In Italy, people have such nice days in November they eat dinner outdoors.
But to be on the safe side:
Bring waterproof shoes, and warm socks.
Book a hotel in Venezia nearer the train station end of the Grand Canal, rather than the San Marco end of the Grand Canal.
Bring a waterproof jacket with a hood.
A fleece or down vest is a good investment for both sexes.
Otherwise, think in terms of layers you can take on and off.
http://kim.nyclondon.com/main.php/v/...aqua_alta.html
However, sometimes it doesn't rain at all. And it only rarely floods, and seldom for more than half a day. In Italy, people have such nice days in November they eat dinner outdoors.
But to be on the safe side:
Bring waterproof shoes, and warm socks.
Book a hotel in Venezia nearer the train station end of the Grand Canal, rather than the San Marco end of the Grand Canal.
Bring a waterproof jacket with a hood.
A fleece or down vest is a good investment for both sexes.
Otherwise, think in terms of layers you can take on and off.
Jul 12th, 2008, 06:22 PM
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Tania_Jermemy, Hmmm must-sees in Rome, Florence and Venice? Pretty much everything.Hit all of the major sights that you can comfortably fit in your schedule. Don't bother with stuff you don't enjoy, for example, if art doesn't thrill you, don't waste all of your time in museums. My best advice after travelling these three cities alone would be to take it slow and enjoy the sights and sounds. Don't kill yourself to get everywhere in one day, your feet will hurt and you will get cranky and worst of all, Italy will be but a blur. Eat a lot of gelato, try some different flavors. Go to Mosacacce and Cafe Nataloni for dinner in Florence(that's for you too, clifbob)and talk to your tablemates.Eat pizza at Est Est Est in Rome(also for you clifbob)and count all of your change when you buy something, you might be surprised at who will try to rip you off.
Jul 13th, 2008, 01:42 AM
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We were in Venice for 4 nights in May and stayed at Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo, 2063 S.Croce 30135 Venezia
www.alpontemocenigo.com
[email protected]
tel. +39 0415244797
fax +39 0412759420
It was comfortable, spacious and a 2 second walk to a Vaporetto stop. Breakfast was fine, croissants, cereal, fruit etc. 150 euros per night, but probably cheaper in November. $94 sounds too cheap for Venice - I'd be worried about the standard of the hotel.
By the time you check out of your hotel in Venice, catch the train and check in to a hotel in Florence you will have lost most of a day.Particularly as the days are short at that time of the year. Florence is fabulous, Pisa not worth the trip IMHO given your limited time.I agree with the other posters who have suggested skipping your day trips.
www.alpontemocenigo.com
[email protected]
tel. +39 0415244797
fax +39 0412759420
It was comfortable, spacious and a 2 second walk to a Vaporetto stop. Breakfast was fine, croissants, cereal, fruit etc. 150 euros per night, but probably cheaper in November. $94 sounds too cheap for Venice - I'd be worried about the standard of the hotel.
By the time you check out of your hotel in Venice, catch the train and check in to a hotel in Florence you will have lost most of a day.Particularly as the days are short at that time of the year. Florence is fabulous, Pisa not worth the trip IMHO given your limited time.I agree with the other posters who have suggested skipping your day trips.
Jul 13th, 2008, 08:00 AM
#28
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My husband and I go to Italy every year, and almost always for a few nights in Venice. We were there in November a couple of times, and while I prefer the summer, it was fun to be there in the misty, mysterious weather. The tide did come into San Marco, but that in itself was an experience!
We have stayed at the Al Piave a few times and it does air conditioning which you certainly wont' need in November, and they have a small apartment that our friends and their daughter stayed in one time.
If you want to be close to San Marco, we stayed on year at the Diana which was on a tiny street to the right of the church and about 3 doors down. It was certainly convenient. It was a Best Western property and not very expensive. Since you won't have to worry about crowds, this may be a good choice. It looks like about 100 Euros per night for November. http://www.hoteldianavenice.com/
Last spring we stayed at the Mercurio which is also close to San Marco and Le Fenice and Vino, Vino, one of our favorite wine bars. It was inexpensive, and we liked it very much. One of their canal rooms would be nice.
http://www.hotelmercurio.com/en/index.htm
Last summer and a couple of weeks ago, we stayed Hotel American which we really, really like. It is across the Accamdemia Bridge and out of the main traffic. www.hotelamerican.com
A couple of times we stayed at the Leon Bianco which is on the Grand Canal. It has gotten too expensive for us, plus it doesn't have air conditioning in the summer. The rooms are very large and breakfast is brought to your door.We had the room featured in the pictures with the little table. It was delightful to sit there and eat breakfast looking out on the canal. We were traveling with 2 other couples in November, and all of our rooms adjoined, so we had a huge space.
http://www.leonbianco.it/rooms.htm
In Florence, my favorite place is B&B Proconsolo which is literally across the street from the back right corner of the Duomo. It is my favorite kind of Italian room: bed, wardrobe, table, marble floor--plain, simple and lovely. We had a very big bathroom. Our friends had a room that was almost a little suite. We were charmed by the place and the owners.
http://www.proconsolo.com/index_eng.asp
We have stayed at the Al Piave a few times and it does air conditioning which you certainly wont' need in November, and they have a small apartment that our friends and their daughter stayed in one time.
