Questions for Viva Italia Alumni

[stultress]

I have a few questions for those of you who have been on this trip in the past few months - mostly just trying to clarify some things I've read in other posts. Any feedback is appreciated!

1. Are there irons in the rooms at any of the hotels?
2. Did you receive a Disney duffel bag upon arrival in addition to the messenger bag that comes with the pre-trip materials?
3. Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of being able to videotape inside museums and churches? I know there are some places that allow free reign with still cameras, some only no flash pictures, and some no pictures at all. I am assuming you can take video anywhere you can take still pictures but not in places that don't allow pictures. Can anyone confirm?
4. Is there a laundromat near the villa in Tuscany?

I'm sure I will think of more questions, but that's all I've got for now. Thanks so much!

stultress

[redzinner]

1. Are there irons in the rooms at any of the hotels?

No irons available in rooms. Some of the hotels ask you not to use travel irons also because they pull too much electricity. I took mine and did use it with no problems.

2. Did you receive a Disney duffel bag upon arrival in addition to the messenger bag that comes with the pre-trip materials? Yes, I seem to remember receiving it in Rome before we left for Tuscany. It is my understanding that we are getting back packs this year not messenger bags. As soon as my Ireland pre-trip packet arrives I'll take a photo and post it.

3. Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of being able to videotape inside museums and churches? I know there are some places that allow free reign with still cameras, some only no flash pictures, and some no pictures at all. I am assuming you can take video anywhere you can take still pictures but not in places that don't allow pictures. Can anyone confirm?

Hopefully someone else will chime in here but I remember NO PICTURES/VIDEOTAPING inside the Sistine Chapel or the Museum in Florence where the David statue is located. We took pictures in all other churches, Coliseum, etc. even in the Vatican hallways leading to the Sistine and also in St. Peter's where the Pieta is located.

4. Is there a laundromat near the villa in Tuscany?

Don't remember one but I didn't ask about one either. There is one in Venice.

[PiperPilot]

Redzinner's answers match our experiences.

Photography and videotaping depend upon the place. Look for signs at the entrance.

To add to Redzinner's list, the Uffizi Museum in Florence does NOT allow any photography.

Re: Laundromat (lavanderia)
There is not a laundromat near the villa in Artimino. On the way to the villa, they stop at a gas station and instruct you to buy any food, snacks, wine, soda, etc. Basically, you drive up the side of a very large hill and you are in the middle of nowhere. It is scenic, but isolated.

For laundry info in Rome & Venice, you can consult this thread I posted. See Tip #5.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1843573

[wdwsos]

It's not the greatest picture, as it was taken with my phone, but this is the 2009 backpack:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9DH3e3DEFfI/Sb7rR8V3O6I/AAAAAAAAAEY/ubtYm-rOlY0/s512/2009%


Here's the link, in case the photo doesn't appear above: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qD6qRLm5p98x1wk_etAiIw?feat=directlink

Dotti

[redzinner]

Thanks Dotti for the photo!

[BecABD]

We got WAY nicer backpacks in 2007!! Those look cheaper!

[hack2112]

Having seen the bags for the last few years, my favorite still has to be the messenger bag. I still use it all the time. However, the one strap backpack looks really cool.

[sayhello]

Thanks for the pic, Dotti! Any chance of getting a pic of the back (ie, show what the strap(s) look like?)

Thanks!
Sayhello

[redzinner]

Thanks for the pic, Dotti! Any chance of getting a pic of the back (ie, show what the strap(s) look like?)

Thanks!
Sayhello

Here's a shot I took Sayhello. Just click on the picture to see more detail.
http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/7698/2811911090074279726S200x200Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2811911090074279726DbTPBY)

[SLK1]

A few months back someone posted something about not carrying an ABD backpack because it announces, "Hey I'm a Tourist!". Any truth to that? Any opinions? Let me clarify that I'm not against being a tourist, but it was more that it was an invitation for pick-pockets.

[Joan1]

I have a few questions for those of you who have been on this trip in the past few months - mostly just trying to clarify some things I've read in other posts. Any feedback is appreciated!

