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

[*WDW*Groupie*]

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

If there is a line up at the Duomo, climb the Campinile. It is just as lovely and not nearly as crowded!

 

[GAN]

If there is a line up at the Duomo, climb the Campinile. It is just as lovely and not nearly as crowded!

Definitely a good option, but with the Duomo you get a great look into the church halfway up and being able to view the way it is constructed (which at its time was revolutionary) is amazing.

On another note, there is a museum beneath the Duomo(accessible from inside) where they have excavated part of the original church which is very nice as well.

 

[Moms]

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

We made the climb in 2004 and it was worth every step ... and there were plenty! the views from the top are epic!

Kristilew ... just realized that you are the "author" of the trip report (and photos) that helped us decide on the Peru trip next month. Loved the pictures of your daughter (Annabelle, isn't it?) ... I knew it was a while ago but sounds like she is all grown up! Great to see you are still enjoying travel with her! Keep it up! I will be doing Peru with my daughter ... now 35! Still by BFF and favorite travel companion!

 

[carpenta]

The ceilings in the Duomo are remarkable. Also there is a Duomo Museum located off the back of the church towards the left in a building facing the church. In the museum there is a history and relics from the history of the Duomo as well as the original doors of the Baptistry. They have been fully restored and preserved. There is also a video that documents the whole procedure. I think it costs a few Euros. Also you should walk to the Hay Market area where there are plenty of seller stalls that sell a lot of leather goods.

 

[kristilew]

We made the climb in 2004 and it was worth every step ... and there were plenty! the views from the top are epic!

Kristilew ... just realized that you are the "author" of the trip report (and photos) that helped us decide on the Peru trip next month. Loved the pictures of your daughter (Annabelle, isn't it?) ... I knew it was a while ago but sounds like she is all grown up! Great to see you are still enjoying travel with her! Keep it up! I will be doing Peru with my daughter ... now 35! Still by BFF and favorite travel companion!

Oh, wow! I'm so glad you're going to do that trip! It was amazing. I'm glad anything I wrote helped you want to go.

Yes, hard to believe Annabelle was 10 on that trip and is 17 now. Lots of trips in that time - you've got it exactly right, she is my favorite travel companion! My DH works all over Europe, so many trips involve seeing him at night but DD and myself touring on our own all day. We have a blast.

I can't wait to hear about your Peru trip with your daughter. We'd go back in a heartbeat....if only there weren't so many places still to see for the first time!

 

[kristilew]

Moms, your post inspired me to look back at our old share site (you must have either decided awhile ago or saved that link back when it was still on the Boards!) What a great walk down memory lane.

DD has definitely grown up, though. (to about 5 inches taller than her mama!) Here are two pics - one from the Peru trip and one from a trip to AZ this past spring:

(ahem. Mama may have changed a bit too. Hadn't gone gray - and thus blond - back in 2008!)

 

[carpenta]

Moms, your post inspired me to look back at our old share site (you must have either decided awhile ago or saved that link back when it was still on the Boards!) What a great walk down memory lane.

DD has definitely grown up, though. (to about 5 inches taller than her mama!) Here are two pics - one from the Peru trip and one from a trip to AZ this past spring:

(ahem. Mama may have changed a bit too. Hadn't gone gray - and thus blond - back in 2008!)

You could be sisters IMO.u

 

[sayhello]

Moms, your post inspired me to look back at our old share site (you must have either decided awhile ago or saved that link back when it was still on the Boards!) What a great walk down memory lane.

DD has definitely grown up, though. (to about 5 inches taller than her mama!) Here are two pics - one from the Peru trip and one from a trip to AZ this past spring:

(ahem. Mama may have changed a bit too. Hadn't gone gray - and thus blond - back in 2008!)

I *love* these photos of you two! She sure *has* grown! I don't think I remember seeing that first photo... I didn't realize your report had "gone away". That's really too bad!

Hmmm... Annabelle's almost old enough that you two could start doing the adults only trips.

Sayhello

 

[kristilew]

You could be sisters IMO.u

Aww, thanks! It's all in the big sunglasses and long camera angles!

I *love* these photos of you two! She sure *has* grown! I don't think I remember seeing that first photo... I didn't realize your report had "gone away". That's really too bad!

Hmmm... Annabelle's almost old enough that you two could start doing the adults only trips.

Sayhello

Rather than a trip report on here, I'd posted a link to our shutterfly share site. But over time, a lot of the links on that were outdated, plus it was a lot of personal info. (I've gotten more internet savvy over the years, though I'm sure I still do a lot of dumb stuff!) So anyway, at some point I went back on the trip report sticky and took down my link.

Adult only trips are definitely in our near future! Maybe I'll finally get to travel with you, Sayhello!

