Feedback re: Tentative Itinerary Please

Hi Terry,

Your itinerary looks great! As you can probably see on the map, the Bridge of Sighs is very near St. Mark's Square so I'd see it when you're nearby--you could go by on Sunday evening when you're in the square or even Monday morning at the beginning of your walk--or both!

The only thing I don't see on your itinerary is breaks for gelato!

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks Sharon! I appreciate your feedback! Anytime you see explore,wander and shop in the itinerary, that is where the gelato comes in!! :-)

Unless you're really a big modern art fan, I'd pass on the Peggy Gugenheim.

If you like Renaissance art, consider going to the Scuola Grande dei San Rocco. http://www.scuolagrandesanrocco.it/ It's loaded with amazing Tintorettos. The RS Venice book has a self-tour in it.

The Correr Museum is definitely worth it. You can buy a museum pass that let's you into lots of these places.

If we skip the Guggenheim museum on Day 1 in Venice, any other suggestions? We don't want to take a siesta or we may never get up for dinner w/ the jetlag and time change. We need to keep going till after the orchestras on St. Mark's Square.

Just wandering around Venice is a great thing to do if you don't want to see the Guggenheim- or take a boat (15 min.) to Lido and walk down to the public beach. For 20 euro you can rent 2 chairs and an umbrella. Or just stick your feet in the Adriatic. We were in Venice for 3 days - we went to Murano, Lido (beach), St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's for orchestra's. Gondola ride and then just wandered around.

A great place to eat in Florence is called Trattoria Bordino - it is over the Ponte Vecchio - they have a website - look them up.

Thanks for the suggestions and we will definitely check out the restaurant in Florence.

I notice that you have a pretty large gap after the Accademia at 1500 until your Oltrano Walk. The Accademia will probably not take you more than 60 minutes.....90 tops. Are you only going to be in Florence for these 2 days? If so, I would skip the Medici Chapels and go to the Church of Santa Croce instead.

Thanks for the suggestion Judy. Any other ideas would be welcome!!

If you decide you want a break from the crowds in Venice and you want to be surrounded by some greenery, head to the public garden in the SE part of the island. Lovely views of the bay from there as well. Just start heading SE from San Marco's along the outside edge of the island. Not many tourists know about this part of Venice.

Terry,

I agree with Michael about the Guggenheim. We were not that impressed, but it's a matter of taste.
The one thing I would suggest is that you don't over schedule. Make sure that you see the things that are really important to you and then spend plenty of time each day strolling the backstreets. This is especially important in Venice. Have a great trip!

Thanks for all the response. Everyone been very helpful with your suggestions since we began planning this trip back in January! I am trying hard to allow for wandering time in all cities we plan to visit! We have three nights in Rome that I am working on an itinerary for. We will arrive in Rome on the morning of October 1 and we were planning to go to the Vatican that afternoon since I hear the crowds are less in the afternoon. We are planning for an Ancient Rome (Caesar Shuffle) tour on the morning of October 2 (again, have heard that mornings are better for this as it will be cooler) and were hoping for some ideas as to what else to plug in on the first two days, as well as October 3. We obviously want to do the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, possibly Borghese? We don't want to overdose on too many museums or churches in any city. Any thoughts??? Thanks.

Rome Itinerary suggestions with would be greatly appreciated! We will be spending 3 nights, arriving on the morning of October 1. Thanks!!

I'd recommend including the Borghese Gallery in your itinerary for Rome--it's spectacular! Also I'd visit the Trastevere area of Rome--maybe for dinner one evening.

Last time I was in Venice (A couple months ago) the Bridge of Sighs was under construction. It was all tarped up and had advertisements on it. So just a heads up on that.
THOUGHTS ON YOUR VENICE: Choose the church rather then the Guggenheim. Guggenheim is quite small and unless there is a really interesting special exibit, you can skip it. You really should see the inside of the Frari Church. It is breathtaking. Maybe start day 2 at the Correr Museum. It took us a couple hours the first time we went through it. Have lunch near the Frari.
FLORENCE: On day 2 you have too many museums. Unless you fly through each one you're looking at 6 hours of looking at art (and standing on your feet). Maybe move the Bargello to day 1 or choose between the Medici Chapels and the Bargello.
Over all advice....don't plan so much. :-) Take some time to just take it all in.