Italy changes - thinking about "skipping" a day. Thoughts?

[kristilew]

So, I know it's weird to think about doing an ABD and not participating in a planned day, right? Just wondering if anyone has ever done it, and how you felt about your choice if you did.

Here's what's up: We are doing the Viva Italia trip over Christmas, which has apparently caused ABD some scheduling headaches for the Tuscany portion of the trip, which includes Christmas Day.

Most of the changes I'm thrilled with. We are now in a hotel in Florence instead of out in the country. We are also getting a half day trip to Pisa on Christmas Day, after a guided walking tour of Florence.

However, the day after Christmas, which is Day 6 of our adventure, they have shifted to an all day outing to the Fattoria Poggio Alloro for the pasta making and wine tasting. And now we get a quick peek at the David the next morning on our way to the train to Venice, and no tour of the Palazzo Vecchio or the Duomo at all.

So, we had booked tickets to the Uffizi Gallery for Day 6 based on the posted itinerary and other travelers' experiences with this tour. With the new plan, we would lose these tickets. OR, we could skip the "romance and renaissance" day and stay in Florence on our own. We could move our tickets to an earlier time (for a small fee) and have an unrushed tour of the Gallery. Plus, we could see the PV and the Duomo.

We often are just being good sports about what we call the "forced fun" portion of the ABDs anyway - the flute making, plate painting, look-it's-an-experience moments (though they do make for the best pictures!) So I don't think we'd miss it too much. And I know DD17 will not have a great day, being too old to have fun at the junior adventurers diversion when she really wants to be tasting the wine, which they won't let her do (I asked.) Adding to our "meh factor" is that the day as currently written includes an hour on the bus each way. Two hours we could be spending in Florence.

So, am I nuts to think about opting to stay in Florence for that day? Interested to hear from anyone who has done the Italy trip, as well as anyone who has skipped an activity or thought afterward that they could have skipped one they did.

 

[KathyTX]

Just did Viva Italia with the DIS Unplugged group in September (OMG... what a great trip!)

We had no children in our group, and customized the itinerary so we didn't do any of the Jr. Adventurers activities or the pizza making at all.

That said- I think your plan to spend the day "on your own" in Florence instead of the all day outing to the Fattoria Poggio Alloro sounds exactly what I would opt for (especially as you have no small ones along.)

Florence was gorgeous. Having a day to browse the sights YOU want to see would be fantastic. David was incredible, as were the "prisoners" works you see as you approach him. Having time to soak that in at your leisure is very memorable and emotional. Palazzo Vecchio- incredible! Shopping in Florence-- leather and jewelry heaven! Truly, a day for museums, wandering the beautiful streets, shopping amongst the street vendors' stalls, stopping for lunch and gelato at your whim, enjoying the sights along the Arno... what fun!

One of my travel companions, khertz, is currently posting a great trip report of our Viva Italia experience. She just posted about Orvieto, so Florence is coming up next. You really should check it out- she and her husband did a lot of little side explorations, she's including great detail, and her photos are terrific. Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3335259


Also, the DIS Unplugged crew recorded a review/discussion of our trip. The part where they discuss Florence begins at about the 44:30 mark. I think you'll find this really insightful, and supportive of your idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKM7-l-OP5g

 

[sayhello]

I've never skipped a day (although I've skipped some activities like biking around Versailles). But I did seriously consider skipping the pizza making in Sorrento to go to Pompeii instead. I would have, except it would have meant missing the trip to Capri also, which I very much wanted to do.

Given what you've described, and the fact that you will already *BE* in Florence (ie, no extra expense/travel time involved) I think I'd go for it. You never know, other people on the tour may decide to do the same thing. I know it seems silly to pay for an activity and not do it, but it also seems silly to miss something you really want to do for the sake of an activity you aren't really looking forward to. I'd question which was a worse case of "wasting".

Sayhello

 

[carpenta]

We went to Alaska with ABD and skipped a day activity to tour Denali Park on our own. It was the highlight of our trip. The guides were wonderful and even the bus driver dropped us off to meet our tour group. I would advise you to definitely do the Uffizi with a guide. There is so much to see and so little time. Loved, loved Florence and would love to go back. Give yourself a nice Christmas present.

 

[mare1203]

I would go for it and stay in Florence! It was one of my favorite spots and I wish we had more time. I don't think the day you are thinking about skipping has you losing out on much. The farm is nice, but it's not something I think you'd regret. I feel as though you'd be more likely to regret Uffizi.

 

[Moms]

Definitely do the day in Florence! It is an absolutely beautiful city and the Uffitzi is a wonderful gallery! We didn't do the gallery with a guide but I had my daughter the art teacher with me!

 

[kristilew]

Just did Viva Italia with the DIS Unplugged group in September (OMG... what a great trip!)

That said- I think your plan to spend the day "on your own" in Florence instead of the all day outing to the Fattoria Poggio Alloro sounds exactly what I would opt for (especially as you have no small ones along.)


