Thanks, Liz. I look forward to it. Vini da Gigio looks to be a little above my usual budget, but you need a splurge now and then, right?

Thank you!

Is there a luggage storage area at San Rossore station in Pisa?

Only Pisa Centrale has luggage storage. This link is to Trenitalia station information.
http://tinyurl.com/2gxy8h

Bookmarking for our Italy trip next month! Grazie

Enjoyed reading your trip report and took notes. We're going to Venice, Florence (6 day in Tuscany) and Rome July 3-16. Was the cooking class you took with www.accidentaltourist.com included the winery tour? What was the cost? Their website shows they have a separate winery tour (1/2 day) for 45Euro. Thanks

thanks haodeedoo!

The cooking class does include a winery tour, and the cost for the entire day was 85 Euro per person.

We highly recommend it!

Liz

So do I! It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

Liz and Linda, thank you!!
I have another question: do you recommend purchasing tickets online for the Uffizi, Accademia, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Colosseo before our trip or just buy them at the museums when we get there? I see several websites selling them - selectitaly.com,virtualuffizi.com,weekendafirenze. com, etc. and all charge a booking fee between 6-8 Euro, and claiming avoiding the lines. Any thoughts on these will be much appreciated.

bookmarking

You can pre-book at the Uffizi and Accademia for a very small and worthwhile supplement. I do so through the hotel concierge.

I have a private guide for Rome and have timed the visits to be at the least popular times based on personal experience and guide recommendations.

haodee- It is best to reserve tickets beforehand. Best to follow Ira's instructions:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34975151

"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."

By doing this, we saved at least an hour waiting with those who did not reserve.

I followed Ira's directions to call for Uffizi and Academia reservations and it was very easy. They speak English very well. It only took me a couple of minutes. Just remember that you pick up your tickets for the Uffizi across the street from the actual museum.

There is no need to reserve for the Colosseum unless you want a private tour. However, purchase your tickets at the booth for the Palatine Hill (it covers both Palatine and Colosseum) because there is virtually no line there.

As for the Vatican/Sistine Chapel, we did not have a good experience there so I will let others answer that for you. I have vowed to pay the $$$$ for a private tour the next time because I did not appreciate feeling like one in a herd of cattle.

Timand Liz- thank you for the lovely trip report. I made this trip a few years ago, but a short one and yours makes me want to go back - and it makes me hungry! thanks for all the great deatils. So glad you enjoyed!

Tim and Liz - thought I should tell you, I did take my Mom on the private after hours tour with Helen Donegan - it was great!

flygirl-- so glad you enjoyed it!

Liz

bookmarking

cls2paris-

We finally made it to Il Vesco Vino last night. (I have probably driven past it 50 times since responding to your post.)

I was disappointed that "spritz" was not on the menu! I thought I saw it on the online menu when you first posted. Do you recall it being on the menu, or did you make a special request?

I could have made a special request but instead tried the "Amber Cielo"-- Aperol, Orange Vodka, Sweet and Sour and Soda. It was very good, but strong.

Liz

Hi Liz,
I think I asked for the spritz. The cocktail you had sounds good, I'll have to try that one. We've had such pleasant evenings and you just gave me an excuse to head up to their patio one of these nights! Thanks for the update!
Cindy

bookmarking