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Post by marielouise on Mar 11, 2015 15:56:03 GMT
This was a great tour but a bit busier and shorter than the tours we usually take. We decided on impulse to take this tour after getting an email from Insight about their Red Hot specials, it was too good a deal to not take advantage of it.
It was ideal weather for us since we don't like the heat but the wind was extremely cold in Pompeii and Assisi, which we were told was unusual. Also Italy has few tourists at this time of year.
Day 1 Thursday Feb 25
We left Calgary for Frankfurt around 6.00pm and had a good flight. However we left about half an hour late since they had to do a lot of deicing, which was quite interesting to watch. So we were in a rush to catch the connecting flight, we had only 40 min, but there were very few people going through passport control and security.
Day 2 Feb 26
The Lufthansa flight took nearly 2 hours, we were offered a sandwich, we we didn't take since Air Canada had fed us well. Also the usual drinks and wine, all free. We had a beautiful view over the Alps.
Unfortunately DH's suitcase did not arrive but mine which is smaller did, we had packed some of DH's clothes in mine. We were told it was still in Frankfurt and they would deliver it to the hotel the next day.
We took the express train 14 euros each to the Termini station. Then since our hotel was down a street close by we decided to walk to the hotel,we needed a walk after sitting so much, it was about 1 km downhill on Via Cavour, the Grand Palatine hotel. We arrived around 6 pm and went to bed an hour later.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 11, 2015 16:43:43 GMT
Day 3 Feb 27 Friday
Bright blue sky not a cloud in sight 17C in the afternoon
We arrived 2 days early for the tour so we could see some of Rome before the tour.
The breakfast was very good on the whole tour, scrambled eggs and boiled eggs, bacon, cold cuts, yogurt, cereals, breads, juices, coffee and tea.
We had bought vouchers on line for the Villa Borghese, which you have to do, they don't sell tickets there. We took the metro to the Spagna station but from there it was hard to find the way, it was quite scruffy and many places missing a sidewalk. We enjoyed walking around in the gardens, we saw the lake and then sat in the sunshine watching both locals and tourists. It was warm and sunny about 15C. I just wore a cotton long sleeved shirt and was comfortable in the sunshine. Even some of the dogs wore coats.
At 1 we visited the museum, it was beautiful inside and there were lots of beautiful paintings and sculptures.
Day 4 Feb 28 Saturday
Sunny 17C
Since we did not know which optionals would be offered, we decided to do some touring on our own. Our hotel was ideally situated only a few blocks from the Colosseum and the Forum. We had considered going into the Forum but decided to just look at the area from the view points. Then we walked by the Vittorio Emmanuel 11 monument to the Pantheon. DH really wanted to see the Pantheon. It was an interesting walk, after that we walked over to Piazza Navona. Then we slowly walked back. Opposite the Forum is the Trajan's Forum so we looked at it walking back to the hotel.
DH's suitcase was delivered at 4.
We met the tour group at 5.30. TD is Liz Clachrie and we are 32 on the tour. I think there were 14 Canadians, 10 were a group from Central Alberta, 14 from the States, a couple from Australia and a couple from South Africa. We left an hour late for the Welcome dinner since there had been a political demonstration walking down our street. The restaurant was opposite the Colosseum which was lit up. Now, we had been told it was a light meal, well most of us did not think so. First we got a drink,then antipasto, lots of different things, cheese slices, salad, deep fried battered veggies and brushetta. Then 2 squares of lasagna, one very cheesy and the other with a light meat and tomato sauce, it was very tasty. I guess it was a light meal since we did not have a meat dish but it was very filling. We got red wine with it. We each also got 2 little bowls of dessert one might have been tiramisu, DH took it from me, and he gave me his custard with strawberry coulis. Then a very strong small amount of espresso coffee, no more than a tablespoon, I liked it.
We went on the optional Illuminations tour 18 euros each, we enjoyed it particularly the walk through the Trastevere area, the tour took about 2 hours.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 1:37:48 GMT
March 1 Sunday.
Wake up 6.30
Breakfast 7.00
Cool in the morning 15C and sunny later
We cannot visit the Sistine Chapel on a Sunday, we will do that first thing tomorrow morning.
We left for the Colosseum at 8.20 instead of 8.00 since it took a while for the group to be organised, but for the rest of the trip everyone was always punctual. I should mention that we have one person who uses a wheelchair but is able to walk slowly and she has 3 family members helping, so it did not really slow down the group. There were also several people who had problems walking but it really slowed us down very little.
It was a short drive. We have a good tour guide Elena who told us about the building of it and other pertinent information before entering at 9.00. We had priority entrance, some other groups did not and there was already a long line.
