Italy- 1 week itinary- will this work.?

poet123

victory wrote: »

38 euros for 1 adult? colossum is a must? looking into places close to Navona...

http://angeltours.eu/rome

If you take the tour you don't queue, you walk straight in, which can save up to 3 hours on busy days.... They also do a free Pantheon tour, which is very interesting. Again, the colosseum is a mass of people but take a tour and you go right in.

victory

poet123 wrote: »

I don't want to rain on your parade but the last few times we have flown into Italy we have been delayed.....for up to five hours, which meant that we should have arrived in Venice at 9pm and it was 2am when we got there, scuppering plans for that night and meaning we were knackered the day after.

Trains in Italy are fine but the fast ones are dearer, but they are what you will need to make the most of the time. Is Rome non negotiable? Florence is nearer but tbh I do prefer Rome over Florence but not everyone does!! And Florence is stunning.

Obviously never thought of plane delays:eek: yes seen the trains are dearer for the fast ones, Rome want to go and Venice, I have put money aside for the far too pricey gondola ride:D:D, do not have a need for Florence, Portofino is supposed to be beautiful, celebs go there, like St Tropez but smaller, the hotels there are very costly because of its reputation so did not want to stay there but visit yes

victory

poet123 wrote: »

http://angeltours.eu/rome

If you take the tour you don't queue, you walk straight in, which can save up to 3 hours on busy days.... They also do a free Pantheon tour, which is very interesting. Again, the colosseum is a mass of people but take a tour and you go right in.

I read somewhere but can't find the details now where there is a booklet you can buy with discounts in, can't remember if it is was just for buses or for discounts on tours etc, uhm must google even more now:D

poet123

victory wrote: »

Obviously never thought of plane delays:eek: yes seen the trains are dearer for the fast ones, Rome want to go and Venice, I have put money aside for the far too pricey gondola ride:D:D, do not have a need for Florence, Portofino is supposed to be beautiful, celebs go there, like St Tropez but smaller, the hotels there are very costly because of its reputation so did not want to stay there but visit yes

Go to the side canals for your Gondola ride, it is much more interesting although the prices should be regulated so you shouldn't be ripped off.

I can recommend a good value hotel or two near the station if you need it, better to stay there and walk/waterbus down to St Marks Square than to stay down there. Buy waterbus tix in online advance for a cheaper deal.

Portofino is stunning a bit like Positano, coloured houses and wonderful scenery, but very expensive.

Loads of info here:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/

victory

Portofino to Rome 98 euros, so far have flights to GENOA times 2 for £84 and fly out from Venice £77 so flights so far looking good apart from the fact that my 12.35 pm lunch time flight now lands at 3.45 cutting the day badly, I can see this needs an awful lot of googling to get it to all tally up:D

victory

poet123 wrote: »

Go to the side canals for your Gondola ride, it is much more interesting although the prices should be regulated so you shouldn't be ripped off.

I can recommend a good value hotel or two near the station if you need it, better to stay there and walk/waterbus down to St Marks Square than to stay down there. Buy waterbus tix in online advance for a cheaper deal.

Portofino is stunning a bit like Positano, coloured houses and wonderful scenery, but very expensive.

Loads of info here:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/

Thank you very much you have been a great help:D

which are the hotel names you recommend?

Yes seen on trip advisor that someone went and had a sandwich and a drink in portofino and it came to over 40 euros he was less than impressed!!!

poet123

It depends what you are looking for, we have stayed all over Venice at various price points but we found we spend so little time in the room that the over priced view of the Grand Canal was not worth paying for unless it was a special trip such as an Anniversary.

So, with that in mind; Hotel Al Malcanton, nice rooms, basic breakfast, close to station. Hotel Abbazzia De luxe almost next door to station overlooking the Grand Canal nice breakfast, but dearer, sister hotel Abbazia former convent, nice rooms and stunning garden close to train station.

If you want to stay further down the canal Hotel Galleria is by the Academia Bridge, basic but well located. All those generally (barring certain periods) in the 100/150E per night range, if you want to go higher just ask.

http://www.veniceconnected.com/ cheaper water bus tickets

peachyprice

One word of advice, the Italian train service is very good, it runs on time and is great value, but they do strike, a lot. I would, as far a possible book non pre-paid or fully refundable rooms.

poet123

peachyprice wrote: »

One word of advice, the Italian train service is very good, it runs on time and is great value, but they do strike, a lot. I would, as far a possible book non pre-paid or fully refundable rooms.

That is a really good point, if you are caught up in one of these your schedule is in trouble!!

Neil_Taylor

Portofino is indeed very expensive. There are only very few very expensive hotels.
It's only worth a couple of hours to take the photographs and enjoy a rip off drink.

If you must stay overnight, look at hotels in neighbouring Santa Margherita Ligure, which is where the train station is. Ten minute bus ride into Portofino.

For myself, I wouldn't want less than three days in Rome or Venice - there's too much to see and do.
(On the other hand, more than this and you get monument fatigue, and need a day off)

Agree on Pisa - OK, but not worth it costing a day, and extra train fares.

I'd combine this with a Tuscany episode - Florence, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano, Volterra.