A dreamer/lurker now turned traveler here. NEW ???

Congrats on taking the plunge. I can feel your excitement reading the post.
Really cannot answer most of your questions, I am certain someone else will.

Wanted to say the San Miniato church is very near to Piazzale Michelangelo (5 minutes more of steps)
As long as steps are not an issue, it is an easy walk from town
You could take a taxi / uber as well.

The church is really pretty both inside and outside. Is up on the hill with nice set of steps and scenic viewpoint/graveyard right there.

From Siena to Orvieto thinking train but train station in Siena is a decent walk from center of town so if you need to make a connection anyway maybe a bus to start is better for you.

To get around Venice ; key for me was to use my phone's GPS. Your GPS will work even without data. You can download the Venice map to your phone before you travel. If no data plan put your phone in "Airplane Mode" and then just open the Maps program and start walking you will see yourself and the road grid.
The grid is what makes walking confusing and why the GPS is needed, or at least for me not to get lost it was.
Took me a day of getting lost constantly taking "roads" that end at canals (dead ends) before I realized this and started walking staring at my phone screen to get around. Once I did that, it was simple getting anywhere.

I would personally book a couple of excursions for your time in Florence. A week without leaving town seems a lot to me.
Pisa is an easy train ride, Lucca as well and even the Cinque Terre is near but personally I would book a night there to see it better (double booking for 1 night will probably not break the bank and allow you to travel really light to the Cinque Terre)

There is bus service to San Miniato. Service on Bus #12 runs from Firenze SMN train station.
You'll be well rewarded if you drop by Piazzale Michelangelo, which sits just below San Miniato. There is a wonderful panoramic view of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo, as well as a replica of the David statue.

A few thoughts:

1. Bravo for planning and taking the plunge. Italy will make a lovely first solo European sojourn.
2. You are packing light and have made a good choice for monastery accommodations.
3. The monastery in Venice should be able to give you directions. I suspect a water taxi and then a walk. See if you can get them to email the directions. print them out. Look at them on Google satellite view and then print THAT view out to follow.
4. I'd take the train from Siena to Orvieto. There's a change at Chiusi. Getting train tickets is pretty simple at most stations as there are kiosks. I believe Rick has a video or there are photos somewhere explaining what's on a rail ticket. It was helpful on my first trip to Italy. Or maybe that was on what was the best Italy travel website for years, Ron in Rome. Sadly it's no defunct but there might be youtube videos. Maybe.
5. As far as train travel this website can be a value. https://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm
6. In Venice I encourage you to get lost. Best way to see the "real" Venice.
7. Smart Wool socks are initially expensive but will save you blisters and the best part, odor free. Take Two pair.
8. Take a scarf for your head to enter some of the churches. No shorts.
9. coin purse. You'll always have more coins than bills.
10. Money belt because it makes sense.

You will love love love Italy!

ahh, the Gregorian chants at San Miniato. I made a special trip to hear them. I arrived an hour before what I understood was the 5:00 pm start time. I stayed until after 6:00 pm. There were never any chants or any music at all. There was a service during that time. I never did figure out why this failed for me. If any posters here have insight into this schedule, maybe they'll help out. I wasn't the only one waiting for them that day.

Nevertheless, it was a great walk, I wandered around the church for those two hours and looked at everything, and I enjoyed the Piazza too.

Oh and I forgot to mention the moment you emerge from the Venice train station and walk out towards the canal.....it's memorable....It's Venice. No where else on the planet like it!!

On the trip report part of this Forum is Ruth's stellar report : https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/2-weeks-in-eataly-with-friends

Also if you are an early riser like I am you will find Venice so wonderfully quiet at 5:30/6am. There might even been some fog which provides an eeriness.

Enjoy the slower pace of Italy. Good for the heart and soul.

I just switched from Verizon to TMobile because Verizon is very bad for international travel and TMobile is amazing. And wayyyy cheaper. Would you consider comparing the two and switching? You can keep the # you have now.

TMobile is free unlimited data and texting, anywhere in the world. And 20 cents per minute for calls.

A friend of mine stays in convents in Italy and highly recommends. I hope to do that next time.

