I'm too lazy for a full trip report, but here's some of the things I picked up from our trip last year:
Your traveling style may differ, but here are some of the things we did to make our Viva Italia adventure even more memorable. I’m also listing some of our after-thoughts and regrets that we wish we would have done differently:
Planning
•Ask ABD about the ages of the kids in your group before booking. No matter who they’re with, they’ll love it, but having a group of same-age kids really makes it special.
•If at all possible, arrive early (or stay longer). The group travel is great, but spending a few days on your own really gives you a different feel for Italy (we spent several nights in Sorrento prior to our ABD & saw the Amalfi coast/ Pompeii)
•Don’t rule out a layover in another country. You’re flying open-jaw anyway & we found it was $200/head cheaper to fly home from London. The bonus miles for getting a British Airways Visa covered nearly all of the cost for the Venice->London hop & the ticket savings covered our London hotel. You’re already in Europe, why not maximize it!
•Have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees & make fewer, but larger ATM withdrawals.
•Us WiFi to touch base with those at home instead of costly international cell plans.
•Pack with the plan to do laundry at the half-way point (the free day in Florence is perfect).
•Have a wish list for your free afternoons/evenings. Some may require advance reservations. We often found what others in the group were planning sounded better, so pick their brains over meals.
•Pack one of yours bags with your favorite snacks from home. Kids (and Dad) get hungry for familiar snacks & as you use them up, you have room for your souvenirs!
•A Rick Steves/Fodor’s Guide comes in handy. Knowing a little of the history lets you enjoy the experiences more.
Dining
•We’re not big foodies, just wanted the best of each region without spending 100 euros
•Half carafe of wine really is cheaper than soda. The house wine is always good.
•Italy loves its multi-course 3 hour meals. We usually stuck with one or two courses
•They see rushing you as rude. You’ll have to ask for your check if you want to keep moving
•Great gelato/coffee everywhere! Remember you pay more if you want to sit. Get it to go.
•Go crazy when ABD is paying for the drinks & take it easy when you’re on your own.
•It will be tempting to join the whole group for some of the meals on your own (often the guide will make group reservations). We wished we would have gone on our own more since the large group took forever to order/be served, big groups don’t get the primo tables, & it’s good to have some personal time.
•Try a shot of limoncello at the end of your meal. It’s meant to be sipped!
Now the specifics:
Rome
•Hopefully you came early, if not, no big naps, but take a breather & get on Rome time. Your first ABD day is a big one.
•The afternoon before the welcome meal would be a good time to visit the Borghese.
•Go to Piazza Navona for every meal on your own. No better atmosphere. Scope out what others are eating as you walk by. They’re all good. Tre Scalini was our favorite. Once we ate here, we really regretted not getting every meal in the Piazza.
•The Coliseum day is a lot of walking & stairs. Lots of sun. Dress accordingly.
•Vatican Day: Overwhelmingly beautiful! We wished we would have skipped the group lunch (the meal we liked least) & stayed @ St Peter’s to climb the dome.
•Subway entrance 10 steps from the hotel. Easy to ride & can get you close to some of the sites
•Tired? Catch a cab! Not that expensive.
•Our kids loved Castel St Angelo. Creepy Cappuchin Crypt is 1 block from hotel
•Try to get to the Trevi fountain at night (10 min walk)
Orvieto
•The bus ride is where the kids really bonded (they took over the rear of the bus).
•We loved Orvieto! Could have spent twice as long there.
•Great panini shop at the base of the clock tower. Try the wild boar!
•Best gelato of the trip was just out the side door of the church.
•This is your only real exposure to a small Italian village, so take advantage by wandering the side streets.
Florence
•Sounds like the hotel has changed. Too bad, we loved everything about the Artimino villa.
•Hopefully, there’s still access to laundry. This is the best opportunity to do it.
•Florence was probably the least favorite of our kids. More “artsy” than the other cities. We did the Galileo museum & climbed the Doumo. Our kids actually went back with the early group & we had a great couple’s afternoon.
•Ladies, have cash available for purses. The stands right outside the factory have better selection & are willing to bargain more than the rows of stands in the tourist market.
•Have coins ready for the street performers. They’ll only interact with your kids for a “donation.”
Venice
•Venice was trickiest to find an ATM (many out of service). Stock up at the Florence station.
•We weren’t thrilled with the box lunch for the train. Good time to break the “no McDonald’s” rule.
•The train ride to Venice is where you really appreciate ABD taking care of the bags!
•You don’t need to go to the Murano glass factory. Plenty of chances right in Venice proper to buy & see it made.
•Mask making was more fun than I expected. Don’t be afraid to start your mask & let the master craftsman finish it off to make it beautiful.
•The private water-taxi to the airport is another ABD perk that you’ll appreciate.
•Be sure to use up your euro coins before leaving Italy (only notes accepted at exchanges)
Overall
•Your ABD guides know the best spots for picture taking & will take as many as you like with your camera, just have it ready.
•Don’t waste a lot of time looking for the perfect restaurant. There are good ones everywhere!
•The hotel concierge is better at directions than your ABD guide (and he’ll give you a map).
•You can’t see everything, so don’t try!
•Keep a daily journal. Keep your ticket stubs. Snap a pic of hotel/restaurant/museum entrances. Makes it easier to organize pics when you get home.
•Don’t sweat the small stuff. ABD will take good care of you.
