Rome & Venice in 3 Weeks
May 4th, 2004, 09:39 AM
#1
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Rome & Venice in 3 Weeks
Hello Travel Fans and Experts! I've been pouring over this site gathering a lot of great advice. I have a few questions and am hoping you can help. Here goes.
We will be in Rome for 5 days and Venice for 5 days. Do you know if we should get tickets ahead of time for the Vatican, St. Peters, Sistine Chapel, Forum and how we go about doing that?
We are planning to go to Pompeii one day and aren't sure if we should use Enjoy Rome or go it alone. Does anyone have recommendations on this easiest route?
We were also thinking of a trip to the ocean. We are from California but thought it would be fun to go to Ostia Antica. Any advice. Is it worth the trip or should we do something else? Should we go to Assis?
Should we get a city map before we go. Any recommendations on which one to get?
Venice:
We will be staying at Hotel Antico Doge in Venice. I'm completely confused as to the best way to get from the airport to the hotel. I don't want to spend a fortune but want an easy, fairly quick and positive experience. Any other tips or advice for us while in Venice (I'm all ears)?
Thanks so much.
We will be in Rome for 5 days and Venice for 5 days. Do you know if we should get tickets ahead of time for the Vatican, St. Peters, Sistine Chapel, Forum and how we go about doing that?
We are planning to go to Pompeii one day and aren't sure if we should use Enjoy Rome or go it alone. Does anyone have recommendations on this easiest route?
We were also thinking of a trip to the ocean. We are from California but thought it would be fun to go to Ostia Antica. Any advice. Is it worth the trip or should we do something else? Should we go to Assis?
Should we get a city map before we go. Any recommendations on which one to get?
Venice:
We will be staying at Hotel Antico Doge in Venice. I'm completely confused as to the best way to get from the airport to the hotel. I don't want to spend a fortune but want an easy, fairly quick and positive experience. Any other tips or advice for us while in Venice (I'm all ears)?
Thanks so much.
May 4th, 2004, 10:30 AM
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<<Do you know if we should get tickets ahead of time for the Vatican, St. Peters, Sistine Chapel, Forum and how we go about doing that?>>
No.
<<We are planning to go to Pompeii one day and aren't sure if we should use Enjoy Rome or go it alone. Does anyone have recommendations on this easiest route?>>
There are numerous threads on how to fit this in, on your own, into one LONG day. Search Pompeii. Or pay Enjoy Rome, but you can do it on your own for much less. I have not been to Pompeii since 1969 (I was only 15), but I hear a lot of people say they wish they paid for th guided tour once they arrived AT Pompeii (as opposed to a bus tour to get you TO Pompeii).
<<We were also thinking of a trip to the ocean. We are from California but thought it would be fun to go to Ostia Antica. Any advice. Is it worth the trip or should we do something else? >>
I don't know, but for some reason, I doubt it.
<<Should we go to Assis[i]?>>
Yes.
<<Should we get a city map before we go. Any recommendations on which one to get?>>
Easy to get a good one there, but it couldn't hurt to study one before you go. Streetwise is good.
<<Venice:
We will be staying at Hotel Antico Doge in Venice. I'm completely confused as to the best way to get from the airport to the hotel. I don't want to spend a fortune but want an easy, fairly quick and positive experience.>>
Easy, quick and cheap do not come together. Search "Alilaguna' here - - you will read about the three principal options: (water) taxi, Alilaguna (shuttle, also on water), and "water bus" (vaporetto)
<<Any other tips or advice for us while in Venice (I'm all ears)?>>
Oh here's one of hundreds of answers:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34485469
Best wishes,
Rex
No.
<<We are planning to go to Pompeii one day and aren't sure if we should use Enjoy Rome or go it alone. Does anyone have recommendations on this easiest route?>>
There are numerous threads on how to fit this in, on your own, into one LONG day. Search Pompeii. Or pay Enjoy Rome, but you can do it on your own for much less. I have not been to Pompeii since 1969 (I was only 15), but I hear a lot of people say they wish they paid for th guided tour once they arrived AT Pompeii (as opposed to a bus tour to get you TO Pompeii).
