First time in Italy and our Travel agent SUCKS we just received our itinerary and feel compelety lost - and we are leaving in 6 DAYS Help, <BR> <BR>We are booked at the Ambassador Tre Rose in Venice for two nights - we have a large group (7 adults 1 child) and heard the Accademia villa Maravege might be a better place for a group - any advice? <BR> <BR>After our two nights in Venice we will go to Florence and stay at the Hotel Paris for two nights, then on to Rome for two nights at the Duca d' Alba Hotel - our final destination will be Santa Margarhita staying three nights at the Hotel Fache - again we have a large group - any advise on hotel etc. would be great. Also our wonderful travel agent did not book our train tickets Ahhh! We need to make the train reservations soon again any advise ? <BR> <BR>Signed, Excited and Terrified!

Don't worry, forget about this stupid dumb movie (European Vaccations) <BR>which couldn't be realised anywhere else than in the US... <BR>Whazz ya problem? <BR>Italy (neither Europe) is not a jungle, don't worry we've got a better network than Amtrack down there... and yes, they do answer your questions especially in the stations, and do help you! (Amazing, no?) <BR>But please, if you're so affraid of all about that, can you please do us a favor? Just don't come to Europe!!! <BR>We're just beginning to feel ashamed having had our asses saved by you-S people... <BR>Whatever, if you don't trust any of the hotels you've booked in, just don't go there! Just stay home!!! <BR> <BR>

Gee!!! <BR> <BR>Why this rudeness?? <BR> <BR>I don't know the hotels you mentioned, sorry. <BR> <BR>As far as trains are concerned, you don't have, necessarily to book a seat, but since your group is big, you'd better do so. And, please, don't forget to get the tickets stamped before you board, otherwise, you might get a heavy fine. It's mandatory in Italy that you get the train tickets stamped by a machine before you board. <BR> <BR>Good luck ( and look for another travel agent), <BR> <BR>Surlok

Can't comment on the hotels. But I wouldn't worry about your train tickets. Actually, your agent saved you money. They'll be cheaper in Italy. Your first day in Venice, just stop in a travel agency and they will be able to get all your tickets, and reservations, for you, and it won't cost you anything extra, like it would have if your agent had purchased them. Reservations aren't necessary, as already pointed out, but advisable, especially with such a large group. In lieu of the agency, you can just purchase your own tickets in Venice. You should be able to purchase all of them at the same time. Tickets are never a problem--I've never heard of an Italian train being sold out. If you don't have a seat you just sit on the floor. But even two days before you should be able to get seat reservations. <BR> <BR>Your hotels may be GREAT. I don't know--do you? What is the problem with the ones she/he reserved for you. (If the Ambassador Tre Rose is the one I think it is, you'll be pleased, I think.) And finding other hotels at this late date at this time of year may be impossible. I'd just hang loose and go with the flow, to quote two overused phrases. You'll have a ball in one of the most wonderful countries in the world.

Venice will be your biggest nightmare ever... <BR>Imagine Disneyworld in worse, overcrowded... this is Venezia, most time of the year! Awfull!!! <BR>Believe me, the most romantic time to go to to Venice is during winter <BR>But do you really care about romance?... <BR> <BR>

When you get to Venice, your best bet on train tickets is the American Express office near St. Mark's Square. They will book your train tickets -- because of the size of your party, you will be eligible for the "mini grupo" discount, which I believe is 35%. You will save a substantial amount by buying your tickets in Italy, IMO. <BR> <BR>With respect to the hotels, the only hotel I am familiar with is the Hotel Duca d'Alba in Rome. It has a fantastic location (in the heart of the centro storico), but I have seen mixed reviews on this forum regarding the rooms. <BR> <BR>Relax -- Italy is a great place to vacation, you will have a great time!

Michelle, Michelle ---- CALM DOWN GIRL! No need to feel lost. A quick web search & you'll see that the hotels she's booked for you are 3-star hotels, strategically located close to city centers. <BR> <BR>I've not stayed at any of these. But from what I could pull up, it doesn't look as though you should be experiencing all this angst. It's ITALY --- go with the flow. And as another poster said, you can purchase your train tickets once you arrive. <BR> <BR>What I would suggest that you do is look on the train site (www.fs-on-line.com) to review the schedule and print out when you think you'd like to go from city to city. On your arrival in Venice (I'd try to do it on day 1), make a trip to the American Express office and you will be able to purchase ALL of your train tickets there. <BR> <BR>Do opt for the EuroStar ("ES") trains as they're quickest & most comfortable. There's not a big difference between 1st & 2nd class on the ES; however in your circumstance it sounds like the few extra dollars to travel "primero" would be worthwhile. And because you're a party of 8, you're eligible for the mini-group fares. <BR> <BR>Back to your hotel anxiety --- take a look yourself at your Venice & Florence accommadations. <BR>http://www.sanmarcohotels.com/ambassador <BR> <BR>Piazza San Marco, <BR>Calle dei Fabbri 905 <BR>30124 Venezia – Italy <BR> <BR>Another hotel reservation service lists the ‘Ambassador Tre Rose’, providing a map so you can see where they’re located. <BR>http://www.venere.com/it/venezia/amb...cation.html.en <BR> <BR> <BR>Hotel Paris <BR>http://www.venere.com/it/firenze/paris/ <BR> <BR>

UPDATE RE: AMEX OFFICE IN VENICE!!! <BR> <BR>Hello again Michelle: <BR> <BR>I was prowling around Rick Steves' website and saw two posts from folks mentioning that the American Express office in Venice NO LONGER is selling train tickets, at least not until later in year (October). <BR> <BR>If that's accurate, then I'd suggest that when you arrive at your hotel in Venice that you ask them to direct you to the nearest travel agency for your ticket purchases. Of course, you can always go up to the station itself & buy them there; however it can be kinda hectic & since this is high season & you're a novice, I'd suggest you buy @ travel agency. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Michelle - <BR> <BR>I stayed at the Hotel Paris a few years ago, and would stay there again. Very centrally located & the rooms were good. Don't stress about the train tickets - as mentioned before, book them at any travel agent when you get to Italy. As long as you have plane tickets & hotels, everything else will fall into place. Unfortunately good travel agents seem to be hard to come by.

First to Robin, Leslie, Phil, Linda & Surlok - Thank you! The information will be most helpful and I am really looking forward to visiting such a wonderful place. Robin thanks for the website info. especially the train site. I am sure everything will work out - Now I am just excited! <BR> <BR>To the behappy & poor replys - how sad to live in such an angry life.... I have never been to Disneyworld not my thing - If anything your responses were rather amusing... <BR> <BR>Michelle

Michelle, are you over your anger at your TA now? I really don't think he/she "done you bad".

IT is the comments by "Dontworry" that lead me to think there needs to be some sort of monitoring on this board. It is not only unnecessary, rude and uncalled for, it is vulgar and upsetting. If someone thinks someone else's quesitons is uninteresting or dumb, DON'T REPLY! There's no need to swear, or lash our at others. In fact I'm sure there's a board out there for freaks like that.

Michelle - just go to Italy, and enjoy! No doubt that you will fall in love with the country and its people! <BR> <BR>And as far as the very bad taste comments are concerned, I think best is just to ignore. <BR> <BR>Enjoy Michelle!

Michelle - I stayed at the Hotel Fasce in Santa Margherita and it's wonderful!! Small, intimate hotel, walking distance to everything, and the owner, Jane, is so helpful and funny. Be sure and attend "happy hour" in the afternoons! <BR> <BR>Website: www.hotelfasce.it <BR> <BR>Buon viaggio!