If you want to be close to San Marco, we stayed on year at the Diana which was on a tiny street to the right of the church and about 3 doors down. It was certainly convenient. It was a Best Western property and not very expensive. Since you won't have to worry about crowds, this may be a good choice. It looks like about 100 Euros per night for November. http://www.hoteldianavenice.com/
Last spring we stayed at the Mercurio which is also close to San Marco and Le Fenice and Vino, Vino, one of our favorite wine bars. It was inexpensive, and we liked it very much. One of their canal rooms would be nice.
http://www.hotelmercurio.com/en/index.htm
Last summer and a couple of weeks ago, we stayed Hotel American which we really, really like. It is across the Accamdemia Bridge and out of the main traffic. www.hotelamerican.com
A couple of times we stayed at the Leon Bianco which is on the Grand Canal. It has gotten too expensive for us, plus it doesn't have air conditioning in the summer. The rooms are very large and breakfast is brought to your door.We had the room featured in the pictures with the little table. It was delightful to sit there and eat breakfast looking out on the canal. We were traveling with 2 other couples in November, and all of our rooms adjoined, so we had a huge space.
http://www.leonbianco.it/rooms.htm
In Florence, my favorite place is B&B Proconsolo which is literally across the street from the back right corner of the Duomo. It is my favorite kind of Italian room: bed, wardrobe, table, marble floor--plain, simple and lovely. We had a very big bathroom. Our friends had a room that was almost a little suite. We were charmed by the place and the owners.
http://www.proconsolo.com/index_eng.asp
Jul 13th, 2008, 08:03 AM
#29
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Oops. Ignore my typing errors (won't!), and here is a website for the Al Piave. They used to have their own site, but I cannot find it any more.
www.veniceby.com/alpiave/pages/faciliti.htm
www.veniceby.com/alpiave/pages/faciliti.htm
Jul 15th, 2008, 04:06 AM
#30
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Great thanks! i'll check those hotels out!
My husband is working on getting an extra day off! YAY! I think it actually might work... where do you recommend i add that day to? Venice, Florence, or Rome?
My husband is working on getting an extra day off! YAY! I think it actually might work... where do you recommend i add that day to? Venice, Florence, or Rome?
Jul 15th, 2008, 05:03 AM
#31
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I hope you won't be too jet lagged to enjoy your one night in Venice. Venice is a unique place and great for touring in the day. After the tourists clear out, the place is magic. Venice is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. It would be a shame if you and your husband can't experience it because you are too tired.
Jul 15th, 2008, 06:20 AM
#33
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I'm assuming the $4,000 budget includes airfare. A very nice budget hotel in FLorence is Hotel Casci.
As far as an extra day, if you are art history people, than FLorence, if you just like to wander and explore (although you can do this in any of the 3 cities), and want a very romantic backdrop, than Venice, and if you are into sight-seeing in general (history, museums, etc), and are more city people than Rome. Another thing to consider is you will be jet-lagged upon arrival, so arrival day will probably not be all that productive as far as sight-seeing and exploring, so another day could be added to your first stop (either Venice or Rome). In other words, an extra day can easily be added to any of these places.
As far as an extra day, if you are art history people, than FLorence, if you just like to wander and explore (although you can do this in any of the 3 cities), and want a very romantic backdrop, than Venice, and if you are into sight-seeing in general (history, museums, etc), and are more city people than Rome. Another thing to consider is you will be jet-lagged upon arrival, so arrival day will probably not be all that productive as far as sight-seeing and exploring, so another day could be added to your first stop (either Venice or Rome). In other words, an extra day can easily be added to any of these places.
Jul 15th, 2008, 08:50 AM
#34
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Hello Tania,
My suggestion to you is to by pass Siena and San Gimignano... you already have enough on your plate as it is to squeeze in a 9 day stay! I would start in Venice as your initial start. Florence is doable in one day and so is Venice. I would leave more days for Rome which there is a lot more to see. If you are looking for an accommodation, when I was in Italy, I used a site called www.thekeytoitaly.com and they were great! I hope I was helpful and I hope you have a wonderful time. We did!!
My suggestion to you is to by pass Siena and San Gimignano... you already have enough on your plate as it is to squeeze in a 9 day stay! I would start in Venice as your initial start. Florence is doable in one day and so is Venice. I would leave more days for Rome which there is a lot more to see. If you are looking for an accommodation, when I was in Italy, I used a site called www.thekeytoitaly.com and they were great! I hope I was helpful and I hope you have a wonderful time. We did!!
Jul 15th, 2008, 09:21 AM
#35
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I am sure you will love Italy; it is my favorite country to visit.
You will be very busy, but these are wonderful cities. If pressed for time, I would skip Pisa. The leaning tower is nice, but the entire Campo dei Miracoli (the area with the church and baptistery where the tower is located) is swarming with vendors, not to mention tourists. The vendors are arranged in a gauntlet you must get through and were more intrusive than anywhere else I have visited.
