Hi,
Hoping for help with a few things...
1. Wanted to find a nice (no longer than 3 hrs) pasta cooking class while in Rome, but challenged because they all require 2 people. Has anyone come across a class that does not have a 2 person minimum? I could pay double, but not sure that's in my budget.
2. Domus Aurea (nero's palace archaeological site) bought a ticket, from the coop culture site, but beginning to think it is not really a 'guided' tour, but just entrance. Difficult to tell as the site offers 2 ticket options but doen't describe the difference. On the main site one says 'didactic' but is that the 'guided' tour, and the other is not? Any insight helpful.
3. I have tried a local excursion lady for a Dolomite tour from venice, but cancelled because as of today (less than 6 weeks before my trip) there were no other people for the day. Wondering about the feasibility of getting train from venice up to that area or last minute tour??
Am sure I will come up with others, but these are the most pressing at the moment. Thank you!!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I can tell you that the Domus Aurea is definitely a guided tour, done by archeologists or others working on the site. It's an active dig, so no one can just wander around on their own. Hard hat included in the ticket price.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
There are small-group tour companies that offer cooking classes. I wanted to take a combo walking tour/pizza making class, but it didn't work out with my schedule. I remember seeing at least one pasta class when I was looking. Check the tour companies that are recommended in the RS Italy guidebooks. Also try the search function - I remember Barbara from NY, I think it was, who had signed up for a pasta class this past February.
Domus Aurea - make sure you have exact directions to the entrance as there are no signs from the street. Once you know where it is, it's easy to get there. Take warm clothes, it's cold and damp inside.
Dolomites are kind of far. I wouldn't go that far for a few short hours. There are so many great things to see and do in and around Venice. Save the Dolomites for a trip when you can spend a couple nights there.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16721 posts
Difficult to tell as the site offers 2 ticket options but doen't
describe the difference
As said above, the excavation is only accessible with a guided tour so that's what you purchased. The "two ticket options" you're referencing may be the 16 € regular ticket (14€ + 2€ reservation fee) and the 2€ "free" ticket (reservation fee only) for children under 6?
Posted by
Johns Creek, GA
14 posts
Walks of Italy offers a pasta making class 3hrs and 30 min. I've heard good things about Walks of Italy. I'm taking a cooking class in Rome with Chef Andrea Consoli of which I'm so excited about. http://www.cookingclassesinrome.com It may be a little longer than you like but the experience sounds like so much fun!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"Dolomites are kind of far. I wouldn't go that far for a few short hours. There are so many great things to see and do in and around Venice. Save the Dolomites for a trip when you can spend a couple nights there. "
Chani, as so often, is quite correct. Unless you have a very specific reason for wanting to travel for several hours, each way, for this day trip, don't go to the Dolomites just for the day. Instead, if you want a change from Venice, go to Padova, Verona, or Vicenza.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
And great suggestions from Harold, as usual.
Posted by
OP
61 posts
Thank you everyone for the insight. I will see what I can find for pasta classes. As for the Dolomites, it is a personal preference to spend the day doing this, but I will research some more trains and day trips to see what I can dig up.
Thanks!!
Posted by
Los Angeles
305 posts
I did this cooking class last fall in Rome. It was great starts out with a market tour and then cooking. They have a morning and afternoon class. I think it was slightly longer than 3 hours but worth looking at. http://www.cookwithusinrome.com/