Wonderful information - thanks to you all for replying! I am very much enjoying the planning process for this trip. The tour tales and pictures on this site are incredible.

Another question - did anyone tour the Uffizi Gallery in Florence? The guides recommend reserving tickets in advance for fixed times in order to avoid the long queues, but I am not exactly clear when our free time would start. I had been hoping the San Gimignano optional would be offered which would probably conflict. I hope we don't have to choose between them.

This trip is just a dream come true for us - my husband is a homebody who hates to travel, and I had promised each of our kids a few years ago that I'd take them individually on a wonderful trip somewhere when they hit their teens. They've all had great fun thinking of different places they'd like to see. How lucky I am that DD set her heart on Italy! She has been learning so much about the country, its art and history from her research. I was a bit concerned that the pace of the tour would become overwhelming for her, so it is very reassuring to hear from other travellers who took teens on the Escapade.

Cheers,
Shelley

Hi Shelly
You will have a wonderful time. My daughter and I went on the same tour last year.
We never felt unsafe in Rome. Never caught a taxi, just used the train, bus or our feet. We saw so much. The lastest we got back to our hotel was 10pm. We were never afraid of exploring Rome on our own.

We had no hastles at the Airport. Jsut followed the crowd and the Rep was easy to find.

I am sure you will have time to do the San Gimignano optional. It was wonderful.

At the Italian Lakes Stacey and I brought our own ticket to view the Borromean Islands and the garden. It was easy and about 11 Euros each for a day pass to use the water buses. We could go to any island or town on the lake. This day was our day to ourselves. We had a beautiful day. Even had time to have a coffee back in town. No rushing.

I came home with two masks and Stacey brought one. Very easy to get home. They wrap them up good and we carried them in our carry on bags. I have mine on my lounge room wall and often admire them.

Stacey and I spent the day exploring the Islands of Venice on our own. Caught the water bus. Got another day pass. Spent time at Burano, Murano and Torcello. It was one of Stacey's best days seeing the coloured houses of Burano. We did the Venice of the Doges ourselves as we had an extra three days in Venie at end of tour.

Oh if you have time in Venice dont forget to get lost in its delightful alleyways. Just beautiful.

You will have a wonderful time. I found the main thing is to research each place you are going to so you dont waste time thinking about what to see. Read every tour tale and ask questions here on the board. I did and it helped alot.

quote:

Originally posted by travelbug61:


Another question - did anyone tour the Uffizi Gallery in Florence? The guides recommend reserving tickets in advance for fixed times in order to avoid the long queues, but I am not exactly clear when our free time would start. I had been hoping the San Gimignano optional would be offered which would probably conflict. I hope we don't have to choose between them.

Not sure about this tour but we did Best of Italy in Aug. 2005 and I had reserved tickets for the Uffizi Gallery ahead of time. Going into Florence I explained to our tour director that I knew I took a chance ordering them and if it didn't work I was prepared to waste them. She said we would have time for a quick visit during our free time in Florence and said we didn't have to meet the group for the walk back to the bus but gave me a map with a shortcut along the river which would take us right back to the bus and got us about an extra 15 min.

She suggested we show up at the Uffizi early as sometimes they will let you in which is what we did and they did let us right in even though there was about an hour wait for anyone without tickets.

The Uffizi was great and I could've easily spent a couple more hours there. The sacrifice we made was giving up the couple of hours exploring Florence. I'm not sure how much time you will have on your tour and maybe someone who has been on it will know better.

Have a great time.

I don't know if this is good or bad but our decision to see the Uffizi has been made for us unknowingly. Our free day in Florence is a Monday when all the museums are closed, so no choice for us. I'm guessing we'll have to see David upon arrival or the day we leave Florence. But I've always heard if your in Florence you have to see the Uffizi. I'm sort of secretly happy though since I know we will see so much art on this trip and I would rather wander around Florence. Especially if we take an excursion out of Florence which will leave us with less time.

The Uffizi, the Doges Palace, going up Vesuvius, Herculaneum, and Ostia Antica... I'm already seeing another trip forming :P . The more I learn about this country the more I want to see.