Siena and San Gimignano are both beautiful. Siena has a larger feel, whereas San Gimignano is somewhat smaller. However, the view from S.G.'s Torre Grossa (the 265-step bell tower) is unparallelled.
If you have an interest in art museums, it is a good idea to make reservations ahead of time, especially at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Borghese Gallery in Rome. The Borghese Gallery, though much smaller and not as famous, is fabulous. You would also need to make reservations ahead of time for the Scavi tour in Rome.
I have lots of suggestions regarding things to see, some of them less-frequented, depending on whether your interests lie in art, architecture, views, churches, etc.
You will be very busy, but these are wonderful cities. If pressed for time, I would skip Pisa. The leaning tower is nice, but the entire Campo dei Miracoli (the area with the church and baptistery where the tower is located) is swarming with vendors, not to mention tourists. The vendors are arranged in a gauntlet you must get through and were more intrusive than anywhere else I have visited.
Siena and San Gimignano are both beautiful. Siena has a larger feel, whereas San Gimignano is somewhat smaller. However, the view from S.G.'s Torre Grossa (the 265-step bell tower) is unparallelled.
If you have an interest in art museums, it is a good idea to make reservations ahead of time, especially at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Borghese Gallery in Rome. The Borghese Gallery, though much smaller and not as famous, is fabulous. You would also need to make reservations ahead of time for the Scavi tour in Rome.
I have lots of suggestions regarding things to see, some of them less-frequented, depending on whether your interests lie in art, architecture, views, churches, etc.
Jul 15th, 2008, 09:54 AM
#36
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Must sees depend on what you are into. I'll leave Venice and Florence for another post. In Rome you could spend an entire day at St. Peters and the Vatican Museum. You could spend an entire day in the Forum and Borghese Gardens. You could spend an entire day just wandering (my favorite). Rome is the eternal city and I could spend an eternity there discovering new gems daily, for sure!
ROME:
Besides the obvious, like the Vatican, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain there are other traveler musts.
1) Campo dei Fiori morning market. Weekdays before noon.
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=179
2) Via Giulia - Nice stroll to see anitiques, architecture and art.
3) Via dei Condotti - window shopping.
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=141
4) Rooftop of Raphael - drinks at sunset.
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=195
4) Morning Coffee: Tazza d'Oro and Sant'Eustachio
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=188
5) Via della Pace: People watching, pizza and gelato.
You guys are going to have a blast in Italy!
My tip for the Trevi Fountain - go one night late after dinner and drinks. After midnight - it will be quiet and you will have the place all to yourself for a wonderful pix. Take a pix throwing coin over your back so that you will return. Set camera on self timer to take the pix. Since camera is set on wall it will not shake, shudder will open to let enough light in w/out flash, and you will have a spectacular photo without other tourists!
ROME:
Besides the obvious, like the Vatican, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain there are other traveler musts.
1) Campo dei Fiori morning market. Weekdays before noon.
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=179
2) Via Giulia - Nice stroll to see anitiques, architecture and art.
3) Via dei Condotti - window shopping.
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=141
4) Rooftop of Raphael - drinks at sunset.
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=195
4) Morning Coffee: Tazza d'Oro and Sant'Eustachio
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=188
5) Via della Pace: People watching, pizza and gelato.
You guys are going to have a blast in Italy!
My tip for the Trevi Fountain - go one night late after dinner and drinks. After midnight - it will be quiet and you will have the place all to yourself for a wonderful pix. Take a pix throwing coin over your back so that you will return. Set camera on self timer to take the pix. Since camera is set on wall it will not shake, shudder will open to let enough light in w/out flash, and you will have a spectacular photo without other tourists!
Jul 16th, 2008, 05:30 AM
#37
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Ok, so he was able to get the extra day so now we will have 10 days... the last one of course being the day we go home and the first one being when we arrive so those are 2 half days.
I want to book my flight today, but i'm still not sure if i should start in Venice or Rome and if i should tack the extra day on to Florence or Rome?
I'm a Gemini so incredibly indecisive... so anymore help will be much appreciated!
I want to book my flight today, but i'm still not sure if i should start in Venice or Rome and if i should tack the extra day on to Florence or Rome?
I'm a Gemini so incredibly indecisive... so anymore help will be much appreciated!
Jul 16th, 2008, 05:59 AM
#38
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Book whichever is cheaper or has a better schedule. Either way is good.
Without knowing your interests, I would tack the extra day on Venice, just because you're a young couple celebrating your 1st anniversary, and Venice just so happens to be one of the most romantic places on earth.
Without knowing your interests, I would tack the extra day on Venice, just because you're a young couple celebrating your 1st anniversary, and Venice just so happens to be one of the most romantic places on earth.
Jul 16th, 2008, 06:45 AM
#39
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Well the flight is booked! We arrive in Rome on a Sunday afternoon (Alitalia non-stop flight) and depart from Venice Tuesday afternoon at 3pm (connecting in Paris)...
I just need to book the hotel and divide up my time between Venice, Rome and Florence!
I just need to book the hotel and divide up my time between Venice, Rome and Florence!
