Vacation Help - Rome/Tuscany
May 26th, 2008, 11:15 AM
#21
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I agree with the others - drop Cinque Terra and rent a car.
We used Hertz Italy
https://www.hertz.it/rentacar/index....OnHomepage.jsp
best price and many locations.
We rented from the Rome train station. Not much to see in Pisa - except for the tower and duomo which are pricey. Add Siena to your itinerary.
We used Hertz Italy
https://www.hertz.it/rentacar/index....OnHomepage.jsp
best price and many locations.
We rented from the Rome train station. Not much to see in Pisa - except for the tower and duomo which are pricey. Add Siena to your itinerary.
May 26th, 2008, 01:16 PM
#22
What I do not understand is
the closing time according to the site for buying tickets:
Leaning Tower:
8.30 - 20.30- (until 13/6 and from 05/09 until 30/09) 8.30 - 23.00 (from 17/6)
Then I wrote out to make sense of it: (until June 13 and from Sept. 5 until Sept 30) 8:30 – 11PM from June 17
Even putting date as we are familiar with, I could not make sense out of it. That last June 17 makes it un comprehsible. We will be there on 19 August '08, will it close at 20.30, which I think or later?>>>
hi again deb
what I think it means is that between 17/6 and 5/9, it is open til 11pm. it implies that between 13/6 and 17/6 it is closed.
as you are going to be there on 19/8 that shouldn't be a problem.
to check our joint understanding, I went onto the bit of the web-site where you can buy tickets online, [somewhat obscurely hidden on the link to the tower, rather than on the ticket info page] and though you can't yet buy for your date, I tried 10th July, which falls within the same period. Hey presto, tickets available up to 23.00.
you can only buy tickets 45 days in advance, so for your date, you couldn't book until 4th July.
if you decided not to book in advance, you could try on the day for later on. or as you say, just wing it.
hope this helps,
regards, ann
ps we had a nice and reasonably priced drink at the cafe on the corner opposite the tower. we also had a decent lunch down one of the side-streets near the campo, but Pisa is very hit or miss due to the influx of tour groups.
the closing time according to the site for buying tickets:
Leaning Tower:
8.30 - 20.30- (until 13/6 and from 05/09 until 30/09) 8.30 - 23.00 (from 17/6)
Then I wrote out to make sense of it: (until June 13 and from Sept. 5 until Sept 30) 8:30 – 11PM from June 17
Even putting date as we are familiar with, I could not make sense out of it. That last June 17 makes it un comprehsible. We will be there on 19 August '08, will it close at 20.30, which I think or later?>>>
hi again deb
what I think it means is that between 17/6 and 5/9, it is open til 11pm. it implies that between 13/6 and 17/6 it is closed.
as you are going to be there on 19/8 that shouldn't be a problem.
to check our joint understanding, I went onto the bit of the web-site where you can buy tickets online, [somewhat obscurely hidden on the link to the tower, rather than on the ticket info page] and though you can't yet buy for your date, I tried 10th July, which falls within the same period. Hey presto, tickets available up to 23.00.
you can only buy tickets 45 days in advance, so for your date, you couldn't book until 4th July.
if you decided not to book in advance, you could try on the day for later on. or as you say, just wing it.
hope this helps,
regards, ann
ps we had a nice and reasonably priced drink at the cafe on the corner opposite the tower. we also had a decent lunch down one of the side-streets near the campo, but Pisa is very hit or miss due to the influx of tour groups.
May 26th, 2008, 02:58 PM
#23
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Ann, thanks for your thoughts on time, looking further into the web site and tidbit for food/drink, which may come in handy!
We will be leaving Val d' Orcia in monring of 19th for Siena/Volterra and anything else interesting before Pisa. Our plan was to see the tower, take the funny pictures with arms, "holding" tower and sleep that night in Lucca. Next day is Florence and off from there so Pisa is only planned for the 19th. I don't know what time we will get to Pisa but I hope it is daytime for photography purposes. I further hope we arrive with no groups, but if so, we will just see it and leave. Plus, "On the spot euro 15" x 4 people to see a slanted floor? Worth that?
I cannot believe nowadays you must book everything in advance! I have seen Pisa twice before, this time bringing kids and never THOUGHT we'd need to book entrance beforehand. Have Uffizi and Last Supper so far!
We will be leaving Val d' Orcia in monring of 19th for Siena/Volterra and anything else interesting before Pisa. Our plan was to see the tower, take the funny pictures with arms, "holding" tower and sleep that night in Lucca. Next day is Florence and off from there so Pisa is only planned for the 19th. I don't know what time we will get to Pisa but I hope it is daytime for photography purposes. I further hope we arrive with no groups, but if so, we will just see it and leave. Plus, "On the spot euro 15" x 4 people to see a slanted floor? Worth that?
