Rome & Florence Itinerary - Comments?
Aug 17th, 2005, 12:14 PM
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Rome & Florence Itinerary - Comments?
THIS IS A DUPLICATE POST AS I MISTAKENLY POSTED ON THE GENERAL EUROPE FORUM. SORRY!
Hello!
Would love a few pairs of eyes to review my proposed itinerary while in Rome and Florence next month. I know this has been posted in the past and I've tried my best to review other itineraries. Any help would be appreciated! Just want to make sure I am seeing what I want/need to but not get overwhelmed.
Thanks!
gt;
Arrive in Rome, Sat. 1:10 pm
Expect to be at hotel by 3:30 - 4 pm
Piazza Bocca della Verita (just for fun)
Walk to Trastevere for simple sightseeing then dinner
Sunday
Vatican Museums
Sistene Chapel
St. Peter's (Will try to arrange for Scavi Tour on this day -if not-I can go back)
Monday
Colosseum
Palatine Hill
Roman Forum
(Maybe Vatican Museum if we don't get to it on Sunday)
Tuesday
Pantheon
Galleria Borghese
Spanish Steps
Trevi Fountain
Catacombs
I am going to try to reserve Galleria Borghese and Scavi Tour – anything else I should reserve in advance?
Wednesday early am - leave for Florence
Wednesday
Accademia
Medici Chapels
Baptistery
Giotto Tower
(Maybe Museum of San Marco?)
Thursday
Uffizi
Bargello
Duomo Museum
Church of Santa Maria Novella
Oltrarno
Friday morning leave for Venice for 5 days - woo hoo! My Aunt lives in Venice and will be my personal tour guide for those days!
Thank you in advance for any suggestions/comments.
Hello!
Would love a few pairs of eyes to review my proposed itinerary while in Rome and Florence next month. I know this has been posted in the past and I've tried my best to review other itineraries. Any help would be appreciated! Just want to make sure I am seeing what I want/need to but not get overwhelmed.
Thanks!
gt;Arrive in Rome, Sat. 1:10 pm
Expect to be at hotel by 3:30 - 4 pm
Piazza Bocca della Verita (just for fun)
Walk to Trastevere for simple sightseeing then dinner
Sunday
Vatican Museums
Sistene Chapel
St. Peter's (Will try to arrange for Scavi Tour on this day -if not-I can go back)
Monday
Colosseum
Palatine Hill
Roman Forum
(Maybe Vatican Museum if we don't get to it on Sunday)
Tuesday
Pantheon
Galleria Borghese
Spanish Steps
Trevi Fountain
Catacombs
I am going to try to reserve Galleria Borghese and Scavi Tour – anything else I should reserve in advance?
Wednesday early am - leave for Florence
Wednesday
Accademia
Medici Chapels
Baptistery
Giotto Tower
(Maybe Museum of San Marco?)
Thursday
Uffizi
Bargello
Duomo Museum
Church of Santa Maria Novella
Oltrarno
Friday morning leave for Venice for 5 days - woo hoo! My Aunt lives in Venice and will be my personal tour guide for those days!
Thank you in advance for any suggestions/comments.
Aug 17th, 2005, 12:54 PM
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I think you may hae to reverse your Rome plans, doing Ancient Rome on Sunday and the Vatican on Monday. From my information, the Vatican Museums (which includes the Sistine Chapel) are closed Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month.
Personally, with your action-packed schedule, I wouldn't rush to see the catacombs on Tuesday. You'll need some cafe time by then.
Thursday in Florence seems a bit full. The sights you've selected for Wednesday take much less time. As you make your lists, prioritize which places are most important to you and see them first. Then you'll be ready to edit as you day develops.
Have a great trip.
By the way, ALL posts to anyplace in Europe end up in the general Europe forum, even if you specify a country when writing your thread.
Personally, with your action-packed schedule, I wouldn't rush to see the catacombs on Tuesday. You'll need some cafe time by then.
Thursday in Florence seems a bit full. The sights you've selected for Wednesday take much less time. As you make your lists, prioritize which places are most important to you and see them first. Then you'll be ready to edit as you day develops.
Have a great trip.
By the way, ALL posts to anyplace in Europe end up in the general Europe forum, even if you specify a country when writing your thread.
