Help for Spring Break in Italy
Dec 4th, 2006, 03:57 PM
#42
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Do you have a hotel in Rome? Check out www.nicolasinn.com. It is a popular but great 5 room B&B, on Via Cavour near the Forum (busy street but the B&B has fairly good sound-proof windows). It is run by an extremely helpful couple (Melissa=American, Francois=Lebanese French Italian) and has simple and soothing contemporay decor in an old building. Good bathrooms and breakfast.
Since trains run out of Venice through Verona often, I would try to at least stop there for a few hours since your daughter is interested. From the train station you can easily take a taxi or a bus to the large piazza crowned with the fabuous arena. There is a classy pedestrian-only street with shops just off the piazza, and some other nice squares nearby. I liked Verona very much and ended up two nights there, but you could see the main sights without overnighting. Never did see the balcony!
In Florence, make sure to make entry-time reservations for any museums you want to see; you can do it with a phone call from the US or when you are there; well worth it.
I personally like arriving in Venice, as you are thinking of doing, where you can walk and wander your jet-lag off, and then ending up in Rome, with its energy and great night scene with cafes and lit-up monuments and fountains.
Have a great time together! I treasure my memories of trips with one or both of my parents, neither of whom can really travel anymore. My siblings and I always appreciated it when we could help plan or could chose some things we wanted to do...or turn my parents on to something we had discovered!
Since trains run out of Venice through Verona often, I would try to at least stop there for a few hours since your daughter is interested. From the train station you can easily take a taxi or a bus to the large piazza crowned with the fabuous arena. There is a classy pedestrian-only street with shops just off the piazza, and some other nice squares nearby. I liked Verona very much and ended up two nights there, but you could see the main sights without overnighting. Never did see the balcony!
In Florence, make sure to make entry-time reservations for any museums you want to see; you can do it with a phone call from the US or when you are there; well worth it.
I personally like arriving in Venice, as you are thinking of doing, where you can walk and wander your jet-lag off, and then ending up in Rome, with its energy and great night scene with cafes and lit-up monuments and fountains.
Have a great time together! I treasure my memories of trips with one or both of my parents, neither of whom can really travel anymore. My siblings and I always appreciated it when we could help plan or could chose some things we wanted to do...or turn my parents on to something we had discovered!
Dec 4th, 2006, 04:06 PM
#43
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Deb:
We were very pleasantly surprised at meal costs in Italy. It was easy to save on lunch. Pizza, panini, or a pasta lunch special...lots to choose from. You'll see shops with steam tables filled with tempting dishes. (I wish I knew what those places are called---we settled on cafeter-EE-a. LOL!) Anyway, lunch for 10 euros each is easy.
We were there in January when it got dark at 4:30. So dinner was as much an "occasion" as it was for nourishment. We ate at nice restaurants and usually had appertifs, wine, several courses and maybe a shared dessert. I'd say the tab averaged 60 euros for 2 people. (Venice may have been higher, but we both had bad colds and only ate soups there.)
We were very pleasantly surprised at meal costs in Italy. It was easy to save on lunch. Pizza, panini, or a pasta lunch special...lots to choose from. You'll see shops with steam tables filled with tempting dishes. (I wish I knew what those places are called---we settled on cafeter-EE-a. LOL!) Anyway, lunch for 10 euros each is easy.
We were there in January when it got dark at 4:30. So dinner was as much an "occasion" as it was for nourishment. We ate at nice restaurants and usually had appertifs, wine, several courses and maybe a shared dessert. I'd say the tab averaged 60 euros for 2 people. (Venice may have been higher, but we both had bad colds and only ate soups there.)
Dec 4th, 2006, 05:24 PM
#45
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Thanks Suki...I was having mixed emotions. I don't mind walking unless the weather is awful. I dragged my daughter all over NYC on foot a couple of years ago and she survived. Of course subways and buses have their place at times.
Dec 4th, 2006, 09:35 PM
#46
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Hi, it was just the Hotel Alimandi, and I don't have information about the other property, just what you also have on tripadvisor and here.
Suki has a point on staying over the river, on both trips we had people with walking issues with us. And of course there was the standing and waiting before and during the event.
