First of all, thank you all so much for the previously answered questions and suggestions, they were great and I have incorporated many of the options into my trip. Second of all, I am completely planning this trip without any help from my wife (dangerous I know). The daily activities will mostly be a suprise but she knows what days we are traveling and she knows the countries we are going to but not much else. I want to make each day "Amazing Race" style where she opens an envelope each morning with the itenerary for the day and what time we wake up the next day. The day I want help with right now is the day we travel from Venice to Rome. I realize we have to take the train and it is going to take 6 hours. Since we are staying multiple nights in Venice and Rome, I was thinking we could make a few stops along the way to turn a travel day into something a bit more exciting. I was thinking we could catch the first train out of Venice and head to ???? along the way, check our bags at a train station explore ???? along the way and then to go !!!! for some more then head to Rome that evening... Help me fill in ???? and !!!! What are you all's exciting ways to get to Rome from Venice? What is the perfect travel day that may or may not include a helicopter that would be "AMAZING RACE" quality? Also, start thinking about a day in London that is wide open. :-)
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32322 posts
Maurice, "I realize we have to take the train and it is going to take 6 hours" Just to clarify, Venice-Rome trips via EuroStar Italia are ~3H:45M, while the slower Regionale is ~6H. Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions on the "Amazing Race" scenario, as I usually like to keep travel between cities as short as possible, and spend the time in the cities. This is one of the more "creative" vacation ideas I've seen. Good luck and happy travels!
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1521 posts
Maurice, the first time I read this question it sounded like you would only be spending 1 night each in Venice and Rome. I went back and read your previous post with the itinerary, and it looks more like 3 in each? If it is indeed 1 night each then I totally agree with Ken, and you should head straight there on the fastest train possible! If that's not the case though then I would suggest Florence. You could stow your bags, walk to the Duomo, climb the tower, and if you buy tickets in advance you could even go to the Academia and see "David". I really like your day of surprising your wife Amazing Race style! How FUN!!!
Posted by
OP
HONOLULU
14 posts
Sorry for the confusion, I tried to clean it up a bit. I will be in Venice for 4 nights and in Rome for 5 nights, since I have plenty of time in each city, I figured I could make the ride between them fun and make a full day of it. Anybody know where I can rent a helicopter?
Posted by
OP
HONOLULU
14 posts
My wife loves the show amazing race! We only take a "Big" vacation every other year and we alternate turns planning the "Big" vacation so I am only on the hook for planning every four years. It kind of clicked in my brain a while ago when I was looking for hotels and starting the planning and she was watching the show that I told her, "That is how this vacation is going to be!". She is pretty excited about it also, I think the fear of me doing it is the added kicker. She already knew the countries we were going to so that part isn't a suprise. I have previously just gotten out easy by picking a cruise to Australia and New Zealand and a guided tour of South America.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15768 posts
Florence is a perfect choice. There is a baggage deposit room in the station - be sure to go to the Santa Maria Novella station. The best of Florence is a very few minutes' walk from the train station. There is so much to see in Florence, and checking bags can be somewhat time-consuming so I'd stick with that one stop.
Posted by
OP
HONOLULU
14 posts
Thank you all for the advice, Florence it is! It should be an exciting day.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32322 posts
Maurice, Based on some of your comments, I assume you're working with a somewhat "generous" travel budget? If that's the case, here are some websites to peruse: This Tour This Tour The first one is definitely for the "discerning client" and no doubt priced accordingly. I've never used either of them as they're likely way beyond my budget. Cheers!
Posted by
OP
HONOLULU
14 posts
Wow, I was more looking for the $150 Grand canyon style helicoptor ride not really the $15K style drop me off at a winery and wait for me. OK, helicoptors are out.... Thanks for finding those, I looked around briefly and only saw the high end style.
Posted by
OP
HONOLULU
14 posts
Didn't mean to give off a "generous budget" vibe. We are quite the frugal spenders, we are "the save it all for vacation people". Please forgive any air of such attitude.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15768 posts
Not to worry, Maurice. We know that the real "sky's the limit" folks are at Frommer's, not here :-)
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7119 posts
Maurice,
How long of a helicopter flight were you thinking? I found 15min flights in Tuscany for 110 Euro/person. Just google helicopter tours tuscany. Wow, what an exciting vacation idea, you are something special.