I cannot believe nowadays you must book everything in advance! I have seen Pisa twice before, this time bringing kids and never THOUGHT we'd need to book entrance beforehand. Have Uffizi and Last Supper so far!
May 27th, 2008, 12:26 PM
#24
so ciaodeb,
you want to be the one who explains to the kids why they can't go up the leaning tower?
you're a braver woman than me!
it's quite fun up there - the views are good and you get three stops on the way, with different perspectives on the view below.
how often are you planning on going to Pisa with your children? will they talk incessently on the way home about NOT going up the tower? [well they might, if you're really unlucky]. our kids, then aged 19 & 15, loved it. I'd never have lived it down if they'd not been able to go up to the top.
honestly, on the trips we've taken over the years, I only regretted the things we haven't done, not the ones we did, even if they didn't turn out just as we'd imagined or hoped.
there's no reason why you shouldn't book your slot for, say, 3pm, do the tower and the other monuments [they take about another 30 minutes to an hour], then head for Lucca. it's only about an hour's drive, I think and as you are travelling in July, you don't need to worry about arriving in the dark.
regards, ann
you want to be the one who explains to the kids why they can't go up the leaning tower?
you're a braver woman than me!
it's quite fun up there - the views are good and you get three stops on the way, with different perspectives on the view below.
how often are you planning on going to Pisa with your children? will they talk incessently on the way home about NOT going up the tower? [well they might, if you're really unlucky]. our kids, then aged 19 & 15, loved it. I'd never have lived it down if they'd not been able to go up to the top.
honestly, on the trips we've taken over the years, I only regretted the things we haven't done, not the ones we did, even if they didn't turn out just as we'd imagined or hoped.
there's no reason why you shouldn't book your slot for, say, 3pm, do the tower and the other monuments [they take about another 30 minutes to an hour], then head for Lucca. it's only about an hour's drive, I think and as you are travelling in July, you don't need to worry about arriving in the dark.
regards, ann
May 27th, 2008, 08:05 PM
#26
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My husband and I (both in our late 50's) just returned from Italy. I would suggest seeing Rome first, then renting a car and driving to a central location in Tuscany. Rent an apartment or agriturismo for a week. We chose San Gimignano, and made day trips to Florence, Siena, Pisa, Volterra, Montepulciano and Monteriggioni. Then drive or train to Cinque Terre. We spent 2 nights in Levanto, where parking was not a problem, and took the train from there to Riomaggiore, about 20 minutes. End your trip in Pisa for your flight home. Pisa was very interesting, but wouldn't need more than half a day to see.
Remember that the longer you travel, the heavier your luggage will seem! You might get tired of lugging it on and off trains and into hotels.
Remember that the longer you travel, the heavier your luggage will seem! You might get tired of lugging it on and off trains and into hotels.
May 27th, 2008, 08:08 PM
#27
Reservations are also necessary to control the number of visitors in the tower at all times.
Our family climbed the tower in 1963 before lawyers were invented. There were no barriers at the numerous openings on the stairs or at the top. My poor mother just about expired as my 6-year-old sister climbed the "uphill" stair side and then scampered along the "downhill" stair side. She was sure my sis would slip on the marble and just shoot out one of the openings.
Our family climbed the tower in 1963 before lawyers were invented. There were no barriers at the numerous openings on the stairs or at the top. My poor mother just about expired as my 6-year-old sister climbed the "uphill" stair side and then scampered along the "downhill" stair side. She was sure my sis would slip on the marble and just shoot out one of the openings.
May 28th, 2008, 09:26 AM
#28
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Azrespect I have a quick question. When you stayed in San Gimignano and took a car to all those different locations, were they reasonable driving distances so that you could enjoy those locations? Second, did you drive or train from SG to Cinque Terre area? How did you do that? I heard from someone that Vernazza is too small and that staying in Monterosso (if that's what we decide to do) is a better location. Any more thoughts?
I agree the suitcase in and out is a hassle and that's why we want to really think this trip out.
Thanks everyone in advance for all your good ideas.
I agree the suitcase in and out is a hassle and that's why we want to really think this trip out.
Thanks everyone in advance for all your good ideas.
May 28th, 2008, 01:01 PM
#29
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<i>Florence, Siena, Pisa, Volterra, Montepulciano and Monteriggioni</i>
All are easily driveable for day trips from San Gimignano (except Pisa, which it sounds like you'll do at the end of the trip). You can do some of them on the same day.