Aug 17th, 2005, 01:23 PM
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I'm pretty sure ellen is right about the Sistine and such being closed on some Sundays. You might be there on an open Sun, might not. (I'll bet you could find out info somewhere on the Net). Don't forget to make reservations (or have your hotel do it) at Uffizi. Can't remember...is it necessary at Accademia? I'm thinking our villa owner made reservations for us there too.
Otherwise you look good. Just remember, you don't have to follow your schedule. You can monitor and adjust, if you want more time somewhere or find that you allotted too much time in a place. Enjoy!
Otherwise you look good. Just remember, you don't have to follow your schedule. You can monitor and adjust, if you want more time somewhere or find that you allotted too much time in a place. Enjoy!
Aug 17th, 2005, 01:25 PM
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dloech, your itinerary sounds great. You do have quite a bit planned. It should be doable, but be sure to include some extra time for general walking around, sitting at cafes, etc. Just strolling around and taking it all in is one of my favorite ways to pass the time.
If you have time, I would highly suggest a trip to Piazzale Michaelangelo in Florence. You can either hike up or take the bus (we hiked and it wasn't too bad). The views from the top make the trip worth it. You will be rewarded with a wonderful panoramic view of Florence.
Both cities are fabulous. It sounds like you did your homework, so I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip!
Tracy
If you have time, I would highly suggest a trip to Piazzale Michaelangelo in Florence. You can either hike up or take the bus (we hiked and it wasn't too bad). The views from the top make the trip worth it. You will be rewarded with a wonderful panoramic view of Florence.
Both cities are fabulous. It sounds like you did your homework, so I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip!
Tracy
Aug 17th, 2005, 01:29 PM
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In regards to the Sistine Chapel, I'm not sure about Sunday but I do know that we were there on a Saturday afternoon last year (March 2004) and found out (the hard way) that the Vatican Museums closed at 1:00. That ended up being the biggest dissapointment of our trip because we were flying out the next day and never did make it. I suggest you definitely try to find out the schedule.
Good luck!
Tracy
Good luck!
Tracy
Aug 18th, 2005, 05:38 AM
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Hi dl,
Secret Itineraries tour of Doge’s palace 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 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.
Secret Itineraries tour of Doge’s palace 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 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.
Aug 18th, 2005, 05:56 AM
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The Vatican website is www.vatican.va.
Aug 18th, 2005, 05:22 PM
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Looks great, but as others have said maybe a little jam-packed. I agree with tcreath about the value of unplanned time both for learning more about the life of those cities and for enjoying them. I also second tcreath's recommendation of the Piazzale Michelangelo for its view of Florence -- but if you're there, don't miss the nearby San Miniato al Monte, an 11th-century Romanesque church which has to be one of the most beautiful not only in Florence but in Italy; and the view from S. Miniato is even better than that from the Piazzale. If possible plan to go for Vespers (5:30 pm in summer, 4:30 in winter; check on which time applies for Sept.), which is Gregorian chant by the resident Benedictine monks. Also see the cemetery, with monumental ancient tombs. One possibility, if you're short on time and/or energy (as you should be with your itinerary) is to taxi up to the church (a long, uphill climb) and either taxi or walk down, catching more views as you go.
Other thoughts on your itinerary follow. I've tried to give you rough ideas of the minimum time needed to get a good look at some of the places:
Arrive in Rome, Sat. 1:10 pm
Expect to be at hotel by 3:30 - 4 pm
Piazza Bocca della Verita (just for fun) [absolutely]
Walk to Trastevere for simple sightseeing then dinner [Remember traditional restaurants don't open for dinner before about 7 pm. A personal favorite is Paris, in Piazzale San Calisto; you could combine this with a visit in the next-door piazza to Santa Maria in Trastevere, which you should certainly see anyway -- another Romanesque beauty, 11th century, amazing mosaics inside and out.]
Sunday
Vatican Museums
Sistene Chapel
St. Peter's (Will try to arrange for Scavi Tour on this day -if not-I can go back)
[Sistine could be "done" in 20-30 mins, I guess; that's once you reach it, once they let you in (size of crowd inside is controlled), and if the crowd isn't too big. St. Peter's could be done in 60-90 mins if nec. But the Vatican Museums are another story! I usually advise friends to save these for a 2nd or 3rd trip to Rome, unless you have a lot more time than your itinerary indicates -- or unless you can decide on a particular focus, research how to get to it before going, then stick to it. Otherwise you risk slighting the Vat. Museums in favor of other Roman sights or vice versa.]
