We are flying to Rome from the US 4 days before our cruise departs. The cruise will stop in Livorno and Naples and end up in Venice. We have planned a small group tour of the Amalfi Coast from Naples, but are now trying to make decisions about what to do from Rome and Livorno. We are inclined to spend 3 full days seeing Rome and one to explore Florence (from Rome). The day we're docked in Livorno could be spent exploring Pisa.
This is our first visit to Italy.
Thoughts on this?
I'd spend two days in Rome and two in Florence. Specifically I'd train to Florence, spend the night, tour Florence all the next day, spend another night and then train back. A partial day just isn't going to hack it. Also to maximize your time in Florence book tickets on-line for the Ufuzi and the Academia. Yes, it constricts you to specific times but it can save you hours in line. Also, don't miss the Bapistry. Very cool. Then there's the gelato. Nothing like it elsewhere no matter what they say. It's sin in a cup.
Marie makes good points. 4 days for both Rome and Florence is going to be a challenge, you either do it 2 and 2 or 3 and 1 (as in your original post). Most first timers to Rome end up wanting more than 2 days there. I know someone you can ask for advice: http://www.roninrome.com/guide-service/
On your first day in Rome, I would take the city tour HOHO bus #110 from the Termini station. It covers over 80 sightseeing destinations in a 2.5 hour loop. It has an audio plug in guide. Sit on top in front for the best views. The ticket is good for 24 hours. It will give you a wonderful overview of the city. After the loop you can stay on the bus or take the Metro to the sights that interest you. The Metro is very very easy to use. You can do Florence in a day. I would by pass Pisa.
Thanks for the suggestions. I've considered the "hop on hop off" bus and may do it that first day for orientation purposes and because we'll be too tired from the flight to do much else! I've also sent Ron (roninrome) an e-mail to ask for advice. His prices are very reasonable!
This sounds extremely similar to what my wife and I are doing, Susan. We are spending four days in Rome prior to a cruise as well, but believe it or not, we are going to TRY to cram Florence and Pisa into 1 day from Rome (if we get there and decide not to rush, we will just stay in Florence for the whole day).
That way, when we are in the Livorno port, we can do San Gimignano and Siena.
Ben, please let me know how you end up arranging this. The early train up and late one back, perhaps? We're considering caving in and taking the overpriced ship tour (Florence only) from Livorno. The excursion that includes both Pisa and Florence only sees the David replica....
Susan, first off, my wife and I are probably crazy for trying to attempt this. Time-wise, it works out, but we certainly won't be enjoying a relaxing walk through Florence. We will be zipping from site to site. Most people wouldn't want to do this, but we are willing to give it a shot.
Why? Because our ship stops at Livorno on a Monday, which means the Uffizi and Accademia are closed. Originally, we were going to do the very same Florence and Pisa tour you spoke of, and I agree...it's just not good enough. At the same time, I REALLY want to see Siena and San Gimignano, and we couldn't do all four things in one stop.
So, here is our current plan. Get up early in Rome on Day 4 (ship departs on Day 5), take the Metro to Termini station, catch the 6:30 AM train (the fast one, a bit more expensive) that arrives in Florence at 8:09 AM. Then, with reservations in place for the museums, we go to the Accademia (spend max of one hour there) and Uffizi (max of two hours there), we briefly see the Ponte Vecchio, we MAYBE swing by Santa Croce (only if time allows), we see the Duomo and Baptistry (entering or not entering depending on lines), and that's about it. Lunch would be a quick to go panino, and maybe a gelato.
We try to get out of Florence by around 3:30, and take a 1 hour 15 minute train to Pisa. After we get off the train we catch the 15 min bus to the Field of Miracles, then we have about an hour and a half there. I don't see us needing more, based on what I've heard about Pisa. It's something to say you've seen, and little more, according to a large number of people. So, then we catch the 7 PM train out of Pisa to Rome, which is a 3-4 hour trip. I assume we'll sleep on the train.
So there you have it... Our crazy plan!
