Walking to Marina Piccolo from Piazza Tasso

Thank you for your advice on my previous post. We have changed our travel plans a little bit and plan to spend 1 full day in Rome before heading down south and would love advice on how to perfect our first time in Rome. We will be arriving at Fiumicino at 5pm on July 28 and will get our rental car at the airport. We will be then driving to Rome and staying at a hotel about a minute away from the Colosseum and plan to leave the car at an overnight car park. Unfortunately, Colosseum will be fully closed on July 29, so we plan to visit on July 30 before leaving, hopefully. Here is what I have planned so far for the day of July 29 (hopefully everything is within a walking distance)

-Starting off our walk from our hotel near the Colosseum to the Piazza Venezia

-Trevi Fountain

-Pantheon, Piazza Navona

-Spanish Steps

-Castel Sant’Angelo

- Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel

-St. Peter’s Basilica

I have a few things we need advice on:

1) What is the best way to get around Rome, should we stick to walking? Should driving around with our rental car be avoided at all costs?

2) Please suggest any restaurants or cafes that you have beloved on Rome trips that we must absolutely visit.

3) Any other tips or places we should include on our itinerary.

We plan to leave Rome in the morning of July 30.

I am a bit lost to what we should do as my parents are not avid walkers but it is very difficult to decide what to do in the limited time we have there. Any advice would be appreciated.

As is I posted my first question on the group couple of days ago, regarding my next trip to Italy, and I felt so warmly welcomed and thoughtfully advised, I felt like sharing with you all my plan.

We will be travelling from the 2nd till the 7th of October, from Lisbon to Pisa. We are a group of five (42, 58, 60, 67, 78) and we have been traveling in Italy together 2 times, in pre covid reccent past.

And our next plan is :

Arrive in Pisa on the 2nd of October, at 11am, store our luggage, grab a taxi to piazza dei miracolli ( visiting only the duomo), have a short walk through piazza dei cavallieri, cross borgho stretto, and end up on the riverside Arno, to visit santa maria della spina. From there we will grab a taxi, pick up our luggage and our car in pisa airport around 16h and drive to Lerici, where we will stay in a beautiful airbnb, meters away from the sea and centro storico. We hope to see sunset there, have dinner and a little walk on the centro storico.

Next day we plan to depart very early in the morning and go straight to Vernazza, where we can reserve a parking spot in advance. From the parking lot they have free buses that take us downtown.

From here we will start our journey in cinqueterre. We will buy the boat pass, and concentrate mainly in Riomaggiore, Manarola and Vernazza ( just to enjoy the towns and views, and skipping the amazing trails - since via dell 'amore seems to still be closed) . If we have time, maybe have a short glance on Monterosso or Corniglia ( in a dream we would also see Portovenere, but if we' ll be able to enjoy the 3 main goals we have set, I'll be more than happy). To end our journey we plan to take the train to Vernazza, get our car back, and drive straight to Florence. I am aware that it would be cheaper and maybe easier to park in la spezia and take the cinqueterre tram. But we do prefer to have the boat rides, and we prefer to focus on the 3 i mentioned and try to avoid la spezia at the end of the day, from where i believe many people will be heading and departing from after a sunday daytrip in cinqueterre. I also think this will make it easier if unexpectedly we decide to depart earlier to Florence.

I expect we will be arriving in Florence around 21/22h, park the car outside ztl, and grab a taxi straight to our place near Ponte Vecchio. Leave our luggage and just try to eat something simple ( i'll do my research on where) and then stroll around those beautiful and so missed streets.

Next day is totally for Florence. 4 of us know the city very well, and we have already visited all the main attractions at least one time. I still want to wake up early for the sunrise, visit the uffizzi ( i plan to buy tickets in advance for 8.15h), and along the day visit Santa Maria Novella Basílica, the duomo (eventually the battistery) and end up our day visiting San Miniato al monte and watch sunset in piazzale michelangelo.

On the 4th of October , we will start our departure before 8h, taking a taxi to our car, and driving to Certaldo or straight to San Gimignano (depending on traffic conditions, time we spend on our way). Here we plan to visit palazzo publico and the collegiata. Monteriggioni and Cole di vale d'elsa were also on our sights, but this may take us too long to arrive in Siena, and we don't wanna rush in SG. We plan to depart from San Gimignano somewhere after lunchtime, to arrive in Siena around 3/4 pm.There, we have rented an airbnb, just by one of the city gates, with private parking for our car, at a short walking from Siena centro storico. There we will focus on Siena Duomo, which by then will have their floors uncovered, and the visits are extended until 7pm( if we have time left we will also visit the battistery and crypt (obviously skipping the museo and porta del cielo tour), then, we hope to end our day in piazza del campo.

Most of us also know well the city so i believe this is doable, even if we take a longer time driving back from SG.

Next day, in the early morning, I will visit palazzo publico( i really want to see the good and bad government frescoes, which i missed the last time) as part of the group will visit Santa Maria della Scala, and then say goodbye to Siena.

