Best of Rome Alums

Hi jeremy,

(Great- you replied to my question so now I can post a reply to yours)
I took the 7 day Best of Rome tour this year (Feb 2014) and the tour group stayed at the Hotel Aberdeen. Another member of the tour group said she had done the same tour the prior year and the group was at the Hotel Aberdeen that time as well. When I was on the Heart of Italy tour in 2010, the stop in Rome was also at the Hotel Aberdeen. However, I asked the tour office if they always use this hotel for tours that stop in Rome, and they told me that they do not.
Before the tour started we stayed at the Hotel Sonya (300 meters away, if you just follow the street up) and I actually liked that place better.
It is very easy (for both of these hotels) to walk to the Termini train station to do trips to Florence and Pisa.

Hi Jeremy: There are so many tours that include Rome so we use many different hotels. Hotel Aberdeen is often booked for our groups but we also use other hotels in that same area. If you are thinking about going in February 2015 those hotels are already set. Give the tour department a call or send them an email and they could let you know what hotels are being used on what dates. Its typically for travelers to go a couple of days early and it makes sense to stay at the same place that the group will be at. Hope that helps.

Thanks K for the advice I am super excited about Rome, I am planning on doing a 14 day Italy trip with some friends where we will be staying in apartments and using the trains and what not, but I couldn't wait for them, and with the cheap rates of the Feb 2015 trips I had to go, this way when I go back with my friends I can give them some guidance. Thanks for the info!

Thanks Jenn that is a great idea I will do that in the morning. I am really looking forward to taking this trip its so spur of the moment for me, but I love Rick's trips and the company. One day I hope to be a Rick Steve's tour guide, or an assistant or a mail room worker! ahahahah

Doing both Pisa and Florence in one day trip would be horrendously long, but I'm not sure it makes sense to do them in two separate day trips from Rome, given the backtracking that would be involved. Instead, how about first flying into Pisa or Florence, and using Florence as a base to see that area. You could then take the train to Rome to meet the group.

I wasn't planning on doing both in one day it was going to be two separate days. I personally like to back track as it gives you a chance to stumble onto so things you might just normally blow past

I took this tour a few years ago and we also stayed at hotel Aberdeen.
I just want to warn you that the hotel is in a multi-use building and when the pre-tour info says its a small hotel sign they mean it!
I walked right past the hotel more then once!!! It is a small metal sign about a foot or so above my head, I am short.
I felt so dumb!!
You also have to use the call box and get buzzed into the courtyard. The staff were very nice and helpful and it is a very convenient location. The tour guides were the best!! Loved not having to wait in line for museums.

I'd go along with Sherry and recommend flying into Pisa or Florence and just staying in Florence (or a night in each, if flying into Pisa). You'll have more time that way instead of having to tack on journeys to/from Rome every day, and be able to see Florence late into the evening; very pretty! Pisa is very easy to do from Florence, and I'm not sure what you'd gain by backtracking to both of these.

I definitely agree with the others. If you want to arrive 3-4 days before the tour starts in Rome and you want to see Florence and Pisa, go directly to Florence for 2-3 nights. See Pisa as a daytrip from Florence (or, better, see Lucca and then Pisa on the same day). Then go to Rome, at least one day before your tour starts, so you get acclimated to Rome a bit. You'll have a much better experience this way than if you try to see everything from Rome. In its own way, Florence can be as overwhelming as Rome, and you'll appreciate some time in the evenings there.

sounds real splendid guys, thanks for all the input after further reviewing your suggestions I think i will be flying into Florence, using that as a "base" and then going on to Rome from there. After all, time is money, and mine is tight! HAHAHAHa

I'm glad you're going to start in Florence. But you don't necessarily need to fly into Florence to do this. While that's the most convenient, also look at flying into Pisa, Bologna, or Rome. All of these have reasonable connections to Florence, so if you get a cheaper flight or one with a better route by using one of these airports, you should do that.

I have taken the 7 Day Best of Rome twice, Sept 2013 and April 2008 and both times we stayed at the Hotel Aberdeen which was a nice hotel and a very good rate when I stayed the extra night before the tour. I agree with the others go directly to Florence for the first 3-4 days, as you can take the train to and from Rome easily. Then come back to Rome the day before and start the tour the next day. Florence is a wonderful compact city and you will be able to walk everywhere in Florence. I took the Florence week long tour twice when they had it. Don't forget to make your reservations with the museums to see the David and other museums. Plenty to see in Florence. Don't forget you will have jet lag so you don't want to go to Florence for one day and then go back to Rome. You can also go on YouTube to see what Rome and Florence look like and google maps is great because you can see the Hotel Aberdeen and what the front looks like. You can walk from the train station to the Hotel. The train station is in the airport and easy to land in Rome and take the train up to Florence and then take the train down to Rome and go to the Rome train station and walk to the hotel if that is the hotel they are using. There are other hotels in the area in easy walking distance that Rick Steves uses too. If you want to pm me that is fine. I will tell you more about the tour and how to get around.