One of my travel companions, khertz, is currently posting a great trip report of our Viva Italia experience. She just posted about Orvieto, so Florence is coming up next. You really should check it out- she and her husband did a lot of little side explorations, she's including great detail, and her photos are terrific. Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3335259


Also, the DIS Unplugged crew recorded a review/discussion of our trip. The part where they discuss Florence begins at about the 44:30 mark. I think you'll find this really insightful, and supportive of your idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKM7-l-OP5g

thank you! I have been following khertz's report. Will jump in and listen to the DIS unplugged crew as well. I appreciate the link.

 

[kristilew]

Given what you've described, and the fact that you will already *BE* in Florence (ie, no extra expense/travel time involved) I think I'd go for it.

Sayhello

Exactly! We were so excited to switch to staying in Florence, and now it's just going to be used as a base. We want to wallow there

I would advise you to definitely do the Uffizi with a guide. There is so much to see and so little time.

We are thinking about that, though if we have the whole day, instead of squeezing it in at the end of the afternoon, we could see a lot more even on our own.

I would go for it and stay in Florence! It was one of my favorite spots and I wish we had more time. I don't think the day you are thinking about skipping has you losing out on much. The farm is nice, but it's not something I think you'd regret. I feel as though you'd be more likely to regret Uffizi.

Definitely do the day in Florence! It is an absolutely beautiful city and the Uffitzi is a wonderful gallery! We didn't do the gallery with a guide but I had my daughter the art teacher with me!

Thanks for the encouragement! I just needed a little Dis-style hand holding to be sure we were opting for the right thing for our family. DD17 would love to be an art history teacher some day, and will be practicing on her parents, I'm sure

 

[DisneyKevin]

I have done the Christmas Viva Italia Adventure and while our trips have all been memorable...none more so than Christmas in Florence.

We were in a group of people that we met at the start of the Adventure and not with a group of DIS folks....so we were really on our own.

We had the most amazing Christmas in recent memory. Wandering around Florence Christmas Eve was MAGICAL. They were playing Christmas music in the Piazza della Signoria and projecting snow flakes on the wall. The Piazza was deserted and it was truly special.

Christmas Day in Florence was very quiet in the morning. We walked over the Ponte Vecchio and found a lady making fresh cannolis and that and cappuccino was our breakfast.

About 12:30 or 1:00pm, all of Florence turned out in the very best. People were dressed to the nines and it seemed everyone was just walking around showing off their presents. Great fun.

Keep in mind that the day after Christmas is considered a holiday in Italy and much of Florence remained closed. I would check to see if things like the Uffizi are open on that day.

I have skipped several activities on ABD Adventures in lieu of something I wanted to do more. I tell every guest I book that they have paid for all activities, but they are not required to do any of them. It's you Adventure....do what thrills you.

If you have any questions about this...just let me know.

Kevin@DreamsUnlimited Travel.com

 

[sayhello]

If you get Rick Steve's Audio Europe app, he has an audio tour of the Uffizi. I've done his audio tours of the National Archeological Museum of Athens, the Ancient Agora and the British Museum. I really enjoy them, and he gives you a lot of context and background of what you're seeing. He'll often include a local expert, also. He sometimes feels compelled to tell stupid jokes, but I'm willing to overlook that.

Sayhello

 

[carpenta]

One good aspect of a tour guide in the Uffizi is that usually they pre buy the tickets and reserve an entrance time so as to skip the line. Sometimes the line stretches down the street. As Disney Kevin stated you should check about holiday closing a for Italy can be more family centric than here.

 

[sayhello]

Kristilew did say she's already purchased Uffizi tickets for that day. So I'm assuming they're open. I would sure hope so! But that's good information in general.

Sayhello

 

[kristilew]

I have done the Christmas Viva Italia Adventure and while our trips have all been memorable...none more so than Christmas in Florence.

We were in a group of people that we met at the start of the Adventure and not with a group of DIS folks....so we were really on our own.

We had the most amazing Christmas in recent memory. Wandering around Florence Christmas Eve was MAGICAL. They were playing Christmas music in the Piazza della Signoria and projecting snow flakes on the wall. The Piazza was deserted and it was truly special.

Christmas Day in Florence was very quiet in the morning. We walked over the Ponte Vecchio and found a lady making fresh cannolis and that and cappuccino was our breakfast.

About 12:30 or 1:00pm, all of Florence turned out in the very best. People were dressed to the nines and it seemed everyone was just walking around showing off their presents. Great fun.

Keep in mind that the day after Christmas is considered a holiday in Italy and much of Florence remained closed. I would check to see if things like the Uffizi are open on that day.

I have skipped several activities on ABD Adventures in lieu of something I wanted to do more. I tell every guest I book that they have paid for all activities, but they are not required to do any of them. It's you Adventure....do what thrills you.

If you have any questions about this...just let me know.

Kevin@DreamsUnlimited Travel.com

Thank you, Kevin! This has me even MORE excited about Christmas in Florence!

