Italy trip for 3 chicks...
Jul 26th, 2009, 04:44 PM
#24
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I've really not a dog in this fight, but above JeanneB recommended at least a 2.5 hour layover because of the need to pick up a boarding pass in Italy or some such (read her post). If there are flights throughout the day, and if the "chicks" are just doing carryon, possibly missing their Florence connection won't make a difference.
How does one get from the airport in Florence to Florence?
How does one get from the airport in Florence to Florence?
Jul 26th, 2009, 06:02 PM
#27
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To explicate bookchick's post, to get to the Amalfi Coast you can train to Naples, then go downstairs in the Naples Centrale station and catch the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento, followed by a SITA bus to the Amalfi Coast proper. Or you can train to Salerno and take the bus (or possibly a boat) up to the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento itself doesn't make a bad base, especially if you're going to Capri and Pompeii.
10 days are short, shorter yet if you have jet lag. If it's at all possible, try to add a few days.
For accommodations. look at www.tripadvisor.com and www.venere.com. In Rome and Florence you want to be as central as possible to make maximum use of your time. I usually book directly with the hotel -- by email.
10 days are short, shorter yet if you have jet lag. If it's at all possible, try to add a few days.
For accommodations. look at www.tripadvisor.com and www.venere.com. In Rome and Florence you want to be as central as possible to make maximum use of your time. I usually book directly with the hotel -- by email.
Jul 26th, 2009, 08:24 PM
#28
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I may have been overly conservative on the layover time. The boarding pass situation was odd. We both booked through Delta, but my transatlantic itinerary said Delta flight, hers said Alitalia (same flight).
I got my FCO/FLR (Alitalia) boarding pass in Atlanta. They were unable to print hers. So we were forewarned that we would have to deal with it in Rome. I think we had about 1 1/2 hrs. It was rushed, but we got her boarding pass and made the flight with ample time.
So it can be done. I was simply adding a little breathing room.
I got my FCO/FLR (Alitalia) boarding pass in Atlanta. They were unable to print hers. So we were forewarned that we would have to deal with it in Rome. I think we had about 1 1/2 hrs. It was rushed, but we got her boarding pass and made the flight with ample time.
So it can be done. I was simply adding a little breathing room.
Jul 27th, 2009, 10:36 AM
#34
I normallly wouldn't recommend spliting Rome (both at the start and at the end of a short trip) but for me personally no way could I get off a flight from the west coast U.S. (with jet lag and time change and I can't sleep on planes), get myself from the airport to the train station, catch a train to Florence, and check into a hotel there. I'd be a walking zombie.
If you must fly in to and out of Rome, I'd put 1 day at the start and 2 days at the end. With 1-2 days in Florence and whatever time's left for Almafi coast.
If you must fly in to and out of Rome, I'd put 1 day at the start and 2 days at the end. With 1-2 days in Florence and whatever time's left for Almafi coast.
Jul 27th, 2009, 10:44 AM
#35
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To return to the sticky subject of accomodation, do make sure that you book a room that will hold 3 (not as common in Italy as US). Venere.com is a great booking site, but a follow-up phone call to the hotels might be useful in this case. I stayed with two girlfriends in 3 seperate 'twin' beds in the Hotel Sonya in Rome once, but this configuration is not common.
Jul 27th, 2009, 11:42 AM
#36
Hi; Poster has a good suggustion of flying into Florence and out of Naples. While Lufthansa is more expensive, there is only one change [takes about 14 hours round trip]. A cab from the Almafi Coast takes a little over one hour, depending upon which town and the time of day to Naples. Cheaper flights may take 22 or 23 hours and may take two flight changes. But as the poster said, try www.kayak.com/ Keep in mind to try looking for your flight on a Tuesday or Wednesday. As someone who looks daily when booking a flight, I have been very fortunate on those two days. If you go to www.orbitz.com/ I think you can ask them to keep you informed on price changes. Dick
Jul 28th, 2009, 09:09 AM
#38
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Again, thanks for all the info! I will check back in when we book the flight...So far, It's kind of looking like we might fly into Rome, and head straight to Florence upon arrival. As tired as we will probably be coming all the way from Los Angeles, we think we'll probably also be a bit exhilarated, which will help us get through...Hopefully the train ride from Rome to Florence will be somewhat scenic? Also, someone told me it's absolutely worth booking 1st class on trains, just for the comfort level...?
Jul 28th, 2009, 09:40 AM
#39
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Don't bother with 1st class - the comfort difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Eurostar trains is not much and the ride is so short it's not worth the extra money. Save your $$$ for shopping and food 