I have been to all the places except for Pisa, Assisi and the islands of Venice, but it was 47 and 49 years ago and it was very hot then in July. However I had not been inside the Colosseum, so I thought it very interesting. For example, we had recently watched a program on PBS about how they used elevators pulled up by pulleys to bring the animals onto the stage, these shafts were pointed out to us. We stayed a little more than an hour.
We then had the afternoon on our own since we decided to not go on the tour of Piazza Navona, Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi fountain, 33 euros. There was also an optional tour to see the Catacombs, 36 euros which we did not go on.
Instead we decided to visit the church across the street, St Peter in Chains (Vincoli in Italian). We had to climb about 80 steps. There is a magnificent statue of Moses there by Michelangelo. After that we walked a few blocks uphill on via Cavour to visit Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. We had a small meal and pistachio gelati before going to bed early around 8.00. We were tired from jet lag and walking around a lot.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 2:19:25 GMT
Monday March 2
Wake up call 6.15
Bags out 6.45
Leave 7.30
We entered the Vatican at 8.00, we did not have to wait at all, once again we had priority entrance, there was a long line waiting to get in. First Elena explained the Sistine ceiling to us in the hallway. Then we went to see and walk up the Bramante spiral staircase which has no steps so the pope could ride or be brought up in a carriage, this is generally not open to the public, just a few tour groups. Then we walked through the Etruscan museum and then the map room. It was fairly crowded in the Sistine chapel but we were able to find seats to admire the ceiling for 20 min.
We then saw the Pieta by Michelangelo and then St. Peter's Basilica and sculptures by Bernini.
Just outside we had lunch and then left for Assisi, it took about 3 hours. By then it had become cloudy and was cold and windy. We were dropped off at the top of the town. We were staying a little outside Assisi since the Giotto hotel was undergoing renovations and so was the hotel that Trafalgar usually stays at. The luggage was delivered to our rooms while we spent about 1 hour walking through the town and the Basilica. We had a very interesting guide there.
We stayed at the Roseo hotel which was nice with a much roomier bathroom than in Rome. All the beds were very comfortable on this tour, unlike some hard slabs we had on our tour of France.
First there was a reception with drinks and some snacks in the bar, then we had an included dinner. The dinner was buffet style with roast pork which was very tasty. Wine was included.
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wen
Junior Member
Posts: 29 
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Post by wen on Mar 12, 2015 9:51:51 GMT
Thanks for putting your tale up looking forward to the rest
im assuming the other suitcase turned up! Good tip to put each other's clothes in each case
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 10:04:27 GMT
Yes the suitcase was delivered the next day just after 4 pm. The hotel manager was very helpful, he took a photocopy of our report and phoned, he found out it had arrived at the airport in the morning.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 10:26:15 GMT
Tuesday March 3
Chilly wind.
Most mornings we had wakeup calls just after 6. I have not kept a record after leaving Rome. Also we would drive a little more than 2 hours and then have a break at an autogril.
It was a fairly long drive to Venice, we arrived around 2 pm. Liz had arranged for 3 water taxis to take us to the hotel which was located half way between the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. It was an excellent location and a very nice older hotel. We travelled on the Giudecca canal then at St Marks square we took small canals to reach to hotel Splendid which was right on a canal. Liz had warned us about rooms being small, but we were lucky and got a very spacious room with a walk in closet and plenty of room. We even had a kettle with tea and instant coffee. We had a view over the restaurant.
Most of our group had signed up for the Venetian Magic optional 65 euros, which was a gondola ride and also a ride on the main canal.
We went for a walk around St Marks Square and sat on the walkways they use during high tide to people watch.
The dinner was really good, i don't remember if we got some antipasto but we got a huge piece of lasagna which was very tasty. Then veal marsala, the meat was a little tough but it was very good, green beans, carrots and potatoes. For dessert vanilla custard with a caramel drizzle. We skipped the coffee.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 10:56:07 GMT
Wednesday March 4
Very nice sunny day until late afternoon when it became cloudy and cold.
Most of the group went on an optional walking tour Hidden Venice and St Marks 27 euros.
DH has some medical problems and a bad knee so he did not want to do too much walking. At home he usually walks 2-4 km daily. So we decided to walk to the Rialto Bridge, walked over and then went to the fruit and vegetable market and then the fish market which was quite interesting, we walked about 2 km for about an hour.
We met the group at St Marks square at noon to take a private boat to a glass blowing island. First he made a vase which he then melted and made a horse, very quickly. Then we were taken into the show room. We were shown the traditional carafs and goblets for about 1000euros. I liked the more modern stuff and the jewelry was nice but expensive. I did not buy anything, actually I bought very little and not T-shirts except for a tiny one with Pinocchio on it for my yet to be born, in a few weeks, grand daughter.