1. Are there irons in the rooms at any of the hotels?
2. Did you receive a Disney duffel bag upon arrival in addition to the messenger bag that comes with the pre-trip materials?
3. Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of being able to videotape inside museums and churches? I know there are some places that allow free reign with still cameras, some only no flash pictures, and some no pictures at all. I am assuming you can take video anywhere you can take still pictures but not in places that don't allow pictures. Can anyone confirm?
4. Is there a laundromat near the villa in Tuscany?

I'm sure I will think of more questions, but that's all I've got for now. Thanks so much!

stultress

If you look up the websites for each church / museum it will give you the information on photos and videos. The Sistine Chapel is definitely one where it is a no no for anytype of photography at all.

Years ago they allowed you to take the photos without flash so I had 1000 speed film in my camera ready for when we were there and treasure those photos as you can't even do that any longer

[Joan1]

A few months back someone posted something about not carrying an ABD backpack because it announces, "Hey I'm a Tourist!". Any truth to that? Any opinions? Let me clarify that I'm not against being a tourist, but it was more that it was an invitation for pick-pockets.

I tend to agree with the pick pocket comment, it does kind of stand out saying hey look over here

[GirlfromTN]

We got WAY nicer backpacks in 2007!! Those look cheaper!

Are the backpacks not nice?? I'd rather get a messenger bag. Not excited :(

[ga9497]

Are the backpacks not nice?? I'd rather get a messenger bag. Not excited :(

The ones in 2007 were nicer looking then the ones for 2009. I too liked the messanger bags the best.

[redzinner]

Everyone will have a different opinion on this subject. ;)

I don't know what the backpack for 2007 looked like but I can tell you this year's backpack is well made of good fabric. It is lined and 4 zippered compartments.

The term 'nicer looking' is definitely an objective/personal rating.

We received the messenger bags last year and have never used them. In fact I think Goodwill got one of them. They were a very drab grey and an awkward size. I don't use either messenger bags or backpacks normally so I could do without both 'gifts'.

[redzinner]

A few months back someone posted something about not carrying an ABD backpack because it announces, "Hey I'm a Tourist!". Any truth to that? Any opinions? Let me clarify that I'm not against being a tourist, but it was more that it was an invitation for pick-pockets.

You will be such a tourist on an ABD tour especially in the larger European cities. :rolleyes1

You will be in a group with a Guide holding a sign in front of the group and another guide at the rear of the group, constantly counting to make sure everyone is still with the group. No way around feeling like a tourist. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings. It's just like walking around parts of NYC or Miami or any hometown these days.

We had absolutely no problems with pick-pockets in Rome, Florence or Venice.

We were cautioned, especially in rail stations but didn't encounter a problem. We took the subway (Metro) by ourselves without the group and again didn't have any problems.

But we didn't carry our messenger bag with us either!;) Some people used them on the bus to carry items they wanted since they didn't have their luggage with them. Very few carried them on the streets.

[SLK1]

You will be such a tourist on an ABD tour especially in the larger European cities. :rolleyes1

You will be in a group with a Guide holding a sign in front of the group and another guide at the rear of the group, constantly counting to make sure everyone is still with the group. No way around feeling like a tourist. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings. It's just like walking around parts of NYC or Miami or any hometown these days.

We had absolutely no problems with pick-pockets in Rome, Florence or Venice.

We were cautioned, especially in rail stations but didn't encounter a problem. We took the subway (Metro) by ourselves without the group and again didn't have any problems.

But we didn't carry our messenger bag with us either!;) Some people used them on the bus to carry items they wanted since they didn't have their luggage with them. Very few carried them on the streets.

Living in Orlando, we tend to despise tourists (thank you for spending money here though!:love: ). It'll actually be fun to BE a tourist. Can't wait!!!:yay:

[sayhello]

It always cracks me up when people try to figure out how "not to look like a tourist". It's 99% sure you're going to look like a tourist, no matter what you do, because you ARE a tourist! Unless you have NO need for a map, carry a normal purse or wallet, and stay away from the touristy spots, and never pull out a camera, you're pretty much going to look like a tourist. And if you're in a foreign country, unless you speak the local language flawlessly, they're going to peg you. And if you are in a tour group, you might as well forget it! :confused3

No one would *EVER* mistake me for a local when I travel. I have TOURIST written all over me.