Buon Viaggio!

In Rome , the highlights of The Borghese are the Bernini Marbles . you will not need a tour , but also go to Santa Maria Della Vittoria to see his St Teresa , and be certain to watch this video essay about Bernini which will prepare you well for the wonders you will experience - https://youtu.be/dJsD8mmWjM8

I spent 2 weeks in Orvieto in 2015, taking language lessons. Things may have changed, but at that time the tourist office sold a city card that was a good deal. The T.O. had an office very near the train station and the bottom of the funicular to the upper town (historic district). The card covered a round trip on the funicular, entrance to at least two good museums, at least one walking tour, and some other things. There was either no time limit on the card or it was long enough not to be an issue.

Orvieto has quite a lot to do, and there are some very good restaurants. I especially like Cibus, a Sicilian place. Its menu is heavy on seafood (hard to find otherwise in Orvieto), so if you're not a fan of seafood, you should check out the menu before committing.

Thank you all so much!
I’ve waited most of my life to travel and for someone to join me. My son and I spent many years traveling to Mexico, but job and finances prevent him from joining me on my most desired adventures. There are many regrets in life but not visiting the countries of my dreams is one that I don’t want to have. So, solo I go. (I did Iceland, the land of my grandparents in February - won’t recommend February.)

Unfortunately I’m locked into Verizon and will make the best of a less than ideal offering. If I can download maps, use my GPS (a huge bonus if possibleto use without data fees), I will be thrilled.
I am looking forward to getting lost in Venice! I just don’t want it to be the first night with luggage in tow while trying to beat a curfew!

Florence, there’s so much to see! I will be disappointed if there are no chants at San Miniato but Piazza de Michelangelo is on my radar for the view. I did explore a trip to Cinque Terra but decided against it as I didn’t want it rushed. I want to meander thru Oltrano, the gardens at Boboli and the Mercado’s; cook some and eat gelato. If I find myself bored, a day train trip is easy to do.

Thanks for the train info about Siena. The train seems less hassle, so I will check out how difficult it is to get to the station in Siena.

Good for you for going on your own to Italy! I'm going on my first solo trip this fall to Milan and Florence (mostly Florence), with one or two day trips from Florence. I've been to Florence before and loved it. I think you've planned everything out quite well and I certainly hope you give us a trip report when you get back. I especially want to hear how the monastery stays went. I certainly agree with your plan to have a few low-key days. Buona fortuna!

Congratulations for following your dream. The people on this forum are fantastic. Last year they answered my seemingly million questions. When my tour fell through, they were there with suggestions and shoulders to cry on. I'm now planning a trip for next year, hopefully, and they're here for me again.

Don't worry about asking too many questions. Everyone will help you as much and as often as they can.

I found that Maps.me app is easy to use and download maps. I bookmarked museums/monuments/sites, hotel, restaurants and vaporetto/bus/train stops. Download the maps before you go and you'll be able to pull them up when in airplane mode if you don't have wifi available or want to use your data. Rick Steves Audio Europe app also works in airplane mode. Again, download the video and audio tours you want before you go.

Kathy

Edit: I wasn’t aware of monastery.com. Thanks for the info. I’ve bookmarked the site for consideration.

I believe there is somewhere in Florence that you can ask about the Gregorian chants, as they are cancelled sometimes. (Don't have access to my RS Italy book anymore since we chopped it up and discarded as we went last year.) We took the chance of going without checking and attended the evening mass at San Miniato. In our case, there was a full regular mass, then all the monks/priests exited, and so did anyone who had come for the mass only. After a brief break, the priests reentered and had the sung Vespers service. As mentioned by another poster, even if you don't get to hear the chants, the view over Florence from that side of the river is wonderful.

Congratulations on doing this yourself!

On our first trip to Italy 3 years ago, my husband and I each got SIM cards for our phones. The next two years we got the Verizon International month plan for $30, and that worked out pretty well. These were all trips of more than 3 weeks. We set the data usage on our phones to zero on the day we left, and used WIFI in the hotels. We mostly managed to stay within their paltry data limit (I went over at the airport on the way home.) The $10 a day plan can add up if you use it much.

