Viva Italia

[BillandChris]

We are in the final stages of selecting the dates for our adventure to Italy. We can go in either late August or late September. We are looking for input as to the best time to go.
Thanks,
Bill and Chris

[disneytraveler]

I booked my trip for the Sept 30 date. Disney Kevin might also give you his
impression on the weather. However, i have talked with people who have gone to Italy in the summer and was told late September is ideal because it is not too hot then.

[ronny1]

I booked for Sept 30 as well! Hope to see you also. I hear the weather is just perfect at the end of September. Kevin will have answers...KEVIN?????

[BillandChris]

Thanks for your feedback. It looks like we will try for the September trip.

[DisneyKevin]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry, I was away from my computer for a while. You know how it is when family visits for the holidays.

We took the Viva Italia trip in October 2006 and found the weather to be ideal for touring. It was warm (but not too warm) and sunny during the day and a bit cooler in the evening. Just perfect.

The Viva Italia trip was very casual. We wore shorts most of the time. The Adventure guides were terrific about telling us when other attire would be appropriate.

There are some special rules about attire when visiting some of the sites in Italy. It was advised that when visiting the churches, that our shorts should come to our knees and that everyone's shoulders should be covered (meaning no tank tops).

I hope this helps.

Kevin

[BillandChris]

We have now booked the September trip and are looking for input relative to departure. We can fly much cheaper by going back to Rome. Please give us any suggestions on the best way to get there (train vs. plane) and if we stay over in Rome an extra day, where we might stay and/or what we might see.

Thanks,

Bill and Chris

[ronny1]

Hi Bill and Chris,

That is the exact same with us. We are going to go back to Rome as well and fly home from there. We are going to stay in Venice one more night and then take the train (I think) back to Rome and then probably stay one more night in Rome and then fly home. We're not sure where we're staying yet but I've looked on Tripadvisor and there's some lovely bed and breakfasts that get rave reviews. Are you going on September 30th as well? Good luck with all your planning!

[BillandChris]

Thanks Ronny1.

We are actually going on the Sep 20 trip, and are considering exactly what you are. We have talked to a few people who have been there, and they said they would provide us input, so we will post it as we get it.

Have a Happy New Year

Bill and Chris

[disneytraveler]

I will be going on the sept 30th trip. I booked a flight with Lufthansa that departs out of Venice.

[ronny1]

I'm sorry Bill and Chris that you are not coming with us...Disneytraveller, did you book your flight for the day that the tour ends? Or are you going to stay another night? I'm looking forward to meeting you!!!!

[disneytraveler]

I booked the flight for when the trip ends. Looking forward to meeting you to.

[ronny1]

Looks like we may have two more friends joining us on the tour. They are our neighbours and the nicest people...we're having them over tonight for New Year's Eve dinner. Happy New Year's everyone. I hope this year brings everyone much joy and happiness!

[BillandChris]

Anyone have any feedback on the last day in Venice? We booked our flight back but it doesn't leave until 9pm so we are looking for things to do beyond the tour.

Bill and Chris

[DisneyKevin]

Trust me....you are in Venice.....there is something to do everywhere

There is an awesome museum not on the tour...The Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

or

The island of Burano

or a trip to the Lido

ok....I want to go back.

Kevin

[BillandChris]

thanks Kevin. We are about to invest in an Italy travel book and we will definitely use your input to figure out what we do.

Bill and Chris

[makelab]

We have now booked the September trip and are looking for input relative to departure. We can fly much cheaper by going back to Rome. Please give us any suggestions on the best way to get there (train vs. plane) and if we stay over in Rome an extra day, where we might stay and/or what we might see.

Thanks,

Bill and Chris
my sister just got back from rome and said the hilton at the airport (FCO) is nice, and they have a private shuttle for hotel guests that goes into the city.

[ppiew]

Probably cheaper and easier to take the train back to Rome Termini and then to the airport. Yes, the Hilton is very very nice - would highly recommend. Also Rome FCO has quite a hike to the gates so it is nice to be staying there the night b4 departure as it takes awhile to get to the gate you depart from. They also have a regular shuttle into the city so no problem there.

[keithbpatterson]

My daughters and I are going on the Sept 20th Viva Italia trip too!

[1whooper]

I am also thinking of going to Italy in September or October. Are there alot of kids on those trips? The adult trip is sold out for early discount in Sept.

[BillandChris]

We are in the final (as always) scramble to finish packing, shut down the house, etc. but anxious as can be to start the adventure. I will be sure to look for you, Keith, at the welcoming dinner tomorrow. Hope you have a good trip there.

[1whooper]

To all those going in September have a great trip and please post reports when you return. My Dh and I will not be going till 2008. Bill and Chris I wish I was on your trip but I did get to go to Ireland and that was wonderful.

