Jefffooz

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.

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?

4. What restaurants are particularly recommended in both cities, preferably not
too expensive (i.e. entrees not exceeding $20.00).

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

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?

7. What are the normal business hours in Italy?

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

Jeff

Giovanni Drogo

On 15 Oct 2003, Jefffooz wrote:

    > 2. When we are in Venice, is a side-trip to
    > Ravenna possible? I really would like to visit the church of San Vitale.

According to http://home.arcor.de/e.lauterbach/au...fplanx-en.html
you can get from Venezia to Ravenna in about 3 hours changing in Ferrara
or Ravenna, with some waiting.

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

who knows this year ?
probably not too cold, may be foggy, may be acqua alta in Venezia

    > 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 OK, I've no idea if foreign ATM cards are compatible
with our Pagobancomat POS system in shops or with our ATM Bancomat, but
they will also take credit cards.

Tips are not a must, just round to the nearest euro if you are happy

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

Shops or offices ? For shops something like 9:00 or earlier to 19:00
or 19:30 Mon to Sat. Some shops close on Monday morning, some on Monday
afternoon, some on Saturday afternoon (e.g. travel agencies !). In
tourist cities opening hours may be wider and include Sunday.

Tile

i think that from venice to ravenna it is better
to hire a car.
the main line is venezia ferrara
then change in ferrara for ferrara ravenna
If you want to visit Ravenna
do not forget
State Museums are closed on Mondays
San Vitale is important, but
San Apollinare in Classe is much more important.
( it is in Classe. 7kms far from arvenna
where Classe means in latin Fleet, as it was the port of Augustus' fleet.. )
on the main road
ravenna rimini.
san vitale is a complex of churches and tombs
( Tomb of Galla Placidia)
and museums.
But i recommend the newly restored roman mosaics ( 800m2 more or less
8000 square feet)
and the tomb of teodorico.
in ravenna you can buy a ticket for all the museums
you will save some money.
as to Uffizi, you can book a ticket in advance.
you have to choose a definite time and then you must enter at that exact
time.
it costs you a little more. but saves you a lot of time in case of crowd.
as to Siena
San geminiano
Assisi

you do not need a tour.
to siena you can take a train from florence
to san gimignano i guess a bus from Siena

to assisi it is a little more complicated
as the train goes to
Santa Maria degli Angeli..
a beautiful church
from there you can take a shuttle to Assisi
( a couple of kms up hill )
I definitely recommend hiring a car.
do not forget that Assisi is a very important town.
you have the main church ( 3 churches built one above the other)
the church of santa chiara
the roman forum ( underground )
then many other churches in the town and outside
the town.
the first church of san francesco as far as I remember is the Eremo delle
carceri.
as to florence..
there is a tourist bus taking you to the most important places..
you can take it just outside the train station
it is like an Omnibus in London.
do not forget in Florence the Stibbert Museum
the most important collection of arms of the world.

as to restaurants.. 20 dollars will not bring you very far expecially in
tourist places.
I would say 25 eur at least with a normal wine.
( vino della casa. not bottled )
a dish of pasta ( primo piatto) will cost you between 7 and 15 eur
a main course ( secondo piatto ) from 10 to 25 eur
then you have vegetables
cakes and fruits
a coffe
a small glass of bitter or lemon liquor.
"Jefffooz" <> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:...
    > 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.
    > 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?
    > 4. What restaurants are particularly recommended in both cities,
preferably not
    > too expensive (i.e. entrees not exceeding $20.00).
    > 5. How is the weather in Italy in early December?
    > 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?
    > 7. What are the normal business hours in Italy?
    > Last, I would appreciate your advise and suggestions on how to make our
stay as
    > memorable as possible.
    > Jeff

Barbara Vaughan

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

Jim Ley

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 14:45:21 +0200, Barbara Vaughan
<> wrote:

    >> 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.

Just to add you probably won't be able to _pay_ with travellers
cheques anywhere, but have to convert them into Euros somewhere,
there's no advantage in them, and considerable disadvantage over ATMs

Jim.

Debra Weber Kurt Weber

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?

There are some companies that do this. I also have heard of a company that gives
art lectures in English. You can do an Internet or guidebook search for these. I
would give you the names, but I haven't done this (an organized walking tour; no
bus tours in Florence that I know of: the streets would make it difficult, and you
can walk everywhere).

    > 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.

There are tour companies of course, but you can also do these side trips on your
own or by bus or train. A good guidebook, such as the mainstream Frommer's or
Fodor's, will give you the travel times and options.

May I suggest that you don't plan on too many side trips? Hopefully, you will be
back, and one day away from each of your cities would probably be as much as you
would like. I would take San Gimignano off your list. Many shops and some
attractions are closed all afternoon, the tourist crowds are big, and the trip
isn't easy or convenient (by my side trip standards).

There are some other choices you might consider from Florence with your short
amount of time. Pick a place that has direct train connections, so that you don't
spend a lot of time changing buses or trains, or waiting around car rental offices
(notoriously inefficient, in my experience) when your time is so short.

One thought that comes to mind is Arezzo, with direct trains. I'm sure there are
others.

    > 3. Can I get advance tickets to the Uffizi and other museums in Florence and
    > Venice to avoid the queues?

Yes. A google search will give you options.

    > Would you recommend going to the Peggy Guggenheim

Do you like modern art? If so, yes. If not, skip it.

    > museum?
    > 4. What restaurants are particularly recommended in both cities, preferably not
    > too expensive (i.e. entrees not exceeding $20.00).

