nhmom

We have just returned from our first visit to Italy (2 teenaged boys & parents, 2/27-3/6/05). I found this site so useful and thought others might find some of my info reassuring. (When reading, remember we rarely take the luxury route.) I used Gate 1 Travel for a 6 night package (3 nights in Rome, 3 in Venice). Documents arrived in plenty of time. Several phone calls to company were professionally handled. Air France flights were good. Fortunately our flight from Paris to Rome was delayed. 45 minutes transfer time is not enough at DeGaulle. (Our return flight transfer time of 75 minutes was rushed.) Two hours late, it was nice to see our name on the "Airport Shuttle" card at the Rome airport. (55 euros for the 4 of us, another couple also in van, booked on website.) Hotel was the Center 2 at Via G. Giolitti 433. It was immaculate, included continental breakfast, had English speaking clerks, and the rooms were European-sized small. Tram runs in front of hotel and street behind. (I enjoyed the occassional "peep peep" of its horn. Others would say too loud.) Hotel was filled with tourists from all over. The area appears to be a working class neighborhood. Porta Maggiora (block away) is a transportation hub. Surrounding blocks are apartments, shops, restaurants. We did not explore the area but walked through it each day. It would not be my first choice of location, but it was an ok alternative. I felt safe at all times, but of course travel with 3 large men. First afternoon we walked to the Baths of Diocletian and had an early supper at Angelo Trattoria/Pizzeria at Via Gioberti, 35. Good food, reasonable cost. Tuesday: Vatican Museum Tour arranged through Gate 1 (they use Carrani Viaggi). Not a great tour but early pickup at hotel so it served its purpose. Lunch: Tre Pupazzi, Borgo Pio (Vatican area). Good food, price a bit high (somewhat due to my ordering 4 antipasto!). Visit to St Peters and up the dome. Slow walk back to Spanish Stairs area. Twilight Rome Evening Walk (Rome Walks) with Sophia was superb (booked on website). I highly recommend. Supper: Blue Ice Il Gelato (our favorite gelato after trying many). Taxi home from Vittorio Emanuele taxi stand (10 euros). (One of the reasons I liked the Rick Steves Rome book was that it shows taxi stand locations.) Wednesday: Walk to Colosseum. English tour from ticket booth (I found the pamphlet I bought after the tour was more informative and easier to understand). Walked through Forum using Rick Steves book. Continued walking to Vatican area. Lunch: Hostaria Cesaretto, Vicolo D'Orfeo, 19/20 (Vatican area). Good food, ok prices. Scavi Tour. This was of course, excellent. I emailed the office requesting a tour as soon as I had booked our trip. After much time (and concern on my part), we got an email with tour reference number and request for payment by fax or email. Not being a secure site, I sent half of my credit card # in 2 emails. I was concerned this would not work but several days later received a receipt number. Backpacks are not allowed and the checkroom is at St Peter's past the security point/line. Our lines all week were very short but I could see this being a timing problem during high season. During stroll back to center of Rome, came upon Antica Taverna, Via di Monte Giordano, 12. (What luck!) Early dinner was excellent, price reasonable. Glass bead souvenirs next door at Kouki. Taxi from Coronair taxi stand (10 euros). Thursday: scheduled to take 12:55 Eurostar to Venice. Easy walk to station. I thought we would shop and explore station. However, husband wanted to try and change tickets to earlier 10:55 train. Not withstanding what I had read and my pessimism, the line was not too long and even wtih our lack of Italian we were successful. Quick boarding (upgraded to 1st class because of current special) and we were off to Venice. In Venice, we stayed at the Olimpia Hotel, Fondamenta delle Burchielle. Very easy walk from train station. (Directions I found on web are not quite right -- use a map. Out train station, cross bridge on your left, go RIGHT along Grand Canal, left at Rio Nuovo-following along Papadopoli Garden wall, cross Rio Nuovo. Hotel faces Rio delle Burchielle, small sign says "hotel&quot Rooms immaculate, English speaking staff, nicer breakfast, European-sized rooms. Blizzard hit (yes!) so we ate next door at Trattoria Alle Burchielle. Ok food and prices, especially considering tourist traffic location. Friday: Much walking. Dinner: Do Farai Ostaria. Excellent food, good prices, wonderful owners, our favorite meal. Saturday: Doge's Palace Secret Itinerary tour, St. Marks, Murano. Dinner: Al Rio Novo Restorante (around corner from hotel). We knew better but still went. Tourist trap, food not good, prices high, wine was watered down! Sunday: early ATVO shuttle bus from Piazzle Roma (basically right across from hotel, easy walk). I liked the hotel location and would stay here again. Easy walk to all transportation and easy wander around nontouristy sections (Spritz is cheaper). Supermarket at Piazzle Roma made for easy snacks. While in Italy, we saw nothing more than some begging and selling of roses. Souvenirs were expensive (we bought very little as Marshalls at home is cheaper). Pizza and gelato delicious. We ate these whenever possible. Food costly. People gracious and very good with English. We went to few museums or churches but in our little time, were constantly busy. Early March is cold and dark early, but good travel prices and small crowds I believe make up for that. We can't wait to return.

