Please HELP with final Italy itin for Christmas!
 

Alright! I think I have this basically set, but I want to run it by you Fodor-ites another time for final tweaking.

My husband and I will be flying into Milano-Bergamo on Christmas Day. (early afternoon)

From Bergamo, we are taking the train to Bologna, having great food and spending the night. If we decide to spend the next morning sight-seeing in Bologna, any suggestions? (I haven't found much info except about the food and proximity of other cities for daytrips.)

Early afternoon on the 26th, we will take a train to Florence, where we will be staying through the morning of the 29th.

On the 29th, we are going to San Gimignano for two nights.

On the 31st, we are taking a train to Venice, where we will stay until the 2nd.

On the 2nd (maybe the 3rd), we are going back to Bergamo.

We fly out of Bergamo on the 3rd at 17:40.

Goals: We have never been to Italy and want good local flavor and history. Already planning to see the Uffizi and Academmia in Florence, Doge's Palace and St. Mark's in Venice.

Can still tweak which days we spend where until the middle of this coming week. Any suggestions would be tremendously helpful since I have never done this before and am trying to make it a reasonable--$$--and thoroughly enjoyable trip for my husband and me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

also, if you are familiar with the italian trains, will you check out my other thread, please? thanks!

Hi Mac,

>If we decide to spend the next morning sight-seeing in Bologna, any suggestions?<

I urge you to do so.

See my trip report for details of our day in Bologna.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Secret Itineraries tour of Doge’s palace Phone number is 011 39 041 520 9070. English-speaking operator.

You will not be charged for your tickets if you don't go on the tour.


Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1016868 (dial around number), 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 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.

You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them.

((I))

thanks, Ira!

I have just looked at your thread, and there is a wealth of information!!

curious: should San G. just be a day trip or is it a good idea to relocate there for two nights before continuing to Venice?

would another town be better?

Dear MacPrague,

Your trip sounds great.

RE: SG 2 nights vs. day trip.

Well, since this is your first trip to Italy, I think you will enjoy two nights in SG. It is a beautiful example of the hill towns of Tuscany. While you are there, be sure to see the Gozzoli frescoes in the church of Saint Augustine - the saint's life story is conveyed in painted panels surrounding the apse.

Some would say you are moving around more than they would advise and to spend all four nights in Florence. But Florence can be a rather "hard" and imposing city, despite it's historic and artistic significance.

A day trip to SG will not give you the opportunity to fully experience the rhythm of the town, so I think you are making a good choice.

Enjoy your travels! SusanEva

I think San Gimignano for two nights in January would be quite dull. It takes a couple of hours to "see the sights." Yes, it's charming at night when the tourists leave, but I doubt many tourists will be there in January and it will be too dark to gaze at the countryside. If you have a car you can explore some other small towns in the area.

I would add a night to Bologna and a night to Florence. If you want to go to a small town, consider taking the bus from Florence to Siena and spending two nights there. Siena is a "real" small city with many interesting sights. Have a great trip!