Hello again. Don't know what happened to recent posts re my itinerary critique. Last time I checked, there were 29 posts total, now ALL gone. Hmmmm.???<BR><BR>Here's my 2nd try. Please let me know what you think. (Remember me: Traveling with 3 other women, have just 2 wks, want to end European trip off in London for 1day/night.)<BR><BR>Days 1-4: Rome (Hotel Due Torri 4nites)<BR><BR>Day 5: Train to Assisi (Hotel Umbra 2nites)<BR><BR>Day 6: Train daytrip to Gubbio<BR><BR>Days 7-10: Train to Florence (Hotel Casci<BR>4nites)<BR><BR>Days 11-13: Train to Venice (Hotel Ala 3nites)<BR><BR>Day 14: Fly Venice-London <BR>Day 15: Fly London-LAX

Lula,<BR><BR>I remember your post from earlier this week and was wondering what you and your friends were going to do.<BR><BR>I think this itinerary is much, much better. You have completely deleted Ravello this time - much better because you are going to be staying longer in Rome. You will love Rome despite the hustle and bustle. There is never enough time to take it all in. &quot;Roma non basta una vita&quot; as Italians say.<BR><BR>Assisi will take you one day; and then the next day off to Gubbio is a wonderful idea. There is amazing earthenware for purchase in Gubbio and the town is a delight. You'll get some much needed rest in Assisi since it's quiet at night.<BR><BR>Assisi-Florence by train is an excellent idea. You won't need a car in Florence anyway and you'll have plenty of time to walk around and acquaint yourself with the city. Please don't forget my favorites: Accademia / Uffizi / Palazzo Pitti (Galeria Palatina).<BR><BR>3 nights in Venice: what a treat for you and your friends and the perfect way to &quot;close&quot; this trip before you head to LAX via London and your &quot;Harrod's&quot; shopping spree. You can easily take the vaporetto from Venezia-Santa Lucia to Hotel Ala down the Grand Canal to Santa Maria del Giglio. Getting off the train at Santa Lucia and taking your first vaporetto to the hotel will be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life. You never forget your first time down the Grand Canal.<BR><BR>All in all, this itinerary is better. Remember too that downtown Rome and its centro storico are not that big (much smaller than Paris) so you can walk and see a lot in one day (weather permitting, of course). However, if you are doing the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's, that in itself is one whole day. Don't forget.<BR>

Just found my last posts. When I searched for &quot;London&quot; &amp; &quot;Harrod's,&quot; nothing came up, (+ it wasn't under &quot;critique&quot so thought it was gone. My mistake. It reappeared.<BR><BR>Anyway.....Eye Spy: Thank you. Just thought of possibly taking day from Florence, spending 3 nights Assisi (1 day of which is Gubbio), then 3 nights Florence and 3 in Venice. Does that sound more comfortable/pleasant?<BR><BR>

Lula, Gosh I don't know what to advise you. I mean, it's different for every person. Assisi is not a big town so after visiting it for one day, you certainly will have seen everything there unless you really want to stay in a more quiet location and take it all in (nothing wrong with that). If you do stay another day in Assisi, you and your girlfriends could train it to Perugia for the day or Cortona (a stop on the way to Florence anyway). You could rent a car and drive almost anywhere in Umbria or Toscana -- like Sansepolcro or Todi or Arrezzo. All in all, I would spend just the 2 nights there and get to Florence. There really is so much to see in Florence and with that time frame, you won't feel tired or rushed and run around seeing this and that and shopping and rushing around because your time is less plentiful. Assisi is great for relaxing if that's what you want. In that case spend 3 nights there. To see things leisurely, then stay longer in Florence. It's up to you and your girlfriends. Nonetheless, whatever you choose, you will have a wonderful time in either location!

Eye Spy: Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it.<BR><BR>Re Gubbio: from train station, how far into town center? Is it pretty easy to figure out from the train station?

Hmmm! To Eye Spy--email me and tell me who you are again. I am impressed--have we not talked before??

FYI Lulu, you should not search with special characters such as apostrophes in the word, it doesn't work

You can take the train from Assisi to Fossato di Vico-Gubbio. For example, on www.trenitalia.it, if you leave Assisi at 8:21am, you arrive in Foligno at 8:35am. Then depart Foligo at 9:08 am and arrive Fossato di Vico-Gubbio at 9:37am.

The train segment from Foligno to Gubbio would require a reservation but if you purchase the ticket at the Assisi train station, the reservation will be made in connection with the ticket automatically. You may also consider taking a bus from Assisi to Gubbio. Personally, I'd take the train and walk from the station to the town center or rent a car which can be an adventure in itself and give you all some latitude in driving the byways (just carry a map!). If you are still staying at the Hotel Umbra, you may want to ask them what they think is best for you to get to Gubbio. Ask them if they know of any bus services there and for the websites. I'm sure they'll oblige. The train is fine, though and more affordable.

Lulu, sorry but I was typing way too fast before I realized I had given some incorrect information about Gubbio (that I momentarily confused with another town ... I was having a senior moment). So this is the deal about getting to Gubbio by train. As I mentioned earlier, the closest train station is: Fossato di Vico - Gubbio. And it's about 11 miles from the town center proper. So when you arrive at Fossato di Vico - Gubbio, take the bus from the station to the town center. Additionally, you could take the ASP bus from Perugia's Piazza Partigiani and that trip is about 70 minutes. ASP also runs a daily bus from ASSISI that LEAVES AT 8:10 AM DAILY FROM THE PIAZZA MATTEOTTI. It seems the least hassle for you would be to take the bus from Assisi (thereby avoiding the train to bus transfer). You could easily take a late afternoon bus back from Gubbio to Assisi. I'm sure your hotel will have the latest particulars for you if you email them. On the web, check out umbria2000.it BUON VIAGGIO!

Thanks once again, EyeSpy!<BR><BR>That's just the info I needed. The bus does sound best/easiest. I'll ck w/hotel for bus return info. Wonderful! Can't wait!!