august77

Thanks cmstraf

The private tour lady, Martila responded via email. There are a few options. I am considering this one, 55% per hour:


WALKING TOUR This is the ideal if you want to enjoy the Renaissance and Baroque face of the city and don’t mind to walk a bit. We will show you all the main squares and fountains of Rome that made our city famous in many movies. Piazza Navona with the famous Fountain of Bernini, the Pantheon, the first dome ever built and the only one existing for centuries. The Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish square and Steps.

cmstraf

Hi August,
That sounds great....but if you are going to the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel, you definitely want Martila to shepherd you. If you can go for both, do it. If you have to choose,
the walking you can do by yourself, the museum (which is fabulous) you can't. BTW, I think the ideal way to do the museum is in 2 separate visits: one for the Sistine Chapel (which I totally lucked out and was able to see it when it was closed to the public once), once for the rest of the museum.

august77

This is what she replied to me:

"The tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel also includes St Peter's Basilica. It takes about 4 hours and the cost is 220 eu including the entrance fees."


The start time on a Tuesday are either 10 am or 2:30pm. I am thinking 2:30pm unless it gets too hot or too busy. Any thoughts?

She wants me to pay 50 euro through paypal and the rest in cash in person.

Thanks

cmstraf

I think it's worth it. I would lean towards 2:30, but I'd ask her advice about does she think one of the two times are less crowded. You want to take earplugs or an iPod in case you want them in Sistine Chapel (or anywhere)

The Vatican museum is to die for as is the Sistine Chapel. I have never been in love with St Peter's Basilica, but the Michelangelo Pieta` is incredible.

Rereading the Agony and the Ecstasy is fun.
Jerome Oremland's book on the Sistine Chapel and a psychoanalytic theory of creativity is excellent and not too dense (you can find it through Amazon I think).

It's also time for you to go!

Would you like Venice suggestions?

august77

thanks much cmstraf

the private tour lady wants 170 in cash, i paid her already 50 by credit card. I have 200 euros in cash to take to Italy. My concern is that I will run our of cash.

there are two options for water taxi from the airport, one is private by Danieli paid by credit card and the other is the public water taxis paid in cash. I fell like the provate ones will be more fun despite being more expensive. any thoughts?

thanks again

august77

i also wanted to add that I still have not made reservations for the train from Venice to Rome.

1. is it OK to wait until 2-3 days befor and have the hotel s concierge do it?

2. is travelling by train convenient enough considering that I will be carrying a heavy suitecase?

tnx a lot

august77

Also,

I went to trenitalia website and placing venice to rome is not an option?!

cmstraf

Placing Venice to Rome?? Not sure what you mean. I'm not the train person.
If I were you, I'd call the Daniele and ask their concierge what his/her advice is.
Heavy suitcase should be OK, although my husband has reformed me and we now travel carry on. For train, two smaller suitcase is better than one large one, but you'll manage. Get someone to help you and tip them.

I'd take the Daniele private boat. What time does your plane land? It's coming soon.

Our next big trip is to Bhutan....and the Kathmandu Valley. I am heartsick--for them and for us. If you know anyone who wants to donate, the American Himalayan foundation is giving 100% direct aid (someone must be covering administrative costs) for long term recovery (that will mean temples, the 4 heritage sites that were demolished being rebuilt more earthquake proof, also people's homes). We are still hoping against hope to go in six months without being a burden and with more to see than sadness, but are painfully beginning to make plan B.

But that's my story---did I tell you about Museo della Dogana-- new museum, from old building--cool combination of architecture, weird but excellent contemporary art and these amazing views of the city.

Give my city my love.

cmstraf

Placing Venice to Rome?? Not sure what you mean. I'm not the train person.
If I were you, I'd call the Daniele and ask their concierge what his/her advice is.
Heavy suitcase should be OK, although my husband has reformed me and we now travel carry on. For train, two smaller suitcase is better than one large one, but you'll manage. Get someone to help you and tip them.

I'd take the Daniele private boat. What time does your plane land? It's coming soon.

Our next big trip is to Bhutan....and the Kathmandu Valley. I am heartsick--for them and for us. If you know anyone who wants to donate, the American Himalayan foundation is giving 100% direct aid (someone must be covering administrative costs) for long term recovery (that will mean temples, the 4 heritage sites that were demolished being rebuilt more earthquake proof, also people's homes). We are still hoping against hope to go in six months without being a burden and with more to see than sadness, but are painfully beginning to make plan B.

But that's my story---did I tell you about Museo della Dogana-- new museum, from old building--cool combination of architecture, weird but excellent contemporary art and these amazing views of the city.

Give my city my love.

