Day Trips from Rome
There are many sights around Rome that can easily be visited by leaving early in the morning and arriving back in Rome in time for dinner. On Thursday (April 14th) an optional "Day Trip" from Rome is listed on the itinerary. It is up to each individual to decide if they would like to "day trip" out of Rome that day or spend the day on your own in Rome. There are several options to choose from and I have listed only a few. These are only suggestions, and none of these day trips have been scheduled, but any of them can be easily arranged:
Florence Highlights
No trip to Italy is complete without a visit to Florence, the city that gave birth to the Renaissance. Travel by train or private driver for a full-day tour, with beautiful Tuscan scenery along the way and crossing the famous wine-growing valley of Chianti before arriving in Florence. Arrangements can be made to discover the city of Florence on your own or with a tour guide. TO BE CONTINUED... (sights, etc.)
Tuscany - Wine Tasting
Travel by train or private driver to one of the medieval hilltop villages of Tuscany or to the Chianti region for a wine tasting tour. There are many options to choose from for this day long tour including the walled city of Siena with its famous medieval palio racetrack, San Gimignano with its ancient towers, or Montepulciano and Cortona - the setting for the movie Under the Tuscan Sun - to sample their wines, cheeses, salami, olive oils and other local specialties. Lunch can be arranged at one of the wineries or in one of the ancient Tuscan villages.
Naples, Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Tour
Discover history, art and archeology on this day trip to the Gulf of Naples where Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., burying the town of Pompeii and leaving it almost completely intact. This is a full-day tour traveling along the "Highway of the Sun" through medieval villages to the historic center of Naples. Visit the sites of Naples before continuing your journey passing Mt. Vesuvius (Europe's only activie volcano) and arriving at the ancient city of Pompeii. A local guide will take you on a walking tour of the ancient ruins of the city that was buried when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. leaving the city almost entirely intact. You can walk Pompeii's main streets past once-buried shops, residences, restaurants and brothels just as the ancient Romans did almost 2000 years ago. On your journey back to Rome a tour can be arranged of one of the local coral or cameo factories where these ancient crafts are still practied. Lunch can be arranged in Naples in the world famous pizzeria where the original margherita pizza was invented, or at Pompeii. Another important historical fact for this entire area - this area is the original home of the Bolino (Boleeno) and Auricchio families (our grandparents families!).
Ancient Ostia
This half-day trip will take you along the sea road to Rome's historic port at Ostia to view the historic ruins of this port city and get a glimps of daily life in ancient Rome. Ostia was Rome's flourishing trade and business center until it was invaded by the Barbarians. Archaeologic excavations in the 14th Century have brought this ancient city back to life and a walk through the ruins will provide insights into the cultural and social life of this historic settlement. You will arrive back in Rome in time to enjoy the rest of the day and evening on your own.
Amalfi Coast (Sorrento, Positano, Capri)
Ancient Catacombs
Assisi
Hardian's Villa and Villa d'Este
Florence Highlights
No trip to Italy is complete without a visit to Florence, the city that gave birth to the Renaissance. Travel by train or private driver for a full-day tour, with beautiful Tuscan scenery along the way and crossing the famous wine-growing valley of Chianti before arriving in Florence. Arrangements can be made to discover the city of Florence on your own or with a tour guide. TO BE CONTINUED... (sights, etc.)
Tuscany - Wine Tasting
Travel by train or private driver to one of the medieval hilltop villages of Tuscany or to the Chianti region for a wine tasting tour. There are many options to choose from for this day long tour including the walled city of Siena with its famous medieval palio racetrack, San Gimignano with its ancient towers, or Montepulciano and Cortona - the setting for the movie Under the Tuscan Sun - to sample their wines, cheeses, salami, olive oils and other local specialties. Lunch can be arranged at one of the wineries or in one of the ancient Tuscan villages.
