Central Italy June 10, 2012

[pclaire]

So excited! Booked the Central Italy trip for June 10th for my dd13 and I. Thanks for all the input, everyone. This trip just seemed like the best combination of activities, plus I have never been to the Amalfi coast. We are thinking about adding on a few days in Rome beforehand. Do you think it would be a problem for the 2 of us to take the train from Rome to Naples on our own? Would ABD meet us at the train station (instead of the airport)? Your thoughts are, as always, greatly appreciated!

 

[sayhello]

Generally, if you do pre-days not booked through ABD, they will not provide first day transfers, and expect you to get to the starting Hotel on your own. But it certainly can't hurt to ask ABD. You never know if they might be able to accommodate you.

Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

We did the Italy tour in 2007--and flew in a couple of days early and booked our own hotel near the airport (which had a shuttle into Rome); we met up with ABD at the airport--so, as long as you get back to the airport for the first day you'll get the transfer to the hotel. Maybe they would accommodate you from the train station too (never thought about what they do if you arrive by train rather than plane--so I agree with SayHello, never hurts to ask!)

 

[ldo]

rome-naples. Train is very easy--you want the eurostar or intercity E* (fast train), not the local.

 

[zavandor]

From Rome to Naples there is now a high speed train, it will cost you a little more, but it will take only 1 hour, half the time of an Eurostar.

You can (and should) make a reservation online, the website is:

http://www.trenitalia.com/

there is also the english version.
If you travel during weekend or you buy your tickets far in advance you can find many offers.

 

[eak22270]

I was searching threads on Greece and Italy and noticed your posts. We are highly considering Greece or Italy in June 2012. Do you think the heat will be less than in August?

 

[eak22270]

We are highly considering Italy or Greece in June 2012. Do you think the heat and crowds will be less in June than in August?

 

[pclaire]

I think the heat will get worse in july and august, which is why we tried to schedule for as early in june as we could. I've been to Tuscany in May and it was beautiful, but even then, Florence was hot and crowded. So I would expect crowds in all the summer months. Not much you can do about though, if you have kids in school!

 

[paddles]

Hi - we just signed up for the June 10th Central Italy trip as well. We have 2 kids who will be nearly 7 and 9 next June.

Do you know how many other people are signed up for this trip? We're really excited and are planning a quick trip to Venice and Rome afterwards.

 

[pclaire]

Hi Paddles - glad to hear there are other folks going to Italy with us! Unfortunately i dont know any other people who are going, and I've been a little worried that we wouldn't have enough. Where are you from? We're from Denver. We are doing 3 days in Rome before the trip - can't wait!

 

[paddles]

We're thinking of going to Paris for a few days before flying into Naples, and then spending a day in Venice and 2 days in Rome after the trip. We were able to take advantage of the post-trip free hotel night in Florence (every little bit helps!!).

I don't think they cancel trips for having too few people...but maybe I'll call ABD and see how many folks total are signed up for this date. It might be nice to have a smaller group. But its only Feb...I'm sure these tours will start to fill up more real soon.

 

[sayhello]

I don't think they cancel trips for having too few people...but maybe I'll call ABD and see how many folks total are signed up for this date. It might be nice to have a smaller group. But its only Feb...I'm sure these tours will start to fill up more real soon.

Unfortunately, ABD has canceled trips for having too few people. But it needs to be a *really* low number for them to do that. I've had trips go with 14 and 15 people. I had one canceled because only 3 people signed up (but that was in 2009 when the economy tanked right after ABD had expanded their offerings). They do still cancel on rare occasions. But if they do, they really bend over backwards to get you on another trip, and they generally absorb the cost. (The only time I've heard of where they didn't absorb the whole cost was when someone ended up switching from a canceled domestic trip to a European trip, and ABD didn't pick up the entire cost of the much higher airfare involved.) Even if you don't purchase your airfare through them, they'll pay to have it switched.

Just wanted to set your expectations. But you should be fine!

Oh, and currently, the policy in ABD's FAQ is that they will not cancel a trip due to lack of people less than 70 days prior to it's starting date. So you should be good to go by April 1st (or there abouts).

Sayhello

 

[DisneyKevin]

So excited! Booked the Central Italy trip for June 10th for my dd13 and I. Thanks for all the input, everyone. This trip just seemed like the best combination of activities, plus I have never been to the Amalfi coast. We are thinking about adding on a few days in Rome beforehand. Do you think it would be a problem for the 2 of us to take the train from Rome to Naples on our own? Would ABD meet us at the train station (instead of the airport)? Your thoughts are, as always, greatly appreciated!

ABD will provide transfers from the train station in Naples to the first hotel on the first day of your Adventure.

 

[paddles]

I called ABD this morning and it looks like 16 people total are on the June 10th trip so far....which the agent said should be no problem (and wouldn't warrant cancellation).

So, hopefully, we should be all set for the June trip!