<<We were also thinking of a trip to the ocean. We are from California but thought it would be fun to go to Ostia Antica. Any advice. Is it worth the trip or should we do something else? >>
I don't know, but for some reason, I doubt it.
<<Should we go to Assis[i]?>>
Yes.
<<Should we get a city map before we go. Any recommendations on which one to get?>>
Easy to get a good one there, but it couldn't hurt to study one before you go. Streetwise is good.
<<Venice:
We will be staying at Hotel Antico Doge in Venice. I'm completely confused as to the best way to get from the airport to the hotel. I don't want to spend a fortune but want an easy, fairly quick and positive experience.>>
Easy, quick and cheap do not come together. Search "Alilaguna' here - - you will read about the three principal options: (water) taxi, Alilaguna (shuttle, also on water), and "water bus" (vaporetto)
<<Any other tips or advice for us while in Venice (I'm all ears)?>>
Oh here's one of hundreds of answers:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34485469
Best wishes,
Rex
May 4th, 2004, 12:40 PM
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>>Do you know if we should get tickets ahead of time for the Vatican, St. Peters, Sistine Chapel, Forum and how we go about doing that?
You shouldn't, because I don't believe advance tickets are available (unless you're planning to use a private tour service). There is no ticket needed for the Forum or St. Peters.
>>We were also thinking of a trip to the ocean. We are from California but thought it would be fun to go to Ostia Antica. Any advice. Is it worth the trip or should we do something else?
If you go to Pompeii, skip Ostia. It is a similar experience of ruins, and the coast there is not particularly dramatic scenery.
You shouldn't, because I don't believe advance tickets are available (unless you're planning to use a private tour service). There is no ticket needed for the Forum or St. Peters.
>>We were also thinking of a trip to the ocean. We are from California but thought it would be fun to go to Ostia Antica. Any advice. Is it worth the trip or should we do something else?
If you go to Pompeii, skip Ostia. It is a similar experience of ruins, and the coast there is not particularly dramatic scenery.
May 4th, 2004, 02:46 PM
#5
The Forum is free, no tickets. The Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican Museums, but I don't know whether tickets are available ahead of time. The line for the museum is to go through security, so I imagine you would have to go through it even if you had tickets.
St. Peter's is free, no tickets, but once again there is a line for security unless you exit the Vatican Museums through the Sistine Chapel's group tour exit, which leaves you right at the entrance to St. Peter's without the need to go through security. In order to do this, you must exit from the rear of the Sistine Chapel through the door to the right. Technically you must be part of a guided tour to do this, but many people wait by that exit and attach themselves to a group as it prepares to exit.
I have gone to Pompeii twice on day trips from Rome. Once I took the Enjoy Rome shuttle bus and once I took the train. The shuttle bus would be my preference if I did it again. Not as expensive as a tour bus and without the added stops, but more relaxing than taking the train. The train wasn't difficult though, and either way would be fine. I did not get a guide either time. Still found it fascinating.
St. Peter's is free, no tickets, but once again there is a line for security unless you exit the Vatican Museums through the Sistine Chapel's group tour exit, which leaves you right at the entrance to St. Peter's without the need to go through security. In order to do this, you must exit from the rear of the Sistine Chapel through the door to the right. Technically you must be part of a guided tour to do this, but many people wait by that exit and attach themselves to a group as it prepares to exit.
I have gone to Pompeii twice on day trips from Rome. Once I took the Enjoy Rome shuttle bus and once I took the train. The shuttle bus would be my preference if I did it again. Not as expensive as a tour bus and without the added stops, but more relaxing than taking the train. The train wasn't difficult though, and either way would be fine. I did not get a guide either time. Still found it fascinating.
May 4th, 2004, 06:16 PM
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You're welcome. I prefer access by car, but that is unlikely to be cost-effective for a single 24-36 hour visit.
