Italy in 10 days
Apr 13th 2003, 2:46 pm
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Italy in 10 days
"Ralph" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Why don't you want to take the train? You stick with the main cities
> anyway, which are all very well connected. You could take a Eurostar
Italia
> and enjoy the comfort.
Yes, why don't you want to take the train? Kids can move around in trains
instead of being stuck in the seat of a car. And the toilet is down at the
end of the car.
If you're mostly going to cities, a car is a hindrance. You can always take
excursions from the city.
Mariannne
news:[email protected]...
> Why don't you want to take the train? You stick with the main cities
> anyway, which are all very well connected. You could take a Eurostar
Italia
> and enjoy the comfort.
Yes, why don't you want to take the train? Kids can move around in trains
instead of being stuck in the seat of a car. And the toilet is down at the
end of the car.
If you're mostly going to cities, a car is a hindrance. You can always take
excursions from the city.
Mariannne
Apr 13th 2003, 5:22 pm
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Italy in 10 days
My 2 cents worth: rather than stay 5 full days in Rome, spend at least a
day in smaller towns, such as Sienna or even a village. While there is
certainly enough to for 5 days in Rome, you aren't even scratching the
surface of Italy and an extra day in Rome isn't going to make that much of a
difference. You don't want to drive, inside Rome or Florence, but in a
smaller place you can take a trip out into the countryside.
"Tarek Hammoud" wrote in message
news:Tsima.467362$S_4.526536@rwcrnsc53...
> Hello,
> We (2 Adults and 2 kids ages 6 and 8) are planning a trip tp Italy in July
> for 10 days. Here is what we are thinking:
> Fly from Chicago to Rome then to Venice using one way tickets.
> - 2 days in Venice
> - Drive to Florence and stay for 3 days.
> - Drive to Rome and stay for 5 days.
> I will be renting a van and driving.
> Questions
> ----------
> We would like to see as much as possible.
> - Is the drive too much. It seemed reasonable to me.
> - Can we maybe cut 1 day from Rome and another from Florence and stay in a
> nice place in between the two cities ?
> We are food and shopping lovers.
> Any tips help ideas will be greatly appreciated. Have not purchased the
> tickets yet. Will wait to hear from you guys!
> Thanks!!
> Lina
day in smaller towns, such as Sienna or even a village. While there is
certainly enough to for 5 days in Rome, you aren't even scratching the
surface of Italy and an extra day in Rome isn't going to make that much of a
difference. You don't want to drive, inside Rome or Florence, but in a
smaller place you can take a trip out into the countryside.
"Tarek Hammoud" wrote in message
news:Tsima.467362$S_4.526536@rwcrnsc53...
> Hello,
> We (2 Adults and 2 kids ages 6 and 8) are planning a trip tp Italy in July
> for 10 days. Here is what we are thinking:
> Fly from Chicago to Rome then to Venice using one way tickets.
> - 2 days in Venice
> - Drive to Florence and stay for 3 days.
> - Drive to Rome and stay for 5 days.
> I will be renting a van and driving.
> Questions
> ----------
> We would like to see as much as possible.
> - Is the drive too much. It seemed reasonable to me.
> - Can we maybe cut 1 day from Rome and another from Florence and stay in a
> nice place in between the two cities ?
> We are food and shopping lovers.
> Any tips help ideas will be greatly appreciated. Have not purchased the
> tickets yet. Will wait to hear from you guys!
> Thanks!!
> Lina
Apr 13th 2003, 6:32 pm
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Italy in 10 days
"Tarek Hammoud" wrote in message
news:Tsima.467362$S_4.526536@rwcrnsc53...
> Hello,
> We (2 Adults and 2 kids ages 6 and 8) are planning a trip tp Italy in July
> for 10 days. Here is what we are thinking:
> Fly from Chicago to Rome then to Venice using one way tickets.
> - 2 days in Venice
> - Drive to Florence and stay for 3 days.
> - Drive to Rome and stay for 5 days.
> Lina
Public transport is much better in Italy than the US, so it would be
wasteful to drive these distances and especially a van, which you do not
need for 4 people. Since lounging around the countryside isn't in your
plans, try to buy and open jaw ticket into Venice and out of Rome. Take the
train from city to city. Use cabs in the two land cities and the waterbuses
within Venice.
I recently had lunch in Florence which is not very far from where I live and
paid $25 for parking during lunch. Gas costs about +$4 a gallon. Highway
tolls are high. Driving can be insane. Take the train and see the country
between the cities in safety, but do reserve seats.
All three of the cities you want to see have good shopping.
You should know it will be hot in cities in July, and that the sun is brutal
here and sunblock a necessity. Don't forget your ears!
news:Tsima.467362$S_4.526536@rwcrnsc53...
> Hello,
> We (2 Adults and 2 kids ages 6 and 8) are planning a trip tp Italy in July
> for 10 days. Here is what we are thinking:
> Fly from Chicago to Rome then to Venice using one way tickets.