Yes, Uffizi is only closed Christmas Day. We did, as Say Hello mentioned, already have tickets (well, timed entry vouchers to exchange for tickets) for that day. I've now emailed them to request a time change, giving us more time at Gallery. Their ticket app shows almost all times still available for the 26th.

If you get Rick Steve's Audio Europe app, he has an audio tour of the Uffizi. I've done his audio tours of the National Archeological Museum of Athens, the Ancient Agora and the British Museum. I really enjoy them, and he gives you a lot of context and background of what you're seeing. He'll often include a local expert, also. He sometimes feels compelled to tell stupid jokes, but I'm willing to overlook that.

Sayhello

Thanks! I actually did get the app and must to confess to having been listening to the tours on my daily walks here I've been reading the book "Medici Money" which goes into great detail about the architecture in Florence and the audio tour has been helpful to imagine it more fully. I'm just hoping when I get there, it will all "click" for me!

Kristilew did say she's already purchased Uffizi tickets for that day. So I'm assuming they're open. I would sure hope so! But that's good information in general.

Sayhello

Yup! Ticket vouchers in hand! But you're right. These boards are always a good reminder about double checking things in advance

 

[GAN]

I'd go as far as to skip Pisa -but that's me and its already paid for it. On Christmas Day, I would probably go to a church service at the Duomo or Santa Croce ...I'm not Catholic(or overly religious for that matter), but I have to admit that attending a service in a European church with so much history is very moving. As long as you don't mind worshipping among the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, etc. Maybe even make it a midnight mass, then take a bus/train to Siena on Christmas Day ...Siena being my most favorite city I've ever visited. Just throwing some ideas out there if anyone is looking for things to do.

 

[kristilew]

I'd go as far as to skip Pisa -but that's me and its already paid for it. On Christmas Day, I would probably go to a church service at the Duomo or Santa Croce ...I'm not Catholic(or overly religious for that matter), but I have to admit that attending a service in a European church with so much history is very moving. As long as you don't mind worshipping among the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, etc. Maybe even make it a midnight mass, then take a bus/train to Siena on Christmas Day ...Siena being my most favorite city I've ever visited. Just throwing some ideas out there if anyone is looking for things to do.

We probably will attend a church service on Christmas Eve or sometime Christmas Day, around when we are in the city. But DD has just finished a unit in AP World History that included Pisa, and got points for the fact she is going to visit it, so I think we're pretty much locked into that at this point.

Still, noting all your suggestions for our *next* trip to Italy on our own!

 

[kristilew]

Florence tickets has been so easy to deal with! Very clear directions about our Uffizi tickets, and now super-easy to change the time we had reserved. I emailed them over the weekend and had a response first thing this morning.

This is the ticket seller the official Uffizi Gallery website directs you to with their "buy tickets" link. So far so good. Now, just to exchange the vouchers in a few short weeks!

 

[carpenta]

We probably will attend a church service on Christmas Eve or sometime Christmas Day, around when we are in the city. But DD has just finished a unit in AP World History that included Pisa, and got points for the fact she is going to visit it, so I think we're pretty much locked into that at this point.

Still, noting all your suggestions for our *next* trip to Italy on our own!

If you go to Pisa than go inside the Bapestry. On the hour a guide comes in and sings a few notes that reverberate throughout the building. Amazing sounds. Also try to take a guided tour of the church. There is so much history inside in the carvings and stones used to build it. The church reflects the time when Pisa was a strong city state. We never climbed the bell tower in our visits but it may be something you would want to do. Outside the walls there were many gypsy type peoples selling all kinds of crap so best to ignore them. Every time we travel to Italy we , like you, put the next thing to visit on the list. So many sites, so little cash......

 

[kristilew]

If you go to Pisa than go inside the Bapestry. On the hour a guide comes in and sings a few notes that reverberate throughout the building. Amazing sounds. Also try to take a guided tour of the church. There is so much history inside in the carvings and stones used to build it. The church reflects the time when Pisa was a strong city state. We never climbed the bell tower in our visits but it may be something you would want to do. Outside the walls there were many gypsy type peoples selling all kinds of crap so best to ignore them. Every time we travel to Italy we , like you, put the next thing to visit on the list. So many sites, so little cash......

With the holiday updates to the itinerary, Pisa is now part of the Adventure. So I guess we will do whatever touring the guides have set up for us. I do hope that includes these things. We are all about a bell tower climb. (While I've been to the top of bell towers in several countries, my favorite is in Boston - can't remember the church but the bell was cast and signed by Paul Revere!)

 

[GAN]

We are all about a bell tower climb. (While I've been to the top of bell towers in several countries, my favorite is in Boston - can't remember the church but the bell was cast and signed by Paul Revere!)

If you aren't already planning, you should add the Florence Duomo climb to your list.

 

[kristilew]

If you aren't already planning, you should add the Florence Duomo climb to your list.

We are hoping to do this, time allowing. Did you do the part between the two domes?