"Busman's" Holiday....

Welcome to the forum!

My suggestion for Rome is a tour of the Vatican ( museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica). There is so much more to see I will let others fill in.

Be advised there is a general transportation strike planned for November in Italy.

"*Unfortunately for us and visitors to Italy and Tuscany, fall and winter is when Italian unions decide to show their strength and political clout by announcing general strikes that paralyze the country. These impact all sectors of transport: the airports, ferries, trains and buses. Fortunately, the “hot” days are not that many; we’re sharing what has been communicated so far so that you can check whether it affects your travel days and thus plan accordingly around them. . .

. . . Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15:

Trains for 24 hours – from 9:01pm of the 14th through 9:01pm of the 15th of Novemberi
Airlines for 24 hours – from 12:01am through 11:59pm for personnel belonging to USB union, flight assistants from EasyJet, and workers belonging to CUB union. For other unions, the strike will be limited to specific hours of the day: for example, personnel ENAV from 1 to 5pm and from 12 to 4pm for personnel from Alitalia-CAI. Because of the mix, there is sure to be delays and some chaos at airports, regardless. (Updated: 21/10)
Ferries for 24 hours – times vary, check sites for more details
ANAS for 24 hours – again, from 6am from the Friday through 6am of Saturday, November 15.
Local bus companies – as above.
This national website has more information on strikes: http://www.mit.gov.it/mit/site.php?p=scioperi but it is only in Italian and a bit hard to read. I will try to update the list above as more details are added on that page.

Arm yourself with a lot of patience if your travel plans coincide with these days – and if possible, do try to stay in one spot on that specific day to avoid being affected too much by the strikes.*"
SOURCE: http://www.discovertuscany.com/blog/news/general-strikes-in-october-and-november-2014-2993/

If you do not read Italian. www.googletranslatewebsite can translate the Italian website in the story with just the URL.

It seems that of late traveling to Italy can be an experience!

Ciao!

Hi Colette! Thank you for the warm welcome to the Forum and for your quick reply. VERY good to know of the strike. BUT not going to let that impact my plans or adventure. I'm a woman on a mission to explore Italy! ;) I will be sure to check out the sites you have provided. Any additional insight is welcome and appreciated. My goal is to get there by the 15th, enjoy Rome 15th-17th, and stay put (in Rome) until 21st. As soon as my work responsibilities (18th-21st) have been fulfilled, I'm off to explore (22nd-25th) where ever the "winds" take me. I am planning on returning to the US sometime from somewhere in Italy on Wednesday, Nov 26th.

Returning to the US on November 26 ?? The day before Thanksgiving is usually one of the most frantic days to fly within the US ... will you be looking to ARRIVE on the 26th or LEAVE Italy on the 26th to arrive home on Thanksgiving? (Travel ON Thanksgiving can be pleasant)
Enjoy your time in Italy!!

Hi Laura B-- Yes, while the thought can be daunting, I am willing to be adventurous, in more ways than one. After all, that's what the in-flight mimosas and xanax or ambien are for. All kidding aside, as far as travel to/from anywhere isn't that great regardless of the time of year. Spring Breakers are right up there and just as annoying with any of the in-experienced holiday travelers. But so it goes.... I'm planning to book as many direct flights as possible, sit in business or first AND as I travel weekly, I am VERY accustomed to those "not so experienced travelers". Still not going to miss this experience or let it damper by mood. :) And if I end up arriving home on Thanksgiving, so be it. It's worth making it home to spend time with my family. And THANK YOU... I really am looking forward to this trip!

I would take the time after Rome and take the train to Florence and spend the rest of your time there. You can either stay in Florence and take a few day trips to smaller villages/vineyards, or stay in a village and take a day trip to Florence... it all depends on which experience you prefer. If you could squeeze in a few extra days you could venture on to Venice:)) But, if you can only do Rome and Florence you will still have a great trip!

Sounds perfect, Terry kathryn.... AND right up my alley! Good food, good wine, good adventures...this girl will be happy! Thank you for the tip! :)

Hello again!
I saw Rome pretty much from a bus with some exceptions, the Vatican being one. I also went to the catacombs. I saw the Trevi Fountain where "Tradition has it that you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the fountain's water basin. You should toss it with your right hand over your left shoulder (or left hand over your right shoulder) with your back to the fountain. You're not allowed to look behind you while you're tossing the coin but the fountain is so large it's basically impossible to miss." From the sounds of your 2nd post you wlll be going back whether you toss a coin or not. I did not toss a coin, so should I go back there are a couple of places I want to see.

One place is the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception (1645), located on Via Veneto, near Barbarini Square, also known as the Church of Bones Roma. This is part of the dark side of Rome.

The other place I would schedule a tour for is the Jewish Roma walking tour of the ghetto. From reviews on this site the guides talk about the Jewish population from centuries ago to WWII. The history would interest me.

May you find the items that interest you.

Ciao!

Welcome! Check out roninrome.com for great advice about the city. It's also helpful for transportation throughout Italy.

I agree with Terry Kathryn, a few days in Florence and the surrounding area will be great for your trip. I would save Venice for another time.

I hope you let us know how it works out for you.

Buon viaggio!

Applause for your healthy attitude about the strike! Really, aside from some nonsense at the airport, once you're into the city, you'll be fine. Rome is such a walkable city, and best seen on foot anyway.

Really, Rome has so much to offer that you could spend your entire time there without running out of things to do but I'll go with the vote for Florence as well. It's a very different city than Rome so you'll get a nice look at their unique qualities. It's also a wonderful city to walk, and reached in a relatively short time by fast, direct trains from Rome.

Yikes! Avoid travel back to the U.S. on that day before Thanksgiving if at ALL possible.

You're going to have such a good time!

Ya gotta fly when ya gotta flay, so if coming back the day before Thanksgiving is when you have to then so be it. If you are flying into JFK that day good luck. JFK's handling of international flights back into the US is an abomination, I can't imagine what it would be like during the holiday.

This country is the only country to my knowledge that celebrates Thanksgiving Day. You will deal with the crowds when you come back to the States.

Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October. This year it was Oct. 11.

Yes. It's only coming back into the U.S end that there's apt to be insanity at the airports.