Dear OP

First, let me join in with everyone else to congratulate you on your upcoming trip. It sounds amazing!

Second, the one piece of advice I can offer on Orvieto is enjoy wandering about the streets. Some of our best stops there were places we wouldn't have visited, except we got lost and then said - ohhh, that looks interesting!

And last, I also have Verizon. Their $10/day plan is incredible for people like me. You can maximize your use and minimize your costs by having your phone set to airplane mode and using available WiFi whenever possible. Once you do you use your phone for calls, texts or data on your Verizon plan, you can continue using it for 24 hours before you're charged again. You will receive a text from Verizon a little before the next 24 hour period begins, so that can help remind you when to switch back to airplane mode.

As others have said above, you can also download things like maps and language apps (like Google Translate) so that they're available to you when you're in airplane mode.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

If you were to nominate the web site of the monastery in Venice, it would be easy to give you instructions.

Many streets in Venice are only a couple of metres wide. Do get a paper map, it will cost you two or three euro, buy it at the train station.

Venice.

I'll join another poster to recommend using Google maps on a smart phone. Supplement with a paper map, but the GPS knows where you are. A paper map is only useful if you know where you are - and for planning purposes. I love poring over the map during breakfast.

Also visit https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/.

Check a map to see how long the trip from the station to your convent is. I would walk, but you know best how far you can walk with luggage.

Thing to do in Venice:

1. Rise early and enjoy the empty city. Visit the fish market across the Rialto bridge.
2. Visit Burano one day to avoid the crowds. You can visit Murano and Torcello on the way, but Burano is far higher on my list. Buy a day pass for this as you need 4 separate tickets if you don't.
3. Visit St. marks square in the evening if the bands are still playing in October.

Enjoy.

If Verizon still has the$30/day plan, you should use it. However, try to get some evidence that you actually signed up for it-maybe a screen shot?-because last year we signed up for it but were still charged the $10/day.

I am a fan of convent stays too.

If you're willing to wash clothes in the sink, it will greatly help you in packing less. Also remember to cut up the RS guidebook and rebind for each location-doesn't get as heavy in your purse that way and also takes up less space in luggage.

You are going to have a wonderful trip.

Howdy there, 40yellowroses!

Well, gosh, you've already gotten oodles of suggestions from the gang but to add my 2 cents....

I’d really like to hear the Gregorian Chants at San Miniato Church in
Florence. Has anyone done this? Is it worth the hike up or is there
easy transportation?

Chant or no chant, San Miniato is WELL worth the puff up the hill for the church itself and the lofty view of Florence from its perch. The church just happens to be celebrating its 1000-year anniversary this year, and it has a website in Italian which, with the use of handy google or bing translate, can provide information.

https://www.sanminiatoalmonte.it

This is the page for general info:
https://www.sanminiatoalmonte.it/contatti/

The cemetery is an interesting wander as well. Piazzale Michelangelo is at the bottom of the steps up to the church (another great viewpoint) and has a couple open-air spots for a beverage and rest of the heels. We did it on foot - as we did all of our exploring in Firenze - but you can take bus #12 or #13 too.

https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-monuments/piazzale-michelangelo.html

A week in Florence will be HEAVEN if you're an art lover (I am). Along the mighty Uffizi and the smaller Accademia, do go San Marco for the Fra Angelico frescoes in the monks' cells, and the Bargello for all sorts of interesting things. Piazza Santissima Annunziata, very near San Marco, is a favortie little corner, and the church of the same name there has some wonderful frescoes. Also on the piazza is 15th century Brunelleschi-designed Ospedale Degli Innocenti - one of the first foundling hospitals in the world - and its museum.

https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-museums/innocenti-museum.html

Other churches to do are Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Trinita (go for the Sassetti Chapel and read up a bit on that one in advance), Santo Spirito and more. And, of course, there's the duomo complex: the baptistry is a real piece of work. Anyway, group your sightseeing so that you can use your Firenze Card for the museums with the biggest ticket prices/longest ticket lines and save the rest for after your pass has expired.