> - 2 days in Venice
> - Drive to Florence and stay for 3 days.
> - Drive to Rome and stay for 5 days.
> Lina
Public transport is much better in Italy than the US, so it would be
wasteful to drive these distances and especially a van, which you do not
need for 4 people. Since lounging around the countryside isn't in your
plans, try to buy and open jaw ticket into Venice and out of Rome. Take the
train from city to city. Use cabs in the two land cities and the waterbuses
within Venice.
I recently had lunch in Florence which is not very far from where I live and
paid $25 for parking during lunch. Gas costs about +$4 a gallon. Highway
tolls are high. Driving can be insane. Take the train and see the country
between the cities in safety, but do reserve seats.
All three of the cities you want to see have good shopping.
You should know it will be hot in cities in July, and that the sun is brutal
here and sunblock a necessity. Don't forget your ears!
Apr 14th 2003, 12:48 am
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Italy in 10 days
On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 21:41:27 GMT, "Tarek Hammoud" wrote:
>Doug,
>Thanks. We were thinking:
>- 2 nights in Venice
>- 3 nights in Florence
>- 5 nights in Rome
>From all the replies, we are now thinking:
>- 3 nights in Venice
>- 3 nights in florence
>- 4 nights in Rome.
>Do we need a car while in venice ?
A number of people have responded with a bit of sarcasm and no clear
explanation. There are no cars allowed in Venice (except utility vehicles for
businesses, emergency vehicles, etc). People who drive into Venice park in one
of three giant garages outside town. Tourist transportation in Venice is by
foot, by bus (which is a boat) and by taxi (which is also a boat).
>Same question for Florence ?
No. If you have a car in Florence, you park it (miles from your hotel at a cost
of $20+ per day) and walk around. It's not Venice, but the streets in the parts
of the city where you will want to go are tiny, crowded, confusing. Some of
them are pedestrianized (usually the one that goes to your hotel from where you
are when you finally figure out where you are -- it's like magic). The majority
of vehicular traffic is motor scooter, bicycle, moped, 3-wheeler vans, or itty
bitty cars.
> Should we
>just rent the car from Venice to Florence and then from Florence to Rome ?
>This what we are thinking. We do not want to take the train. Is it easy to
>drive in Italy ? We drove in the south of France with no problems.
It is easy to drive in rural Italy and there are some nice drives where you are
going. The autostrade are quite good, although they tend to be 4 lanes. But I
tell you the truth -- and this is from someone who prefers to rent a car when
travelling -- your itinerary screams "train".
It is NOT easy to drive or park in Florence or Rome. You will get utterly and
profoundly lost. A van will be nearly impossible to maneuver. Parking will be
hideously expensive. It will take you hours to get settled into your hotel in
Florence. It will be hot as hell. You may well get a fender dented in Florence
or Rome and spend your entire vacation hassling with it. Or even worse, knock
someone off their motor scooter who has pulled 1/2 inch diagonal in front of
your right bumper.
It will take you two an hour or two of nightmare just to return the car in Rome.
If you were saying "we want to spend 10 days visiting the hill towns of Tuscany,
Umbria, and spend a night in Pisa" I might give you different advice. But
Venice to Florence to Rome? You would be nuts to drive. The *pleasant* part of
your trip will be spent on a superhighway ("autostrada").
I speak moderate Italian. I have taken a number of driving trips in Italy. I
prefer to drive by a long shot. I'm telling you, don't do it for this trip -- I
wouldn't.
--
"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
- Abraham Lincoln
>Doug,
>Thanks. We were thinking:
>- 2 nights in Venice
>- 3 nights in Florence
>- 5 nights in Rome
>From all the replies, we are now thinking:
>- 3 nights in Venice
>- 3 nights in florence
>- 4 nights in Rome.
>Do we need a car while in venice ?
A number of people have responded with a bit of sarcasm and no clear
explanation. There are no cars allowed in Venice (except utility vehicles for
businesses, emergency vehicles, etc). People who drive into Venice park in one
of three giant garages outside town. Tourist transportation in Venice is by
foot, by bus (which is a boat) and by taxi (which is also a boat).
>Same question for Florence ?
No. If you have a car in Florence, you park it (miles from your hotel at a cost
of $20+ per day) and walk around. It's not Venice, but the streets in the parts
of the city where you will want to go are tiny, crowded, confusing. Some of
them are pedestrianized (usually the one that goes to your hotel from where you
are when you finally figure out where you are -- it's like magic). The majority
of vehicular traffic is motor scooter, bicycle, moped, 3-wheeler vans, or itty
bitty cars.
> Should we
>just rent the car from Venice to Florence and then from Florence to Rome ?
>This what we are thinking. We do not want to take the train. Is it easy to
>drive in Italy ? We drove in the south of France with no problems.
