I've never been to Italy but I ran across this package deal recently
It includes, air from Atlanta, train tickets and breakfast.
3 days Rome
3 days Florence
3 days Venice
I would leave the last day of febuary or very early March.
I dont mind cold weather but not sure how much the cold weather would impact this trip.
total cost for 2 is $2800.
Is this a great deal?
Could I put something together on my own and spend less (but enjoy as much)?
Thanks
I'd say it depends how you like to travel and if you like to pick your own hotels, etc. :-) I'd guess it will come out about the same.
I don't know airfare from Atlanta...but, the very BEST fares I get from NY are aroun $400 off-season. Last August I paid $650 (which was an excellent price) if that helps you any! Check out the hotel prices on the big sites and check train fares on trenitalia.it (they may not let you search with those dates though - -they do not always let you that far in advance, so just put in something closer and get an idea)
If you like the airline that you'll be taking, the hotels you'll be staying in, the itinerary if there is one or you know what to see, and you are willing to pay the avg price for lunch and dinner, I say go for it; sounds like the package took care of the major hassels.
It's hard to say if I like a hotel or not. I typically stay in budget hotels in England and thier fine.
If I can handle Delta then most airlines should work.
The package sounds very good. And the fact that hotels, train, etc are taken care of is great. However, Im used to arranging things on my own so this is all new to me in that respect..
Sidney,
Airfares are very high now, so if you just look at what I assume is an open jaw flight - ATL-FCO-VCE-ATL you are looking at >$800 per person based on the dates you describe (this is on Delta). So that would leave $2000 to cover 9 nights hotels and your train tickets. If you are taking EuroStar 1st class - it will cost ~ $160 per person (105 Euros; 11 for Xpress from FCO, 47 & 44 - (Rome-Florence-Venice)). So if the hotels are suitable (good location, immenities like breakfast) it appears to be a good deal.
I just returned from a similar trip - it was cold but I had museums virtually to myself. Great time to travel if you can stand the cold.
Good luck!
Sidney,
Spent a month in Italy last spring and what you have sounds very good. Where did you find it? The wife and I may be interested ourselves. T.C.
Just be sure to check out the reviews of the included hotels on www.tripadvisor.com because if they've put you in crappy hotels you will be sorry. But there IS some advantage in a package deal in that all of the details are taken care of for you...like train tickets, plan tickets and hotels. But like others have said, I like to plan my own trips, research what hotels I want, plan my own schedule with trains.
If you've got an open-jaw ticket with this package (into Rome and out of Venice) then that can add a few dollars more to your package. Are you arriving at a decent morning hour into Rome...in other words you're not landing at 5:00 pm are you? Because then you're entire first day of sightseeing is taken from you. Likewise if you're flying from Venice Marco Polo airport at 6:00 am then you're going to have to checkout of your hotel VERY VERY early (missing breakfast) and probably take an expensive water taxi to the airport.
There are pluses and minuses to consider.