Rome? Too many fascinating things to list but I'm very pleased that you've included the Borghese. Yep, Bernini is "The Man" in Rome and left his fingerprints many, many places. I'm unsure how much time you've set aside for the Eternal City? I also see that you've included the hoho bus on your agenda: you might want to rethink that? They aren't necessarily a good choice for this particular city as their ability to get directly to the attractions is limited, and they've seen lots of complaints about the quality of the service itself. Let's just say that I certainly wouldn't use it for more than an initial circle around to maybe help get your bearings.

Maps: yep, we use good old-fashioned paper maps. Even if you decide to use your phone to get around, I'd still buy a good map prior to your trip. Being able to see the bigger picture than you can on a phone's screen is useful, and we highlight the position of attractions/things of interest prior to our trips so we can group our sightseeing by area; saves some shoe leather.

You are going to have a fabulous time!!!!!

Wonderful.
With respect to your flight. It may be possible to change it. I do not know where you are flying out of but Delta flies non-stop JFK to Marco Polo. Vaparetto over taxi to get to hotel. Have fun!!!

WOW!
I’m honored by your replies and great info!

Kathy: Art Lover here also. I’m afraid I will get stuck just pondering Michelangelo’s David for hours. Got the Borghese ticket just for Bernini! I agree that there’s so much to see in Florence and I want to intersperse all the art with some sidewalk people watching (and to give my feet a break!)

VfromV, Cata & Aquamarine: I’ve used Verizon’s International Plan for Mexico each trip, but didn’t think it available for Italy;definitely something’s to ask.

Peter, I.p.e. & horsewoofie: I’m definitely a map person. I downloaded a Google map last night, labeled my home base and a couple of sights. I worked great for local so assume the same for Italy. What a great recommendation!

Aquamarine: I’m excited to visit Orvieto. Have the City Pass noted in my trip book. Read all of Marlena de Blasi books and cookbooks and this is now her home town she’s written about, so I feel I know it a bit more than others.

Leslie: I’ve also heard about the on and off chant reviews, but will make the hike anyway. It will be a bonus if I can confirm that there will be chanting.

I’ve little intention of using my phone for anything but downloaded maps. Unfortunately I needed to provide a phone# for all of my stays and in case of emergency (besides my son in the states). I know some will recommend it for restaurant reservations, but if it looks good as I pass by, I will stop in and reserve. Otherwise, it’s my iPad and phone on airplane mode and WiFi (when available)only. Easy enough to deal with an email check in with my son.

I’ve downloaded Elizabeth Minchelli’s EATITALY ap and will work off of it a bit in Florence, Venice and possibly Rome as a relative has worked closely with her and recommended her. Sadly my budget doesn’t have room for a cooking or market class with her (or with my relative).
I’d love to visit a winery ( have a nice stash of USA wines). but enotecas should offer me a larger “tasting” than just one or two properties. I have been told to enjoy aperitifs in Venice as the wine isn’t so great.

I think I will be there during truffle harvest and I’m quite anxious to eat my fill. Any recommendations?

I will happily let you know about the monastery stays. I did upgrade to a private room and bath. The locations were great and as much as I’d love a luxury hotel, I don’t plan on being in the room much except to sleep. I’ve chosen blouses that I can handwash, dry quickly (chiffon) and don’t wrinkle, a couple cashmere sweaters and 4pr slacks that are reasonably wrinkle free and also washable. Add a jacket, pashma, shoes and minimal toiletries.

Rome: (chastise me now). I purchased open jaw tickets (loads of air miles) and Rome was an exit point as I am reluctant to travel solo further south to Naples/Sicily/Greece. A friend visited Rome several years ago and was mugged at knife point as she exited the Vatican - her story concerned me enough that Rome was built in only as an exit point. (I gave her story credibility as she’s traveled Africa, Europe and SE Asia independently and with friends. This was her only “bad” experience.)

FOOLISH ME! I knew I had to see the Sistine and Borghese anything else was a bonus. The HOHO was just a safe way to make a simple circuit and see the Colosseum etc, getting off only if inspired to do so.

