august77

I had some prior arrangements so ended up choosing Danieli in Venice and as of now Hassler in Rome. Still comparing Hassler to St. Regis.

Have not made flight reservations yet for Vencie-Rome. Not sure about flying vs taking the train yet. Open to suggestions.

Thanks much

cmstraf

Wow! I'd choose the Hassler--I like the location much better and the Hassler is a name with magic and history in it. I had drinks there my first trip to Rome (we were staying close by) and still remember the beauty of the lounge and the kindness of the two art collectors who patiently spoke Italian with us.

The Daniele has a wonderful reputation...and is very central. Write both hotels and tell them this is your first trip and a special occasion; you would appreciate it if they would choose for you the nicest room possible in your category.

I, the plane advocate, would now recommend the train. There is a VERY fast train leaving Venice around 2, getting to Rome around 6, centro to centro. You could go to mass at St Marco at 9 (highly recommend), have hot chocolate and croissants at Florians, put your things together, lunch at your hotel...or take a last walk in Venice and then eat on the train, be in the Hassler with time to walk around a bit and watch the sunset from the cafe just in front of the Hassler that looks over the Spanish Steps (which, by the way, you want to see EARLY)

There is a lovely store, Blunauta, at the bottom of the Spanish steps, which sells moderately priced clothes in natural fibers.

Jennifer_Travels

Last year I flew Delta, which connects in Amsterdam. I find Schipol airport easier to navigate (and more pleasant) than either CDG or Frankfurt.
We flew into Florence and home from Venice.
The leg from Seattle to Amsterdam is non-stop.

august77

Thank you. Hassler it is. I agree with the location.

I have written to both about the rooms options but will do that again as it gets closer to ask for the bicest room as a first time traveller

Can I book the VERY fast train online? Is there a name to teh fats train?

Thanks much
Samira

cmstraf

I usually go for room as high as possible, as quiet as possible, with a view from bed if possible.


Check Trenitalia for answer to your question. I think you can. I am running up against a deadline and have done too much screen time. We always buy our train tickets in the city (i.e. Venice) on the first day we are there from a travel agency (your hotel can find you one). I am probably unjustly superstitious about buying online train tickets for Italian trains--I buy online plane tickets all the time on line so I'm probably just silly. We've never needed more advanced notice.

But please give yourself time to go to Sunday mass at San Marco. I am not religious, but I really love seeing beautiful churches do their jobs and see great art for the price of being quiet, respectful and putting something in the offering.

The Venice monument to Haulocast is also very simple, very moving.

I'm excited for your trip.

cmstraf

kybourbon

>>>Can I book the VERY fast train online? <<<

Yes, either with Trenitalia or Italo (depending on which train company you want to travel on). Trenitalia can be booked 120 days in advance. Italo can be booked 6 months in advance or through the end of the schedule (schedules end/change 2nd weekend in June and 2nd weekend in Dec.). Like air fares, discount train tickets have more restrictions about changes.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...005817f90aRCRD

http://www.italotreno.it/EN/Pages/default.aspx

august77

Thanks you very much for the above comments.


As of now, my reservation is until Sunday in Venice, then from Sunday evening till Thursday morning in Rome.

Any votes for shortening my stay in Venice and adding more days to Rome?

Thanks again,
S

Mimar

When is it again you're arriving in Venice?

One thought: it's better to add a day or two to your first stop, to allow time to get over jet-lag. That's a 9-hour time difference. And a long overnight flight, so you may be sleepy as well.

cmstraf

don't shorten venice and mimer is right

cmstraf

Also, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the 9:00 mass at Catedrale San Marco is a once in a lifetime experience. The mosaics are spectacularly beautiful and lit up for the service, tourists are not allowed to walk around. During tourist hours there are huge lines, like Disneyland on Memorial Day weekend and I don't bother going if I can't be in Venice on a Sunday.
We think that San Marco is much more impressive in its beauty than San Pietro in Rome, which is huge, and the Michelangelo pieta` should not be missed, but though it can be awe inspiring, in our opinion, it is not unusually beautiful.

greg

cmstraf,
Catedrale San Marco = Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco?
When would you enter San Marco for the 9am mass? How long does it last? Can you look around before the service?

august77

Thanks all
I have kept it the same based as your advice.

So " when would you enter San Marco for the 9am mass? how long does it last?"

S

cmstraf

About 15 minutes early to get seat in middle about 1/3 way back or wherever you can best see mosaics. You can leave before it ends if you want--we never have. WE think about 30 minutes or so, maybe 45. I think by the time it ends, Cafe Florian is open on the square. Wonderful hot chocolate, cappuccino, croissants though expensive (you pay for location). We prefer eating inside even in good weather.

cmstraf

Greg,

Yes, they are the same. I wouldn't look around before the service--I think it might be seen as disrespectful. I would, however, look around just after, as worshippers are leaving (and have done so at the Catedrale Monreale in Sicily).


S,
The Catedrale Monreale is my favorite church anywhere. My second favorite is in Rome--the very intimate Santa Maria di Trastevere I(also with mosaics, though not as spectacular as those in San Marco).

Another unsolicited suggestion--consider making your first day in Rome a classical one--go to the Colosseum 15 minutes before it opens (beat crowds), walk through the Roman Forum, go through the underrated truly knockout museum Capotoline by the very impressive Michelangelo piazza Campidoglio (spelling bad). Then perhaps a lunch in the Jewish ghetto before a nap back in your hotel and shopping around the bottom of Spanish Steps to finish off your afternoon.

And--to deal with the overwhelming Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel--I would get a private guide, also avoids massive lines.

august77

cmstraf

you are amazing!

i really apprecaite your help!

A private guide sounds like a great idea.

S

cmstraf

Hi,

I'm sorry---I lost track of this thread for a while. I can recommend some Rome guides. I used Guia, who was very good. Several friends have used Marta from same group and they rave about her. My goddaughter had both and preferred Marta although she also thought that Guia was very good.

Buona fortuna http://www.our-rometour.com

Hope this helps!

august77

Thank you cmstraf. I just looked at the website. I believe the way to contact them is through email. If so, I will email for a tour in Rome.

Also, I am considering taking only 50 euros and use my Nordstrom credit card which has no foreign transaction fee. I wonder if I should ask BOA for the eoru.

S

cmstraf

Hi august,
I always go to BofA for at 200-300 euro. What if there is no ATM nearby when you get there exhausted? Also, if you follow my expensive but heartfelt recommendation about taking the water taxi into Venice (what time does your flight arrive by the way?), it will cost you around 100 euro. You do NOT need to tip.

We are conservative about taking currency of where we are going. Just makes us feel more comfortable. For me for next trip this will mean: Korea (just a little), Nepal, Bhutan, and Thailand! I like the part when they order and then the money comes back. You should have seen the money for French Polynesia!
(these are two of the three of our exotic trips. Usually it's Europe, actually usually it's Genoa, one other Italian city or Paris.

august77

ok, will order 200 euro through BOA.

Is emailing the way to contact the private tours? I just did but i did nto see a phone number. Or I can just ask the hotel in Rome for one.

I am thinking maybe my 2016 trip will be Japan (Tokyo in April) but will get to that later

cmstraf

Email works best I think. My goddaughter who had both liked Marta best as a guide, though she also liked Guia .

It will be fun when the euro arrives. Makes it more real. Be sure to kleenex--italian kleenex which says it is the kleenex brand feels like Fort Howard.

You will love Japan (see my 4 part trip report by clicking on my name). We went in autumn--hope to go back someday for the sakura.