Rome ideas tips and pitfalls 14 days sep 11

[Sprucegoose]

Hi,

I have found myself looking at a Italian Holiday this Sept 11. Have TG ticketing into and out of ROME, looking at ground options.

Need to balance a 'holiday' against all the great sights and experiences there. Current thinking is Rome, Venice and the Amalfi Coast?

Appreciate any views on this drawing on the incredible powerful experiences of our well travelled members here.

Thanks

 

[KitKat]

Very convenient to take trains to get around. Used the trenitalia website to book some trips - Milan - to - Venice, Milan-to-Florence, Florence-to-Rome. Some parts of the website is still in Italian but you can make an educated guess (or get a google translation). If you book online early enough you can get a discount, always chose the express/fastest option, also sometimes they don't load the availability till about two months before departure. Overall, takes some time to play around with the trenitalia website.

If going to Venice, stay on the island - you get a different experience - once all the daytrippers are gone. Have stayed at Hotel Antiche Figure - 3 star hotel with 5 star service just across the Grand Canal from the Venice train station (Santa Lucia)(not to be confused with the Venice Mestre station on the mainland). Only one bridge to carry your luggage across...
Otherwise you could splurge if you are coming from the airport and get a water taxi and arrive at your hotel in style.

Stay away from the main thoroughfare in Venice when looking for food - many tourist traps. The hotel had good recommendations on where the locals go to eat.

In Rome, watch out for the taxi drivers - was scammed trying to get from the train station to the Westin. Tell them to run the meter or you will report them. Had no choice then as all the taxi drivers in the rank were in on it. All quoted a 20 euro fare for a 5 minute trip!

I guess with two weeks, you can squeeze in Florence as well.

Enjoy! part of the enjoyment is in the planning

 

[medhead]

I'd recommend a day trip to Florence to see David at least. Long queue to get in, but it moves quickly.

I'd also recommend a Vatican tour just to see the Sistine chapel. The reason to go for a tour is because they open 2 hours earlier for tour groups compared to general public entry. If you do a tour that doesn't include St Peter's basilica then general the Sistine chapel is the last major stop on the way out so you could ditch the tour group at that stage and enjoy the chapel. It is amazing.

I've also been to Venice and it seems that the trains connect via Verona. Umm, well it did for Venice to Munich. I'll try to dig out the hotel we stayed in, bit out of the way but good. I'll also check out the hotel mum is staying in march.

 

[lmere12]

My 2 bobs is book apartments when staying more then 2 nights. Cost effective and more comfortable. I'm using Sleep In Italy apartments for Rome for my next visit in June. (100euro/nite for 1 bedroom)
Stayed on the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge at Hotel Locando Ovidius in Venice, was happy with this, price & location. We took water taxi and was easy.
1. On the Trenatalia website click on 'all solutions' for regional train prices as well.
2. Buy a Roma Pass if your going to visit alot of museums, includes transport & saves time in queues.
3. Pre pay yr Vatican Museum tickets for time slots (if u don't have Roma Pass)
4. Scavi Tour is interesting, even tho I am not religious, needs booking in advance.
5. Can take the train from Rome to Naples for Pompeii quite cheap instead of tour.
6. Think I will get a tour for the Roman Forum this time, at least understand the history from the beginning.
7. I used bus transport in Rome, easy.
8. If you do the Vatican on your own - at the end of Sistine Chapel take the door to the Right. This leads you close to the Basilica, or to exit the Vatican closer to the river otherwise if you leave on the left you must walk all the way back around to the visit the Basilica. Was one of the best tips I learnt.
Taste test the Gelato's everywhere

 

[medhead]

The other thing I forgot to mention was the train website. Don't feel limited to using the trenitalia website only for bookings. Searches can be done on all the major train websites, bahn.de or SNCF website. Just gives a few options if language becomes a problem.

Also they open up availability 90 days in advance.

 

[casanovawa]

yeah i would do Florence, Rome and Venice and trains are a good way of getting around, although some times i have used RyanAir or EasyJet as well...

Rome has lots, we were going around the Coliseum and then just walked up to Palatine Hill and there was a tour group going around and just jumped on the back of it and gave the tour guide some euros at the end of it, but was good getting the history of thigns that you would have walked past... i now try and find walking tours for all the cities i visit to find out the stories behind what i am seeing...

I stay in backpackers so probably not tips for you, cept the one in Florence did offer two free walking tours that went through the Duomo and the Medici palaces or backgroud of the different families etc, went and saw David and took a photo even though your not supposed to, same as in the Sistine Chapel...

a few other cities around Italy might be interesting for day trips etc... i liked after seeing Rome watching the movie Angels and Demons, many of the places i went to were featured in the movie, so i like sometimes watching movies after i have either been there, or maybe watching before i go to a place, see if i can visit some of the same places, just something i like...