Then all of us were going to the optional late lunch (3pm) in Burano, 69 euros. We enjoyed the boat ride in the lagoon.
First we got a tasty fish pate on toast, then fish risotto, a large salad, then fish and penne. We got fruit for dessert, coffee and we took the sambucca liqueur, there were 3 choices, Amaretto, limoncello or Sambucca.
We got back to the hotel around 6. Then we walked to the Rialto bridge and around the area with another couple.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 11:36:24 GMT
Thursday March 5
Fairly cloudy in the morning, it cleared up later but it was colder with a very cold wind.
It had snowed overnight in the Appenines, there was about 5 cm snow on the ground but the roads were bare but wet. Huge pine trees had been uprooted because of the winds and we saw a truck on its side, having been blown over. The mountain tops were snow covered.
We by passed Florence to get to Pisa. Very cold and windy by the Cathedral Square, we walked up a side street and found old Roman baths, we had something to eat, I had a a chocolate canoli, which meant it had chocolate sprinkles, at a Sicilian pastry shop. They filled after I ordered it and it was delicious, not like the ready made ones in other shops.
Then back to Florence, we were dropped off by the river and walked about 10 min to the Santa Croce Square, while are suitcases were delivered to the hotel. We first went into the shop called the Gold Corner, very nice jewelry, 18 kt gold but I resisted. Prices were quite expensive but some plainer articles did not seem exorbitant. It was extremely cold at the square. Then there was wine tasting opposite the leather store Peruzzi. We got to taste one white and two red wines. There were chunks of cheese, salami, prosciutto and bread. The balsamic vinegar was delicious. They were not selling anything, it was really a restaurant.
Then to the hotel, which was not as centrally located as the others, AC Hotel, a Marriott hotel.
We had an included dinner again and this was my least favourite but it was ok. First we got a pasta soup, tomato type soupe with penne, then an overcooked pork chop, small roasted potatoes and half a baked tomato with breading on top. A very nice apple pie with no crust on top. Really all the meals were good but I wasn't too fond of the soup and the fairly tough chop.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 12:04:47 GMT
Friday March 6
Sunny but cold and windy.
The local guide took us early in the morning to see the David. We were allowed to take photos without flash. There were only a few other people there.
Then we walked to the Duomo, since the group was going to the leather store, we left the group there at about 10. We had a voucher for 2.30 pm to see the Ufizzi Gallery, we exchanged for our tickets, we needn't have had to order the tickets on line since at this time of year there were no crowds. We walked across Ponte Vecchio to the Pitti Palace but did not go in. We found a nice bench in the sunshine out of the wind and then sat and people watched, mostly locals. I bought the baby Pinocchio t-shirt there in a small shop. We then walked back to the Duomo, found a small restaurant for coffee and something to eat. We then went into the Duomo.
At 1 we decided to try to get into the Ufizzi, we had planned to ask if it was ok, but they did not check the time, just took the tickets. This might not work in the busy tourist time. The first part on the top floor had a lot of Roman statues, I think we spent too much time there because we were exhausted after going around the top floor, we walked more quickly through the second floor, even though we would have liked to spend more time. The paintings were outstanding and interesting to see. There is a coffee shop there with sandwiches but I only wanted a coffee but they said I had to climb to the upper level so I didn't go, my legs were hurting at this time.
We had to be back at the hotel to meet the group for the optional dinner at 5.30. We had planned to take a taxi but since it wasn't as windy we decided to walk, we needed a brisk walk after shuffling around in the gallery. It took about 30 min, about 1.5 km, we had trouble finding the hotel at the end, since it was on a small side street.
The dinner was called Tuscan Dinner and cooking demonstration, 68 euros. We drove a little past the Certosa Monastry. The restaurant was located on top of a hill, the owner made an asparagus risotto for us, while we were drinking a sparkling wine. He was quite entertaining although he spoke very little English.
As antipasto we got 3 different cold cuts, then the risotto and some penne pasta. Then it was roasted meats, sausage, rabbit, chicken and beef. All very good, I don't remember what we got with it as vegetable.Then I think we got fresh fruit salad with ice cream, a strong digestive drink and coffee. Also lots red or white wine. It was a very good and enjoyable meal.
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Post by tiffany on Mar 12, 2015 12:16:31 GMT
I’m enjoying your tale so far Marielouise. It’s bringing back a lot of memories from my two trips to Italy, one of my favourite countries.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 18:55:13 GMT
Saturday March 7
I stopped taking notes at this point.
It was a long driving day Florence to Pompeii. We drove beside the Apenine mountains, many had snow on top even south of Rome but not Vesuvius. We saw Monte Cassino in the distance, it had been rebuilt after the war and was once again a monastery.