Your traveling style may differ, but here are some of the things we did to make our Viva Italia adventure even more memorable. I’m also listing some of our after-thoughts and regrets that we wish we would have done differently:
Planning
•Ask ABD about the ages of the kids in your group before booking. No matter who they’re with, they’ll love it, but having a group of same-age kids really makes it special.
•If at all possible, arrive early (or stay longer). The group travel is great, but spending a few days on your own really gives you a different feel for Italy (we spent several nights in Sorrento prior to our ABD & saw the Amalfi coast/ Pompeii)
•Don’t rule out a layover in another country. You’re flying open-jaw anyway & we found it was $200/head cheaper to fly home from London. The bonus miles for getting a British Airways Visa covered nearly all of the cost for the Venice->London hop & the ticket savings covered our London hotel. You’re already in Europe, why not maximize it!
•Have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees & make fewer, but larger ATM withdrawals.
•Us WiFi to touch base with those at home instead of costly international cell plans.
•Pack with the plan to do laundry at the half-way point (the free day in Florence is perfect).
•Have a wish list for your free afternoons/evenings. Some may require advance reservations. We often found what others in the group were planning sounded better, so pick their brains over meals.
•Pack one of yours bags with your favorite snacks from home. Kids (and Dad) get hungry for familiar snacks & as you use them up, you have room for your souvenirs!
•A Rick Steves/Fodor’s Guide comes in handy. Knowing a little of the history lets you enjoy the experiences more.
Dining
•We’re not big foodies, just wanted the best of each region without spending 100 euros
•Half carafe of wine really is cheaper than soda. The house wine is always good.
•Italy loves its multi-course 3 hour meals. We usually stuck with one or two courses
•They see rushing you as rude. You’ll have to ask for your check if you want to keep moving
•Great gelato/coffee everywhere! Remember you pay more if you want to sit. Get it to go.
•Go crazy when ABD is paying for the drinks & take it easy when you’re on your own.
•It will be tempting to join the whole group for some of the meals on your own (often the guide will make group reservations). We wished we would have gone on our own more since the large group took forever to order/be served, big groups don’t get the primo tables, & it’s good to have some personal time.
•Try a shot of limoncello at the end of your meal. It’s meant to be sipped!
Now the specifics:
Rome
•Hopefully you came early, if not, no big naps, but take a breather & get on Rome time. Your first ABD day is a big one.
•The afternoon before the welcome meal would be a good time to visit the Borghese.
•Go to Piazza Navona for every meal on your own. No better atmosphere. Scope out what others are eating as you walk by. They’re all good. Tre Scalini was our favorite. Once we ate here, we really regretted not getting every meal in the Piazza.
•The Coliseum day is a lot of walking & stairs. Lots of sun. Dress accordingly.
•Vatican Day: Overwhelmingly beautiful! We wished we would have skipped the group lunch (the meal we liked least) & stayed @ St Peter’s to climb the dome.
•Subway entrance 10 steps from the hotel. Easy to ride & can get you close to some of the sites
•Tired? Catch a cab! Not that expensive.
•Our kids loved Castel St Angelo. Creepy Cappuchin Crypt is 1 block from hotel
•Try to get to the Trevi fountain at night (10 min walk)
Orvieto
•The bus ride is where the kids really bonded (they took over the rear of the bus).
•We loved Orvieto! Could have spent twice as long there.
•Great panini shop at the base of the clock tower. Try the wild boar!
•Best gelato of the trip was just out the side door of the church.
•This is your only real exposure to a small Italian village, so take advantage by wandering the side streets.
Florence
•Sounds like the hotel has changed. Too bad, we loved everything about the Artimino villa.
•Hopefully, there’s still access to laundry. This is the best opportunity to do it.
•Florence was probably the least favorite of our kids. More “artsy” than the other cities. We did the Galileo museum & climbed the Doumo. Our kids actually went back with the early group & we had a great couple’s afternoon.
•Ladies, have cash available for purses. The stands right outside the factory have better selection & are willing to bargain more than the rows of stands in the tourist market.
•Have coins ready for the street performers. They’ll only interact with your kids for a “donation.”
Venice
•Venice was trickiest to find an ATM (many out of service). Stock up at the Florence station.
•We weren’t thrilled with the box lunch for the train. Good time to break the “no McDonald’s” rule.
•The train ride to Venice is where you really appreciate ABD taking care of the bags!
•You don’t need to go to the Murano glass factory. Plenty of chances right in Venice proper to buy & see it made.
•Mask making was more fun than I expected. Don’t be afraid to start your mask & let the master craftsman finish it off to make it beautiful.
•The private water-taxi to the airport is another ABD perk that you’ll appreciate.
•Be sure to use up your euro coins before leaving Italy (only notes accepted at exchanges)
Overall
•Your ABD guides know the best spots for picture taking & will take as many as you like with your camera, just have it ready.
•Don’t waste a lot of time looking for the perfect restaurant. There are good ones everywhere!
•The hotel concierge is better at directions than your ABD guide (and he’ll give you a map).
•You can’t see everything, so don’t try!
•Keep a daily journal. Keep your ticket stubs. Snap a pic of hotel/restaurant/museum entrances. Makes it easier to organize pics when you get home.
•Don’t sweat the small stuff. ABD will take good care of you.
and it sounds like you will also. Happy travels......
