A Week in VENICE, FLORENCE, ROME, Nov.12-19
Based on past trips, i’ve read in the forums, it appears that there is a lot of the sites that the Tauck tours doesn’t see.
What do you recommend for 2 high energy travelers, tour companies, the guides in the gondolas, on the golf carts, on our own (very organized!)
0
Comments
I would contact a private guide and work with that person to see what you want to see. I've used Tours by Locals in the past and they can do a good job.
Any good private guide can make recommendations for you, and then get whatever is needed (like tickets).
In any case, if you want suggestions from the forum, you should give some indication of what kind of things you want to do. For example, there are a couple of nice concert halls in Venice but not everyone wants to go to a concert or opera.
CBoothe, you posted twice in less than 20 mins. with using CAPS in order to draw attention. 'Golf carts'!? Nice troll.
Wildcat, you are crazy. CBoothe has posted before now
Mike, thank you. Re: opera, I’m only finding the Travel Group versus a full orchestra and company.
Wildcat, there are guides in Rome who drive tourists via golf carts. My neighbor did last month, about $125.
Here is a very brief summary of the multitude of things do to: Regardless of the city, Tours by locals has worked well for us as well as Fat Tire tours. We did the evening bike tour in Florence several years age. If you're looking for concerts try Classictic.com. We have used them in Prague and Paris. Take a foodie tour. Check out Walks of Italy. Stay out late or go out early. When the lights are on, these cities have great places that look totally different without the sun and crowds. Find a rooftop bar. Do one of Rick Steve's walks.
Venice: Take a water taxi over to Murano. Tour St Mark's. Visit the Doge's Palace. Climb the Bell Tower in St Mark's square. Ride a gondola.
Florence: Looks like the David is included. See the Uffizi. tour the duomo and climb the Dome(my personal favorite.) Check out St Lorenzo Market and lunch at the Mercado Central market.. See the Frescos at Museum of San Marco. Visit St Croce. Head across the river to the Santo Spirito area for dinner. Walk across the Ponte Vecchio(the gold jewelry is over priced.) Walk to Piazza Michelanggelo for sunset.. La Giostra is great place for dinner. Pre watch the mini series Medici for some historical overview.
Rome: Have not been there in 20 years. It looks like the Vatican is covered by the tour and the schedule is a little up in the air.
Have a great trip
Ben, thank you so much! (Have you considered working for Tauck?!) I’ve been to Florence before, but am new to Venice and Rome. We had planned to go out early/stay late. And thank you for the Classictic.com site.
I second the bell tower at St Marks but its an elevator thankfully and you need a ticket. Its well worth it for the amazing 360 views.
Rome will be busy, its jubilee year. If you can hire Francesca Caruso as a private guide you will have hit the jackpot. Here is her email: francescainroma@gmail.com. I highly recommend a visit to The Bhorgese Gallery. The sculptures will take your breath away. If you can hire Francesca to guide you there, all the better. Tickets must be booked in advance, timed entry so no overwhelming crowds. Consider a food tour, they are great fun! Here is our favorite (we’ve done it twice): https://www.eatingeurope.com/rome/twilight-trastevere/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18334560370&gbraid=0AAAAADlJ69N6eW1jqsGjRKwvC4N-al2Et&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoJvR1OfijgMVUgfvAh3oiAgIEAAYASAAEgLDGPD_BwE. Enjoy! Rome can be maddening but take your time, be careful crossing the street; don’t assume cars will stop for you even though you have the right of way!
Thank you so much. I will reach out to Francesca. As we don’t know the timing of the Tauck tour, especially to the Vatican, what do you recommend. (And thanks for the crossing street recommendation! Athens was my challenge years ago when drivers would drive right up on the sidewalks, 30mph!)
Try to get the best info you can from Tauck. But know that they can’t control what the Vatican does-they’ve been known to change tour group availability at the last minute.
I agree with Folsomdoc about the Borghese Gallery. The Bernini sculptures are amazing! You need to get tickets in advance.
If you need a day trip from Venice, Padua is way to get to by train. Its about 30 minutes or so.
Ravenna is also not too far from Venice and it has a long history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravenna
You can take a train from the Mestre rail station to Ravenna.
Here are some pictures from when we went to Ravenna in 2015 - https://www.mikeandjudytravel.com/2015Italy-02.htm#Ravenna
Nike, thank you for sharing! Great photos and commentaries. I’ll start working on a stairmaster, vs a bike!
Sorry, Mike!
@CBoothe - you can edit your post by clicking on the little gear in the upper right corner of your post. That will give you a pull down menu. Select "Edit"
Folsomdoc, I emailed Francesca for a tour. She’s already booked but offered several recommendations. Thanks for your recommendation.