There were not many people at Pompeii and it was extremely cold and windy. I had been here in the heat of the summer with the big crowds, I didn't really remember much of it. I could not tell if there had been much more excavation in nearly 50 years. It was interesting and fairly different to the Roman ruins in Turkey since these had been preserved in lava.
Afterwards we were treated to either a cold or hot drink. I really enjoyed the hot chocolate, it was a bit thicker than what I am used to and delicious.
We stayed on in a nice hotel (Michelangelo) on the main street in Sorrento. We did not go on the optional seafood dinner, 60 euros, here since we felt we had been eating too much food on the trip. We found that there were too many carbs. Instead we went for a walk, bought some beer, prosciutto and cheese and some crackers. We enjoyed it and went early to bed.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 18:55:49 GMT
Sunday March 8
Sunny beautiful day but there was still the cold wind.
We left fairly early to take a jet boat to Capri, this was an included part of the trip. The funicular was undergoing repairs, so we were taken by minibus to Capri town. Then as an optional 38 euros were taken up to the Axel Munthe house and gardens. I had wanted to visit it since I read his book about 20 years ago. The chairlift was not operational.
We were then driven down to Capri and went on a walk to Augustus gardens. Then taken down in taxis to the harbour and back to Sorrento.
Then we went on the optional Amalfi drive and Positano 40 euros. The drive is beautiful, we stopped above Positano for a photo stop where they were selling fruit, spices and limoncello and olive oil with chilis, which they called viagra.
In Positano, it was quite quiet and not crowded, although there were groups of school kids. We walked down to the beach, I had a hazelnut gelato which was delicious. The wind had died down so it was a very pleasant afternoon to be outside.
Then it was the Farewell dinner at the Foreigner's Club overlooking the sea, it was about 10 min walk from our hotel. First we got a small nice caprese salad, then some pasta and lasagna, then a chicken leg and for dessert a sponge cake with vanilla sauce. The food was good but I did not like the wine and the coffee was terrible. We also got some limoncello which I did not like.
We said goodbye to some of the tour members since they were leaving for Naples airport early in the morning.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 18:56:08 GMT
Monday March 9
We left very early for Rome at 7.15. There were only about half the people still left on the bus.
We arrived around 11.30 at Rome airport, where more people were dropped off. We had purchased the extension to stay an extra night in Rome which included a transfer to the airport early the next morning.
We were at the same hotel as the beginning of the tour at 12.15. We were lucky to get our rooms before the 2 pm check in time and this time we got a 2 room suite with coffee and tea making facilities. The bathroom had a large tub and a walk in shower.
We went for a walk, then repacked our bags. We went early to bed.
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Post by marielouise on Mar 12, 2015 18:56:57 GMT
Tuesday March 10
We were picked up at 6.30 for the transfer to the airport. We checked in and then waited for our flight to Franfurt. Again we were given a sandwich and drinks including wine.
We only had 1.5 hours wait for the connecting flight, part of it was taken up by passport control and security and the longish walk.
After a nearly 10 hour flight we arrived in Calgary. We got salmon, cole slaw and a cookie, then ice cream as a snack and then a vegetable wrap.
I seem to have written a lot about the food on this trip. The trip was good and so was the food. We were really happy with the weather but could have done without the cold wind and also the lack of crowds.
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Post by californian on Mar 12, 2015 19:09:11 GMT
Thank you Marielouisa, it is very nice to reminisce of previous trip, your tale is very descriptive, looking forward to the rest.
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Post by Oz-T on Mar 16, 2015 9:47:43 GMT
Thanks for the travel tale, MarieLouise; it brings back great memories of our self tour of Italy eight years ago. We took the kids on that trip, visiting Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Pompeii. It looks like you had great weather and a really nice tour.  |
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Post by tiffany on Mar 16, 2015 11:54:11 GMT
I just finished reading your tour tale Marielouise, and it sounds like you had a great time and really enjoyed the food. I hope to go back to Italy some day, but it won’t be until I go to a few other places first.
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Post by plane2catch on Nov 25, 2015 5:23:05 GMT
Hi MarieLouise, I read your trip tale and really enjoyed it. I have always visited Italy in the Summer or Fall. I would like to go to Rome sometime during the Christmas season to see St. Peter's all lit up. Thanks for sharing your tale.
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Nov 30, 2015 10:18:05 GMT
Hi marielouise,
I enjoyed reading your tour tale and I’m surprised that I missed reading your report on the Insight board when you posted it earlier this year, (I’ve gone there and had a look) as I usually always read Italy reviews.
Liz Clachrie was my TD on Insight’s “Italian Escapade”, that I did back in May/June 2001. Nice to hear that she is still working as an Insight TD.
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