Thank you so much to those who have answered my questions thus far! We've just planned this 13 day trip to Italy quite last minute.
I've purchased my Accademia tickets already. I'm about to reserve Uffizzi Gallery, the palace and Boboli gardens also. For other museums in Florence, can you just purchase at the entrance? Is there an app you can get to purchase tickets on and use?
I shared my rough itinerary but neglected to include some details. I realize it's going to be hot the next 2 weeks and want to allow time to just roam and enjoy.
Tuesday July 6 arrive in Rome 7:15. We are accustomed to long flights nearly monthly and were able to get lay flat seats so I expect to arrive fully rested. I paid for the hotel the night before so we can check in, rest a bit and head out.
Planning light day. RS Heart of Rome walk?
Evening is a private 3 hour Twilight Trastavere Food tour with Eating Europe
Wednesday July 7
We have a 3 hour private tour of Vatican City 10-1
Those are our only "plans" for that day. I'm assuming we will want to linger longer? Is there a nice walk to do in proximity to the Vatican?
Thursday July 8 This is a long day. I appreciate the feedback I received in a previous post. I've actually done this day tour many years ago with this company.
Train to Naples arrive 8:15am. We will have a private driver waiting for us.
He is taking us to Pompeii where there is a wonderful guide meeting us.
Then our driver is taking us for an Amalfi Coast drive..lunch..a little shopping, then back to Naples train. We get back to Rome at 8pm. Goodnight! LOL
We are doing this day because it's something my husband, who's never been to Italy, really wants to do, and I've used this wonderful tour driver and the Pompeii guide in the past. 15 and 12 years ago!
Friday July 9 We have a 3 hour private tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. 10-1
No other "plans" for that day
Saturday July 10 Rome. Free unplanned day
Sunday July 11
Train to Florence. Arrive 10:30am. We plan to bring bags to hotel and wander for the afternoon.
We do have tickets for the Accademia at 5pm. We are really going just to see the David. I imagine we'll be there no longer than an hour.
Happy hour at our hotel and dinner somewhere
Monday July 12 Private wine tour of Chianti Classico region. This is a full day with some wineries, lunch and I think Greve
Tuesday July 13 Prive wine tour of Brunello Montalcino region. 2 wineries and 2 towns
Both of the above are full day tours.
Wednesday July 14, Thursday July 15, Friday July 16 We plan to be in Florence.
I'd like to dedicate a good amount of time to Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace and the Boboli gardens..and anything else we wish to see.
MUST get to 4 Leoni for dinner one night!! I've been dreaming of their pear ravioli for the last 13 years
Saturday July 17 we take the train back to Rome, sleep in Rome and fly home Sunday.
We will either stay in Florence longer in the day on Saturday, get our Covid test at the train station then take train back to Rome, OR take a morning train to Rome and spend time in Rome that afternoon. We will see what we feel like.
I don't feel like this is a jam packed schedule. There's a lot of time in our days to go where we might. I neglected to leave out the scheduled tours in Rome are only a few hours with no other plans those days.
Taking into account we will definitely like to sit at cafes and people watch etc, it seems doable.
Other than the three full day private tours, does anything else look over the top?
Right now I'm just wondering if you can buy tickets at the window for other museums? or do I have to buy everything online? Is the Firenze card worth it? Still available?
Thank you kindly again.
I also have RS Rome and Florence books. I always use his walks when I travel. They are the best! My mom and I loved all of them in Paris!