 

[sayhello]

Rather than a trip report on here, I'd posted a link to our shutterfly share site. But over time, a lot of the links on that were outdated, plus it was a lot of personal info. (I've gotten more internet savvy over the years, though I'm sure I still do a lot of dumb stuff!) So anyway, at some point I went back on the trip report sticky and took down my link.

That totally makes sense.

Adult only trips are definitely in our near future! Maybe I'll finally get to travel with you, Sayhello!

I would love that!

Sayhello

 

[Moms]

Moms, your post inspired me to look back at our old share site (you must have either decided awhile ago or saved that link back when it was still on the Boards!) What a great walk down memory lane.

DD has definitely grown up, though. (to about 5 inches taller than her mama!) Here are two pics - one from the Peru trip and one from a trip to AZ this past spring:

(ahem. Mama may have changed a bit too. Hadn't gone gray - and thus blond - back in 2008!)

You look great! And you COULD pass for sisters! I actually checked out your trip report last April in a link from the DIS ABD main page under "Trip Reports" It was a link to Shutterfly ... which is where most of our trip pics have gone. DD was a photography major in her undergrad studies so we are reaping the benefits of all of the $$$ spent on her education! She has created more than 10 books of all of our travels over the years ... great keepsakes!

Keep enjoying your time with your daughter ... the years go very quickly!

 

[abdgeek]

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.

Hi Kristilew,

Sorry to hear about the changes to the itinerary for the Viva Italia trip over Xmas. However, it seems like ABD has tried to stick close enough to the original itinerary. I did this trip in July and had a great time. It was my third time in Italy trying to see everything on my bucket list, so I definitely understand where you're coming from. Below is my two cents:

1). If you're in to museums, you will love the Uffizi!!! I finally saw it in July by taking the train from Rome to Florence on one of my pre-nights. You will need to check any large bags, but as of June you can now take pictures in the museum. I didn't know they had changed the regulations when I went, so I didn't have my camera with me. I went to the Uffizi at 9:30am and it was crowded. If you're going later, pack your patience and plan on there being private tour groups possibly blocking the art while they describe it. I paid for an audio guide and was glad I did. I think Rick Steve's has one, but I didn't use his.

The museum is huge and not all of the rooms are available to see. I spent about three hours in the museum and was on overload by that point. However, I'm glad I did it and know that I won't see the art I saw by the Masters I saw anywhere else. If you haven't already, you may want to buy Rick Steve's Italy book. I read it before I left and it had invaluable information on what to do, how to do it, etc. It even had a picture of the Uffizi courtyard so that I knew exactly where to go to pick up my will call tickets that I bought over the internet and which line to get in to enter the building.

2). I had a great time at the Frattoria making pasta, but that was something that was on my bucket list. I think we were only there about 4 hours. We did the pasta making, took a quick tour of the winery and barn(fun with cows) and had wine tasting(adults) and olive oil tasting for the kids, then lunch. I bought some of their pasta and olive oil to bring back and it was some of the best I've had!

The hotel is Tuscany is ok, but nothing great. You have everything you need and nothing you don't, so don't be upset about not staying there. The ride to Florence from there is about an hour, so I would imagine it will take about 90 minutes to get from Florence to the Frattoria. As you said, a full day.

3) Pisa is great, but there's not much to do there. I did the tower climb when I did the DCL Med Cruise and the view was great! The tickets are timed and they only give you 30 minutes to get up and back down. Not sure if you will have time to do the climb with ABD. Again, something on my bucket list. Just remember to have knees and shoulders covered if you go in the church.

4) The Duomo tour is only of the outside of the building. If you wanted to climb to the top, you may want to get tickets ahead of time. In July, the Duomo Baptistery and Trevi Fountain were under construction(cleaning), so while you will see them you may not see them in their glory. The Baptistery actually had a cover over it, but the gold doors were visible.

5) If you're in to shopping, Florence is great! There's a great leather shop(Misuri) and jewelry store(the Gold Market) a block or two from the Palazzo Vecchio(next door to each other)-- I think it's in Santa Croce Square--that gives ABD(Disney) discounts. You may need to check to make sure they'll be open. The Palazzo Vecchio tour was different, but IMO you're not missing anything major by ABD substituting something else for it.

6) If you're staying at the Hotel Bernini in Florence, you'll be right in the middle of things. The Florence maps they gave us were great and showed all the major places.

Have fun. While I've never skipped activities on an ABD, others in the group have. They seemed fine with their choice and it's always nice to hear what someone else did.

 

[kristilew]

Thanks, abdgeek! We were able to switch our Uffizi tickets to a 10 am time slot, so we are looking forward to that.

I think in December, we won't have to worry about having our knees and shoulders covered! It's going to be COLD!

We are so looking forward to this trip - only 19 days til we leave! - and "hearing" the enthusiasm in your comments gives me such joy knowing we've made a good choice.