It is easy to drive in rural Italy and there are some nice drives where you are
going. The autostrade are quite good, although they tend to be 4 lanes. But I
tell you the truth -- and this is from someone who prefers to rent a car when
travelling -- your itinerary screams "train".
It is NOT easy to drive or park in Florence or Rome. You will get utterly and
profoundly lost. A van will be nearly impossible to maneuver. Parking will be
hideously expensive. It will take you hours to get settled into your hotel in
Florence. It will be hot as hell. You may well get a fender dented in Florence
or Rome and spend your entire vacation hassling with it. Or even worse, knock
someone off their motor scooter who has pulled 1/2 inch diagonal in front of
your right bumper.
It will take you two an hour or two of nightmare just to return the car in Rome.
If you were saying "we want to spend 10 days visiting the hill towns of Tuscany,
Umbria, and spend a night in Pisa" I might give you different advice. But
Venice to Florence to Rome? You would be nuts to drive. The *pleasant* part of
your trip will be spent on a superhighway ("autostrada").
I speak moderate Italian. I have taken a number of driving trips in Italy. I
prefer to drive by a long shot. I'm telling you, don't do it for this trip -- I
wouldn't.
--
"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
- Abraham Lincoln
Apr 14th 2003, 9:54 am
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Italy in 10 days
On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 21:41:27 GMT, "Tarek Hammoud" wrote:
>Do we need a car while in venice ? Same question for Florence ? Should we
>just rent the car from Venice to Florence and then from Florence to Rome ?
>This what we are thinking. We do not want to take the train.
Taking the train will be both cheaper and faster than driving. Not to mention
less stressful.
The real question is not if you _need_ a car in Venice or Florence, the
question is, will there be any situation at any time there, where you
would be better off with a car. I think the answer is no.
--
Ask me for directions.
>Do we need a car while in venice ? Same question for Florence ? Should we
>just rent the car from Venice to Florence and then from Florence to Rome ?
>This what we are thinking. We do not want to take the train.
Taking the train will be both cheaper and faster than driving. Not to mention
less stressful.
The real question is not if you _need_ a car in Venice or Florence, the
question is, will there be any situation at any time there, where you
would be better off with a car. I think the answer is no.
--
Ask me for directions.
Apr 14th 2003, 2:38 pm
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Italy in 10 days
In article , Mason Barge
writes:
>No. If you have a car in Florence, you park it (miles from your hotel at a
>cost
>of $20+ per day) and walk around. It's not Venice, but the streets in the
>parts
>of the city where you will want to go are tiny, crowded, confusing. Some of
>them are pedestrianized (usually the one that goes to your hotel from where
>you
>are when you finally figure out where you are -- it's like magic). The
>majority
>of vehicular traffic is motor scooter, bicycle, moped, 3-wheeler vans, or
>itty
>bitty cars.
Just returned from Florence , where the car park was 85 dollars for two days. .
Walking around Florence is easy, if necessary, take a bus, but you will not
need to drive there.
Rosie
writes:
>No. If you have a car in Florence, you park it (miles from your hotel at a
>cost
>of $20+ per day) and walk around. It's not Venice, but the streets in the
>parts
>of the city where you will want to go are tiny, crowded, confusing. Some of
>them are pedestrianized (usually the one that goes to your hotel from where
>you
>are when you finally figure out where you are -- it's like magic). The
>majority
>of vehicular traffic is motor scooter, bicycle, moped, 3-wheeler vans, or
>itty
>bitty cars.
Just returned from Florence , where the car park was 85 dollars for two days. .
Walking around Florence is easy, if necessary, take a bus, but you will not
need to drive there.
Rosie
Apr 15th 2003, 2:07 am
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Italy in 10 days
In article ,
[email protected] (Jesper Lauridsen) wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 21:41:27 GMT, "Tarek Hammoud" wrote:
>
> >Do we need a car while in venice ? Same question for Florence ? Should we
> >just rent the car from Venice to Florence and then from Florence to Rome ?
> >This what we are thinking. We do not want to take the train.
>
> Taking the train will be both cheaper and faster than driving. Not to mention
> less stressful.
>
> The real question is not if you _need_ a car in Venice or Florence, the
> question is, will there be any situation at any time there, where you
> would be better off with a car. I think the answer is no.
and should one want a car e.g. for a meandering side trip near Rome etc
-- then rent one for the day
[email protected] (Jesper Lauridsen) wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 21:41:27 GMT, "Tarek Hammoud" wrote:
>
> >Do we need a car while in venice ? Same question for Florence ? Should we
> >just rent the car from Venice to Florence and then from Florence to Rome ?
> >This what we are thinking. We do not want to take the train.
>
> Taking the train will be both cheaper and faster than driving. Not to mention
> less stressful.
>
> The real question is not if you _need_ a car in Venice or Florence, the
> question is, will there be any situation at any time there, where you
> would be better off with a car. I think the answer is no.
and should one want a car e.g. for a meandering side trip near Rome etc
-- then rent one for the day
