How is this for a plan?

[ActiveTraveler]

While trying to figure out how I can see Venice, Florence, and Rome in the same trip, I got this idea:

1. Fly to Venice. Stay there 2-3 days.

2. Take train to Florence. Stay there 2-3 days.

3. Take train to Rome. Stay there 2-3 days.

4. Take train to Civitavecchia the morning of embarkation day.

Does that look feasible? Let me know if there are any problems with it.

[CruiserBruce]

I would it is a great idea. Need anybody to help you with your baggage???:D:D:D

[JimA49085]

I would spend more time in Rome. 3 days is just not enough.

[goldenpup]

I would spend more time in Rome. 3 days is just not enough.

 

Please give me some suggestions of what to do in Rome? We will arrive 7/7 and not leave for Venice until 7/10 for debarkation? Plus any good recommendations on reasonable rate lodging in the safe areas in Rome? Also, once in Venice, how to get to the cruise ship?

thanks

[Susan-M]

Does that look feasible?

 

It will depend on how much luggage you are bringing with you, and how capable you are of handling it on the trains. Also, are you comfortable taking public transportation in a foreign country where signage is not in English?

 

We are comfortable with both issues, and enjoy using public transportation during our travels, but to some people, it may be more challenging than what they are interested in and/or capable of.

 

A website that is quite informative: http://www.ftroute.com/ItalianTrains.htm

[Susan-M]

Please give me some suggestions of what to do in Rome? We will arrive 7/7 and not leave for Venice until 7/10 for debarkation? Plus any good recommendations on reasonable rate lodging in the safe areas in Rome? Also, once in Venice, how to get to the cruise ship?

thanks

 

Are you going this year? If so, you may want to check on hotels.com to see what is available for your dates and within your price range. Once you narrow down the choice, you can check reviews on Tripadvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g187791-Rome_Lazio-Hotels.html).

 

There are recommendations for hotels in other threads here, such as this one:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1191609

 

Threads on how to get to the cruise terminal in Venice:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1198495

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1190125

 

Highlights in Rome:

 

-Vatican: Museums & Sistine Chapel (reserve in advance) + St. Peter's Basilica.

-Colosseum

-Forum

-Pantheon

-Trevi Fountain

 

Wander around: Trastevere, Piazza Navona, Jewish Quarter

 

If you still have time: Borghese Gallery (reserve in advance if possible)

 

I highly recommend buying Rick Steves Rome guidebook...it really made our trip to Rome, and is a favorite of many people here on CC:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Rome-2010/dp/1598802836

 

We also used parts of his Italy guidebook for our other stops in Italy.

 

He also has free downloadable audio tours (Ipod and MP3) plus printable maps, for the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel) ... all very good. http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/audiotour_menu.htm

 

If you want on-line guidebook info, I like Frommer's (scroll through the index at the left and you'll have everything you need to know (and then some) for a few days in Rome: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/0064010001.html

 

Enjoy!:)

[ab0si]

I would spend more time in Rome. 3 days is just not enough.

 

Jim, that is true, but then 3 days is not enough time for Florence or Venice either. <grin>

[ActiveTraveler]

It will depend on how much luggage you are bringing with you, and how capable you are of handling it on the trains. Also, are you comfortable taking public transportation in a foreign country where signage is not in English?

 

We are comfortable with both issues, and enjoy using public transportation during our travels, but to some people, it may be more challenging than what they are interested in and/or capable of.

 

Why would I have to worry about the signs if I am not driving? I just have to read names of cities and streets, not the Italian words for stop, no parking, etc. So I would rather go the train route than have Mom rent a car because of both the language and traffic laws.

I only will bring one suitcase on wheels and one small backpack, so my ability to carry all luggage from one end of the country to the other should not be too difficult. I will use the luggage valet for my black flats, skirt, formal tops, jewelry, and dresses if I need to.

[Susan-M]

Why would I have to worry about the signs if I am not driving?

 

Not road signs, but signs and displays in the station, on the platform and the train.

 

The link that I posted above will help with that; see "Italian Train Basics".

