Viva Italia free time

[jlou]

We just made our final payment! Whoo hoo! Really starting to feel real!

Does anyone have any suggestions for free time? We have a pre-day in Rome, so was thinking perhaps visiting Ostia Antiqua, has anyone here done that and would recommend it? Any other recommendations? I'm trying to avoid too many "museum-y" things and keep things more outside. We're traveling with a 16 and a 13 year old.

Also looking for suggestions for free time in Florence. I'm thinking Boboli Gardens; good idea? Any other suggestions?

We have two post nights in Venice. When we were in Paris, I regretting not having enough time (as we left on the last day of our Knights and Lights) to simply absorb the atmosphere of being in Paris. So, I thought we'd enjoy just wandering around Venice and "being" there. Thoughts? I also thought a trip to Murano would not be "too much". (I'm wondering if everyone will just be toured out by the end).

Much appreciation for any thoughts! Thanks!

 

[ldo]

for rome: #1 would be day trip to Pompeii! Our next trip with the kids to Europe will include Pompeii, even if we have to make a specific stop there---the ruins, the history is amazing--your kids will remember it all their lives.
Other thing we are considering for our next trip to Rome: bike tour to the countryside and catacombs (look on viator.com for info on bike tour, pompeii day tour and to get other ideas). Florence--Ho-Ho bus that goes to Fiseole, walk around and have dinner there. Or just walk around Florence and have a gelato contest! Pitti Palace, if you aren't going with ABD.
IMHO, Vivia Italia is a fantastic trip! I have been to Italy 5X (DIY-I now have the train schedules memorized) and if you added Pompeii, this would tick all the boxes for me--just the right amount of smaller places like Orvieto and laid back fun included, as well!
Have fun! Elaine

 

[beachcat]

We did the Viva Italia tour in October 2011 and had two post days in Venice as well. We bought 24 hour Vaporetta tickets and rode the boats everywhere-- Completely around the island and over to Murano a great way to see the city. The trip up and down the Grand Canal was great. Have fun.

 

[jlou]

for rome: #1 would be day trip to Pompeii! Our next trip with the kids to Europe will include Pompeii, even if we have to make a specific stop there---the ruins, the history is amazing--your kids will remember it all their lives.
Other thing we are considering for our next trip to Rome: bike tour to the countryside and catacombs (look on viator.com for info on bike tour, pompeii day tour and to get other ideas). Florence--Ho-Ho bus that goes to Fiseole, walk around and have dinner there. Or just walk around Florence and have a gelato contest! Pitti Palace, if you aren't going with ABD.
IMHO, Vivia Italia is a fantastic trip! I have been to Italy 5X (DIY-I now have the train schedules memorized) and if you added Pompeii, this would tick all the boxes for me--just the right amount of smaller places like Orvieto and laid back fun included, as well!
Have fun! Elaine

Thanks for the response Elaine! I was considering Pompeii, but the trip seems kind of far to go on the day the ABD begins. We arrive in Rome the day before the ABD begins, but I don't think we'll have time that day for the trip to Pompeii. That's why I was considering Ostia instead. Will have to check time schedules now that I have our flight times, as I would really rather visit Pompeii, and now you have me even more wanting to see it!

 

[jlou]

We did the Viva Italia tour in October 2011 and had two post days in Venice as well. We bought 24 hour Vaporetta tickets and rode the boats everywhere-- Completely around the island and over to Murano a great way to see the city. The trip up and down the Grand Canal was great. Have fun.

Thanks Beachcat! The 24 hour vaporetta tickets sound like the way to go, and a lot of fun! I'm sure my kids would love that.

 

[ldo]

You would be pushing it as you really don't have a full day--on your 2nd day, you could do the shuttle from Rome-Pompeii (listed on viator.com). It leaves at 7:30 and the return is 10 hours later--so 5:30 or so. You might miss the welcome dinner--or get to dinner late. The train takes 2 hours, and then the local train (circumvensia--local train--no A/C) takes another 40 minutes--so, the shuttle is really a better option.
Pompeii is truly amazing-but, there are many great things to see around Rome (I get great ideas from viator---even if I decide to just DIY on my own)--and maybe that means you come back another day!
For a more relaxed pace after a long flight, on your 1st day, you could also just get a 24 hr Hop On ticket and ride around that afternoon and the next morning. There are several variations--we took one that was blue (Ciao Roma--or something). Have fun! Take your teens to the World's fanciest McDs---near Spanish Steps--make them get some of the salad bar stuff--nothing you'll ever get at McDs in the US. They also have gelato. Elaine

 

[mapsd]

We thought trying to do Pompeii as a day trip on our first full day in Italy wa too much also, so we're planning to spend a few days in Sorrento prior to our Viva Italia. I;ve read a lot places that suggest Ostia Antiqua as a good compromise when Pompeii doesn't work.