I’m so regretting not making my stay longer. BUT it’s a reason to return and I’ve enough miles to make more trips.

I want to intersperse all the art with some sidewalk people watching
(and to give my feet a break!)

You're my kinda gal, Ms. Lurker-no-more. People-watching from the sidelines is part of our daily routine.
Those breaks are also very nice for having access to the 'facilities', if you catch my drift?

A friend visited Rome several years ago and was mugged at knife point
as she exited the Vatican

Please don't let this color your impression of Rome before you even get there!!? Violent crime of this nature is very, VERY rare. Really. I worry about it more in the U.S. than anywhere we've been in Italy. We've walked all over the city, even in the evenings, without feeling nervous at all, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it alone. I have a 65 year-old British friend who travels solo all over Europe (and further afield) who has done the same in Rome/Italy without concern. It's too bad about your friend's experience as it was truly an anomaly.

Nothing wrong with Rome being your exit point on this first trip as to include points south probably would have meant shorting some other places on your list. :O)

I’ve always travelled in the States and Mexico with this motto: DON’T DO STUPID

if it’s not a street at home I’d walk on at night, what makes me think it’s safe elsewhere?
There are plenty of places I’d walk alone in Mexico and plenty I’d avoid. The same can be said for my nice 55+community.

Iceland was a bit different as there was only 5-6hrs of daylight....still, it was dark and a lit street was my friend, as well as groups of people to follow.

Wow! Good for you! The people on this forum are terrific and are very patient and knowledgeable. They have helped me with planning my last couple trips.
Go for it and have fun! Italy is fantastic.

Dear OP

The Verizon Travel Pass plan that you probably used for Mexico ($5/day there, right?) is the same one you'll use in Italy. It just costs $10/day there instead of $5.

I hope you'll come back and write a trip report. This sounds like an amazing adventure!

40yellowroses,
Congrats on making your dream a reality!
I took my first solo trip last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, and now I’m addicted!
This forum is amazingly helpful and I’m grateful to so many for their experience, recommendations and insight.

Regarding your comment here:

All of my stays, outside of my week in Florence, will be in convents booked thru monestarystays.com. As an older, solo, female traveler I felt these to be a wise, safe and frugal choice.

I felt very safe staying in B&Bs and small hotels which were very budget friendly.

Regarding your journey from Siena to Orvieto...
I took a taxi from my B&B to the train station then took the train to Orvieto.
The journey involves an easy train transfer in CHIUSI-CHIANCIANO TERME, a very small station.

When you arrive to Orvieto, you can buy your ticket to the funicular in the small shop within the train station or at the booth of the funicular itself (across the street from the station)
Save your ticket as it’s the one you’ll need for the bus that you’ll take to the city center.

Here are my trip reports on Siena and Orvieto if you’re interested in reading them; be forewarned, they’re rather lengthy! 😉

Have an amazingly fabulous trip! 🌸

Priscilla,
Thanks so much for those links! I don’t know how I missed them! I can’t wait to wander the streets

and eat gelato!! Lots of gelato!

After you cross the Arno (on the way to San Miniato), look for the Clet Abraham street signs. Our tour guide tipped us off to them and they're very amusing. If you search for him online, you'll see examples for what to look for.

Thanks for the tip Leslie!
Those are fun looking signs.
I will be on the look out for them.
For some reason I started photographing doors in Mexico and I understand there are some interesting ones to be seen in Italy.

(I will be the old white-haired lady taking pictures of doors and signs.....I’m sure many will view me as odd.)

I’ve a new question.

Should I buy a train ticket from Milan to Venice in advance?

I arrive at MilanLinate at 12:20pm
Not sure how long customs will be with just my carryon bag.
Bus to Milan Centrale is 25 min.
I can catch a direct trentitialia train to Venice San Lucia at 3:45pm

Is this a reasonable time frame e pectation?

I know there will be anxiety (if I have a ticket) about getting to the station in time
I know ther will be anxiety (if I don’t have a ticket) about negotiating buying a ticket at the station kiosks.

Help! I need to tap the wisdom of the forum.

