Advice on trip to Italy in November 2006?

Question

I and my wife are planning a trip to Italy. We have about 8-10 days, and we are planning to take one of the Classic Italian escorted tours (2-day Rome, 2-day Florence/Pissa, 2-day Venice). Are there any travel agencies (website, phone) that offer such an itenerary? Or do you suggest we do it ourselves. If we want to do this ourselves, what is the preferred mode of travel between these cities - flight, coach or train (I dont want to spend all my savings on this trip). Also, once in a city, what is the best way to see the cities - are their city tours available (website, phones please), or should we buy a map and hire taxis. What are some of the reasonably priced hotels in Rome, Florence, Venice (2-3 stars maybe). We are flying in from London.

Any web-links where I can find more would also be appreciated.

Answer 1

Skip pisa.

Ride the trains or rent a car.

Stay in the center of Venice with a view of the Grand Canal if the budget allows. (November is slow in the hotels, bargain hard. Consider showing up without prepaid reservations.

Walk Venice and be sure to use the small gondola ferries that cross the Grand Canal at several locations. Get a pass for the Vaporetto immediately upon arrival. Skip the over priced tourist gondola ride.

Get a copy of "Venice for Pleasure" by J.G. Links (ISBN 1873428401). Read through and consider skipping Rome.

Stay near the center of Florence and walk.

Try to imagine a visit to the UK with 2 days in London, 2 days in Edinborough, 2 days in The Borders and a day in Brighton and travel time in between.

Consider fewer locations and more time in each.

If I were going back to Italy I would take a one or two week rental of a private apartment in Venice and become venician for a short time.

Have fun.

Answer 2

HI,,, wow,, wish i were going with you.... i could be your travel guide....

Ok,,,, London to Rome,,,, watch out for the pick pockets in Rome,, they are good at their profession.... go to the Vatican,, early in the morning,, they only open early on certain days,, and the line is LONG !!!!!

Go see the colisum,,, and forum in the afternoon...  Take an umbrella and some warm clothes,, it will be cold and or rainy...

In Forence,, when you get off the train,,,,from Rome,,,, go to your right,, side... there are 3 hotels out the door,,,, down the steps,, cheap.. comfortable, and close to every thing,,, walking distance... from the Duermo,,, go to the right,, about a block,, wonderful resturant on the right side,,,,,, !!!!! trust me !!

Dont know much about Venice,, except is will be colder,, its further north.....sorry.....

good luck,,,,,,

Answer 3

absoutely take the train between cities.  get your tickets in advance.   www.railpass.com .  get first class tickets

Answer 4

Globus does a good tour - November can be cool so bring a jacket and an umbrella. If it's your first time, take a tour to get acquainted with the areas. Go back and do it on your own if you're comfortable with that. Most cities traveling by foot will do, but in larger areas like Roma or Firenze you might want to take a city bus/tram. Don't forget to get your ticket validated - heavy fines for not doing so. You can get bus tickets at the tabacchi shops and newspaper stands around town. Validation machines are on the bus.

Bouna Fortuna,

Davide

Answer 5

Hy, I'm writing from Milan, Italy 8so sorry for the bad english!)

I think the best way is without travel agency, you can read information in a good lonely planet. November coul be rainy but if you find sun it's fantastic. Rome is very nice if you love history: colosseo,  Spagna square, San Pietro (where you can observer the Michelangelo's statue "la Pietà"....it's fantastic!) and a lot of old church. In Folrence and Pisa there are a lot of monuments and in Florenc you have to eat a steak "chianina" and drink red wine "Morellino di scansano". Venice is very nice, a lot of bridges and islands to discover. If you have other days you can visit Milan (It's about 4 ours from Venice by train) where you can observe a lot of shops, restaurant, people that run for work...You can use trains and bus between these city. The prices are a little high so pay attentio at restaurants and hotels..When you have choise your tour if you need informations write me: [e-mail]

By

Barbara