Self-Book a Northern Italy Extension!
Dottie writes:“For passengers wanting to explore northern Italy on your own, this is a great choice, and one of our favorites!”
Public transportation in Italy will get you almost anywhere. Here is a sample 4-day “itinerary” for you with some approximate pricing (per couple) for an adventure visiting Florence and Venice finally flying out of Marco Polo Airport in Venice. We are using dates from one tour, but you could do this anytime as an extension to our south Italy program!
Day One: May 24, 2024
Morning:
· Early taxi from Rome hotel to Termini $35
· Early train to Florence would cost between $30-$40 at today's rates and take 1-1/2 to 2 hours
· Taxi from Florence train station to Florence hotel $30
Afternoon:
$60 Galleria Dell'Accademia (Purchase a “skip the line” price available at the Galleria website. Be careful about using other sites and remember, if you don’t book ahead and print your ticket, the waiting line to purchase is long and cost is higher!)
Since the Galleria Dell’Accademia is fairly small–it was literally built to house David–it’ll be easy enough to work your way through the few other rooms quickly, get a taste of Florence’s art scene. Randy loves the “Prisoners” works of Michelangelo near the “David.” There is also a musical instrument museum that is really interesting!
Evening:
Piazza della Signoria, one of the most iconic squares in Florence, filled with beauty, art and food!
The Palazzo Vecchio, which overlooks this famous square, was originally the residence of the Medici Family and currently houses the city’s government. But you’re not here for a history lesson, you’re here for the statues.
Admire the Neptune Fountain and the Loggia dei Lanzi, a free-to-enter open-air museum where you can find some of the most famous statues in the world. Meander by the Medici lions and gaze up at heroes Menelaus and Hercules, carved out of marble. This stop is sure to leave you steeped in the artistry of the city.
· We love the busts of famous Italians of history outside the Uffizi. Great stories for so many historical figures!
For the evening of 5/24 and 5/25 hotel recommendations (book with hotels.com or similar):
· Il Perseo $249/night breakfast included
· Hotel Pendini $207/night breakfast included
Both of these are hotels located inside the historic city center and within walking distance to all major sites like the Duomo, the Galleria Dell'Accademia, the Uffizi etc.
Day Two: May 25, 2024
Morning:
The Uffizi Gallery is home to works of art that span across centuries, with some of the greatest works by the world’s most famous artists under its roof.
Admire the meticulous brushwork of Botticelli in "The Birth of Venus" or the intricate carvings of Bernini. If you want to explore on your own, book a priority entry ticket and meander through the halls at your own pace. Get organized well in advance as the Uffizi books out fast. You can go online ahead of time and book your tickets directly from the Uffizi website. $70
Afternoon/Evening:
Explore the amazing town of Florence making time to visit the Duomo and the Baptistry (if that part isn’t too busy). Evening in Florence is time to take in the city in all its glory.
A favorite sunset spot is Piazzale Michelangelo can be a highlight.
Maybe a climb to the Basilica di San Miniato, a beautiful 11th century church and arguably Tuscany's best example of Romanesque architecture. Elevated above the city and easily walkable, here you’ll find the very best views of Florence. You can reach the basilica both on foot, via bus lines 12 or 13, or, better yet, by joining an e-bike tour. Once there, stand back and soak in this remarkable Renaissance city that gave rise to some of the best artists and scientists in history.
· The “Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella” offers a beautiful look at a perfumeria and pharmacy from the Middle Ages!
Day Three: April 26, 2024
Early morning:
· Taxi from Florence hotel to train station $30
· Train to Venice $30-$45 at today's rates and take 2 1/2 hours
· Taxi from station to hotel $30-$60 depending upon the hotel choice
Visiting Venice for one day is possible but you'll need to have your hiking shoes on for sure! We have listed a few of the "must sees" in Venice:
St. Mark’s Square, or Piazza San Marco, is an absolute must for any visit to Venice! The Square is home to a number of sites that are worth taking some time to look at. First, we’d highly recommend getting your legs into shape with a quick scoot up the Campanile di San Marco – the large bell tower at the corner of the square. An elevator is also available. This will afford you with quite splendid views across Venice, and the surrounding lagoon and islands. The orientation probably won’t save you from getting hopelessly lost down the many back streets, but it’s great for taking some panoramic photos all the same. Back down at ground level, you’ll want to take in the Basilica di San Marco. This is one of the most famous churches in Venice. There are two options for visiting, you can pay €3 on site and join the line, which can be long. If you’d prefer not to queue however, you can book a skip the line ticket for a slightly higher fee from the official website basilicasanmarco.il. Around the Piazza there are also a great number of museums and other churches, as well as the Doge’s Palace. The majority of these are ticketed, we suggest buying a ticket that gets you access to multiple venues. A coffee in the square is highly recommended but be prepared to buy the most expensive coffee you've probably ever had!
Rialto Bridge: Arguably the most famous of all the bridges in Venice. This is also the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice. It was originally built as a pontoon bridge back in the 12th century, although the present version dates back to the late 16th century. The Rialto bridge gets its name from the Rialto market which sits on the eastern bank of the river. The bridge was created to link this market with the western bank. The bridge has a covered central section which is home to shops and markets, with pedestrian access on either side.
Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace: Just beyond St. Mark’s Square is the Doge’s Palace, which was home to the Doge of Venice. The Doge was the ruler of the Venetian Republic, and the most powerful person in the city. Just next to the Doge’s Palace is the Ponte dei Sospiri, or “Bridge of Sighs.” This links the interrogation rooms of the Doge’s Palace with the next door prison across the Rio di Palazzo.
Gondola Ride: Now then... Venice is a city of waterways, and no visit to Venice is really complete without a trip on some form of waterborne transportation. If your idea of heaven is a gentle meander down the back waterways of Venice, just the two of you, luxuriating on some pillows while a muscle bound man serenades you.. well.. you’ll sure be able to find an experience approximating that. Although, as with the coffee in St. Mark’s Square, it’s an experience you best keep secret from your savings account. Prices are fixed, and there are gondola stations around the city with signs up showing the price. We recommend having a quick chat with your potential gondolier before boarding to confirm things like route, duration and to confirm the price. Expect to pay $85 for a 25-30 minute private tour in the day, and more at night or for a longer tour. Usually in person prices for the private tours are better value than booking in advance, although at busier times of year booking in advance can save you queuing. Busier locations like around Saint Mark’s Square will have more lines, whilst quieter backstreets will often have no line at all.
26th hotel recommendations:
· $220 Hilton Garden Inn (in Mestre) across from Venice not on the island itself. Easier for your morning departure to the airport and a 10 minute ride over to the main station of Venice. You can arrange an airport transfer for about $18 per person and include breakfast for an additional $20.
OR
· NH Venezia $318-$391 depends on the room chosen. Breakfast additional $15. The morning of 27th welcome pickups lists a transfer from Santa Lucia Station to Marco Polo airport for $90 for 2 passengers; however, you will need to walk the 2 minute with your luggage to Santa Lucia Station.
