mr_go

Thanks. And don't be a stranger. This place is addicting (you'll see).

jgg

We were just in Venice a few weeks ago and our gondola ride was 80 euros for four people. This was about a 1 hr. and 10 minute ride through interior canals as well as a jog through the Grande Canal. We just went that evening and found the gondolier. He was great telling us many fascinating facts, pointing out areas of interest and answering our many questions. We went in the early evening, so as we returned the sun was setting - magical! Definitely a highlight of our trip.

NatalieM

Just back from our first trip to Italy. We had a guide for our first full day in Rome...Planned on a 3 hour tour, but went longer because he was so great. Focus was ancient Rome. This was one of our best decisions, and a highlight of the trip. If interested, contact Marina &/or Pietro at: [email protected]
[email protected]
On his advice, we opted to skip the Vatican Museum and saw the Villa Borghese instead...we did see St. Peters. Very personal, manageable museum. The main thing we found is that we cut our "list" and spent much more time drinking cappucino, drinking wine, soaking up atmosphere, than we had originally planned, and are glad we did! By "cover charge" I think people may be referring to the "service and bread" charge some restaurants charge. We ate at moderate (maybe cheap, compared to many posters?) places, and this was never over 1.80 euros. We tended to eat our main meal at lunch, close to 1 when most places close anyway, and there is less to do. In the evening you can always find small "bars" which offer sandwiches, pastries, etc. Have fun!

moldyhotelsaregross

ttt

r505

thanks for everybody's input..i can't thank u enough.
jgg....the gondola ride is 80 E?is there a half an hour ride...and if so would u or anybody know how much it would be.My husband and i would do the gondola ride no matter what but just want to know the prices from before.Is there a website where i could book tickets?

r505

i totally forgot that someone did mention about the gondola rides above.Just been so caught up with wrk that things tend to slip away from my mind.I really need this vacation!

TexasAggie

Our ride was supposed to be for 45-50 minutes last June (honeymoon), but it was only about 30 minutes. The gondolier said that the circuit was always the same and that the time you got to be out on the boat just depended on canal traffic. We were out pretty late - after 10pm. So we had the canals more or less to ourselves, but the ride was very short. It was 80€

SusanP

TexasAggie, I have another question about the Roman Promenades tour. When you finish the Colosseum, do you go immediately to the Forum? The website gives two times, but I wasn't sure if that meant the Colosseum started at both those times and you go directly to the Forum. I emailed them to ask but have not heard back. Thanks.

motor_city_girl

MOST restaurants have a cover charge, usually about 2 euro/person. It should say on the menu and the bill.

Yes, entrance into the Colloseum is seperate about 9 euro. We used ICON tours and they were FABULOUS! They also do a Vatican tour. Great prices and the guides are awesome.

We just returned from Rome, Orvieto, Florence, CT and Venice (first two weeks of April). Just like spring here, needed a light-weight jacket in AM and PM. Midday, pants or capris and short sleeves. Except in Venice, it was really COLD but I think that was unusal.

I brough dressy clothes for dinner and NEVER used them. Everyone is very casual.

We could not see the Vatican (weep) because of the Pope's passing but we heard a half day is good and yes you must cover your knees and shoulders.

We paid 80 euro for our gondola ride and just the two of us and it was well worth it. Go after dark!

Please let me know if I can help with other stuff.

r505

Motor_city_girl...Thanks for the information.Had another question...Do the gondoliers sing or do we pay them extra?How much would it be if they do sing for us?And is it worth it?

jgg

The gondoliers do not necessarily sing. We noticed some people had aaccordion players or guitar players in their gondolas (which I'm sure cost extra). Personally when we passed them we found them too loud and frankly annoying. But then we were with our kids, so not the complete romantic setting.

We enjoyed talking to our gondolier, and experiencing the sights AND sounds of Venice around us.

Giovanna

Here are some sites for Rome:

http://www.romeguide.it/
http://www.romaturismo.it/
www.battellidiroma.it
http://www.vatican.va/

Here are some sites for Venice:

http://www.veniceword.it/
http://www.venicexplorer.net/indexfast.php?hlangs=en
http://www.aguestinvenice.com/

Hope these help with your plans.

cesta

Haven't been to Venice, YET...Rome is very hard in only 3 days...you will need to pick your favorites, you just can't pack all that history into only 3 days. I was there 2 years ago and had that same 3 day dilemma. We did the area around the vatican (St.Peter's square,etc), colosseum, forum, pantheon, and a couple of piazza areas. I was disappointed with the Sistine Chapel but others apparently aren't. I agree that the vatican can get lengthy so be careful. Also loved the street performers at a little restaurant in a piazza near the pantheon. Have fun.

motor_city_girl

Our gondalier did not sing either and we did not want him to. We were out late and it was so peaceful and quiet and lovely. He did point out a few interesting sites on the ride.

Our guy and three others had just come back from taking out a big group and they were all singing. It seemed fun but it was still light out when we saw them doing this and I don't think this group was looking for romance. We were celebrating out 10th wedding anniversary.

maxster

motor_city_girl; since you just returned, did you have any problem with the purse snatching/pickpocketing that I keep reading about on this site? Did you feel safe walking around Venice at night?

motor_city_girl

Absolutely NO problems anywhere. We were in Rome, Orvieto, Florence, CT and Venice and never felt even uncomfortable. We encountered a few beggars that was it.

Our guides on the Ancient Rome tour told us when we were in problems areas and our hotel in Venice had a big sign about pickpockets but we never felt uncomfortable.

I had an over-sized purse that I wore in front of me, my husband wore a backpack and we both had money belts.

We encountered many Americans abroad and only one couple had had a problem. He had his cell phone on a hip clip and it was taken. But honestly, I think that was pretty lame to wear your cell on your hip.

No worries.

r505

That's a good question maxter,even i wld like to know about that.I am a little freaked out about the purse snatching as everyone whom i know has been warning me about it.Is it that bad?I mean ofcourse one needs to be guarded but is it so bad that i need to wear a money belt?I have been to Spain and literally got pickpocketed on the subway.I think it's a problem in any big city.

jgg

We just returned about 3 weeks ago from Rome, Venice and Florence. We encountered no problems with pickpockets. We felt safe everywhere, particularly in Rome. Much safer than most large cities in the US.

We did use money belts, but we found them not to be a problem at all. Sometimes they were actually very convenient. I also had a purse slung across my shoulder with camera, maps, etc. Never felt threatened.

krystal82004

We're scheduled to arrive in Venice via Marco Polo airport in September about 10pm after travelling most of the day. I'm feeling a bit uncertain about how to get to the Hotel Ala in San Marco at that time of the night. Suggestions appreciated.

Worktowander

I returned last week from 4 days in Rome, one in Siena and four days in Venice.

Please, please, PLEASE do not overly worry yourself about pickpockets/purse snatchers.

We walked the streets of all three of these cities late at night (I work nights, so I can't go to bed early) and never, ever felt anything but completely comfortable.

Do take reasonable precautions, of course - most cash and ID in a money belt, zip your purse or bag, put a hand on it while riding the subway, have a backup plan for cash and credit in case something does happen (I'm famous for leaving my purse in stores). etc...

But don't worry so much. It's a great place and I never felt unsafe. Be reasonably vigilant, then just enjoy yourself. Everything can be replaced -- except the vacation moments spoiled by looking over your shoulder for some (probably) non-existant ne'er do well.

Good travels (and my jealousy of your trip)!