From there we will drive to Abadia Monte Oliveto, then pass through Asciano (probably just pass through) , and after drive back to Florence, through the Chiantigiana , with eventual stops in Greve in chianti or Radda.

We would love to go a little further down south , to Montalcino or Montepulciano, but i think that to keep a realistic plan, we must have to include Vale d'Orcia in another trip.

We want to be in Florence by night, and again park the car in a non ztl zone, grab a taxi to our airbnb, which will be steps away from the duomo. Next morning we will still have time to wake up early, for a walk along the centro storico, some little shopping, and a sneak into santa trinita church to see one of my favourite paintings ever, in capela sasseti, and then saddly say goodbye. See you soon, dear Firenze.

We hope to start driving to Pisa around 13h, to be there at maximum 15.30h, to catch our plane at 17.40h.

It may seem a bit ambitious plan, specially adding the variant car in the equation, anyway, i have also plan b's for each day, and there is always space for last minute adjustments.

Despite how difficult, and expensive, driving, parking, and all around it, may be, it was the only possible way for us to visit all these places in such a short time. In terms of costs, as we are 5, in the end we would spend quite the same, or even more, in train tickets, transfers, luggage storages, etc ( which would also take us some extra time and specially takes out our freedom of moving and even adjust plans at last minute). Also, 2 in our group are in their 70's, and i believe a car makes part of the trip more comfortable for them.

The actual covid situation is also a worry for us, and despite the fact that we are all vaccinated, being the elders in a risk group, we would be more comfortable avoiding as much as possible closed places with crowds, like trains, buses and so on.

We may have settled a lot of things to do/see in a short period of time, but we have been travelling together for a while, with "ambitious" trip plans, and all have been running smoothly, in a good pace and without much adjustments needed.

We usually save some time by not having big stops for breakfast or lunch, but having instead some grab and go simple food, and snacks during the day, and then have a good dinner where we stay.

After our return i will be happy to share with you how it went.

Hello, can you please recommend a boat trip for a small group out of Vieste.

My husband and I will be traveling through Puglia, staying the last 4 days in Viesta and would love to go on a great boat trip, but are looking for a trip with just a very small group, versus a big tourist boat.

Thank you so much!

Hi

After a lot of thought we changed our plans to stay in Castellamare instead of San Vito. The reason was because we wanted a more authentic Sicilian town without hordes of tourists and crowds and really like the look of the marina, fishing boats and buildings.

We are really keen to go to Scopello and Zingaro by boat but can only find tours from San Vito, any advice on this? How much is it to rent your own boat, how does this work, how far is it to Zingaro? If boat is not an option, how frequent are buses and how far is it? I read somewhere that the park is partially closed due to a fire is this still the case? We will not have a car.

Is there any local beach in Castellamare or anything else to do if we don’t want to go to Zingaro every day?

FYI our itinerary will be:

Flying into and out of Palermo we have 10 full days

3 nights Castellamare

3 nights Trapani/Erice

3 nights Favignana

Many thanks!

Can anyone recommend a gozzo boat company to take people around Capri for a couple of hours in May?

Any recommendations appreciated.

I am currently in Rome and said I would do up a trip report to share my experiences and to hopefully give an idea of what Rome is like to visit right now.

As background I am a solo male traveler. I am spending 5 nights in Rome before going on to visit Capri (2 nights) and Naples (4 nights). I was in Rome in 2016 but it was a brief visit so I am treating this trip as if it’s my proper time here.

Monday 23 August:

My day began at 3am as I made the drive up to Dublin airport. It was my first time back at the airport since December 2019 and I had a mixture of nerves and excitement. However, everything went smoothly and my flight landed in Ciampino airport on time. I had arranged through my hotel for a airport pick up and I arrived at my hotel (Alberto del Senato) at 11.30am.

After unpacking some essentials I was straight out the door to start exploring the city. As my hotel is on Piazza Della Rotonda, the Pantheon is literally on my doorstep. I was going to visit it first but the line was very long so I said I would wait until later in the day to visit.

I proceeded to make my way over to Piazza Navona but on the way I stopped off to visit San Luigi dei Francesi. An impressive church with the highlight being “The Chapel of Saint Matthew” which has 3 paintings by Caravaggio. I then went on to Piazza Navona to admire the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi and the other 2 smaller fountains. Sant Agnes in Agone was just after closing so I decided to go for lunch myself. I had a larger then planned lunch (pizza) but at least it would keep me going for most of the rest of the day.

I then made my way up to Piazza di Spagna and walked up the Spanish steps and visited Trinita dei Monti. I enjoyed the views from both the top and bottom of the steps. I then started back walking in the direction of my hotel and on the way I detoured slightly to stop off at the Trevi Fountain. It was busy but nothing like the last time I visited. You could sit in comfort and enjoy the view and the atmosphere. There was also barely a selfie stick in sight!