Monday
Colosseum [30 min]
Palatine Hill [another site where you can spend any amt of time, depending on your schedule, interests, the weather, etc. If you have time and the day is fine, consider taking a picnic; if the weather isn't good, do this on another day.]
Roman Forum
(Maybe Vatican Museum if we don't get to it on Sunday)
Tuesday
Pantheon [30 min. Hope the interior restoration work I saw in April is done by then.]
Galleria Borghese [Lovely collection and setting, doesn't take terribly long -- say an hour?]
Spanish Steps [sure, part of a stroll]
Trevi Fountain [likewise]
Catacombs [Haven't been. Hear they can take a long time. If you go, maybe save for a rainy day.]
I am going to try to reserve Galleria Borghese and Scavi Tour – anything else I should reserve in advance? [Not of the above, except I don't know about the Catacombs.]
Wednesday early am - leave for Florence
Wednesday [about 90 min by car or train]
Accademia
Medici Chapels
Baptistery
Giotto Tower
(Maybe Museum of San Marco?)
[This looks reasonable.]
Thursday
Uffizi [My previous comment re Vatican Museums applies here almost equally, though the Vat. is probably unrivalled.]
Bargello
Duomo Museum
Church of Santa Maria Novella
Oltrarno [S. Miniato; see above]
[This is probably doable without the Uffizi -- unless you're very focussed on what to see and plan in advance how to get in and out of the Uffizi. Or, as I said about the Vat. in Rome, you could just devote the day to the Uffizi and save the rest for another trip.]
Sorry if some of these comments sound negative, I don't mean it that way, rather the reverse -- it's all too wonderful! Just my thoughts about how to get the most out of your time, which in my view can't be measured only or chiefly by the quantity of things you see.
These are such magnificent places and sights. Try to come away with the clearest impressions you can of their power, beauty, history -- not with a big blur induced by too much travel, rushing, and fatigue. Enjoy!
Other thoughts on your itinerary follow. I've tried to give you rough ideas of the minimum time needed to get a good look at some of the places:
Arrive in Rome, Sat. 1:10 pm
Expect to be at hotel by 3:30 - 4 pm
Piazza Bocca della Verita (just for fun) [absolutely]
Walk to Trastevere for simple sightseeing then dinner [Remember traditional restaurants don't open for dinner before about 7 pm. A personal favorite is Paris, in Piazzale San Calisto; you could combine this with a visit in the next-door piazza to Santa Maria in Trastevere, which you should certainly see anyway -- another Romanesque beauty, 11th century, amazing mosaics inside and out.]
Sunday
Vatican Museums
Sistene Chapel
St. Peter's (Will try to arrange for Scavi Tour on this day -if not-I can go back)
[Sistine could be "done" in 20-30 mins, I guess; that's once you reach it, once they let you in (size of crowd inside is controlled), and if the crowd isn't too big. St. Peter's could be done in 60-90 mins if nec. But the Vatican Museums are another story! I usually advise friends to save these for a 2nd or 3rd trip to Rome, unless you have a lot more time than your itinerary indicates -- or unless you can decide on a particular focus, research how to get to it before going, then stick to it. Otherwise you risk slighting the Vat. Museums in favor of other Roman sights or vice versa.]
Monday
Colosseum [30 min]
Palatine Hill [another site where you can spend any amt of time, depending on your schedule, interests, the weather, etc. If you have time and the day is fine, consider taking a picnic; if the weather isn't good, do this on another day.]
Roman Forum
(Maybe Vatican Museum if we don't get to it on Sunday)
Tuesday
Pantheon [30 min. Hope the interior restoration work I saw in April is done by then.]
Galleria Borghese [Lovely collection and setting, doesn't take terribly long -- say an hour?]
Spanish Steps [sure, part of a stroll]
Trevi Fountain [likewise]
Catacombs [Haven't been. Hear they can take a long time. If you go, maybe save for a rainy day.]
I am going to try to reserve Galleria Borghese and Scavi Tour – anything else I should reserve in advance? [Not of the above, except I don't know about the Catacombs.]
