nutrvlr

Hello, I've been reading all of the great info on these forums and wondering if I can get some feedback?

We will be travelling to Italy March 23, 2006.
Our flight and our 3 nights accomodations in Rome are already pre arranged.
Arriving on the 24th at 1100 AM, on our own, we would like to explore the Colesseum, the Forum, Spanishsteps, and Palantine Hill. On the 25th (Saturday) we would like to go to St. Peter's, the Vatican and Sistine Chapel (again on our own).
Sunday is a pre arranged activity.
We then plan to take the train to Venice, stay for 3 nights (hopefully at Ca Formosa).
Arriving at in the early afternoon, we will just walk about Piazza San Marco and Rialto Bridge and maybe take in a Gondola ride in the evening. The next morning, a tour of Murano and other Islands. The next day, Doge's palace, Bridge of sighs, St. Mark's Basiclica. We are thinking of taking the good advise of a 72 hr vaporetta pass.
We leave the next morning (30th) for Florence. Stay 2 nights (hopefully at Tourist House Porcellino) Arriving in the early afternoon, stroll about. We'd like to take in the Duomo, The Accademia, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Miachelangelo and HOPEFULLY a day trip to the Outlet Firenze.
We plan on taking the train from Florence to Rome at approx 7 PM. (after checking out of our hotel we plan to store our luggage at the train station and then visit more of Florence until we leave on the train)
Arrive in Rome, spend the night and then fly out the next AM.
Because of prearranged flight and first 3 nights, and that our option of flying out of Venice (and doing Rome, Florence, Venice) at 6 AM (which we didn't want to do), we decided on this itinerary.

Can anybody comment and give suggestions?

We are hoping to buy our tickets for the colesseum and david on line before leaving.

Thanks : )

ira

Hi N,

Sounds like a nice trip.

>We are hoping to buy our tickets for the colesseum and david on line before leaving.<

Secret Itineraries tour of Doge’s palace - Venice
Phone number is 011 39 041 520 9070. English-speaking operator.

You will not be charged for your tickets if you don't go on the tour.


Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1016868 (dial around number), 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.

nutrvlr

Thanks Ira,


What do you mean by "dial around number"?

Do you know anything about the "Venice Link: Eurostar + motor-boat in Venice" promotion on Trenitalia?
I don't quite understand the explanation.
And, is it best to book our train tickets on line prior to our trip or to buy as we go? we'd like to travel Eurostar 1st class.


Have you heard any reviews about Il Porcellino or Ca Formosa?

Do you have any other helpful hints?

Thanks again, N

ira

Hi N,

>What do you mean by "dial around number"?<

Instead of paying for long distance service you can pay for individual calls using various "dial around" services. 1016868, 1010987 are two of them.

>Do you know anything about the "Venice Link: Eurostar + motor-boat in Venice" promotion on Trenitalia?<

We decided that it is not as big a bargain as they would like you to believe. They give you a discount on a water taxi, which they fill. You might not need a water taxi at all.

>is it best to book our train tickets on line prior to our trip or to buy as we go? we'd like to travel Eurostar 1st class. <

Unless you are traveling on weekends or holidays, I don't think that you will need to buy online. You still have to pick up your tickets.

You can get all of your train tickets at the station at FCO when you get tickets for Rome, when you get to Rome TE station, from any travel agent in Rome.

>Have you heard any reviews about Il Porcellino or Ca Formosa?

Nope. Try www.tripadvisor.com

>Do you have any other helpful hints?

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

Have a nice trip.

SusanP

If you want to book your train ticket ahead of time at trenitalia, you do NOT still have to pick up your tickets at the station. Just choose the ticketless option. Then you just board the train and show the conductor your email printout when he comes around. Very easy. Good to do if you are very sure you want a specific train. If you're not sure which train you will want, you should obviously wait until you get there to buy the tickets.