Repeat trip to Italy/Venice

[glassslipper2004]

This is a little bit off topic, but given the wealth of knowledge of everyone here, I figured I'd give it a try. We did Viva Italia a few years ago and loved it. I particularly fell in love with Venice, even though we only had a few days there. I am thinking about going back with DH for an anniversary trip. I'd like to see more of Venice, and maybe southern Italy and the islands (which we didn't see on Viva Italia). Any ideas for tours/trips/cruises to do this?

 

[DisneyKevin]

The Dis is offering an exclusive Viva Italia trip beginning 5/24/2011.

Why don't you join us?

 

[corky441]

My husband and I got back from the Viva Italian trip October 1st and a day doesn't go by when we're not talking about it.
Like you, Venice stole our hearts. There is something about that city that grabs you and doesn't let go.

We also want to back and are thinking of doing the ABD "Bella Italia" trip next year. This trip tours Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Lucca, Pompeii, Pisa and also goes back up to Florence.
We're looking at flying into Venice for a few days before the ABD trip starts and then flying down to Naples and do the ABD trip.

If you click on the link at the top of this page for
DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com
You can check out the itinerary and get a quote for the trip. They are also offering a $200 gift card when you book with them before the end if the month.
You can also email
Kevin@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com directly if you need more information

Maybe we'll see you on the trip next year... I'm hoping for the June 10th adventure

 

[glassslipper2004]

DisneyKevin - I'd love to do a trip with you, but we already did Viva Italia. Maybe another time.

Corky, we would love to do Bella Italia - I just wish it included Venice. Of course, like you suggest, we could just add on some days before or afterwards. June 10 is a bit too soon for us. We're still trying to decide whether to take the kids or not, but either way, it will have to be a bit later. I'm going to have to start saving up for this!

Just thinking about Italy makes me happy!

 

[jlou]

DisneyKevin - I'd love to do a trip with you, but we already did Viva Italia. Maybe another time.

Corky, we would love to do Bella Italia - I just wish it included Venice. Of course, like you suggest, we could just add on some days before or afterwards. June 10 is a bit too soon for us. We're still trying to decide whether to take the kids or not, but either way, it will have to be a bit later. I'm going to have to start saving up for this!

Just thinking about Italy makes me happy!

We are doing to post-stay days after our Viva trip in Venice. We don't have a lot of plans yet, but basically I'd like to have the time to soak up the atmosphere of Venice. The days seem pretty packed, except for a free afternoon there (I believe) so I know I'll want more time to just enjoy the city. Will probably see Murano and do some additional site seeing. I know that I felt that after our Knights and Lights trip, I wished I had more time to just enjoy Paris, sitting at a cafe, etc, so I'm glad we'll be able to do this in Venice.

 

[pankajs]

Venice is a great city.. So many things to enjoy there...

 

[rella's fan]

My 9 year old daughter and I did a cruise this past summer and we absolutely loved it. Check out some of the Princess itineraries. It started in Rome (but we went a couple of days early to do Paris on our own), we went to Monte Carlo, Capri/Sorrento, Florence (did a ship's tour of the Cinque Terre - which was amazing), we then went to a bunch of the Greek Isles (Athens, Mykonos, Corfu, Katakalon and then breathtaking Santorini) the cruise then ended with an overnight in Venice (which we then added an extra night). Fabulous vacation and it was very affordable.

 

[abdmom]

We took a Disney cruise in 2010. We didn't see Venice that time, so we "had" to go back and see Venice this time. We're on a 24 day HAL cruise this coming July on the Nieuw Amsterdam. It has 2 consecutive overnights in Venice and also ends up in Venice at the end. It also visits Florence, Rome, Naples and Messina as well as various Greek isles, Athens, Kusadasi and Istanbul. For the itinerary and on a new ship, the prices are VERY good - less than an ABD for 3X the length.