The easiest thing to do is go to www.mappy .com and figure out the distances for yourself of properties you're interested in.
Suki has a point on staying over the river, on both trips we had people with walking issues with us. And of course there was the standing and waiting before and during the event.
The easiest thing to do is go to www.mappy .com and figure out the distances for yourself of properties you're interested in.
Dec 5th, 2006, 04:25 PM
#47
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OK...I have a confirmed reservation at the Locanda Orseolo. Supposedly I got the last room. I'm currently booked in room 31-"Stenterello", but could be moved to 21 or 11 as they are the same type room. They said it was cozy; does that mean tiny? Has anyone stayed in this room?
Working on a hotel in Rome now...plan to stay 5 nights arriving April 4 and departing on April 9...Easter Monday. I've seen quite a few suggestions, but would prefer not to exceed 200 euros. Have any of you stayed at Hotel Aberdeen?
Working on a hotel in Rome now...plan to stay 5 nights arriving April 4 and departing on April 9...Easter Monday. I've seen quite a few suggestions, but would prefer not to exceed 200 euros. Have any of you stayed at Hotel Aberdeen?
Dec 5th, 2006, 06:33 PM
#48
deb, I am both happy for and jealous of your stay at Locando Orseolo. You will love it. I don't know your specific room, but our room was pretty small, but very well laid out.
I haven't stayed at Hotel Aberdeen so I can't help you there.
I haven't stayed at Hotel Aberdeen so I can't help you there.
Dec 5th, 2006, 08:02 PM
#49
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Have you tried Hotel Parlamento in Rome? My guess is they're already booked for Easter week, but you might give it a try.
We stayed there in January. Great location on Via del Corso, near evrything. They have 3 terrace rooms, I think they're about 170eu. Those were closed when we were there (construction) but our standard double was also satisfactory. Very nice staff.
http://www.hotelparlamento.it/
We stayed there in January. Great location on Via del Corso, near evrything. They have 3 terrace rooms, I think they're about 170eu. Those were closed when we were there (construction) but our standard double was also satisfactory. Very nice staff.
http://www.hotelparlamento.it/
Dec 6th, 2006, 03:08 PM
#50
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re: Rome hotel
Were you able to take a look at Nicolas Inn (see my above post, www.nicolasinn.com) yet? If you don't require a full service hotel, I would highly recommend it. It is popular (near the top of TripAdvisor B&B's etc.) so fills up quickly.
I was there about 1.5 years ago (friends were there 2 months ago and were very happy) and then we paid 120 euros for a double and 140 euros for a triple. I'd definitely stay there again. Only drawback is the front rooms get some street noise -- I wore good earplugs anyway (snoring roomie) and so didn't notice...
Were you able to take a look at Nicolas Inn (see my above post, www.nicolasinn.com) yet? If you don't require a full service hotel, I would highly recommend it. It is popular (near the top of TripAdvisor B&B's etc.) so fills up quickly.
I was there about 1.5 years ago (friends were there 2 months ago and were very happy) and then we paid 120 euros for a double and 140 euros for a triple. I'd definitely stay there again. Only drawback is the front rooms get some street noise -- I wore good earplugs anyway (snoring roomie) and so didn't notice...
Dec 6th, 2006, 04:57 PM
#51
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Hi annabelle2,
No...I've had so much to research that I overlooked the hotel you mentioned. I read your note about Verona and arriving in Venice, but I totally missed the hotel recommendation. I just checked it out and it looks very nice, but I wonder if they will still have availability this late. I sent a request to check. Someone on the reviews mentioned that it is about a 45 min walk to the Vatican. Do you know if that is accurate? We're hoping to get tickets for the Easter mass and apparently it's almost impossible to get a taxi or other transportation during that weekend.
I still would like to take a day trip to Assisi...which location would make the most sense to do that from...Venice, Rome, or Florence?
No...I've had so much to research that I overlooked the hotel you mentioned. I read your note about Verona and arriving in Venice, but I totally missed the hotel recommendation. I just checked it out and it looks very nice, but I wonder if they will still have availability this late. I sent a request to check. Someone on the reviews mentioned that it is about a 45 min walk to the Vatican. Do you know if that is accurate? We're hoping to get tickets for the Easter mass and apparently it's almost impossible to get a taxi or other transportation during that weekend.