sandi_travelnut

Your first of many trips I'm sure...Italy just seems to do that to a person. BTW- in the future, try sperating your reports into paragraphs, it just makes for easier reading on-line. Thanks!!

cnathan

We will be in Rome in April with our 2 teenaged boys. I hope you will respond to my questions I posted today. Thanks for your information. Carol

Betsy

I love trip reports but absolutely could not read this one in its current format. So I clicked on "post a reply" and read it on the left-hand side of that page, where the lines are much shorter. Hope this works for others who are having difficulty scanning.

Lorac1127

I'm curious about how your sons liked the trip. Did they enjoy it and what were their favorites?

Okinawa

sounds like you had a great trip!

what is the link to the hotel you stayed at in Rome, Center 2?

aussie_travellers

Sounds like you had a fabulous time nhmom!!
Could you help us out? I noticed you did the Scavi tour - could you let us know how you booked this tour. I haven't been able to find out any info about how to book. I tried a couple of email addresses [email protected] and [email protected] but only received an automatically generated reply. I only sent a "general" message. Do you have to let them know exactly which date, etc. Any help would be much appreciated.

claret

Can I ask a couple of questions please nhmom? -
1. The "Airport Shuttle" - the website address please?

2. The Twilight Rome Evening Walk - website address please?

I'm a reasonable 'newbie' to the European forum - so I have probably missed this information before but would appreciate it if you could pass on the above details.
Thanks
Clare T

ira

Hi claret,

This link might help you:

Helpful Information: Italy 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568596

nhmom

www.romewalks.com

www.airportshuttle.it

www.vatican.va -- do a search for excavations office scavi tour. This should lead you to the page containing directions for requesting tickets.

Hotel Center -- I no longer have the website (try goggle) but their email is: [email protected]. It is 3 hotels in the same basic location. They get mixed reviews on Tripadvisor and are used by several packagers.

My teens enjoyed so much! Of course, we did few art museums or churches, we were constantly on the move, and it was "only" a week they had to spend with parents. Basically had 2 full days in each city so we did typical touristy things. The only slightly negative thing I've heard is that we spent too long at the Doge's Palace in Venice. I think it so important that my children learn there are many ways of doing things and their way isn't the only way nor the best way. So, watching the cars and scooters while eating a gelato was as much a part of the adventure as seeing the Cistine Chapel. We all loved both.

claret

nhmom- Thanks for the info. I agree with you regarding the children. We too have taken our children to many places both here in Australia and overseas not only so they can enjoy the experience but also to appreciate how other people live and sometimes how other people have to live. Hopefully, they appreciate all that they have but also appreciate and understand what others have not.

aussie_travellers

Thanks for the useful advice, etc. nhmom. We have now sent a request off for Scavi tickets.