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10-15-2003, 12:45 PM

Jefffooz wrote:
    >
    > We are going to Italy for the first time in early December, spending 5 nights
    > in Florence and 4 in Venice. I am wondering if you folks can help on the
    > following questions:
    >
    > 1. Are there any companies that offer walking or bus tours of Florence,
    > preferably educational and small-scale?
    >
    > 2. What tour companies would you recommend for side trips to Siena, San
    > Gimignano and Assisi? If we are to go to these cities by ourselves, should we
    > rent a car or go on the bus or train? When we are in Venice, is a side-trip to
    > Ravenna possible? I really would like to visit the church of San Vitale.

You can get to Siena easily by bus, and to Assisi easily by train. I
would recommend doing these side trips on your own. I don't know about
getting to San Gimignano, but I would prefer Siena and Assisi in any
case.

    > 3. Can I get advance tickets to the Uffizi and other museums in Florence and
    > Venice to avoid the queues? Would you recommend going to the Peggy Guggenheim
    > museum?

Yes for the Uffizi and the Accademia in Florence. In early December, it
may not be really necessary, except possibly at the Uffizi.

    > 5. How is the weather in Italy in early December?

Usually mild but with a high chance of fog/mist/drizzle.

    > 6. Are credit/atm cards widely accepted, or do I need to use traveler's checks
    > for payments? Are you expected to tip, and if so, what is the acceptable rate?

Credit cards are not accepted at all shops. American ATM cards usually
work just fine. You won't have a choice of withdrawing from checking or
savings, so make sure you put the money in your main (usually checking)
account.

    > 7. What are the normal business hours in Italy?

It varies a bit from town to town, but usually shops open around 7:30 or
8 and close for lunch around 12 or 1. They then reopen at 4:30 to 5 and
remain open until around 8 PM.

    > Last, I would appreciate your advise and suggestions on how to make our stay as
    > memorable as possible.

Take it easy and don't rush around too much.

Read "Brunelleschi's Dome" before you go to Florence and then climb the
stairs to the dome. Along the way, you'll see exhibits of tools used in
the construction and other interesting things.

Get lost in Venice.

Barbara

10-15-2003, 12:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Barbara Vaughan Posts:	Re: Florence and Venice questions Jefffooz wrote: > > We are going to Italy for the first time in early December, spending 5 nights > in Florence and 4 in Venice. I am wondering if you folks can help on the > following questions: > > 1. Are there any companies that offer walking or bus tours of Florence, > preferably educational and small-scale? > > 2. What tour companies would you recommend for side trips to Siena, San > Gimignano and Assisi? If we are to go to these cities by ourselves, should we > rent a car or go on the bus or train? When we are in Venice, is a side-trip to > Ravenna possible? I really would like to visit the church of San Vitale. You can get to Siena easily by bus, and to Assisi easily by train. I would recommend doing these side trips on your own. I don't know about getting to San Gimignano, but I would prefer Siena and Assisi in any case. > 3. Can I get advance tickets to the Uffizi and other museums in Florence and > Venice to avoid the queues? Would you recommend going to the Peggy Guggenheim > museum? Yes for the Uffizi and the Accademia in Florence. In early December, it may not be really necessary, except possibly at the Uffizi. > 5. How is the weather in Italy in early December? Usually mild but with a high chance of fog/mist/drizzle. > 6. Are credit/atm cards widely accepted, or do I need to use traveler's checks > for payments? Are you expected to tip, and if so, what is the acceptable rate? Credit cards are not accepted at all shops. American ATM cards usually work just fine. You won't have a choice of withdrawing from checking or savings, so make sure you put the money in your main (usually checking) account. > 7. What are the normal business hours in Italy? It varies a bit from town to town, but usually shops open around 7:30 or 8 and close for lunch around 12 or 1. They then reopen at 4:30 to 5 and remain open until around 8 PM. > Last, I would appreciate your advise and suggestions on how to make our stay as > memorable as possible. Take it easy and don't rush around too much. Read "Brunelleschi's Dome" before you go to Florence and then climb the stairs to the dome. Along the way, you'll see exhibits of tools used in the construction and other interesting things. Get lost in Venice. Barbara