[kmcrosby]

We did Viva Italia in June 2007 and extended our stay for five days after Venice. We made our way back to Rome by train. We made our own reservations one day in advance when we arrived in each new city and had no problems at all. We spent 1-1/2 days in Milan and Siena, and then 2 days in Rome. The last day was a day trip to Pompei. We stayed at a hotel in Rome near the Termini Station recommended by Rick Steves. It was OK, but ABD spoils you. You really learn to appreciate having someone take care of your luggage too. The hotel arranged a taxi for the 3 of us to the airport. The price is a set fee, which I believe was only 40 euro. By the end of our trip we thought it was a fair price not to hassle with luggage on the train to the airport. The taxi ride to airport from the Termini Station takes about 45 min. to an hour depending upon traffic. We had an early morning flight, so traffic was not bad.

[BillandChris]

Just returned from the trip. It was fantastic and well worth it. We are already talking about which ABD trip we should take next. Besides the memories, pictures, and souvenirs, we have acquired 29 new friends which we hope to stay in contact with and maybe travel together on future trips.

[1whooper]

Bill and Chris,
I just booked the adults viva italia trip for Sept. 11-19, 2008. My husband and I will be going. We did the Ireland trip this year and it was fantastic. My husband wrote a trip report for that. If you have any pointers for me, I would appreciate it.
Debbie(1whooper)

[BillandChris]

The trip will be fantastic. The trip is very casual. Chris brought a couple of skirts/ dresses, but never did wear them. Perhaps because of the vagaries of the weather, Venice was significantly cooler than Rome or Tuscany, providing ample reason (as if we needed any) to buy Italia sweatshirts. The Disney welcome package that we got when we checked in had contents for both rain and heat, but we only needed the rain gear. The temperature was in the upper 70's by day and upper 50's by night, except in Venice, where it probably didn't get above 60. We will eventually post more about our trip, but we are still recovering from jet lag and time zone changes. The trip is described in other posting threads, and is a good representation of the events. And the Disney guides were fantastic. As we were taking the train to Venice, they found out that the storm in Venice that was just ending resulted in several inches of rain that temporarily knocked out communications and the stoppage of all motorcraft and gondolas. So they had to scramble to reschedule the activities we had for the afternoon to the following day, and provided us expert guidance on what to do with our free time that afternoon, switching it from the following day. It came off as smoothly as if it was all planned.

[1whooper]

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your trip especially so soon upon your return. When you are rested , we would love to hear more about the trip. What airline did you use and did you come in early for your trip?
Thank you ,
Debbie(1whooper)

[eva]

Bill and Chris,
I just booked the adults viva italia trip for Sept. 11-19, 2008. My husband and I will be going. We did the Ireland trip this year and it was fantastic. My husband wrote a trip report for that. If you have any pointers for me, I would appreciate it.
Debbie(1whooper)

We haven't booked yet, but are hoping to soon for those dates. Did they give you any idea how many people have booked so far? I'm having a tough time trying to decide what to do, this or London and Paris? :confused3

[1whooper]

Eva,
I have no idea how many people are on the adults trip for Sept..11. My DH and I will be there!!

[kverdon]

If anyone is planning on doing this trip BOOK IT NOW!!!! I called yesterday and the ONLY advance bookings avail were possibly:

Aug24, Aug28,Sept 4, Sept 14, Sept 25.

ALL other advance bookings are sold out. Unfortunately my wife's nephew may start college on Aug 20th so these dates are out. The trips are prohibitably expensive without the advance booking discount. To go in May (standard) for the 3 of us would be $11,000! We can take a 12 day Princess cruise for almost 1/2 that! Granted we'd still have to pay for our shore excursions but that is WAY too much for 7 days! My DW was really looking forward to doing an adventrue by Disney but could not believe they were already booked up a year out!:mad:

Kevin

[eva]

If anyone is planning on doing this trip BOOK IT NOW!!!! I called yesterday and the ONLY advance bookings avail were possibly:

Aug24, Aug28,Sept 4, Sept 14, Sept 25.

ALL other advance bookings are sold out. Unfortunately my wife's nephew may start college on Aug 20th so these dates are out. The trips are prohibitably expensive without the advance booking discount. To go in May (standard) for the 3 of us would be $11,000! We can take a 12 day Princess cruise for almost 1/2 that! Granted we'd still have to pay for our shore excursions but that is WAY too much for 7 days! My DW was really looking forward to doing an adventrue by Disney but could not believe they were already booked up a year out!:mad:

Kevin

You are so right! I called on Saturday and September 11th had no early bookings left. We booked for the 14th. We are empty-nesters and hoping to get the adult only trip. But we just couldn't justify the extra 48 points per person. That is almost an entire 1-week stay at WDW in a 1-bedroom. Plus, we had to save the points for a trip with the grandkids in 2009. But, I'm sure it will be great! I don't mind having children along as long as they are well behaved and I don't have to pay for them! :lmao: As a matter of fact, they can be very entertaining! :thumbsup2

[Camicar]

If anyone is planning on doing this trip BOOK IT NOW!!!! I called yesterday and the ONLY advance bookings avail were possibly:

Oh crap. I am screwed.