need advice on trip to italy this fall
 

Hi!

My daughter is studying abroad in Rome this semester, and i and my future daughter-in- law are going to meet her in Rome (3 days) and travel on to venice (2 days) and then back down to florence and maybe siena (total 3-4 days) and then back to rome for a day or two - we have a total of 10 days. i really don't ever travel, but i'm hoping this is the beginning of many trips to come. If anyone would be so kind as to give me advice on any of the following I'd be most appreciative:

1) is it a bad idea to visit venice late october - will there be floods? in what part of venice would you stay?

2) is the eurostar the best way to go - should i book in advance - get reserved seats?

3) Do you have a favorite hotel in venice & florence - i really don't want to pay more than $250 euros. any suggestions would be wonderful. i'm hoping to book it this weekend. is it permissalbe to book a double and then just ask for another bed or simply have one of us sleep on a couch or floor?

4) we aren't big on museums - is florence a one or two day trip, and can i visit Tuscany, maybe take a tour (i'm not driving) while we're there? what are the best cities to see from florence?

5) or is siena a better place (or maybe even somewhere else) to base ourselves while we tour the surrounding areas?

6) if venice sounds like a bad idea my back-up plan is to go from rome to florence and then back to rome and then on to the amalfi coast to a bed and breakfast. so, venice or the amalfi coast?

7) now i'm really pushing it, but any restaurant recommendations in any of the cities would be so great.

Sorry for such a long post, but, since i'm soley responsible for this trip's itinerary, i would love to show my daughter and daughter-in-law (who really was my friend first) a wonderful time in Italy.

Thanks for any responses you may offer!

Theresa

Hi Theresa,

May I suggest that you fly into Rome and out of Venice? That way you won't have to backtrack.

1. Oct is a good time. The "floods", if they occur, only last a few hours and are only in the lowest parts of town.

2. The ES* trains are the best way. You can buy tickets inline at www.trenitalia.com/en or get them at the train station at FCO after you arrive.

4. We spent 6 days in Florence and enjoyed it very much. I suggest 3 days, one daytrip to Siena by bus.

5. For this trip, I suggest that you stick with Rome, Florence and Venice.

7. In Florence Il Ritrovo
Via de? Pucci 4/A
Best food for the price Has fish. Full dinner w/wine abt 40E pp Closed Monday
From Pzza San Giovani (NW corner of the Pza del Duomo) walk one blk East to Via dei Martelli. Go left to Via dei Pucci. Turn Right. Look very carefully on left. No sign. Door could be locked. Ring bell.

Other information

Secret Itineraries tour of Doge?s palace in Venice
Phone number is 011 39 041 520 9070.

Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 1.60 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.

Do not buy a railpass for travel between these cities.

Enjoy your trip.

thank you so much, Ira. all great advice. i'll heed it. the reason i'm leaving out of rome, though, is to accompany my daughter back to rome. she'll be starying after we leave.

Do not book a room and then just try to add someone on. Many hotel rooms in europe are very small - they will not have a couch and there may not be room for a cot - even if someone is willing to sleep on one. You need to organize a triple room in advance - esp since many hotels include breakfast in the price - and 2 vs 3 does matter.

okay, thanks, that helps. i'll book for three.

Hi Theresa,

>the reason i'm leaving out of rome, though, is to accompany my daughter back to rome. she'll be staying after we leave.<

I thought so.

May I suggest that your daughter is perfectly capable of getting on the train at Venice SL, arriving in Rome
4 1/2 hrs later and finding her way back to her lodgings?

i could let her go back herself, but i want to see venice first due to its northernly position (coldest first) and then florence and i thought the train ride back to rome would be a great time for the three of us to talk about all that we had just experienced, that and the fact that we are as close as sisters and i want to spend every last second that i can with her - also have already booked the round-trip flight.

Enjoy your trip, tree. Please give us a report when you get back.

In venice, we stayed in Casa Rezonnico. It was a very charming bed and breakast. I strongly suggest it.

Thanks, Ira, I will report back. I appreciate the kind words.

Thanks, Valmoon. I'll check out the Casa Rezonnico. Sounds nice. I appreciate your suggestion. I will definitely choose a place to stay today.

Hi!

My only suggestion is to go with an open mind. You say you don't travel much and don't like museums. Try a couple! Italy has some of the greatest in the world. You might be surprised.

On my first trip to Italy, I didn't plan to spend more than 1 day in Rome, just prior to departure. I had heard from many people that Rome was just a big, dirty, crowded, polluted city with lots of crime. NOT! I loved, loved, loved Rome and can't wait to go back for an entire week.

You just never know. That's the fun of travel!

Buon viaggio!

Since the Rome RT ticket is purchased and your itinerary explained, I have just a couple little things to add...

I would stick with Rome, Venice, Florence, Rome. With only 10 days time this will be plenty to see and do. My hotel of choice in Venice is Pensione La Calcina (www.lacalcina.com) which is in your price range, but very popular lately so check with them asap.

I have yet to enter a museum in Europe (5 trips later) because I share your lack of interest in them. But I wouldn't advise you to add extra cities or towns, just because you don't go to a museum! I love to walk the streets, sit in sidewalk cafes, see the local monuments and sites (usually just from the outside, especially if it is crowded).

Lastly, however your plans unfold, I wouldn't skip Venice!

Dale,

you're right. you never know - i could find a museum i love. i'll try to keep an open mind.

and, suze, thanks so much for the la calcina recommendation. until i read your post i had it down to locanda sant agostin and hotel do pozzi. but i'll check out your suggestion right now. Thanks!