 

[sayhello]

We took a Disney cruise in 2010. We didn't see Venice that time, so we "had" to go back and see Venice this time. We're on a 24 day HAL cruise this coming July on the Nieuw Amsterdam. It has 2 consecutive overnights in Venice and also ends up in Venice at the end. It also visits Florence, Rome, Naples and Messina as well as various Greek isles, Athens, Kusadasi and Istanbul. For the itinerary and on a new ship, the prices are VERY good - less than an ABD for 3X the length.

Wow! That sounds like a fabulous cruise. You're really going to see a lot!

Sayhello

 

[DisneyKevin]

No one ever has enough time in Venice.

 

[corky441]

No one ever has enough time in Venice.

 

[ldo]

we also did the above-mentioned Princess cruise (Rome-Venice). I highly recommend it--and it is very reasonable priced. You can stay a few days at the end in Venice. You can go early to Rome or even Naples/Sorrento. We loved to diversity of places we saw and the ease of doing things on our own, if we wanted (for ex.--you could take a "tour" of Olympia, or simply walk over and take the high speed toursit train RT for 10 euros and pay the minimal entrance fee once you got there. The train let you off a couple 100 yards from the entrance). On the other hand, we took the Cinque Terre (fabulous)tour like PP, b/c we thought it was too hard to do on our onw. This is a 12 day cruise with 10 port stops. We took the train from Venice to Milan (very easy) and flew nonstop out of Milan to JFK on AA.

 

[jlou]

we also did the above-mentioned Princess cruise (Rome-Venice). I highly recommend it--and it is very reasonable priced. You can stay a few days at the end in Venice. You can go early to Rome or even Naples/Sorrento. We loved to diversity of places we saw and the ease of doing things on our own, if we wanted (for ex.--you could take a "tour" of Olympia, or simply walk over and take the high speed toursit train RT for 10 euros and pay the minimal entrance fee once you got there. The train let you off a couple 100 yards from the entrance). On the other hand, we took the Cinque Terre (fabulous)tour like PP, b/c we thought it was too hard to do on our onw. This is a 12 day cruise with 10 port stops. We took the train from Venice to Milan (very easy) and flew nonstop out of Milan to JFK on AA.

I'd be very interested in learning how you got from the train station in Milan to the airport, and the time it took, etc. Flights seem limited from Venice.

thanks!

 

[ldo]

We have never flown into Milan, but out 2X nonstop to JFK on AA, so here's what you do on the return and then you can just reverse it. If you are facing the central/main train station (Stazione Centro), to the right is a small parking lot with a few buses and a turnabout. Those buses are going to MXP. There are usually at least 2 there and once they fill up, they leave--about every 15 minutes. cost is 7 euros (buy ticket on the bus) and it takes you directly to the airport--about 35 minute trip without traffic (AM you are going reverse to rush hour to get out of city--in AM going into city, it would take a bit longer). It is a nice bus, reclining seats, clean.
MXP is medium sized, very easy to get around. For arrivals, you would get your luggage and ask anyone where is "bus a stazione centro de train/trenitalia," but most speak English, as well. There is also a train that now runs as well--but it does not leave in early AM to MXP and the bus is so easy, I just take the bus.
We always train to Milan the day prior to leaving, and have stayed at the Hilton and Starhotels Andersen. Starhotels is next to the bus and down the square from a decent restuarant--a safe, 5 minute walk. The Hilton is a bit farther on the other side.
Taking the train from Venice is easy. It's 65 euros for 2 persons--train 2X an hour--go to ticket counter and ask for next fast train to Milan--no need to buy advance tickets. Takes about 2 hours, pretty ride thru Vicenza, Verona, Lake Garda area.

 

[glassslipper2004]

Wow, that 12 day cruise sounds fantastic. This is part of our dilemma with vacations -- one week is so short, especially when traveling overseas, but it is hard for us to do two weeks given kids/work etc. Hmm.

 

[glassslipper2004]

Dotti, I will have to remember to get in touch if we ever put together our return to Venice trip. It won't be until June 2013... Hope you are doing well!

Sandy