Here is a link to the Tuscan Life Newsletter that I write for a holiday company in
Italy www.florencevillas.com
click on "Past Newsletters" on the left, and find our very reasonable
recommendations for Florence in the 2003 Newsletters. I think you will be pleased
with any of these, and the price is right.

You don't have to spend a lot on wine. We don't drink so our prices do not
include wine, but all of these places offer wine by the half carafe or carafe.

For Venice, there have been two recent threads in this group on this subject. You
could read these past posts. You can use google groups to find the threads.

    > 5. How is the weather in Italy in early December?
    > 6. Are credit/atm cards widely accepted, or do I need to use traveler's checks
    > for payments?

Traveler's checks will be a waste of your time and money. ATMs work perfectly
well in both cities.

    > Are you expected to tip, and if so, what is the acceptable rate?
    > 7. What are the normal business hours in Italy?
    > Last, I would appreciate your advise and suggestions on how to make our stay as
    > memorable as possible.

Read a lot more about where you are going. Guidebooks are a good place to start.

    > Jeff

Luca Logi

tile <> wrote:

    > i think that from venice to ravenna it is better
    > to hire a car.
    > the main line is venezia ferrara
    > then change in ferrara for ferrara ravenna


Venezia to Ravenna by train is a bit long, as the Ferrara-Ravenna leg is
on a slow line. But I would not consider doing it by car in December.
While the car itinerary is shorter and passes in front of the Pomposa
abbey, the zone is home in the winter to some of the densest fogs you
could imagine. Better take the train than driving in the fog.

Luca Logi

Jefffooz <> wrote:

    > 1. Are there any companies that offer walking or bus tours of Florence,
    > preferably educational and small-scale?

ATAF (the urban transit system) now offers tours on old converted London
two-deckers, but I don't believe they are educational. BTW, some sights
(for example, Piazza della Signoria) are in zones closed to traffic and
not directly visible by bus. The only way to tour the centre is on foot.


    > 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.


Siena: better go by bus than by car or train. Parking may be a problem,
the train station is distant from the centre.

Assisi: Car is faster than train, but I don't know about parking. Train
station is distant from the town, you have to take a local bus.

S. Giminiano: train or buses (the buses may be faster) go to Poggibonsi
where you switch to a local bus. Car is much faster, but you have to
park in designated areas that fill up quickly in high season (December
should not be a problem). Probably bus is cheaper, anyway.



    > 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?

In Florence you can get advance tickets for Uffizi and Accademia (I
don't know about Pitti). December is low season and queues are shorter
(but I would reserve for Uffizi).

    >
    > 4. What restaurants are particularly recommended in both cities,
    > preferably not too expensive (i.e. entrees not exceeding $20.00).

Firenze:
Baldini, in front of the Porta a Prato
Il Tranvai, piazza Tasso (reserve as the place is *very* tiny and
cramped)
For a pizza, Funiculì FuniculÃ*, on il Prato.


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

Somewhat cold. It may be rainy or sunny, who knows. Probably damp and
foggy in Venice.


    >
    > 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?

Nobody uses traveler's checks. Credit card are largely accepted, but not
everywhere (have some cash handy). ATM cars should be compatiblewith
Italian Bancomat circuit. Large tips are not usual, except in case of
exceptional services. In restaurants, just round up a bit the bill.
Do not use credit cards on S. Lorenzo market. Even if credit card
companies forbid it, you may get a slightly discount if you pay with
cash, especially in smaller stores.


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

Offices, 9am to 1pm and maybe 3pm to 6pm
Stores, 9am to 1pm and 3.30pm to 7.30pm (hours may vary according to
cities)
Stores have an half day free, that may be on Monday morning or Saturday
evening - or in the mid of the week. It depends on the type of business
(professional stores like hardware stores are usually closed on
Saturday) and place.
December 8th is a national holiday.
Stores are open in Florence in the four Sundays preceding Christmas (and
also on December 8th).


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

Have the time to take unplanned detours.

Dan Stephenson

In article <>, 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:
    >


    > 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, and also for Accademia (Michelangelo's David)

    > 4. What restaurants are particularly recommended in both cities, preferably
    > not
    > too expensive (i.e. entrees not exceeding $20.00).

There is a chain called Pizzarita-Pastarita near the Florence train
station. It's good and plentiful and cheap.

    > 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?

Cards are widely accepted, but traveller's checks as backup would be
advised.


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

In Florence, try to ascend the dome of the Duomo. Great view. In
Venice, take the big boat all the way around its big circuit through
the grand canal, to the other islands, and back again.

    > Jeff

Susan Wachob

The first time we went, we found that our ATM didn't work because our
pin number was only 4 numbers and in europe it needed to be at least 5.
But that was when ATMs were fairly new.

Does anyone know if that's changed? I can't imagine that would still be
a problem since so many people travel getting their money that way. I've
been to Europe many times since and I don't remember still having that
problem- but we may have just used credit cards- can't remember.

You'll be going to some incredible places. Have a marvelous time!!!!

Susan

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.
    >
    > 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?
    >
    > 4. What restaurants are particularly recommended in both cities, preferably not
    > too expensive (i.e. entrees not exceeding $20.00).
    >
    > 5. How is the weather in Italy in early December?
    >
    > 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?
    >
    > 7. What are the normal business hours in Italy?
    >
    > Last, I would appreciate your advise and suggestions on how to make our stay as
    > memorable as possible.
    >
    > Jeff