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The other thing I forgot to mention was the train website. Don't feel limited to using the trenitalia website only for bookings. Searches can be done on all the major train websites, bahn.de or SNCF website. Just gives a few options if language becomes a problem.

Also they open up availability 90 days in advance.

Not sure if all the others have all the fare types though.
As of Jan 22, 2011 Trenitalia has introduced a new fare system. Also at about the same time the booking hassles with non-Italian CC seem to have disappeared.

If you can get the "Mini" advance fares they are a bargain. ie Some fares may be reduced from 65 to 7 Euro!!! Minis are supply and demand though..tey start uoff very cheap and as they go the Mini fares rises. So book as soon as you can when Minis appear.

I have just booked for an April trip and gained Mini fares on all legs. Maximum was only 17 Euro..and minimum 7 Euro...for 3 hour trips on their fasst and best trains . It is travel bargan.

I am in and out of Milan.

So have booked:
Milan to Venice
Venice to Florence
Florence to Rome
Rome to Pisa
Pisa to Monterosso (Cinque Terre)
Monterosso to Milan

The website I found very easy to use. The bookings page is all in English if you click on the English icon.

One requirement though is that you need to know the Italian name for the station. ie Milano Centrale etc


The other good thing about getting the Mini fares is that you have pre-booked seats...so no need to queue up again. to geta "reservation" like you would if you havea Eurail Pass.
drawback is that I have had tp pick fixed days...but as I am only there 2.5 weeks that is nota disadvatage to me.

Hotel wise...a bit of searching Hotel Booking engines and cross refererencing with trip Advisor has produced some good econmical options all following my main mantra of LOCTION, LOCATION, LOCATION.
We will be able to walk everywhere to most of the key sights and most likely will not need one taxi fare.

In Roma we have an appartment for 5 nights about 250m from the Colosseum..and near the metro..two steps from the main train station that we arrive and depart Roma from..so might even just walk to get there.

 

[MatF]

I'll write more later, but a few initial thoughts:

- We stayed here in Rome. Right across from the forum, and a block from the Colosseum. We walked to everything in Rome (including The Vatican) - it's not that far to/between any of the main attractions, and you see a lot of things along the way that you'd otherwise miss.. There is so much to see in Rome, we had planned 4 days there, but ended up shuffling things around to spend another couple of days, and I'm glad we did.
- I personally didn't like Venice. We were there for Christmas, and it was flooded every day - high tides in Winter, and San Marco Square was flooding from the tides, and also up through the drains. It smelt like Sewage. Didn't leave a great impression. I don't think this is an issue in Summer though.
- Florence is definitely worth seeing. Loved it.
- Siena is also worth a stop if you have time
- Cinque Terre is pretty cool. We stayed in Monterosso. I can recommend an awesome place to stay if you're interested.
- Positano is the nicest town on the Amalfi Coast to stay IMHO, but I believe it's very expensive/touristy in peak season (we were there in off season, and it was great). Great place to relax.
- The train system (particularly the high speed trains) are excellent, and very comfortable.

 

[admin]

Spent 10 wonderful days in Italy in December. Spent time in Rome, Venice and Florence. All worth seeing, and wish we had more time. We were traveling out of season and generally booked accommodation online, the day before we arrived. It was winter, so we never had a problem.

We would generally book directly from the hotel websites as we found the prices significantly cheaper than booking off hotel accommodatoin sites. In Rome we stayed at Hotel White (Hotel White - Albergo 4 stelle Centro di Roma Fontana di Trevi) - very comfortable hotel in a fantastic location, a stone's through from the Trevi fountain. Got a great deal - less than $160 a night for 2 including a fantastic breakfast.

We travelled by express train - booking at the station. There is a difference between booking a ticket and reserving a seat, so be sure to reserve your seat as well! Keep a look out for spot specials. Friends who were in Italy a month before us, were lucky enough to travel during the "women travel free" week - effectively halving the fare! This evidently is quite common.

I definately second visiting Siena. Its a easy bus ride from Florence and gives you a good taste of Tuscan towns.

One last thing: when ordering a coffee from an expreso bar, don't sit down. Rather take your coffee standing at the bar, and get it for about half price!

Enjoy. Italy is a fantastic place to visit!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I'll write more later, but a few initial thoughts:

- We stayed here in Rome. Right across from the forum, and a block from the Colosseum. We walked to everything in Rome (including The Vatican) - it's not that far to/between any of the main attractions, and you see a lot of things along the way that you'd otherwise miss.. .

Pleased to hear that the location was good for you, as I have just chosen to stay basically in that location too...and chose it as it was near most things including our arrival/departure station...and still had some restaurants near by, as well as beeing an easy walk to many more.

