annhig

erin, I just found this thread and have been fascinated by your transformation from potential tour participant to keen independent traveller!

Brava! [that's it - my fellow federates have said everything else!]

thursdaysd

Hi Errin, glad to see you're making such progress!

I visited Pompeii while I was staying in Sorrento (also Herculaneum, which I preferred). I haven't visited Ostia, but IF I visit Rome again it will be on my list. Pompeii is a very big site, and takes several hours to see properly. Plus, you should really visit the museum in Naples at the same time. Much better to save it for a visit to the lovely Amalfi Coast area, instead of signing up for a long, tiring, and probably hot day.

Erin222

Yes, I we have decided to do the trek to Ostia Antica!! Looking forward to it!!
I do think the 12 -13 hr day to Pompeii may be a bit much for this trip.

Luv2travel: thanks for all the sites to view! I guess my posts were a little confusing.... I have only given up the idea of a 12 day Italy non independent bus tour through Gate 1 or Trafalgar or RS. etc....I am no longer going that route.

I am not opposed to small day bus tours through Tuscany or doing a small tour group to places like the Sistine Chapel or the Colosseum or Accademia. In fact.... this is the way I think we will see these major sites as I really like the idea of having a guide educating us on the Italian history.

Yes, we are on our way of becoming independent travellers and proud of it! and having fun along the way!
Thanks all!!

annhig

Erin - good choice to do Ostia Antica. it is very easy to get to from the station - you just walk over the bridge and follow the road. By the bridge there is a nice little cafe for refreshments; there is also a restaurant in the site. Better still, in the "Burgo" [old town] opposite there are several restaurants and a lovely church which apparently is very well worth seeing, but when we were there there was a christening and we couldn't go in.

Erin222

Just booked my flights from Canada to Italy!!
Also... have all of the hotels booked as well!!
...going to go to Venice first, then onto Florence then to Rome!!
got so excited about the trip that I even decided to do a day layover in Amsterdam on the way home just to get another city/experience!!

and who was it that wanted to do a bus tour for 10 days???!!! haha
Having a blast planning this trip and thanks to all that have given me much inspiration and help along the way!

Finecheapboxofwine

Wow! Good for you, Erin! Your trip is not for a while but keep us posted. I would like to hear how your homebody husband took to traveling Italy.

greg

With this planning, you should have gained more insight into what each destination offers before your visit. This should have matched the ensemble of destinations with your interests and constraints. Could common denominator package group tours have given you better match to your interests at better prices?

Additionally, you now have skills to leverage planning more trips to Italy with even more relevancy. The skill can be use on your trips to other countries as well.

annhig

Brava, Erin.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip after everything you've put into it.