Viva Italia or La Costa Bella?

[mwebsite]

I was sold on the Viva Italia trip, but when I looked at the pricing, La Costa Bella was much less expensive, and the idea of the Amalfi coast sounds wonderful. I know it is a shorter trip, but we could stay in Rome a day or two earlier on our own. It appears there is real Vatican visit in La Costa Bella, so we would have to do that by ourselves before the tour. Our daughter will be 13 in 2009. Does anyone have any insight on which of these would be the better idea? And we can't afford both!

 

[Pakey]

DH and I did a two week trip to Italy on our own in late 05. We saw it all I think!!!!! I think that each trip will have it's pluses and minuses and it depends on what you really want to see. The Viva Italia goes to Venice and that is what drives the cost up. Venice is a very expensive city; hotels were twice the price there as what you can get in the other cities and the food is also much more expensive. Plus you will be taking the high speed rail between Venice and Florence which adds to the trip cost. But IMO, to go to Italy and not see Venice would be a shame. It's very unique, the only place in the world that has a city like that. So if you are just wanting to hit the big things, go on Viva Italia. I wouldn't take the Amalfi Coast trip unless that is something that you really are interested in. We did Amalfi Coast, spent 2 days in that area. It was nice enough but I wouldn't go back. Venice, on the other hand, I was sad I only booked us for 2 days there as I just enjoyed wandering the city and could have spent more time just hanging out there.

I think both tours do a half day at Vatican as that is the standard package for all tour groups. You will see Sistine Chapel, St Peters, Hall of Maps and one other room. Anything else you want to see at the Vatican, you have to book separately and we were told while we were there that you need to book those months in advance (catacombs, gardens, etc).

Italy was my dream trip and it didn't disappoint. Compared to what we spent, I think the Disney prices are very reasonable. I'm sure you will enjoy whichever trip you select.

 

[Magix]

La Costa Bella only offers a photo stop at the Vatican (you have about 1 hour or less in St Peter's Square). But, I thoroughly loved the Amalfi Coast!! While I'd love to see Venice some day, I'm so pleased to have spent time on the Isle of Capri, in Positano and in Amalfi. Sorrento is beautiful and amazing, with views of the Bay of Naples and Mt Vesuvius. A place in the world that I can't let go of.

So, it depends how much of Italy you want to see. If swimming in the Mediterranean appeals to you and if you'd like to see coastal Italy, then go with La Costa Bella. If you'd like to see the highlight cities and get more of a feel for inland Italy, go with Viva Italia.

I do highly recommend La Costa Bella. I'd love to go back, myself.

 

[Pakey]

Good to know about the Vatican drive-by; what a shame to not get to go in. If you are going to want to see the Vatican on your own time and you are not with a tour guide, the lines to get in are very very long. They let the tours go ahead and then the people in the standby lines have to wait until capacity allows individuals to go in. I would recommend that you make arrangements to have a private tour guide to skip those lines. There are many companies that offer that, I wish I could remember the name of the company we used but I gave all of my info to my BF who is planning a trip with her husband for next year.

 

[mwebsite]

Appreciate all your insights into this decision. Much as I would love to spend time on the Amalfi coast, since this is our first visit to Italy, think Viva Italia would be our better choice for seeing the whole country. I know our family would want an entire day at the Vatican with arranged tours, and Viva Italia offers a tour with an afternoon on our own after the morning visit. Maybe my husband and I can do the Amalfi Coast on our own in the years to come!

 

[PatriciaH]

Appreciate all your insights into this decision. Much as I would love to spend time on the Amalfi coast, since this is our first visit to Italy, think Viva Italia would be our better choice for seeing the whole country. I know our family would want an entire day at the Vatican with arranged tours, and Viva Italia offers a tour with an afternoon on our own after the morning visit. Maybe my husband and I can do the Amalfi Coast on our own in the years to come!

If you fly in to Rome a day or two early, I found a place that does tours from Rome to the coast. That is what we are doing next year. I saw them listed on Trip Advisor.

http://www.viator.com/Naples/Pompei...02&aid=g2365&gclid=CISVsKenlo8CFQ9bgAodfz37HQ

 

[Pakey]

If you fly in to Rome a day or two early, I found a place that does tours from Rome to the coast. That is what we are doing next year. I saw them listed on Trip Advisor.

http://www.viator.com/Naples/Pompei...02&aid=g2365&gclid=CISVsKenlo8CFQ9bgAodfz37HQ

If you haven't been before, you need to realize that it's a pretty long drive from Rome to Amalfi Coast. After flying from US to Europe and then turning around right away and making this long drive down and back from Rome, it will be pretty tiring. Not trying to talk you out of it; just want you to be aware of the amount of time you'll be sitting in a moving vehicle. My Italian travel agent strongly advised against doing this as a day trip so we ended up going down for a couple of days.

 

[dingoballs]

If you fly in to Rome a day or two early, I found a place that does tours from Rome to the coast. That is what we are doing next year. I saw them listed on Trip Advisor.

http://www.viator.com/Naples/Pompei...02&aid=g2365&gclid=CISVsKenlo8CFQ9bgAodfz37HQ

That's a great website. Thanks!

 

[PatriciaH]

If you haven't been before, you need to realize that it's a pretty long drive from Rome to Amalfi Coast. After flying from US to Europe and then turning around right away and making this long drive down and back from Rome, it will be pretty tiring. Not trying to talk you out of it; just want you to be aware of the amount of time you'll be sitting in a moving vehicle. My Italian travel agent strongly advised against doing this as a day trip so we ended up going down for a couple of days.

