Hi, Everybody
We are in Rome now and will have to get to Florence on Thursday. We havea trenitalia pass, but there is a scheduled train strike on Thursday. Any ideas? We'd take Alitalia, but they've had our luggage for going on three days now with no end in sight. (We missed British Air connections at Heatrow & they switched us to AlItalia & the bags never made it. No, really, never. Any suggestions on that would be greatly appreciated, too. AlItalia doesn't really seem interested.) Thanks for whatever you can give. It's almost 4:00 am & I'm jetlagged and more than a little crazy.

ttt- someone help this poor fellow traveler!

How about taking a limo, your hotel could help you with this. It's not cheap but if you need to get to Florence--.Your luggage is another thing,I guess the best thing is to let alitalia know where you are lodging in Florence and hope for the best.

Personally, I would ask the front desk at your hotel to recommend a driver to take you to Florence.

Also, there is a bus line (www.sena.it) from Rome's Tiburtina station to Siena. From Siena you can catch a SITA bus to Florence.

The Florence bus station is located adjacent to the Santa Maria Novella train station.

And, yes you must notify Alitalia where to deliver your luggage.

Bus? You might have to change busses, but you could bus from Rome to Siena and then change to a bus to Florence.
www.sena.it The prices on the website are for internet booking.

Chances are you will not experience much, if any, problem with train travel from Rome to Florence - - and certainly not anything as bad as you have already experienced!

Rail strikes affect about 10% of trains. The other 90% are a bit more crowded, but in general train still run on time.

You'll need to keep BA informed about your new address in Florence, though hopefully, you'll get your bags Tuesday or Wednesday.

Best wishes,

Rex

Could you rent a car and drive yourselves to Florence? I don't know what kind of budget you are on, but I know I couldn't afford to hire someone to drive me that far.

If you do drive, be sure to take the highway and not the small roads or it will take twice a long to get there. I know this from experience.

Hi again, everybody --
Still alive and now clothed in our own stuff. The luggage arrived the day before we left for Florence and the train strike was delayed until the 27th. Thanks so much for your help and concern. It meant a lot.
Steve

graymouse

I was hoping you would update us. I'm really happy to read your good news. Now relax and enjoy the rest of the trip!

Nothing like clean clothes is there graymouse. I am glad it all worked out.

I have often wanted to say so will do it here on this thread. When planning your travel budget do plan some money for emergencies (picking up some clothes, toilitries, optional travel expense etc) as glitches do happen throughout a trip. I always remember the darling American honeymoon couple we ran into in Rome. They had been 4 days without their luggage. They were wearing the same clothes. Their honeymoon for them was a disaster. When I gently suggested a few stores where they could pick up needed items (away from the touristy area) they told us they didn't have a cent to spare for even inexpensive clothes. I always have hoped they had a "second honeymoon" that was happier.

I am glad the strike will not hurt you directly.
I would have rented a car, it is an easy drive up the
Autovia del Sole, ( I am writing by memory...