The best thing is to remain aware and be careful. Although I *did* hear a really good tip on "John & Kate Plus 8", to make sure any kids do *not* have their names visible on their backpacks or whatever, so that strangers will not be able to call them by name. Kids might be confused when a stranger appears to "know who they are".

I got the messenger bag last year, and it has NEVER been used. It is WAY too heavy & bulky to be used while traveling, and I have a rolling bag for work, so it's pretty useless to me. The logo is really pretty on it, however...

I'm not sure if I'll be able to use the backpack, because the straps look a little skimpy to me, but I guess I'll find out when I get it! It *looks* cool... Thanks for the pic of the back, redzinner!

Sayhello

[TewEpcot]

2. Did you receive a Disney duffel bag upon arrival in addition to the messenger bag that comes with the pre-trip materials?


Is this just on the Viva Italia trip, or on all ABD trips?

[sayhello]

Is this just on the Viva Italia trip, or on all ABD trips?We did not receive a backpack while on the Southwest Splendors trip. Just the messenger bag while at home. So it appears to be only some trips (or maybe only this one?)

Sayhello

[stultress]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I'm so glad I found the Disboards! All of you AbD veterans have been so helpful. I wish some of you were going on my trip. Still haven't found anyone. :sad2:

[wdwsos]

We had one duffel bag per room on the Flavors of France trip in June '08, in addition to the messenger bags we received at home.

Dotti

[sayhello]

We had one duffel bag per room on the Flavors of France trip in June '08, in addition to the messenger bags we received at home.

DottiOh, you're right! We did get duffle bags. But not backpacks. D'oh!

Sayhello

[glassslipper2004]

I love the duffel bags we got (after arrival in Rome). They are lightweight and great carry-ons. The messenger bags were heavy, dull grey, not attractive - the kids' backpacks were much nicer, blue and green. So I'm looking forward to the backpacks.

And don't despair about being isolated in Artimino - there is a wonderful gelato place in the town, about a 5-10 minute walk from the hotel, and the view from the hotel is amazing. A wonderful, wonderful place!

[DisneyKevin]

We did the Viva Italia trip in 2006.

I experienced a pickpocket in Venice.

The "steets" or walkways in Venice tend to vary greatly in size. You might be in a very wide boulevard or a narrowere space wide enough for two people to just pass.

As we were walking through one of the narrower "streets" I felt a tug on my shorts. I was wearing cargo shorts and had my wallet buttoned inside one of the thigh pockets. I thought I had caught the pocket on a doorframe or something similar.

After a short distance, I felt the tug again and reached back and grabbed the arm of a 7 or 8 year old little boy. After checking to make sure my wallet was there, I let him go and he disappeared into an alley in a flash.

We were told that it is very difficult to catch the pickpockets or retrive your things as they work together. One takes your belongings and immediately passes it to someone else. Even if you catch the original thief, it's likely that he/she will no longer have your stuff.

I would reccommend that when walking through crowds, that you keep your wallet / money / credit cards in an inside pocket or in a pocket that buttons. I would also hesitate to put anything of real value on my back where I could not see it.

There are many ways and devices to secure your belongings. In my opinion...the best is to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions.

This was the only incident like this on the entire trip.

Just be aware.

[TDC Nala]

I love my messenger bag. My laptop computer fits into it perfectly.

[Kiderak]

The villa in tuscany had a coin operated washer and dryer.

[jackienut]

The villa in tuscany had a coin operated washer and dryer.

This is correct-- you may want to have travel detergent with you. Several in our group used the laundry room at Artimino, and hung clothes outside to dry.


We received the lightweight duffel bags in Rome, which came with some 'goodies', ie. H2O spritzer, headbands, etc.

You will absolutely love Viva Italia!

[grumpy-1]

Are the backpacks not nice?? I'd rather get a messenger bag. Not excited :(

I have a couple of messenger bags you can have. We got them last year and never used them