I've been PM'd with a bunch of specific questions & thought I'd try to summarize them for all to see:
•If at all possible, arrive early (or stay longer). The group travel is great, but spending a few days on your own really gives you a different feel for Italy (I vote arrive early in Italy or do a layover in another European city after if you can swing it)
•Have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees & make fewer, but larger ATM withdrawals. Don't need to get euros ahead of time, the ATM at the airport has a much better exchange rate. Hoard the 1 & 2 euro coins (there are clean pay toilets but require exact change)
•Pack with the plan to do laundry at the half-way point (the free afternoon in Tuscany is perfect). Lots of the machines there dispense the detergent automatically. Just have a stain stick to pre-treat.
•Have a wish list for your free afternoons/evenings. Some may require advance reservations. We often found what others in the group were planning sounded better, so pick their brains over meals.
Dining
•We’re not big foodies, just wanted the best of each region without spending 100 euros
•Half carafe of wine really is cheaper than soda. The house wine is always good. For water, must specify if you want flat or carbonated. The ancient fountains have water that's safe to drink: refill you bottles.
•Italy loves its multi-course 3 hour meals. We usually stuck with one or two courses
•They see rushing you as rude. You’ll have to ask for your check if you want to keep moving
•Great gelato/coffee everywhere! Remember you pay more if you want to sit. Get it to go.
•It will be tempting to join the whole group for some of the meals on your own (often the guide will make group reservations). Remember, large group take forever to order/be served, & big groups don’t get the primo tables. Plus it’s good to have some personal time.
•Try a shot of limoncello at the end of your meal. It’s meant to be sipped!
Rome
•The Coliseum day is a lot of walking & stairs. Lots of sun. Dress accordingly.
•Tired? Catch a cab! Not that expensive.
•Our kids loved Castel St Angelo. Creepy Cappuchin Crypt
•Try to get to the Trevi fountain at night (smaller crowd, looks cool lit up)
Orvieto
•The bus ride is where the kids really bonded (they took over the rear of the bus).
•Great panini shop at the base of the clock tower. Try the wild boar!
•Best gelato of the trip was just out the side door of the church.
•This is your only real exposure to a small Italian village, so take advantage by wandering the side streets.
Florence
•Make your reservation to climb the Duomo before you leave. It gets booked well in advance. We did St Peter's Dome climb as well, but this is a better experience.
•Ladies, have cash available for purses. The stands right outside the factory (Santa Croce) have better selection & are willing to bargain more than the rows of stands in the tourist market.
•Have coins ready for the street performers. They’ll only interact with your kids for a “donation.”
Venice
•Get back to the main island at night. No crowds and fun to wander around. Facing St Mark's, go around the left side of the cathedral: several side streets with great affordable dining options
•You don’t need to go to the Murano glass factory. Plenty of chances right in Venice proper to buy & see it made.
•Mask making was more fun than I expected. Don’t be afraid to start your mask & let the master craftsman finish it off to make it beautiful.
•The private water-taxi to the airport is another ABD perk that you’ll appreciate.
•Be sure to use up your euro coins before leaving Italy (only notes accepted at exchanges)
Overall
•Your ABD guides know the best spots for picture taking & will take as many as you like with your camera, just have it ready.
•Don’t waste a lot of time looking for the perfect restaurant. There are good ones everywhere!
•The hotel concierge is better at directions than your ABD guide (and he’ll give you a map).
•You can’t see everything, so don’t try!
•Keep a daily journal. Keep your ticket stubs. Snap a pic of hotel/restaurant/museum entrances. Makes it easier to organize pics when you get home.
•Don’t sweat the small stuff. ABD will take good care of you.
•If at all possible, arrive early (or stay longer). The group travel is great, but spending a few days on your own really gives you a different feel for Italy (I vote arrive early in Italy or do a layover in another European city after if you can swing it)
•Have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees & make fewer, but larger ATM withdrawals. Don't need to get euros ahead of time, the ATM at the airport has a much better exchange rate. Hoard the 1 & 2 euro coins (there are clean pay toilets but require exact change)
•Pack with the plan to do laundry at the half-way point (the free afternoon in Tuscany is perfect). Lots of the machines there dispense the detergent automatically. Just have a stain stick to pre-treat.
•Have a wish list for your free afternoons/evenings. Some may require advance reservations. We often found what others in the group were planning sounded better, so pick their brains over meals.
Dining
•We’re not big foodies, just wanted the best of each region without spending 100 euros
•Half carafe of wine really is cheaper than soda. The house wine is always good. For water, must specify if you want flat or carbonated. The ancient fountains have water that's safe to drink: refill you bottles.
•Italy loves its multi-course 3 hour meals. We usually stuck with one or two courses
•They see rushing you as rude. You’ll have to ask for your check if you want to keep moving
•Great gelato/coffee everywhere! Remember you pay more if you want to sit. Get it to go.
•It will be tempting to join the whole group for some of the meals on your own (often the guide will make group reservations). Remember, large group take forever to order/be served, & big groups don’t get the primo tables. Plus it’s good to have some personal time.
•Try a shot of limoncello at the end of your meal. It’s meant to be sipped!
Rome
•The Coliseum day is a lot of walking & stairs. Lots of sun. Dress accordingly.
•Tired? Catch a cab! Not that expensive.
•Our kids loved Castel St Angelo. Creepy Cappuchin Crypt
•Try to get to the Trevi fountain at night (smaller crowd, looks cool lit up)
Orvieto
•The bus ride is where the kids really bonded (they took over the rear of the bus).
•Great panini shop at the base of the clock tower. Try the wild boar!
•Best gelato of the trip was just out the side door of the church.
•This is your only real exposure to a small Italian village, so take advantage by wandering the side streets.
Florence
•Make your reservation to climb the Duomo before you leave. It gets booked well in advance. We did St Peter's Dome climb as well, but this is a better experience.
•Ladies, have cash available for purses. The stands right outside the factory (Santa Croce) have better selection & are willing to bargain more than the rows of stands in the tourist market.
•Have coins ready for the street performers. They’ll only interact with your kids for a “donation.”
Venice
•Get back to the main island at night. No crowds and fun to wander around. Facing St Mark's, go around the left side of the cathedral: several side streets with great affordable dining options
•You don’t need to go to the Murano glass factory. Plenty of chances right in Venice proper to buy & see it made.
•Mask making was more fun than I expected. Don’t be afraid to start your mask & let the master craftsman finish it off to make it beautiful.
•The private water-taxi to the airport is another ABD perk that you’ll appreciate.
•Be sure to use up your euro coins before leaving Italy (only notes accepted at exchanges)
Overall
•Your ABD guides know the best spots for picture taking & will take as many as you like with your camera, just have it ready.
•Don’t waste a lot of time looking for the perfect restaurant. There are good ones everywhere!
•The hotel concierge is better at directions than your ABD guide (and he’ll give you a map).
•You can’t see everything, so don’t try!
•Keep a daily journal. Keep your ticket stubs. Snap a pic of hotel/restaurant/museum entrances. Makes it easier to organize pics when you get home.
•Don’t sweat the small stuff. ABD will take good care of you.
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