Realistic or too rushed?

Hi Januelle,

I think that your plan sounds like a good one. It's not clear what day your grandparents arrive--I would make sure that they have a day or two in Rome to rest up from the trip before you leave for Florence.

It's a great opportunity for you to spend time with your grandparents--have a wonderful time!

I would leave out Pisa. There really is not much to see there and to add it on the day you are traveling to Venice will make it a very long day. I would spend the extra time in Venice or Florence. This way you won't be so rushed with your grandparents.

Donna

Januelle,

Your timing looks reasonably good, however you might consider a different route.

For visiting Pisa, you could either do that as a day trip from Florence or stop there briefly on the way from Rome to Florence. Travelling there prior to Venice is "backtracking" and will add somewhat to the travel times.

Do you think they'd have any interest in stopping for perhaps one night in Orvieto or Siena? It wouldn't be difficult to fit either one of those in. If you want more detailed suggestions on fitting that in, post another note.

I agree with Sharon that allowing them a day or two to recover from jet lag would be a good idea.

I would have liked to take a trip like that with my parents or grandparents, but unforunately that's not possible. Hope you all have a wonderful time!

Ciao e Buon Viaggio!!!

Ciao again,

First of all, thank you for your great tips. My grandparents fly out the 20th of April and arrive the 21st early morning, so that gives us 5 full days in Roma before we head out to the other cities.
Ken, could you please tell me what your itinerary would be for fitting in Siena? I believe I will propose that to my Grandparents.
Otherwise, anyone have any tips on if we were to add a 3rd night to one of the cities, which to add it to? It's really a toss-up for me. Once again they're here til May 4th.
Thanks again,

Januelle

April 26 is a Monday, the day most major museums in Florence are closed. You'd be better off reversing your schedule, going directly to Venice on April 26 (where major sights will be open) and then back to Florence on April 28. You could do Pisa either as a day trip from Florence or as a "detour" on your way back to Rome on April 30. If you visit Pisa during your stay in Florence, then any extra night would best be spent in Florence. The other advantage of day tripping from Florence is that you could change your plans at the last minute and visit Siena instead, as both Pisa and Siena are around 70 minutes travel time from Florence. There are now ES trains from Pisa to Rome that require no change in Florence, which could be a good option on April 30. Your schedule gives you 1.5 to 2 days in both Florence and Venice, so I don't think it will be overly rushed. If you don't yet have a Florence hotel in mind, consider Il Bargellino. It's only a short walk from the train station and has a large terrace where you can relax or eat a picnic lunch. They also have a triple room.

Januelle,

I'll have a closer look after supper, and see if I can find a reasonable Itinerary. As this is your Grandmother's FIRST trip to Europe, it would be nice if it was a good one!

Januelle,

There are lots of ways your trip could be structured. I'd probably look at something along these lines....

Apr. 20: Flight to Italy

Apr. 21: Arrive Roma / FCO (they might need a short nap after getting settled - are they staying with you or in a Hotel?)

Apr. 22-25: Rome-touring

Apr. 26: Train to Venice (there's a ES/AV train at 9:45, arriving 13:33, time 3H:48M, 2nd class listed at €73 - good time to check into a Hotel and still time for some touring - I assume you know the routine with the Vaporetto's); Venice-touring

Apr. 27: Venice-touring

Apr. 28: Train to Florence (there's a train at 10:27, arriving 12:30, time 2H:03M, 2nd class listed at €42 - Florence-touring

Apr. 29: Florence (are you planning reservations for the Uffizi and Accademia?)

Apr. 30: Florence - day trip to Pisa. You may have to take the short trip to Firenze Rifredi station. Trip to Pisa is ~1H:15M. There are lots of trains back to Florence so you could spend a full day or just a few hours - your choice.

May 1: SITA Bus to Siena. The Bus station is right next to Firenze SMN rail station. Trip is about 1H:25M and cost about €7. The Bus drops passengers at Piazza Garibaldi, in the centre of town (rather than the bottom of the hill). Check This for times. Be sure to use the Corse Rapide.

May 2: Siena touring (pre-arrange a Taxi for next morning)

May 3: Taxi to station - Train to Rome (there's a train departing 07:53, arriving Rome 11:45, time 3H:52M. I'd suggest buying your Siena/Rome tickets at Firenze SMN so that you have them in hand. You'll have the remainder of the day for relaxing in Rome.

May 4: Leonardo Express to FCO and the flight home.

This is only a suggested Itinerary of one way you might arrange the trip.

Good luck and happy travels!