Rome 4 nights
----------
pick up car, drive to
Tuscany 5 nights
----------
Drive to CT (turn in car upon arrival? La Spezia rental ofc)
CT 3 nights
----------
train to
Pisa 1 night
[assumes early flight from Pisa next day]
This presumes you'll do Florence as a day trip from SG. If you want to stay IN Florence, then I would cut SG to 3 or 4 and add a night or 2 in Florence. You could turn in the car upon arriving in FL and train to CT.
All are easily driveable for day trips from San Gimignano (except Pisa, which it sounds like you'll do at the end of the trip). You can do some of them on the same day.
Rome 4 nights
----------
pick up car, drive to
Tuscany 5 nights
----------
Drive to CT (turn in car upon arrival? La Spezia rental ofc)
CT 3 nights
----------
train to
Pisa 1 night
[assumes early flight from Pisa next day]
This presumes you'll do Florence as a day trip from SG. If you want to stay IN Florence, then I would cut SG to 3 or 4 and add a night or 2 in Florence. You could turn in the car upon arriving in FL and train to CT.
May 28th, 2008, 05:15 PM
#31
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kybourbon and annhig--
Last times I was there I saw only from outside and now that you mention it has been closed, well, perhaps that is reason I never saw inside. What is in there to see? Since I don't know my arrival time, I must try and get in at door if that is allowed. Kids know already all they want to do is put their hand O U T "holding" tower "up"! When I did this when 14, no one was in my shot, just me holding tower. Now I envision tons of people all around!
Kindly inform what is on each floor besides the view and slanted floor, which our old house has too, are floors furnished? I'll take if from there. THANKS!
Last times I was there I saw only from outside and now that you mention it has been closed, well, perhaps that is reason I never saw inside. What is in there to see? Since I don't know my arrival time, I must try and get in at door if that is allowed. Kids know already all they want to do is put their hand O U T "holding" tower "up"! When I did this when 14, no one was in my shot, just me holding tower. Now I envision tons of people all around!
Kindly inform what is on each floor besides the view and slanted floor, which our old house has too, are floors furnished? I'll take if from there. THANKS!
May 28th, 2008, 05:38 PM
#32
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In my memory, there's not much of anything on each floor beside the view and the slanted floor.
Climbing the tower is a bit like climbing the Statue of Liberty (when you were still allowed to do so) only less interesting to me. The SOL has an interesting interior structure but no real view. The leaning tower doesn't have much inside aside from the stair, but the leaning experience might be fun and the view from the top is better.
Visiting both these icons is more about saying you've done it than anything else.
Climbing the tower is a bit like climbing the Statue of Liberty (when you were still allowed to do so) only less interesting to me. The SOL has an interesting interior structure but no real view. The leaning tower doesn't have much inside aside from the stair, but the leaning experience might be fun and the view from the top is better.
Visiting both these icons is more about saying you've done it than anything else.
May 28th, 2008, 06:33 PM
#33
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Thanks, Ellenem, I just posted asking you a question in the rail thread. I am the 6th response:
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1. Trains within Italy - prebook? First class/high speed?
6 responses; most recent on 05/28/2008, 10:30 pm
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1. Trains within Italy - prebook? First class/high speed?
6 responses; most recent on 05/28/2008, 10:30 pm
May 29th, 2008, 11:45 AM
#34
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To theitaliantraveler --
Thank you so much for the suggestion to rent a car through Hertz Italy. We went to that website and got a much better rate than what we were quoted through the Auto Club and Auto Europe.
For the exact same car and coverage, the rate through Hertz Italy was 79,32 Euro less than the other two companies' rates. That's a big difference!
So a BIG THANK YOU to you!
Thank you so much for the suggestion to rent a car through Hertz Italy. We went to that website and got a much better rate than what we were quoted through the Auto Club and Auto Europe.
For the exact same car and coverage, the rate through Hertz Italy was 79,32 Euro less than the other two companies' rates. That's a big difference!
So a BIG THANK YOU to you!
May 29th, 2008, 02:27 PM
#35
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Byron,
It took less than one hour from San Gimignano to Florence, about 30 minutes to Volterra, about an hour to Siena and we visited Monteriggioni on the way back (it's just off the highway). It was probably 1 1/2 hours to Montepulciano, maybe a bit less. Pisa was the farthest at about 2 hours, but we got lost a few times. That is why I recommended you see it at the end of your trip, since you plan on flying home from there. If you rent a car, I recommend bringing or renting a GPS.