Our plan is to drop most of our bags @ Hotel Bernini Bristol first so we can travel lighter.

JLou,
Since we'll be starting Viva Italia 10 days after you, we hoping you can be our "advance team" and have all the good stuff scouted out for us.

Just be sure to post right away!

 

[beachcat]

Thanks Beachcat! The 24 hour vaporetta tickets sound like the way to go, and a lot of fun! I'm sure my kids would love that.

Just make sure you get on the right boat and make your way to the stern. The view is the best there and not very crowded.

 

[glassslipper2004]

I'm so envious of your post days in Venice! We loved Viva Italia, especially Venice, and really wished we had more time there. I think a trip to Murano and maybe the other island with the lace (Burano?) would be wonderful.

 

[jlou]

For a more relaxed pace after a long flight, on your 1st day, you could also just get a 24 hr Hop On ticket and ride around that afternoon and the next morning. There are several variations--we took one that was blue (Ciao Roma--or something). Have fun! Take your teens to the World's fanciest McDs---near Spanish Steps--make them get some of the salad bar stuff--nothing you'll ever get at McDs in the US. They also have gelato. Elaine

Hop on hop off sounds great too. Viator is where I got the idea for Ostia Antiqua as an alternative to Pompeii, so may do the hop on hop off on our first day, and then Ostia on the day our tour begins, since it's fairly close. Kids will like the salad bar, my daughter is definitely not a fan of "normal" McD's fare. We'll certainly have lots of gelato!

I;ve read a lot places that suggest Ostia Antiqua as a good compromise when Pompeii doesn't work.

Our plan is to drop most of our bags @ Hotel Bernini Bristol first so we can travel lighter.

JLou,
Since we'll be starting Viva Italia 10 days after you, we hoping you can be our "advance team" and have all the good stuff scouted out for us.

Just be sure to post right away!

I'll do my best Mapsd!

I'm so envious of your post days in Venice! We loved Viva Italia, especially Venice, and really wished we had more time there. I think a trip to Murano and maybe the other island with the lace (Burano?) would be wonderful.

Glassslipper, I think it was a post of yours which made me want to add time in Venice, so thank you. I was thinking Murano for sure, would love to see the glass blowing.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

 

[GAN]

Not sure what kind of free time you will have in Florence, but if you have an open dinner night you should make the attempt to get a seating at Vini e Vecchi Sapori. It seats maybe 20 people and the food is as good and traditional as any you will find anywhere. You will need to call ahead a few days prior for reservations, but it will be something you will remember always.

 

[jlou]

Not sure what kind of free time you will have in Florence, but if you have an open dinner night you should make the attempt to get a seating at Vini e Vecchi Sapori. It seats maybe 20 people and the food is as good and traditional as any you will find anywhere. You will need to call ahead a few days prior for reservations, but it will be something you will remember always.

We basically have an afternoon in Florence. I'm not sure when the coach leaves Florence to go back to the villa, will have to look into that. I think it would be nice to have some time to have an evening dinner in Florence, and stroll around after dinner before heading back. I'll have to look into this restaurant. Thanks for the tip!

 

[corky441]

We basically have an afternoon in Florence. I'm not sure when the coach leaves Florence to go back to the villa, will have to look into that. I think it would be nice to have some time to have an evening dinner in Florence, and stroll around after dinner before heading back. I'll have to look into this restaurant. Thanks for the tip!

When we took the Viva Italia trip this past September, we had a choice of two departing times.
The first bus left at 4:00pm - needless to say, this was way to early for any of us, no one left at that time.

The final bus meeting time was 7:00 pm. Not really enough time to have an evening dinner. Most of those in our group picked up paninis, pizza or other goodies and took them back to the villa on the bus. We arrived back at the villa between 8:00 - 8:30.

We got refreshments from the bar and sat outside and had our dinner then.

A few couples made reservations at the restaurant in the town, but we thought that would end up being a very late dinner.

The meeting place for the bus was near an obelisk by the Duomo. We then walked as a group to the bus parking area.

Hope this helps...........

You are going to LOVE this trip - we loved it so much that we're doing it again in May

 

[jlou]

When we took the Viva Italia trip this past September, we had a choice of two departing times.
The first bus left at 4:00pm - needless to say, this was way to early for any of us, no one left at that time.

The final bus meeting time was 7:00 pm. Not really enough time to have an evening dinner. Most of those in our group picked up paninis, pizza or other goodies and took them back to the villa on the bus. We arrived back at the villa between 8:00 - 8:30.

We got refreshments from the bar and sat outside and had our dinner then.

A few couples made reservations at the restaurant in the town, but we thought that would end up being a very late dinner.

The meeting place for the bus was near an obelisk by the Duomo. We then walked as a group to the bus parking area.