40yellowroses,

Should I buy a train ticket from Milan to Veenice in advance? I arrive
at MilanLinate at 12:20pm Not sure how long customs will be with just
my carryon bag. Bus to Milan Centrale is 25 min. I can catch a direct
trentitialia train to Venice San Lucia at 3:45pm.

It’s generally recommended not to buy your train ticket in advance for the day of arrival, due to possible unforeseen delays with your flight, passport control, etc, etc.

You have three choices for buying your train ticket when you arrive to Milan.

1. If you have a smartphone, you can go on Trenitalia.com and buy your ticket from Milano Centrale to Venezia S. Lucia.
   You don’t need to register on the site and you can pay with your credit card (Visa or MC)

2. You can buy your ticket at the ticket office once you arrive to Milano Centrale
   (ground floor), look for the blue “Biglietteria” signs. There may be a line of people waiting to buy. The agent will sell you a ticket for the next available train. Try to get a freccia (high speed train) which is a direct train to Venezia, rather than a Regionale Veloce train because you’ll need to change trains in Bologna and the journey will be longer.

3. Buy your ticket from a Self Service Ticket Machine at Milano Centrale.

Hope this helps!

Thank you Priscilla!

I’m trying to get my ducks in order and that is the only ticket of concern. I got the Siena to Orvieto ticket figured out yesterday. Also typed up my complete itinerary so I can email it, photo necessary documents and have everything on a couple pages.

The information you gave is just what I needed!

Spent last night transferring all the sights and restaurants onto my GoogleMaps and flagging them. So much easier to look at a map and see everything I’m interested in highlighted. Won’t ever get to all the restaurants, but if I’m in an area, now I can look and see what’s nearby. I rue being near something important and missing it.

Siena is a favorite city of mine. My favorite place to stay there is Albergo Bernini. It is within walking distance of St. Catherines church and a bus stop. I would take a taxi to the train station as it is a fair distance from town.

I stayed at the Istituto Monastero San Lodovico in Orvieto, booked through monasterystays.com. I too was travelling solo for this part of my trip and it seemed a good choice. I loved it! The room, although spartan, was clean and quiet - and the breakfast was ample. The nuns spoke little to no English, but they were very warm and welcoming and we didn't have any difficulty communicating. While in Orvieto I did a cooking class at the restaurant Zeppelin, which was just a block away. Although not cheap, it was amazing, and I didn't need to eat dinner that night! Enjoy your first (of many I'm sure!) trips to Italy and Europe!

I’m staying at Instituto San Giuseppe in Venice, Albergo Alma Domus in Siena and Instituto San Salvatore in Orvieto and Casa Santa Lucia Filippini in Rome.

A taxi to the train station in Siena is definitely on my radar. I may do the same in Orvieto as my train to Rome leaves at 7:20am.

I’m considering a taxi company from SLF in Rome to the Vatican as it appears to be a good 45minute walk. I don’t mind wandering back, but don’t want to miss my tour.

Any other suggestions are definitely welcome!

About walking about at night in Venice, Rome etc.

On our first trip to Europe hubby and I arrived in Venice walked in the hotel neighborhood and then took a nap.
Our dinner was later than usual which fits in with Europe, so that was good. We wanted to walk some after dinner so we walked a lot just to get a feel for Venice. We made a wrong turn about 11 pm and were walking on a dark street that was completely quiet. Then we hear a slow clop, clop clop behind us.
Made me nervous so hubby was holding my hand. We kept going and then got to a Dead End! So we turned around still hearing the clops. Then we see it's a little Nona (Grandma) carrying bags going home.
As we passed her we smiled and she said "Buona Sera" just as we said it to her. After we got back to the hotel hubby and I laughed about that for a long time. We haven't been scared to walk around any of the cities or towns in Italy since then, and we've been back 4 more times.

We feel so safe there. Now, we do wear money belts and take good precautions, but don't worry about
being mugged or anything like that.

Have a great trip!
Mimi

Thanks for the info Mimi. Glad it was a little nonna! I’m actually looking forward to some evening strolls in each of my stays. I will stay alert but it’s good to know that most places are safe (plus I have convent curfews,!)