I still would like to take a day trip to Assisi...which location would make the most sense to do that from...Venice, Rome, or Florence?
Dec 6th, 2006, 07:15 PM
#52
When I was in Rome on Easter Sunday several years ago, the morning service was in the square, not inside. There were roped off areas with seats and a covered area for the Pope. No tickets were required to be in the piazza, but might have been for the seats which appeared to be for clergy.
Dec 7th, 2006, 04:07 PM
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Unless I win the lottery...$300 is out of my price range. I'd like to say under 200 euros. I almost have Rome hotel nailed down...next is the Florence hotel.
I will then start trying to figure out train schedules and day trips. I'm still trying to do day trips to Assisi and Verona from somewhere. What is the best plan to do that?
I will then start trying to figure out train schedules and day trips. I'm still trying to do day trips to Assisi and Verona from somewhere. What is the best plan to do that?
Dec 7th, 2006, 05:21 PM
#56
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Hotel La Rovere has gotten good mentions and it's near the Vatican.
http://www.travel.it/roma/rovere/
http://www.travel.it/roma/rovere/
Dec 12th, 2006, 05:42 PM
#58
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All...I have my accommodations in order...I need advice on must see's in Florence, Rome and Venice....remembering that we will be in Rome during the Easter holidays.
Still waiting on advice regarding day trips to Verona and Assisi.
Still waiting on advice regarding day trips to Verona and Assisi.
Dec 24th, 2006, 01:53 PM
#59
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OK...where'd everybody go. Christmas has me running around crazy, but I'm still trying to find time to plan this trip.
I got DK eyewitness books from Amazon for Florence, Rome and Venice. I think I'll do a day trip from Venice to Verona, but still want to go to Assisi. It seems that it would be best to do that as a day trip from Florence.
I need advice about Rome too. I'd like to do the Scavi tour and one of the catacombs. I'm trying to attend Easter Mass at the Vatican. Should I expect normal hours for attractions on Easter weekend. I realize that Easter Monday is a holiday, but what about Good Friday?
All info is apprciated.
I got DK eyewitness books from Amazon for Florence, Rome and Venice. I think I'll do a day trip from Venice to Verona, but still want to go to Assisi. It seems that it would be best to do that as a day trip from Florence.
I need advice about Rome too. I'd like to do the Scavi tour and one of the catacombs. I'm trying to attend Easter Mass at the Vatican. Should I expect normal hours for attractions on Easter weekend. I realize that Easter Monday is a holiday, but what about Good Friday?
All info is apprciated.
Dec 24th, 2006, 03:43 PM
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Hi Deb15,
I'm not sure what kind of help you need on the day trip to Verona, but maybe this will hlep. There are frequent trains leaving the main station in Venice (Santa Lucia) for Verona; the trip takes an hour 17 minutes to almost 2 hours, depending on which one. A good one departs at 10:22 and arrives in Verona at 11:39; this is a Eurostar train and reservations are required, but you could make them the day before. Or there is an Intercity train that leaves at 8:52; no reservations needed but it takes a little longer to get there (1 hour 50 minutes).
Rather than give up one of your Venice days to do this day trip, why not stop in Verona on your way between Venice and Florence? You would need to be sure the Verona train station has luggage storage, but this way you could spend several hours there without backtracking to Venice.
I'm not sure what kind of help you need on the day trip to Verona, but maybe this will hlep. There are frequent trains leaving the main station in Venice (Santa Lucia) for Verona; the trip takes an hour 17 minutes to almost 2 hours, depending on which one. A good one departs at 10:22 and arrives in Verona at 11:39; this is a Eurostar train and reservations are required, but you could make them the day before. Or there is an Intercity train that leaves at 8:52; no reservations needed but it takes a little longer to get there (1 hour 50 minutes).
Rather than give up one of your Venice days to do this day trip, why not stop in Verona on your way between Venice and Florence? You would need to be sure the Verona train station has luggage storage, but this way you could spend several hours there without backtracking to Venice.
