Questions on Central Italy ABD

[RSM]

We are considering taking the central Italy trip in 2011 (along with tacking on a few post days in Rome). I had a couple of quick questions for anyone who has taken this ABD. First, in Florence do you actually go into the Accademia Gallery to see the statue of David (the itinerary on the website shows a picture, but it looks like the picture of the replica in the square in Florence). Second, how much time do you have in Pisa. Is there an opportunity to climb up the leaning tower?

Any other thoughts on this ABD would also be appreciated as we are still looking at other options also.

Thanks.

 

[Diskidatheart]

We did the Viva Italia trip, but did Pisa on our own with a group. We were there for 30-45 minutes and that was more than enough time to see everything, take our goofy pictures holding up the Tower, but not enough to climb the Tower. I would imagine if it's part of your itinerary, you will spend at least an hour or two there, which would be more than enough time to climb the tower. Believe me when I say there is nothing else in Pisa except for the Tower, the Duomo, and the Baptista. On the other side of the lawn where these 3 building stand are a line of tents that sell cheap souvenirs.

As far as seeing The David in Florence. I can't imagine that in the 2 or 3 days there you would not see it. That was the first thing we did on our tour. You could call ABD to find out for sure, but if it's not part of your itinerary, it would be worth seeing on your own. It is that incredible to see in person.

 

[RSM]

Thanks Diskidatheart. I did see in the overview that the tour does include a visit inside. I missed that initially. We got sensitized to when a brochure says "see -whatever the site is-", whether that means simply drive by it or go in it.

Thanks for the info on Pisa. For whatever reason, our 7 y/o is fascinated with the leaning tower and wants to climb it. I know there is a Pinocchio park also in the area that has alot of wooden sculptures, and does marionette shows, puppet making lessons, etc. It would seem like a natural tie in with Disney. But maybe it's not worth it.

 

[kjd469]

I would imagine if it's part of your itinerary, you will spend at least an hour or two there, which would be more than enough time to climb the tower.

Not necessarily....they only let a certain amount of people up the tower at a time, and if it's particularly busy on the day you go it could take more than an hour or two before you are allowed to climb. Unless you are there on your own, most tours do not include enough time to actually climb the tower.

 

[DisFan10]

We are considering taking the central Italy trip in 2011 (along with tacking on a few post days in Rome). I had a couple of quick questions for anyone who has taken this ABD. First, in Florence do you actually go into the Accademia Gallery to see the statue of David (the itinerary on the website shows a picture, but it looks like the picture of the replica in the square in Florence). Second, how much time do you have in Pisa. Is there an opportunity to climb up the leaning tower?

Any other thoughts on this ABD would also be appreciated as we are still looking at other options also.

Thanks.

Hi RSM!

We went on Bella Italia last year and we did go inside the Galleria dell Accademia and see David. We had a great local guide who knew her stuff.

As for Pisa, we did not have enough time to climb the tower. I'm not sure if that was because our guides had changed the order of activities that day. We did our bicycling in Lucca in the morning due to the warm weather and went to Pisa in the afternoon.

I'm sure you guys will enjoy Bella Italia. We spent 4 days in Rome on-our-own after the AbD and decided to stay at the Viva Italia hotel (Bernini Bristol). We even had breakfast in the same restaurant as they did and spoke to their guides too. It felt like we were still on an AbD. LOL

 

[RSM]

Hi RSM!

We went on Bella Italia last year and we did go inside the Galleria dell Accademia and see David. We had a great local guide who knew her stuff.

As for Pisa, we did not have enough time to climb the tower. I'm not sure if that was because our guides had changed the order of activities that day. We did our bicycling in Lucca in the morning due to the warm weather and went to Pisa in the afternoon.

I'm sure you guys will enjoy Bella Italia. We spent 4 days in Rome on-our-own after the AbD and decided to stay at the Viva Italia hotel (Bernini Bristol). We even had breakfast in the same restaurant as they did and spoke to their guides too. It felt like we were still on an AbD. LOL

Thanks Disfan10. I should have known this would have been one of your many ABDs and I could count on your first hand experience. Hope you two have gotten re-acclimated to the states again after your time in Europe this summer. We are debating Central Italy w/Rome, Peru, and Southwest for next year. We hope to decide within the next month or so, but from everything I've seen, I don't think we can go wrong with any decision we make.

 

[DisFan10]

Thanks Disfan10. I should have known this would have been one of your many ABDs and I could count on your first hand experience. Hope you two have gotten re-acclimated to the states again after your time in Europe this summer. We are debating Central Italy w/Rome, Peru, and Southwest for next year. We hope to decide within the next month or so, but from everything I've seen, I don't think we can go wrong with any decision we make.

That is definitely true! It all depends on which part of the world you'd like to visit.

We went on Southwest Splendors in 2007 and it was amazing (scenery) and lots of fun. When you have on-your-own time in Moab, there are a lot of things to do (ATV, horseback riding, Hummer tour, mountain biking, kayaking, etc, etc). We went on the Hummer tour, which was a blast!