Yes, it is 2.5-3 hours to Pompeii and then another 1/2 an hour or so to the coast. We are flying in Monday night into Tuesday morning and hoping to do a tour on Wednesday. Then our Viva Italia trip starts Thursday night. Tiring, but I have always wanted to see Pompeii and I liked the Viva Italia trip better than the Rome and La Costa Bella one.

 

[mwebsite]

PatriciaH,
Thanks for the website information. It is a 13 hour trip, but at least you aren't doing the driving. I assume you booked the Pompeii and Amalfi Coast tour, it even has a boat ride! I would love to hear what you thought about the tour and how it worked out scheduling it before your Viva Italia tour. Could you please post your experience about it on the boards, if you remember, next year?

 

[PatriciaH]

PatriciaH,
Thanks for the website information. It is a 13 hour trip, but at least you aren't doing the driving. I assume you booked the Pompeii and Amalfi Coast tour, it even has a boat ride! I would love to hear what you thought about the tour and how it worked out scheduling it before your Viva Italia tour. Could you please post your experience about it on the boards, if you remember, next year?

I will for sure. The Pompeii and Amalfi Coast tour is only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on the Viatour web site so I sent them an e-mail asking if they can arrange to do it on a Wednesday. I also found a place (with good reviews on Cruise Critic) that does private tours and they quoted me:

360 Euro for 1-3 people
450 Euro for 4-6 people
525 Euro for 7-8 people.

http://www.aptours.it/Site/default.asp?Lang=EN

This is getting picked up at the Naples train station and dropped off there. I e-mailed them to see how much more with pick up/drop off in Rome. This is their itinerary:

"Here is a type of itinerary that have developed over years of experience.

Itinerary 1) - Pick up and drop off Naples Station, tour last around 9 hours.

Typically the tour includes:

* A two-hour stop at the famous ruined city of Pompeii (where we can organise in advance an Authorised Archaeological Guide for a private tour within the site)
* A full tour of the Amalfi Coast.
* Whilst experiencing the beautiful coast road and its many views, there will be time to visit the towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.
* Ravello, here you can visit the famous gardens of Villa Rufolo and enjoy a breathtaking view of the coastline before meeting up again with your driver in the main Piazza of Ravello.
* Amalfi , you may wish to take a short stroll to admire the stunning cathedral of St. Andrew visit the paper mill or just enjoy the main piazza and its shops.
* The picture-perfect town of Positano, for some shopping and sightseeing. Your driver will take you right to the heart of Positano, saving precious time and your legs! giving you longer to wander the traffic free lanes filled with linen shops, art galleries and cafes.

No stop in Italy is complete without a traditional homemade pasta lunch; your private driver on your request will suggest a fantastic restaurant with true Italian hospitality.

**Please keep in mind your itinerary is totally flexible and can be changed to your personal wishes. Basically the vehicle is yours for 9 hours.**

The train ride is 2 hours from Rome. 360 Euro is about $515 US today. The other tour is $460 US for 2. I will let you all know what I find out!

 

[mwebsite]

PatriciaH,
The idea of a private tour sounds interesting. You can customize it to your time frame and interests, and the price doesn't sound too ridiculous. Looks like they will arrange from Rome, too. Please keep me posted on your decision and experience!

 

[konslerg]

PatriciaH,
The idea of a private tour sounds interesting. >>snipped<

When we did the Disney Med Cruise, we used Benvenuto Tours for the Amalfi Coast. This company is wonderful and our experience was totally positive. If you're interested in an Amalfi or Amalfi/Pompeii Tour, you really couldn't go wrong with them.

http://www.benvenutolimos.com/

Our driver was Carmine Ussano and he was the absolute best. If you book with Benvenuto, ask for Carmine as your driver.

Gloria in Miami

 

[PatriciaH]

When we did the Disney Med Cruise, we used Benvenuto Tours for the Amalfi Coast. This company is wonderful and our experience was totally positive. If you're interested in an Amalfi or Amalfi/Pompeii Tour, you really couldn't go wrong with them.

http://www.benvenutolimos.com/

Our driver was Carmine Ussano and he was the absolute best. If you book with Benvenuto, ask for Carmine as your driver.

Gloria in Miami

Thank you-I will check them out as well!

The cost with AP Tours for the pick up/drop off in Rome is 600 Euro so $862 US-a little high for us. You only get the car for 6 hours if you do that too. There is a train from Rome to Naples that does the trip in 1 hour and 27 minutes. It is 43 Euro so $61- not bad. The 2 hour train is 13.50 Euro/$19 US.

So we will either splurge and book the private car/coast/Pompeii tour (using the train to get to Naples) or just do the Pompeii $154 trip with Viatour. I am kind of leaning towards the private tour because we get to see a lot more and no 3 hour ride The 1 hour and 27 minute train is sounding good.

 

[mwebsite]

PatriciaH,
If you're still posting, could you give more details about the train from Rome to Naples. Does the quicker train run frequently? How would you catch the train from your ABD Rome Hotel, can you walk to the station? Another idea for you is to take the train to Naples, and schedule your Pompeii tour with viator from there, it is less than a hundred dollars.

 

[PatriciaH]

PatriciaH,
If you're still posting, could you give more details about the train from Rome to Naples. Does the quicker train run frequently? How would you catch the train from your ABD Rome Hotel, can you walk to the station? Another idea for you is to take the train to Naples, and schedule your Pompeii tour with viator from there, it is less than a hundred dollars.

Here is the train station info for Rome:

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

It is less than a mile from the hotel Disney uses now (Bernini Bristol.) It looks like the high speed train runs a few times a day. Viatour said they only do the coast tour on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays as of now.

 

[mwebsite]

Thanks for the train info. From Naples, the Viator site states they do the Pompeii Tour daily.