We still had the car in Cinque Terre so we stayed at the Hotel Primavera in Levanto and took the local train to Riomaggiore to begin our hike. The train ran frequently and took about 20 minutes. The cost for both of us was less than 4 euros each way. You can also buy a pass for the Cinque Terre NP and the train for 8 euros, but we didn't find this out until after buying our first train ticket.
We stayed at Il Palagetto in San Gimignano. If you'd like I can send you more information on it. It suited us perfectly.
Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. We are still smiling and we've been back to work for a week!
It took less than one hour from San Gimignano to Florence, about 30 minutes to Volterra, about an hour to Siena and we visited Monteriggioni on the way back (it's just off the highway). It was probably 1 1/2 hours to Montepulciano, maybe a bit less. Pisa was the farthest at about 2 hours, but we got lost a few times. That is why I recommended you see it at the end of your trip, since you plan on flying home from there. If you rent a car, I recommend bringing or renting a GPS.
We still had the car in Cinque Terre so we stayed at the Hotel Primavera in Levanto and took the local train to Riomaggiore to begin our hike. The train ran frequently and took about 20 minutes. The cost for both of us was less than 4 euros each way. You can also buy a pass for the Cinque Terre NP and the train for 8 euros, but we didn't find this out until after buying our first train ticket.
We stayed at Il Palagetto in San Gimignano. If you'd like I can send you more information on it. It suited us perfectly.
Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. We are still smiling and we've been back to work for a week!
May 29th, 2008, 04:09 PM
#36
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why stay a night in Pisa? add the night to Firenze and you can daytrip via local train to Pisa to tour the town. That will save you a logistical move in and out of a hotel and put more continuity in the trip instead of so much stop start stop start check in check out etc.
you can even train and see Luca and Pisa in a circuit the same day. and be back to Firenze in time for evening dinner. It is only and hour train ride to Pisa and very cheap.
you can even train and see Luca and Pisa in a circuit the same day. and be back to Firenze in time for evening dinner. It is only and hour train ride to Pisa and very cheap.
May 31st, 2008, 10:23 AM
#37
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Thanks everyone. We have done some tweaking to our itinerary and would like to hear your thoughts.
Rome 4 nights. High speed train to Florence for 3 nights.
Get a car and travel through Tuscany. Stay 3 nights (thinking San Gimignano but are open for suggestions).
Then drive to Santa Margherita Ligure and stay 3 nights. Train to CT and see the 5 villages (we are not hikers but are very active).
Spend one day seeing Portofino and Camigli.
Now this is where we are having some concern - is it easy to drive from SML to Venice and if so what super highways and how long? Or should we just train to Milan and then fly out from there after 2 nights. We are trying to keep our trip to around 14 nights.
We would love to hear from you guys on your thoughts on this change. Plus any thoughts on hotels in all locations. We are willing to pay around $300 per night.
Everyone, you have been very helpful. Thank you so much.
Rome 4 nights. High speed train to Florence for 3 nights.
Get a car and travel through Tuscany. Stay 3 nights (thinking San Gimignano but are open for suggestions).
Then drive to Santa Margherita Ligure and stay 3 nights. Train to CT and see the 5 villages (we are not hikers but are very active).
Spend one day seeing Portofino and Camigli.
Now this is where we are having some concern - is it easy to drive from SML to Venice and if so what super highways and how long? Or should we just train to Milan and then fly out from there after 2 nights. We are trying to keep our trip to around 14 nights.
We would love to hear from you guys on your thoughts on this change. Plus any thoughts on hotels in all locations. We are willing to pay around $300 per night.
Everyone, you have been very helpful. Thank you so much.
May 31st, 2008, 10:48 AM
#38
I think you are spending too much time changing locations and driving. You need to narrow it down a bit. You are training from Rome to Florence, bypassing southern Tuscany on the way(I thought you wanted to see Tuscany) which is in between Rome and Florence. What is it you really want to see/do? Every time you change hotels/locations you will probably lose at least half a day.
May 31st, 2008, 10:55 AM
#39
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Much of the most scenic areas and hilltowns of Tuscany are well to the south of Florence and even south of Siena - the Val d'Orcia.
Were it my trip, I'd proceed northward by car from Rome to see this important part of Tuscany on my way towards Florence. In your scenario, you'd either miss this area or, in seeing it, you'd be doubling back towards Rome.
Were it my trip, I'd proceed northward by car from Rome to see this important part of Tuscany on my way towards Florence. In your scenario, you'd either miss this area or, in seeing it, you'd be doubling back towards Rome.