Dayle

August

You have to put in city names in Italian. Rome is Roma. If you don't know the Italian names, get them off an Italian map or perhaps use Google translate.

august77

thanks much, i will write more later. you are so awesome

cmstraf

WOW! You are leaving in a week. You will have a wonderful trip....and of course, we will await your trip report (for me special vicarious pleasure in hearing about the Daniele and the Hassler)
a couple of thoughts:
--take packets of travel sized kleenex (softer than Italian brands, esp Italian Kleenex brand).
--if by some chance you end up in a hospital, do not worry about absence of soap or toilet papers in room. Medical care is excellent, but soap and toilet paper can be stolen as casually as we steal work pens and yellow pads. I apologize if I have already written this.

august77

haha you are funny cmstraf

weather in Venice will be wet on two days, Friday and Saturday, I am wondering what to pack for those days. Rome will be dry and hot

1. umbrella?
2. sandals?
3. light rain jacket vs leather jacket?


Looking forward to hearing from you soon,

Thank you
S

cmstraf

You'll be in Venice on Friday!! What do you plan to do?

My very Berkeley suggestion: take hiking boots if you weren't already planning to. City walking can be really hard on your feet, esp going up and down bridges and in museum.

I'd take light rain jacket instead of leather jacket, though I pause when I remember that you are staying at the Daniele and the Hassler. I believe there will be less rain if you take rain jacket. One time when we went to Venice in November, we took Gortex jacket and pants and hiking boots. It was a great plan, barely rained at all.

Umbrella depends on whether you have special Seattle skill for not losing them. I got 3 great umbrellas at umbrella store near Pike's Market..am going to New Haven and New York on Friday, afraid that one is already lost.

Yes to sandals if you have room.

august77

Thanks much
As for hiking boots, would sneakers do? I have boots and booties otherwise.
I will take sandal and light rain jacket wit umbrella.
As for Friday, i thougt i woild be play it by ears especially as i did not know the weather. Suggestions?

I lived in New Haven, it ad culture but no fun...

One lesson that i learned through train ticket purchase is to do it through eurorail but not europian websites...Or just fly...

I will ceck back shortly

cmstraf

Depends on your feet...sneakers don't give me enough protection from pavement or cobblestone. DEFINITELY take very comfortable shoes that you can walk and walk in.

Buon viaggio and let us know how it goes!

august77

This Is the short version of my trip report

Venice was like a dream. Weather turned out to be perfect and it only rained for a few hours one day. What added to the joy of my stay in Venice was the superb service of hotel Danieli. Some lady escorted me to their hair salon from Danieli and had my hair done for only 45euros...Another day the cost of my dinner at the rooftop of the hotel was waived.... I took too many fun pictures in Venice. What a lovely place!

Then on Sunday I took the train to Rome. If I wanted to do it again I would fly. There appears to be constant delays with trains. Rome in general was full of life and busy. It did get a little too hot couple of days and walking outside around noon was a challenge. Traffic is heavy and driving patterns are suboptimal so I walked a lot ( reached 35k steps on my Fitbit in one day). I truly enjoyed my private tour of Vatican for about 4 hours. My other favorite part of the trip was having conversations with the locals. An elderly lady gave me her info so I could rent her apartment next time. I stayed for 4 nights and three days. Although I was ready to go back home at the end, I could see myself returning in not too long.

Next trip, Florence and somewhere else?!

Cheers,
S

elbegewa

august77: let us know about your flights and connections, how u liked them.

Next year 3 of us are going to take the same trip: fly Seattle to Venice, return Rome to Seattle.

We don't like breaking the trip up into 2 equal-ish segments like flying to the east coast ... not enough time to really sleep on either + its a cattle car flying across the US.

We've been considering several possibilities:
1. Condor is the cheapest by far from Seattle to Frankfurt. But Frankfurt is a horrible place to tranfer (done it 2x) Also worried about Condor being a cheap flight ... comfort (or what comfort one can get on a plane) is worth some.

2. connecting through Amsterdam is tempting. How much time did you allocate between connecting flights? Customs, passport control, and security between the international and intra-Europe sides of AMS can be a hassle (almost missed a connection there once).

3. Also considering Air Canada via Toronto ... even tho I usually don't fly through the east coast, AC seems more comfortable / better service than Delta in my experience.
I'm not wedded to any airline's frequent flier miles, don't fly enough, and get miles through my credit card to use as I want.

august77

I was not too pleased with delta/KLM. Even it came to my mind that if I have to fly with them again I will do first class only. However, Amsterdam airport was just fine. It seemed more organized than CDG or Rome's. My return flight's lay over time was short and I as well was worried about costumes taking extra time. Eventually, I made it ontime without a problem.
Hope this helps
S

cmstraf

Is United a Seattle hub? United has very comfortable economy plus seats with more legroom and you can then team up with Lufthansa to fly on to Venice. You can get one way tickets with Alitalia if you fly Venice-Rome.

S,
I'm really glad you had a good time. Did you use Marta or her group for the Vatican tour? Happy re-entry...