[Podie]

Don't forget that renting an apartment is a very attractive option if you're in Rome three days or more. Our two bedroom, two bath apartment right above Campo dei Fiori was 200 euro per night, less than many hotels, complete with full kitchen, living room, and terrace. A couple of years before, we stayed at a nearby 1 BR apt in Rome that was 150 euro per night. It's not for everyone, but it's a great way to go for us.

[goldenpup]

Are you going this year? If so, you may want to check on hotels.com to see what is available for your dates and within your price range. Once you narrow down the choice, you can check reviews on Tripadvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g187791-Rome_Lazio-Hotels.html).

 

There are recommendations for hotels in other threads here, such as this one:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1191609

 

Threads on how to get to the cruise terminal in Venice:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1198495

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1190125

 

Highlights in Rome:

 

-Vatican: Museums & Sistine Chapel (reserve in advance) + St. Peter's Basilica.

-Colosseum

-Forum

-Pantheon

-Trevi Fountain

 

Wander around: Trastevere, Piazza Navona, Jewish Quarter

 

If you still have time: Borghese Gallery (reserve in advance if possible)

 

I highly recommend buying Rick Steves Rome guidebook...it really made our trip to Rome, and is a favorite of many people here on CC:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Rome-2010/dp/1598802836

 

We also used parts of his Italy guidebook for our other stops in Italy.

 

He also has free downloadable audio tours (Ipod and MP3) plus printable maps, for the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel) ... all very good. http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/audiotour_menu.htm

 

If you want on-line guidebook info, I like Frommer's (scroll through the index at the left and you'll have everything you need to know (and then some) for a few days in Rome: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/0064010001.html

 

Enjoy!:)

 

Thank you SO much for the help. We are going this July, then heading over to Venice for a July 10 cruise.

[janina]

Andrea, make sure you make the train reservations ahead of time. Even if you have a Eurail ticket, you still need reservations. These are busy trains. Also in Rome if you stay by the Spanish Stairs area, or Trevi fountain, you will be pretty center. Go to tripadvisor.com for hotel info. Not sure your budget but I like Hotel Victoria or The Savoy by Via Veneta. Great safe area, you can walk everywhere. When in Venice take time to go to Murano or Burano islands. Murano is the glass, and Burano the lace. Interesting water taxi ride, and great little places. Best advice for Venice since it is somewhat like a maze if you see something you may want to buy, get it because you may not find the store again.:) I think 3 days in each city for your first time, will give you a good overview. If you want to spend less, I would cut a day off Venice and add to Rome.

[euro cruiser]

I disagree with a couple of bits of this advice:

 

Andrea, make sure you make the train reservations ahead of time. Even if you have a Eurail ticket, you still need reservations. These are busy trains.

You don't need to make them far in advance, the day before is more than enough and day of is usually good as well unless you are traveling on a particularly busy holiday weekend. There are trains every hour between these key cities, so you may have to wait an hour for the next train in order to get seats together, for example, but you'll almost never get shut out entirely.

 

Also, Eurail tickets are generally a huge waste of money, point-to-point tickets within Italy are almost always less expensive.

 

Also in Rome if you stay by the Spanish Stairs area, or Trevi fountain, you will be pretty center.

For most tourists, the Spanish Steps area is not central at all. The roughly triangular area bounded by the Pantheon (Piazza della Rotonda), Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori is ideal, especially for a first time trip to Rome. While the Trevi fountain itself isn't far off, how a hotel defines the area "near" Trevi may significantly impact how close you are (or are not).

[endymion6942]

Don't forget that renting an apartment is a very attractive option if you're in Rome three days or more. Our two bedroom, two bath apartment right above Campo dei Fiori was 200 euro per night, less than many hotels, complete with full kitchen, living room, and terrace. A couple of years before, we stayed at a nearby 1 BR apt in Rome that was 150 euro per night. It's not for everyone, but it's a great way to go for us.

 

Would you be kind enough to forward some information about the two bedroom apartment you booked. I will be taking by DW and two teenage sons to Rome next year and this sounds like what I am trying to find.

Many thanks.