The train runs to Santa Maria degli Angeli, at the bottom of the hill below Assisi. 5 minute cab ride up. Train about 2 hrs 45, I think. See www.trenitalia.it
The train runs to Santa Maria degli Angeli, at the bottom of the hill below Assisi. 5 minute cab ride up. Train about 2 hrs 45, I think. See www.trenitalia.it
May 5th, 2004, 05:50 AM
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Hotel Antico Doge has a web site that includes location information--a map and directions from the airport.
From cheapest to most expensive:
1) airport bus to Piazzale Roma, then a pretty long walk to hotel, especially with suitcases (there are many more bridges than you expect)
2) airport bus to Piazzale Roma, then vaporetto to closest stop, then a short walk to hotel
3) walk or shuttle to boat landing at airport, Alilaguna boat to San Marco, a bit of a walk to hotel
4) walk or shuttle to boat landing at airport, water taxi to closest stop, then a short walk to hotel
Most would do (2) or (3), which offer a good balance of easiness to expense.
From cheapest to most expensive:
1) airport bus to Piazzale Roma, then a pretty long walk to hotel, especially with suitcases (there are many more bridges than you expect)
2) airport bus to Piazzale Roma, then vaporetto to closest stop, then a short walk to hotel
3) walk or shuttle to boat landing at airport, Alilaguna boat to San Marco, a bit of a walk to hotel
4) walk or shuttle to boat landing at airport, water taxi to closest stop, then a short walk to hotel
Most would do (2) or (3), which offer a good balance of easiness to expense.
May 5th, 2004, 05:35 PM
#10
Another option to Pompeii would be to catch the Marozzi bus from the Rome Tiburtina station. This bus goes to Sorrento but makes a stop in Pompeii at the ruins. The cost is about 20E but the departure is very early. You could catch the bus or train back whenever you were finished in Pompeii. You can rent handsets in Pompeii that come with a numbered map and all the sites are numbered. You just punch in the number of where you are and listen to in information.
If you decide to leave Pompeii early you could catch the local train to Sorrento for an early dinner and then train back to Rome.
While the forum is free the coliseum isn't so you will need tickets.
I like B & B laminated city street maps and Streetwise available ot Borders etc.
If you decide to leave Pompeii early you could catch the local train to Sorrento for an early dinner and then train back to Rome.
While the forum is free the coliseum isn't so you will need tickets.
I like B & B laminated city street maps and Streetwise available ot Borders etc.
May 6th, 2004, 04:52 AM
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<<do you think the trip to assisi from rome is worth it?>>
Yes, it is more worth "it" when the "it" is smaller - - i.e, when the time to travel there is reduced, by having it fit <i>on your way</i> from somewhere to somewhere.
This is dangerously close to saying that it depends on what the definiton of "is" is...
Yes, it is more worth "it" when the "it" is smaller - - i.e, when the time to travel there is reduced, by having it fit <i>on your way</i> from somewhere to somewhere.
This is dangerously close to saying that it depends on what the definiton of "is" is...
May 6th, 2004, 05:56 AM
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>>daytrip to Assisi worth it?
It depends on why you've chosen Assisi.
If you have a particular interest in St Francis or the frescoes there, you would probably enjoy Assisi. I'm not positive of the ease or frequency of trains from Rome--I think a transfer might be necessary on some trains.
If you were looking for a hilltown experience, and Assisi is the one you've heard of, then maybe another choice would suffice. There are frequent trains, with no transfers, to Orvieto, a lovely hilltown and easy daytrip from Rome (just one hour away).
But with only 5 days in Rome, I'm not sure that you'll need more than one daytrip.
It depends on why you've chosen Assisi.
If you have a particular interest in St Francis or the frescoes there, you would probably enjoy Assisi. I'm not positive of the ease or frequency of trains from Rome--I think a transfer might be necessary on some trains.
If you were looking for a hilltown experience, and Assisi is the one you've heard of, then maybe another choice would suffice. There are frequent trains, with no transfers, to Orvieto, a lovely hilltown and easy daytrip from Rome (just one hour away).
But with only 5 days in Rome, I'm not sure that you'll need more than one daytrip.
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