 

[medhead]

Not sure if all the others have all the fare types though.

my mistake they can't be used to book. I have only used those sites to search timetables so never noticed that important point.

The other good thing about getting the Mini fares is that you have pre-booked seats...so no need to queue up again. to geta "reservation" like you would if you havea Eurail Pass.
drawback is that I have had tp pick fixed days...but as I am only there 2.5 weeks that is nota disadvatage to me.

the German site allows booking a seat reservation only without fare. Just have to go through as per a booking but it gives the option of reservation only at some point. Trenitalia doesn't have a similar option?

On the hotel front. As best I can make out I've stayed at the hotel tiziano in Venice. Trouble is I got the correct street in google maps but the location of the only hotel doesn't look exactly right and I can't remember the name of the hotel. It was a good place to stay but it is a bit out of the way.

Mum is staying at hotel Gardena In Venice in march. Good location pretty much opposite the train station. I have no idea if it is any good or not.

I've also stayed in Hotel Centro in Rome. Easy walk from Roma Termini train station. We also walked everywhere from that hotel, except the Vatican as we did that on a tour. As a place to stay for 4 or 5 days I like it.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Thanks all, very informative and considered comments......as is the power of this select group of people!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

the German site allows booking a seat reservation only without fare. Just have to go through as per a booking but it gives the option of reservation only at some point. Trenitalia doesn't have a similar option?

.

You mistook my meaning.

You can only book the Mini fares if you book a set train at a set time and date. With fares reduced from say 65-ish Eouro each to say 12-ish on average that saves me 160 Euro each trip by using a fixed day.

All up that is say a saving of 800 Euro. So I am content to sacrifice flexibity to save the 800 Euro.

Besides it will most likely also save me hours in queues.

 

[medhead]

You mistook my meaning.

You can only book the Mini fares if you book a set train at a set time and date. With fares reduced from say 65-ish Eouro each to say 12-ish on average that saves me 160 Euro each trip by using a fixed day.

All up that is say a saving of 800 Euro. So I am content to sacrifice flexibity to save the 800 Euro.

Besides it will most likely also save me hours in queues.

I got that meaning. I was replying to the point about not having the queue up again to get a reservation like you do with a eurail pass. Just saying that it is possible to pre-book reservations as well without needing to queue up.

 

[sergeyvzn]

If you do go to Amalfi Coast, make sure you leave a day for a day trip to Capri - an easy ferry ride from Positano. The island is a little jewel, fantastic views and September should be ok crowd wise

When buying tickets on Trenitalia website I had problems with my Westpac credit cards - could not pay for the tickets, some very complex security issues with Australian cards, had to buy all tickets in Rome in the Termini station main booking office - took 10 mins to book and pay for all my 4 legs ( Rome - Napoli - Florence - Venice - Rome) and there were no problems with the same card I could not use online from home

Italy is terrific country with heaps of things to see and do, you'll love it

 

[Budley]

Having been there several times (and I'm off there again next week), I would suggest the following.

When in Rome, stay on the coast (eg Lido di Ostia) and get the train into the city (1 Euro). Of course, you won't, but it's worth considering.

And for your travels further afield, just rent a car. Beats the cough out of having to queue at Termini or anywhere else (of course, you won't do this either).

So good luck anyway (you may need it).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

When buying tickets on Trenitalia website I had problems with my Westpac credit cards - could not pay for the tickets, some very complex security issues with Australian cards,

As I posted earlier in this thread payment with non-Italian cards used to be a problem, but has recently been vastly improved...though I think Amex is still an issue.

I booked with both Westpac Krisflyer VISA and Wizard/28 Degrees in Feb 2011 and had no problems.

 

[sergeyvzn]

I did it last year in Feb and neither my Westpac AMEX Altitude nor VISA Altitude worked. The funny thing - as I had to register with Trenitalia, I still regularly get their emails with all sorts of promotions. I read them and sigh...oh Bella Italia

 

[Sprucegoose]

Having been there several times (and I'm off there again next week), I would suggest the following.

When in Rome, stay on the coast (eg Lido di Ostia) and get the train into the city (1 Euro). Of course, you won't, but it's worth considering.

And for your travels further afield, just rent a car. Beats the cough out of having to queue at Termini or anywhere else (of course, you won't do this either).

So good luck anyway (you may need it).

Well you just never know there Budley, kind Sir..................

 

[Sprucegoose]

As I posted earlier in this thread payment with non-Italian cards used to be a problem, but has recently been vastly improved...though I think Amex is still an issue.

I booked with both Westpac Krisflyer VISA and Wizard/28 Degrees in Feb 2011 and had no problems.

I would have thought Visa was Visa???