Need Help Getting To My B&B In Venice

For the Rome location, I found it on the map, go here http://www.google.com/maphp?hl=en&tab=wl&q= and enter this address "Via Gaetano Sacchi, 10 int. 16, 00153 rome, italy" and you'll see it. It's in a part of Rome called Trastevere, which means "across the Tevere (Tiber) River"--easiest way to get there from (where?) the Termini train station is to take a taxi, make sure you have the complete address in writing and give it to the taxi driver.

Thank you for the quick response..greatly appreciate it.

Sorry none of them has a website...the only website I have is the B&B management I guess...www.2binparis.com.

I think that is the full address....that is all they gave me on my confirmation...yes there is a map...and it points to Calle Longa Santa Maria.

Here is the what they sent me:

HOST NAME: FRIZZO LUIGI

ADDRESS: Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa, 5181 Castello

DESTINATION: Venezia PROVINCE: VE

B&B FRIZZO LUIGI

I'm flying in at 7pm in Venice that's why I am extra worried...

Again, thank you soooooo much!

Thank you for the information...can't thank you enough.

It may be that the problem with the Venice address you were given is the word Longa, which maybe should be either Lunga? or perhaps Larga , viamichelin can find both Calle Lunga and Calle Larga, but not Calle Largo. Viamichelin is coming up blank on the address you were given but is finding a street called Calle Larga Santa Maria Formosa. It's ~400 to 500 meters east of the Rialto Bridge. Can you PM me (see the button?), and do you have access to the Viamichelin.com online map site? If you do, go there, select Maps, Italy, and input this exact address Calle Larga Santa Maria Formosa, hit Search, you'll see the location. I don't know how to get there, because it's not on a canal. It depends on where the nearest vaporetto landing is. I recommend you contact the booking agency you made the arrangements through and tell them you need exact instructions that you can give to a vaporetto driver.

interesting.... Could that be it? Do u think using that address u can give me directions how to get there from the airport?

I'm not going to help much! We found addresses in Venice to be misleading to put it mildly! We had an address for our hotel which we could find on a map, but in fact the hotel was through a winding alley and in a square which was much more easily accessed from a different street. fortunately the hotel had given us specific directions and we had no problem finding it, though my sister, who was with us, did not believe we were going the right way when she saw the narrow street we were directed to take.

I would get back to the booking agent and ask them for directions or if they would put you in touch directly with the hotel for them to give you directions.

ok... Thanks much again. I know it's late and I really truly appreciate all ur help.

Glad to help. I can't link you to my viamichelin map because specific pages of viamichelin can't be linked to, it just takes you to the first page. Santa Maria Formosa is a church in the neighborhood. The locals will know it, of course. But if you go to viamichelin.com and follow instructions given above, you'll see what I think is the property. But you don't want to be guessing that night when you're jet lagged and hauling your baggage, so contact the booking agency for clarification and explain that you want to know exactly how to get there from the airport, with details.

thank you... I'll send them another email tomorrow.

Anna,

First of all, do you have a copy of the RS Italy 2009 Guidebook? There are very good directions there in how to reach Venice from the Airport. Taking a Water Taxi is not the best idea, as they're very expensive. There is another boat that travels from the Airport that is more reasonably priced, but I can't recall the details.

Kent has provided some excellent tips on your other questions. I definitely agree that taking a Taxi to the Trastevere area is the best option. Whether you get to Rome via a flight or train from Venice, you'll be arriving at Roma Termini station. With the tracks behind you, walk straight ahead and out through the doors, there will be lots of Taxis waiting. You might want to check the Italy Guidebook for information regarding "legal" Taxis versus "others". The area that you specified appears a bit "distant" from the main sights in Trastevere, and there doesn't appear to be any restaurants, etc. on that street, so you'll be doing a bit of walking (have a look at the steet view on Google maps). Where did you get the B&B listing?

Regarding your B&B in Venice, if I found the correct web site at utenti.lycos.it/dormireavenezia/english/en_index.htm, the owners have provided a "helpful" Map showing the route to the B&B from Ponte di Rialto. The Map is a bit hard to follow but should get you to the approximate area. You might want to copy and enlarge the Map in the Italy Guidebook (p. 89 in the 2008 edition), as it's a bit easier to follow to the Campo S. Maria Formosa, which I believe is the correct area.

I'd highly recommend packing the Italy Guidebook along with you, as it's good reference and has lots of information on how to get around, good places to eat, etc.

Hope this helps. I'll have a closer look tomorrow to see if I can provide any further information (when I'm not so tired and affected by vino Rosso).

Happy travels!

Anna,

A bit of further information on the Trastevere area. If you walk to the area around the Santa Maria in Trastevere Church, you'll find lots of interesting restaurants and Gelato shops between there and Piazza Trilussa. It's a VERY vibrant and interesting area especially in the evenings.

Be sure to wear your Money Belt as there are scammers galore around the Church and area. They tend to be a bit of a nuisance, but I try to ignore them, and I DON'T give them any money (bit of a long story behind that). If you're carrying a Daypack or whatever, be sure to keep close watch on it, and if you put it down hook it around the chair or whatever. The scammers are also in abundance in Termini station.

You mentioned that you haven't been to Europe before. Have you checked the Guidebooks to get tips on dining in Italy? If you order the typical Italian "full meal deal", it gets expensive very quickly! If you need any further details, post another note. If you like salads, don't expect the familiar dressings!