I went back to the hotel for a quick rest and to recharge the phone. I had tickets booked for Galleria Doria Pamphilj for 6pm so I had some time to kill before this. As the line for the Pantheon was much smaller I visited here after my rest. It was my second visit here and was equally as enjoyable if not more so than my first visit. After the Pantheon I went around to visit Santa Maria Sopra Minerva but unfortunately it looked like it was closed for renovations. I did however get to admire Bernini’s Elephant statue outside it.

From there I strolled down Via del Corso to Galleria Doria Pamphilj. This was a wonderful visit. The palace itself contains beautiful rooms and halls which are full of the family’s private art collection. There is an audio guide narrated by one of the family members which helps to guide you around. Your visit is for a 2 hour time slot and I used used the majority of this time here.

As I was on Via del Corso I decided to walk north all the way up to Piazza del Popolo. Most of the shops were closing up for the day but I enjoyed the walk up and simply just sitting down and relaxing up at the Piazza and taking in the sights. On the way back to the hotel I got something light to eat. It was a long (but enjoyable) first day so I decided to have a early night.

Me and my friend are staying in the Castellamare Del Golfo and we want to be able to take a half/full day chartered boat trip (preferably a catamaran but it does not matter too much). I've had trouble find a service with enough reviews for me to trust/finding a service at all. If anyone has any go-to boat service that they trust, let me know?

Buongiorno everyone! For context we are a family of 6 (2x40s, 24, 15, 12, 11) all athletic and experienced international travelers only bringing carry ons. I have been to Florence, Venice and Rome but rest have not. Kids and hubs not into art. (I know, I know.) We have an ex au pair that is Italian living in Verona currently that is going to meet us in 5T for the first part of our trip and then leave us in Florence and see us again in Verona for a daytrip later but anyway here goes!

Day 1 (Sat): arrive FCO at 8am on COVID tested flight. Adults are preregistered for tests on arrival but it doesn't currently allow me to register the kids. Booked the 1157am fast train from Termini to La Spezia, hoping 4 hours will be enough time to test, take Leo Express to Termini, grab a bite and hop on train (its the Frecciabianca - should we wait and eat on train instead?) transfer to 5T train at La Spezia, arrive approx 1613 at Vernazza about an hour after our Italian and check in and chill.

Day 2 (Sun): See how we feel, likely do an am hike to either Corniglia or Monterosso. We can come back to apartment midday or do a private boat tour for 3 hours.

Day 3 (Mon): See how we feel, do am hike (whichever we didn't do day before), or do boat tour this day. Dinner at lovers table at Ristorante Belforte for hubs and I at 7pm.

Day 4 (Tues): Early am train to Pisa, stow bags at Stow Your Bags near Pisa Centrale and walk through Pisa to tower. Likely get Tower appointment for about 10am so we are not rushed. See how long kids last in museums, perhaps grab lunch here (any recommendations?) and then hop back on train to Florence and check in, go somewhere for dinner before Italian AP has to leave us. A lot of Americans say ZaZas is fun - recommend or alternatives?

Day 5 (Wed): Florence - the big two plus likely the Galileo museum because our kids love science

Day 6 (Thurs): am in Florence (so maybe split the big two into one each morning), check out and catch 1120 train to Venezia. Apartment is walking distance from S Lucia so check in and then one museum or activity and dinner - recommendation?

Day 7 (Fri): Venice

Day 8 (Sat): am maybe one thing in Venice, then train to Verona, spend day with Italian AP and then fly VRN to FCO at 1930, check in go to bed

Day 9 (Sun): Rome

Day 10 (Mon): Rome - Scavi tour at 1330 for adults

Day 11 (Tues): Rome

Day 12 (Wed): Rome

Day 13 (Thurs): depart FCO at 10am arrive super early to COVID test at FCO before flight

Will definitely do Pompeii one day - any recommendations for day or guide and eats?

Anything else I missed?

Hello,

I am aware that ferry & boat is the only means of reaching capri and back, would you know what the best route is and what time is the latest ferry going back to the mainland? We will most likely be staying in Positano or Sorrento. We would love to have dinner in Capri but unsure if this is possible with the Ferry schedule? If there are late ferrys returning around 10pm, this would be perfect.

Appreciate any help I can get on this matter.

Thank you!

Noor

Hi all - I apologize if this question has been asked before, but I wasn't able to find anything while searching the forums. My husband and I will be arriving to Venice at Piazzale Roma later this month, and wanted advice on walking vs. the vaporetto to San Marco. Of course, if it's raining, we will definitely take the vaporetto. However, if we have good weather, does anyone have advice or suggestions for which they prefer?

It seems like they would both take the same amount of time (roughly 30 mins). With COVID happening, we were worried about being around tons of people on the vaporettos, but with walking (and it being our first time to Venice), we were concerned we would easily get lost, or that it would be too difficult with luggage. For reference, we're both in our 30's, active and will each have a backpack and a medium roller bag. I was thinking the walk would be nice to get a feel for the city right away, but maybe it would be difficult with luggage? Our AirBnB is a short 3-5 min walk from the San Marco vaporetto station. Chime in below! Thanks :)