Thanks!

I have been to the Vatican Museums twice; once in really really crowded conditions and once with the after-hours tour. Honestly, I would not ever go again if not on the after-hours tour. The crammed experience of the typical Vatican tour is just not worth it IMHO. Many, many others will disagree with me.

With only 10 days split between 3 cities, you may not find it "worth it" to spend a day of misery shuffling shoulder-to-shoulder through the Vatican hallways. Again, just my opinion based on my two visits.

If the after-hours tour is within your budget, email Helen and tell her your availability. It's still very early, and it's likely a tour could be created for when you're there if others sign up for that date.

I don't think tours are necessary except for: the after-hours Vatican tour, a tour of the Roman Forum, the Accidental Tourist cooking class, and the Secret Itineraries Tour of the Doge's Palace. Everything else can be seen easily on your own.

In Rome, we took the bus and subway but also walked a lot. In Florence, we took one taxi (to Ristorante Omero) and otherwise walked. In Venice, we mostly walked but did take one public "water bus" (vaporetto), one gondola ride, and one water taxi transfer. It's very easy to get around.

The only thing I wish we had time to do that we did not is visit the campanile at San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. Luckily we'll be in Venice in 4 months (loved it there!) and will get to try it then.

Also, Tim wishes we visited the Spanish Steps in Rome, but I keep telling him that he didn't miss anything special!

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

Liz

Liz,

Your post was amazing - thank you for sharing your experiences in Italy.

My husband and I will be going to Rome, Florence and Venice in a few weeks. I was very interested in how you went to Pisa - how often do the trains to that station leave Florence? Also, how long did it take you to get to Venice from Florence?

Thanks!

bookmarking

Liz
Thanks so much for your thoughts. Sometimes, post-trip reflections often open up great ideas for a second go-round. 'Hope your December trip is wonderful!! If you go in December, try a dessert called "Monte Bianco" (OMG!)-pureed chestnuts and cream topped with chocolate and whipped cream. To die for!

Checked with Helen's site for Vatican tour, but nothing planned yet, so we e-mailed her with our dates. Fingers crossed!

It sounds like the cooking class was the highlight of Florence. If you hadn't mentioned it, I never would have taken the day away from the city~thanks so much!! Do you think we need to reserve the Academia and Uffizi if we go before dinner as you did? Did you wish you had gone during the day instead? Our trip is almost the exact dates of yours, just a year later.

Also, if we go to Pisa, is it best to take a 1/2 day away from Venice or Florence?

Your trip description is the best I've read! Amazing detail and great insights. Thanks so much for your advice!

bkmrkg 2 read later!

jmjo-

The trains leave Florence for Pisa S Rossore about once per hour. Go to this website:
http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

Put in "Florence" to "Pisa S Rossore" with your date and time, and the schedule should pop up. Same for Florence to Venice (2 hours, 45 minutes). Make sure you look at the non-stop connections so you don't have to switch trains.

mairseydotes- I will answer your questions in a bit.

bookmarking. Thanks!

Hello Liz,

Thank you for all the information. My husband and I are going to Italy in November and visiting Rome, Florence and Venice. I am trying to plan according to your itinerary. WE booked Alloro B&B in Florence.

Thanks a lot,
DN

DN- I hope you have a wonderful time! Please let me know if you have any questions before you depart.
Liz

Liz -

Great Trip Report. I copied it so I can print it out and have your restaurant recs.

We are doing the Accidental Tourist cooking class as well. It is our "big splurge" for the trip. We are both looking forward to it, especially after your review.

How was the weather while you were in Italy? I can't decide if I will need a heavy coat or not (we are going the last week in Feb through the first week in March).

Thanks!

Thank you Liz. I do have a few questions but I would like to get some of my trip planned before I ask my questions. I have booked the places to stay first because we needed a confirmation for our Schengen visa. Thank you for offering to answer my questions.

-DN

This sounds exactly like what we are looking for! Thanks!

Hi Liz
We are going on the same trip at the same time this year and I love your trip report!

You mentioned taking the water bus from the train station in Venice to your hotel...did you buy your ticket in advance or on the boat? Also, did you buy a Venice Card for getting around the city on water buses? There are several kinds and I'm not sure which one to get. We're there 2.5 days.

Thanks so much for all the great restaurant descriptions...my mouth is watering already!

Thanks!

You can buy tickets for the waterbus at a stand right outside the train station near where the waterbus docks.

The only other day we used public transport was the day we went to Murano/Burano... We could walk everywhere from the Locanda.

Have a GREAT trip!

bookmarking!

Thanks for this wonderful trip report. I'm hoping to visit Tuscany this summer, and this is very helpful.

bookkeeping!

bkmk

Thanks Liz for the great report. Definitely going to some of the restaurants you recommended when we are there this May.

I have been having trouble making train reservations online and wondered if it would be just as easy to make them in person. We will be traveling Florence to Varenna and then Varenna to Venice.

Do you think it's safe to wait?

Thank you!

Upon arrival in Florence you can make your reservations and purchase tickets for the rest of your trip. To make sure that trains are not sold out, do so as soon as you arrive in Florence rather than waiting until the day you plan to travel. Either use the machines at the train station (in English, very easy) or buy from a travel agent authorized to sell train tickets with no agent service charge.