And yes, we didn't have any problems re-acclimating to the USA. We were just SO happy to see ice cubes again! LOL

 

[LTFrench]

Pictures of David, in the Accademia, are not allowed, so I'm sure the brochure picture probably is a replica.

 

[sayhello]

Pictures of David, in the Accademia, are not allowed, so I'm sure the brochure picture probably is a replica.

But people associated with the Accademia *have* taken photos. You can get them. (Heck, they sell them in the gift shop). But it was probably easier to put in the one (the replica) from the Piazza della Signoria, since the tour goes there, too.

Sayhello

 

[wdwsos]

Thanks Disfan10. I should have known this would have been one of your many ABDs and I could count on your first hand experience. Hope you two have gotten re-acclimated to the states again after your time in Europe this summer. We are debating Central Italy w/Rome, Peru, and Southwest for next year. We hope to decide within the next month or so, but from everything I've seen, I don't think we can go wrong with any decision we make.

DisFan10 keeps better notes than I do. We were also on that trip together (as well as Knights and Lights right before you met her on Alpine Magic) and I couldn't remember how much time we had at Pisa!

Bella Italia is my favorite of the five that we've done. I'd actually go on it again if money were no object and I wasn't so old (with a very long bucket list)! I think you would love it!

I have clients leaving for Rome soon for a few days prior to their Bella Italia trip, and I booked them in a lovely apartment (3 bedrooms) that was less expensive than one room in any hotel we found. It's run by a very reputable and highly rated hotel, so I was comfortable with the choice. If it's as nice as I'm imagining it to be, I'll PM the information to you once she returns if you're interested.

We're heading back to Italy in September (Venice for a Holland America cruise to Turkey and Greece), and I'm really excited. Italy really is my favorite place in the world and I'm more excited about the two nights in Venice than the whole rest of the cruise!

Dotti

 

[RSM]

DisFan10 keeps better notes than I do.
I have clients leaving for Rome soon for a few days prior to their Bella Italia trip, and I booked them in a lovely apartment (3 bedrooms) that was less expensive than one room in any hotel we found. It's run by a very reputable and highly rated hotel, so I was comfortable with the choice. If it's as nice as I'm imagining it to be, I'll PM the information to you once she returns if you're interested.

Thanks Dotti,

I would appreciate the info on the apartment if it turns out to be a good find. We definitely want to do the Central Italy trip, the question ends up being is it next year or the following. Our 8 y/o is a huge Harry Potter fan, so we are going to Universal for April vacation. Central Italy with Rome would be 2+ weeks, so 3 weeks vacation in the first half of the year is tough from a work perspective. The other two under consideration (Peru and Southwest Splendors) would be ~1+ week trips. Anyways, if these are the toughest decisions to make, things are pretty good

 

[sayhello]

Anyways, if these are the toughest decisions to make, things are pretty good

Amen to that!!!! That's how I feel, too!

I'm partial to Southwest Splendors, myself! But I can't imagine you'd go wrong with any of them!

Sayhello

 

[glassslipper2004]

Dotti - I feel the same way about Venice! As it happens, my mom is on a cruise right now that started in Venice and goes to Turkey and Greece. I would have loved to go along, but we had a vacation in April and have another planned for the fall, so it couldn't happen. But I had the same thought - two nights in Venice would be lovely!

Please let me know how you like the cruise- I don't think my mom is on Holland America and it would be nice to compare.

 

[Turtlemom]

Hi RSM!!!
We are the ones who are about to leave on the Central Italy ABD on Wednesday (8/4--my birthday!!!)
I'll be happy to tell you how the apartment is and fill you in on the rest of the trip. We are doing 3 nights in Rome prior to the ABD. Can't wait!

Thanks Dotti for all your help!
Meanwhile, still packing. . . . . .

Turtlemom

 

[sayhello]

Hi RSM!!!
We are the ones who are about to leave on the Central Italy ABD on Wednesday (8/4--my birthday!!!)
I'll be happy to tell you how the apartment is and fill you in on the rest of the trip. We are doing 3 nights in Rome prior to the ABD. Can't wait!

Thanks Dotti for all your help!
Meanwhile, still packing. . . . . .

Turtlemom

Turtlemom! Have a marvelous trip! Say "Hi!" to Michelangelo's David for me!!!

Sayhello

 

[Turtlemom]

Will do!!!!!

 

[RSM]

Hi RSM!!!
We are the ones who are about to leave on the Central Italy ABD on Wednesday (8/4--my birthday!!!)
I'll be happy to tell you how the apartment is and fill you in on the rest of the trip. We are doing 3 nights in Rome prior to the ABD. Can't wait!

Turtlemom

Hi Turtlemom,

First off, have a great vacation. You are doing exactly what we were thinking of for either next year or the following. We tend to like the "big" vacation right after our son gets out of school in late June. Let me know how you think an active 8 or 9 year old boy would like the central italy ABD (i.e., is there enough active things). Anyways, have a great trip and enjoy.