Hope this helps...........

You are going to LOVE this trip - we loved it so much that we're doing it again in May

hmmm. 7:00 pm sounds early, like you say, to have dinner in Florence. But snacks outside at the villa sounds very, very relaxing, and probably just the right thing in the middle of a very busy week.

So cool that you're doing it again! I'm thinking that I'll want to return to Florence someday (perhaps sans the children!)

 

[GAN]

Yeah ..in my opinion 7PM is too early -Florence is wonderful at night. Perhaps there is a way to arrange a cab back to the Villa? Either way, if during the day ABD offers the opportunity to climb the Duomo -I would suggest doing that. I have slight asthma and I didn't think it was bad at all -when you reach the top you forget the effort you put into it. The views are amazing and knowing that you are walking inside Brunelleschi's creation was inspiring ...read up on him a little, the back story is fascinating. No matter what you do you will have a wonderful time!

 

[helenk]

My daughter and I arrived day early in Rome prior to our Viva Italia tour and we visited the Borghese Gallery and the Villa. The gallery was amazing, and I purchased the tickets online prior to our trip. We were able to walk from our hotel, it took maybe a half of an hour but the weather was beautiful and it helped us to get use to our surroundings.
The grounds of the Villa were beautiful, gardens, statues there was even a small zoo in the area as well. There was a huge park nearby and we walked around there. The marble statues at the Gallery were stunning, we could not believe the detail that went into sculpting them.
It made for a relaxing first day, but we got to see alot without going too far, we strolled around for quite a few hours.

 

[apurplebrat]

We are doing this trip for the 1st time in May
A group of us have booked this tour. It looks great!

http://www.eatingitalyfoodtours.com/...romefoodtours/


This guided 4-hour food and cultural city walking tour gives you a taste of Rome that few visitors experience. Rome has some of the best food in the world as long as you know where to find it. We take you to seven non-touristy places to savor nine fabulous food tastings (a hearty meal). Along the way you'll be dazzled with entertaining stories and insights into Rome’s culture, history, and architecture and be guided to many secret attractions. Join us and uncover the Real Rome!

 

[jlou]

My daughter and I arrived day early in Rome prior to our Viva Italia tour and we visited the Borghese Gallery and the Villa. The gallery was amazing, and I purchased the tickets online prior to our trip. We were able to walk from our hotel, it took maybe a half of an hour but the weather was beautiful and it helped us to get use to our surroundings.
The grounds of the Villa were beautiful, gardens, statues there was even a small zoo in the area as well. There was a huge park nearby and we walked around there. The marble statues at the Gallery were stunning, we could not believe the detail that went into sculpting them.
It made for a relaxing first day, but we got to see alot without going too far, we strolled around for quite a few hours.

I personally would love to visit the Borghese Gallery, but that may have to wait til the next trip. I'm intrigued by the Villa d'Este though. It may be a toss up between that and Ostia Antiqua for something to do the day our tour begins. It sounds beautiful, and fits in with my wanting to be outside.

We are doing this trip for the 1st time in May
A group of us have booked this tour. It looks great!

http://www.eatingitalyfoodtours.com/...romefoodtours/


This guided 4-hour food and cultural city walking tour gives you a taste of Rome that few visitors experience. Rome has some of the best food in the world as long as you know where to find it. We take you to seven non-touristy places to savor nine fabulous food tastings (a hearty meal). Along the way you'll be dazzled with entertaining stories and insights into Rome’s culture, history, and architecture and be guided to many secret attractions. Join us and uncover the Real Rome!

This does look amazing! I will have to look more into this.

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions!

 

[mwebsite]

We did this trip a few years ago with our thirteen year old daughter (at the time) and came in a day early. After arriving from the airport, we walked to the Borghese Gardens. The next day we took the train from the Termini station south to Nettuno ( a small town on the coast) and spent the day at the beach on the first day of our tour. Since you don't meet until dinner that evening we had plenty of time. We rented chairs and umbrellas at Le Sirene Beach Club, it was very nice. For our extra day in Venice, we took the vaporetto to Lido Beach and spent the day at the Des Bains beach club. Cool to say you were in both the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea!

 

[jlou]

We did this trip a few years ago with our thirteen year old daughter (at the time) and came in a day early. After arriving from the airport, we walked to the Borghese Gardens. The next day we took the train from the Termini station south to Nettuno ( a small town on the coast) and spent the day at the beach on the first day of our tour. Since you don't meet until dinner that evening we had plenty of time. We rented chairs and umbrellas at Le Sirene Beach Club, it was very nice. For our extra day in Venice, we took the vaporetto to Lido Beach and spent the day at the Des Bains beach club. Cool to say you were in both the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea!

Thanks for the awesome suggestion. A day on the Mediterranean (or Adriatic) sounds wonderful!