Cheers!

Hi Larry! That is awesome! Can you share with me how to get about the vaporetto journey?

I've read about it from the RS Italy too, sounds like a really cool thing to do.

Thank you!

P.S.

I'm also spending a couple of days in Florence, and I want to go to Tuscany for half a day...what do you think is best option to get there? The suggested tours in the book is a little pricey for me. I was wondering if there is a bus or train I can take to Tuscany and once I get there, is it easy to navigate the place?

Hello Ken! Yes, I do have both the RS Italy and Paris....it does have helpful information and I absolutely love it!

Thank you sooo much for helping me out with this, I greatly appreciate it.

As far as the Guidebooks, I went last night to Borders but I didn't find any. I'll check at Barnes and Noble during lunch today to see if I can find any over there.

You mention thieves and scammers....RS Italy says a lot of things about those too...but is it pretty safe to walk around over there by myself? How about at night? I know I probably shouldn't stay out too late...but what is late in Italy. I'm also planning to change my itinerary to stop by Florence too for a day or two....any suggestions?

Thanks again!

Anna, for getting to the main Venice islands from the airport, there are two bus lines that have regular service from the airport to the Piazzale Roma. About 3-6Euro depending on the bus line. The Piazalle Roma is a large area on the main islands where buses, cars and taxis can go no further. It is also a major vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal. Once you get your B&B instructions, we can help you plot your vaporetto journey. You'll love it.

Anna, sure can. First, there are two bus systems from Venice airport to the Piazzale Roma. One bus system is ACTV. This is the same company that runs the vaporettos (water buses). The second bus line is run by ATVO. 3Euro for a one-way ticket to the Piazalle Roma. It's a 20-minute ride. Both lines have room for your luggage. www.actv.it for more info.

I haven't read yet that they have found the location of your B&B. When that appears, I can help you further with the vaporettos. You'll love these guys. It's part of the Venice charm. In the meantime, you can log onto www.actv.it and select English. Under "Departure", select "P.LE ROMA". For the arrival stop, we need more info. But, you can do this as well but I'll be glad to assist.

When you get to the Piazzale Roma, you will need a ticket or pass of some type. The one-time ride is 6.5Euro - a bit expensive. If you are going to be there for a day or two, I suggest the Tourist Travel Card which you can buy at the Hellovenezia booth nearby. Here's the scoop on these guys.

16,00 € - 12-HOUR TRAVELCARD
18,00 € - 24-HOUR TRAVELCARD
23,00 € - 36-HOUR TRAVELCARD
28,00 € - 48-HOUR TRAVELCARD
33,00 € - 72-HOUR TRAVELCARD
50,00 € - 7 DAYS TRAVELCARD

Now the trip to Florence. As soon as you set up in Venice, go to the train station and buy your tickets to Florence. There are two ways to look at this. First, you can ride the Eurostars. 32.30Euro for a 2nd class seat. It takes just under 3.0hrs with no train changes on some runs. Second, you can ride the local Regionale (R) train for 8.90Euro. You will change trains in Bologna and it will take about 90 minutes longer. Your choice. Choose what you would like to do and I can send you train schedules. You can easily purchase the tickets at the ticket machines in Venice. For the Eurostars, you might ask the machine for the AMICA fare. This is a limited discount. Sometimes you can get them.

Now you are in Florence. a half-day in Tuscany is a tall order but it can be done. Siena. You can either take the train or SITA Corse Rapide (Express) bus to Siena. The bus runs frequently (except on Sunday) and drops you off much closer to the city than does the train. The train station is about a mile away but there are local buses to take you to the city wall. San Gimignano. You can take a SITA bus to and from. Volterra. Same as San Gimignano. The SITA bus station is about 1,000' away from the main Florence train station. If you want further instructions on how to easily find the SITA bus station, I can provide them.

Anna,

One thing to mention is the Florence is in Tuscany. I'm assuming you meant that you want to visit one of the more scenic parts.

Rather than make a day trip to "Tuscany" from Florence, there are a couple of options you could consider.

The first option would be to stop for the day in Siena on your way south to Rome rather than see it as a day trip. That way you're not "backtracking". I'm not sure about luggage storage options in Siena, but hopefully one of the others can help with that.

The second option would be to stop for the day in Orvieto on your way south to Rome. Although it's technically in Umbria, the scenery is very beautiful and similar to that of Tuscany. Again, not sure about luggage storage, but it may be listed in the Guidebook. If you decide to visit Orvieto, be sure to visit the Duomo and have a look at the incredible paintings on the ceiling. Orvieto is only about an hour out of Rome, so it's an easy visit.

Cheers!

Anna:

Vaporettos are not just a "cool" thing to do - they are the ONLY thing to do! This is how you get around in Venice. It is the local bus service. A pass as suggested is well worth the money. You will use it and get your money back in no time. Yes, Venice is small and you will walk a lot, but you will also want to get to A from B to save time or to skip places you have seen already.

Enjoy Venice - it is definitely one of a kind.

I think Ken gave great advice.Instead of day tripping out of Florence stop in Orvieto on the way to Rome.Its on the RR line and its a neat town to visit.

Yes, and thanks once again for all the great and informative advice! I've actually modified my itinerary and added 2 2nights in Florence, half a day in Orvieto and then 4 days in Rome before I head back to London to catch my flight to LA.

Thank you much! If you know of anybody who's travelling alone, I would love to buddy up with them since I am going by myself:o)