Grad Trip Paris/Italy, Mom's getting act together, new questions
Oct 29th, 2007, 01:34 PM
#21
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Your latest division between the four cities is much better. I definitely agree that five days is not too much for Rome! You'll find you really don't have time for a daytrip.
As far as that hotel is concerned, I can fully understand your wanting to stay there on points, but I have to say that I don't think you'll be very happy with that location. So much nicer to be in the center, close to everything. You can pop back to the room during the day if you like and are close to lots of restaurants for dinner. Rome at night is wonderful, and it's so much better if you don't have to go a long way back to your hotel. Just something to think about (if it's at all in your budget to stay near the center).
As far as that hotel is concerned, I can fully understand your wanting to stay there on points, but I have to say that I don't think you'll be very happy with that location. So much nicer to be in the center, close to everything. You can pop back to the room during the day if you like and are close to lots of restaurants for dinner. Rome at night is wonderful, and it's so much better if you don't have to go a long way back to your hotel. Just something to think about (if it's at all in your budget to stay near the center).
Oct 30th, 2007, 07:52 AM
#23
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I agree. Spend more time in Paris although 3 days would be doable. I lived in Italy for 5 months and never made it to Milan. I heard that the only thing to see was the duomo so i don't know if you would really need all those days in Milan. Venice was a good weekend trip, i.e. 2-3 days after that there isn't much to do. Venice is in a good location to head to Ravenna or Padua. Good day trips from Florence include Lucca and Assisi.
Oct 30th, 2007, 08:23 AM
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I also agree that your latest itinerary works much better.
And, like SusanP, I would strongly suggest that, if at all possible, you stay IN the historical center of Rome. Yes, sitting by the pool with a drink in hand sounds nice, but you can do that at many hotels anywhere in the world. Sitting at a cafe on Piazza Navona, or next to the Pantheon, with same drink in hand, people-watching, is something you can only do in Rome. And with young adults (at 17 & 18, they're not kids any more, though I can understand the need for a parental eye) of that age, I would think they could wander around a bit if they wanted while you're sitting at the cafe. Obviously, you can do the cafe-sitting during the day, as well, but there's not much better in life than to sit at those cafes in the evening, before or after dinner.
The Italian passeggiata (evening stroll) is a lovely thing to watch and take part in; I would hate to think you'd miss it. Also, are you contemplating going out to your hotel in the afternoon, then heading back INTO Rome for dinner? Seems like a hassle to try to avoid.
On your hotel in Venice, I love the Cannaregio area, and we have stayed there the last 3 visits to Venice. It is much less touristy, and you get a chance to watch Venetians go about their lives, and participate in them a bit. Our hotel, however, is on the other end of the Cannaregio, about 5 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. While Venice is relatively small, from your hotel (unless you take a vaporetto) it will be, I'd guess, at least a 25-minute walk to the more central part, around San Marco. (But if you end up still staying there, I can suggest a couple of great less-touristy restaurants in that area!)
And, like SusanP, I would strongly suggest that, if at all possible, you stay IN the historical center of Rome. Yes, sitting by the pool with a drink in hand sounds nice, but you can do that at many hotels anywhere in the world. Sitting at a cafe on Piazza Navona, or next to the Pantheon, with same drink in hand, people-watching, is something you can only do in Rome. And with young adults (at 17 & 18, they're not kids any more, though I can understand the need for a parental eye) of that age, I would think they could wander around a bit if they wanted while you're sitting at the cafe. Obviously, you can do the cafe-sitting during the day, as well, but there's not much better in life than to sit at those cafes in the evening, before or after dinner.
The Italian passeggiata (evening stroll) is a lovely thing to watch and take part in; I would hate to think you'd miss it. Also, are you contemplating going out to your hotel in the afternoon, then heading back INTO Rome for dinner? Seems like a hassle to try to avoid.
On your hotel in Venice, I love the Cannaregio area, and we have stayed there the last 3 visits to Venice. It is much less touristy, and you get a chance to watch Venetians go about their lives, and participate in them a bit. Our hotel, however, is on the other end of the Cannaregio, about 5 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. While Venice is relatively small, from your hotel (unless you take a vaporetto) it will be, I'd guess, at least a 25-minute walk to the more central part, around San Marco. (But if you end up still staying there, I can suggest a couple of great less-touristy restaurants in that area!)
Oct 30th, 2007, 09:03 AM
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When I took my two daughters to Paris (they were 18 and 21 at the time) we stayed at Residence Henri IV and it was great. Fantastic location, a 5 minute walk to Notre Dame. It's a 3 star apartment like hotel.
We had 2 big rooms, one with 2 beds and one with a double bed fold out and a table for eating. There was a tiny kichenette with fridge and burners as well as big bathroom with shower and tub. There was an elevator and a 24 front desk with great service. All the convenience of an apartment and all the service and amenities of a good hotel.
They have excellent earlybird booking online specials. It was less expensive than many triple rooms at 2 star hotels and less than any of the apartments I researched as well.
The web address is http://www.residencehenry4.com/rooms.html
I'm glad you've added time onto Paris. The girls will love it there. And Rome is fabulous and 5 days is barely enough time. I too, recommend staying in the historical center (we loved Trastevere)if you can spend the extra money but I do understand it might be impossible to pass up the savings.
I'd forget about trying to go to Sorrento and/or Pompeii. There is so much to see and do in Rome why exhaust yourselves with the extra travel? If you all really want to see ruins, go to Ostica Antica as a day trip. But I'd advise that you play it by ear. I suspect that once you get to Rome, you'll want to just stay there and explore. Especially if you can stay right in Rome.
Have a great time!
We had 2 big rooms, one with 2 beds and one with a double bed fold out and a table for eating. There was a tiny kichenette with fridge and burners as well as big bathroom with shower and tub. There was an elevator and a 24 front desk with great service. All the convenience of an apartment and all the service and amenities of a good hotel.
They have excellent earlybird booking online specials. It was less expensive than many triple rooms at 2 star hotels and less than any of the apartments I researched as well.
The web address is http://www.residencehenry4.com/rooms.html
I'm glad you've added time onto Paris. The girls will love it there. And Rome is fabulous and 5 days is barely enough time. I too, recommend staying in the historical center (we loved Trastevere)if you can spend the extra money but I do understand it might be impossible to pass up the savings.
I'd forget about trying to go to Sorrento and/or Pompeii. There is so much to see and do in Rome why exhaust yourselves with the extra travel? If you all really want to see ruins, go to Ostica Antica as a day trip. But I'd advise that you play it by ear. I suspect that once you get to Rome, you'll want to just stay there and explore. Especially if you can stay right in Rome.
Have a great time!
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