Wednesday early am - leave for Florence
Wednesday [about 90 min by car or train]
Accademia
Medici Chapels
Baptistery
Giotto Tower
(Maybe Museum of San Marco?)
[This looks reasonable.]
Thursday
Uffizi [My previous comment re Vatican Museums applies here almost equally, though the Vat. is probably unrivalled.]
Bargello
Duomo Museum
Church of Santa Maria Novella
Oltrarno [S. Miniato; see above]
[This is probably doable without the Uffizi -- unless you're very focussed on what to see and plan in advance how to get in and out of the Uffizi. Or, as I said about the Vat. in Rome, you could just devote the day to the Uffizi and save the rest for another trip.]
Sorry if some of these comments sound negative, I don't mean it that way, rather the reverse -- it's all too wonderful! Just my thoughts about how to get the most out of your time, which in my view can't be measured only or chiefly by the quantity of things you see.
These are such magnificent places and sights. Try to come away with the clearest impressions you can of their power, beauty, history -- not with a big blur induced by too much travel, rushing, and fatigue. Enjoy!
Aug 18th, 2005, 05:30 PM
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P.S.: My comments on the Palatine apply as well to the Forum. -- I don't mean they should be combined, though many people do see both in the same day, since they're adjoining. But each could take any amount of time.
Aug 18th, 2005, 11:03 PM
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Your itinerary looks great! Swapping Sunday and Monday is probably a good idea. My only 2 thoughts are about trying to cram the Vatican Museum in with the Forum/Colesseum day. That's alot even if you are like me and go,go,go! The Vatican Museum can be a whole day but I think I whizzed through in about 4 hours. Your Florence Thursday could be a lot too especially if you climb up the Duomo. There is also a church in Florence that I can't recall that has the tombs of Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo and Galileo...What a fab four! (ah yes, the Church of Santa Croce!)
Aug 19th, 2005, 04:57 AM
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Yes, Santa Croce...I was going to suggest this church as well. It's an amazing place. May want to switch this with Santa Maria Novella.
As far as the Vatican. The Sistine chapel is closed on Sunday except for the last one of each month when it is free. I was just there and didn't have an option of just seeing the Sistine Chapel maybe I missed it. So the tour through the museums and such took at a fast pace an hour to get to the Sistine Chapel. Also, don't worry about the line to get in. We were almost robbed to go on a tour having the guide telling us that it is well beyond 2+ hours to get in and the line was down to St.Peter's. After we thought this seemed fishy, we got on line and, although very long, not to St.Peters and it only took a half hour of waiting.
As far as the Vatican. The Sistine chapel is closed on Sunday except for the last one of each month when it is free. I was just there and didn't have an option of just seeing the Sistine Chapel maybe I missed it. So the tour through the museums and such took at a fast pace an hour to get to the Sistine Chapel. Also, don't worry about the line to get in. We were almost robbed to go on a tour having the guide telling us that it is well beyond 2+ hours to get in and the line was down to St.Peter's. After we thought this seemed fishy, we got on line and, although very long, not to St.Peters and it only took a half hour of waiting.
Aug 19th, 2005, 06:19 AM
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I want to thanks everyone for their responses!
ekam - thank you so much for your incredibly detailed response! Just what I was looking for.
I just tried to reserve Uffizi for Thurs. and was told there is no space - I went online to weekendafirenze.com and can reserve tickets but decided to hold off - My husband will be in Rome and then Venice - with A LOT of museum time - and think I could miss the Uffizi on this trip and free up our Thurs. a bit!
B.T.W - I'm sorry I didn't specify - we are going to be in Rome on the last Sunday of the month and I created this itinerary knowing that we could get into Vatican Museums, etc. that day.
ekam - thank you so much for your incredibly detailed response! Just what I was looking for.
I just tried to reserve Uffizi for Thurs. and was told there is no space - I went online to weekendafirenze.com and can reserve tickets but decided to hold off - My husband will be in Rome and then Venice - with A LOT of museum time - and think I could miss the Uffizi on this trip and free up our Thurs. a bit!
B.T.W - I'm sorry I didn't specify - we are going to be in Rome on the last Sunday of the month and I created this itinerary knowing that we could get into Vatican Museums, etc. that day.