Naples, Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Tour
Discover history, art and archeology on this day trip to the Gulf of Naples where Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., burying the town of Pompeii and leaving it almost completely intact. This is a full-day tour traveling along the "Highway of the Sun" through medieval villages to the historic center of Naples. Visit the sites of Naples before continuing your journey passing Mt. Vesuvius (Europe's only activie volcano) and arriving at the ancient city of Pompeii. A local guide will take you on a walking tour of the ancient ruins of the city that was buried when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. leaving the city almost entirely intact. You can walk Pompeii's main streets past once-buried shops, residences, restaurants and brothels just as the ancient Romans did almost 2000 years ago. On your journey back to Rome a tour can be arranged of one of the local coral or cameo factories where these ancient crafts are still practied. Lunch can be arranged in Naples in the world famous pizzeria where the original margherita pizza was invented, or at Pompeii. Another important historical fact for this entire area - this area is the original home of the Bolino (Boleeno) and Auricchio families (our grandparents families!).
Ancient Ostia
This half-day trip will take you along the sea road to Rome's historic port at Ostia to view the historic ruins of this port city and get a glimps of daily life in ancient Rome. Ostia was Rome's flourishing trade and business center until it was invaded by the Barbarians. Archaeologic excavations in the 14th Century have brought this ancient city back to life and a walk through the ruins will provide insights into the cultural and social life of this historic settlement. You will arrive back in Rome in time to enjoy the rest of the day and evening on your own.
Amalfi Coast (Sorrento, Positano, Capri)
Ancient Catacombs
Assisi
Hardian's Villa and Villa d'Este
Estimated Expenses
This is a general guide to estimated expenses. These expenses do not include the cost of airline tickets, and everyone will be responsible for making their own airline travel arrangements. The following estimates include hotel, local transportation, food and scheduled tours. They do not include any personal expenses such as purchasing gifts and souvenirs, tips, expensive meals, wine/drinks, or additional tours, gondola rides, or museum or other ticket purchases not included as part of our itinerary.
One more important thing to consider is that these costs are in Euros, not dollars. The current conversion rate is a little better than it has been due to some financial difficulties currently being experienced throughout Europe, but the dollar is still not doing well against the Euro, and the exchange rates change daily.
According to Rick Steves Rome guidebooks, he estimates spending approximately 100 Euros a day, per person for daily expenses. This includes a medium-range hotel based on two person occupancy, meals at local trattorias or small cafes, subway/bus tickets, and an occasional gelato or two! Obviously Rome and Venice will be more expensive than Teramo and Velletri, so the 100 Euros a day is based on an average of the entire trip.
Gary and I will be making hotel suggestions, but some of you may have travel points or may have other hotel preferences, so the hotel expenses will vary per individual so there is a wider range of prices in this category. Again, these prices are based on per person for double occupancy, so even if you are a couple you have to consider the per person price when estimating your expenses. In the same way, if you are a single traveler you have to consider a larger expense if you prefer not to share a room. Please see the "Hotels/Accommodations" page for more information about hotels in each of the cities that we will be visiting.
Based on the information above, here is a very general estimated list of expenses PER PERSON for 10 days (2 of the 12 days are travel days):
Airfare: On Your Own
Hotels: 500 - 1000 Euros (per person, double occupancy, depending on whether apartment or hotel and hotel rating)
Daily Expenses: 500 Euros (food, local travel, misc.)
Note: the two expenses above (hotels and daily) is the suggested 100 Euro a day cost based on the lower range of hotel price)
Orientation Tour of Rome (optional): 40 Euros
Orientation Tour of Venice (optional): 40 Euros
Private Driver to Teramo: 60 Euros
Train Tickets: 150 Euros (Teramo to Venice; Venice to Rome; Rome to Velletri)
Transport from Velletri to Airport: 40 Euros
Additional Tours (optional): TBD - Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour and Colosseum/Roman Forum Tour - depending on interest and how many people will be going on each tour.
Please use this as an estimated guide ONLY. Personal tastes and interests vary, so please consider your individual requirements.
Gary and I have been working hard to try to plan a great trip at an economical cost. Europe, and especially Italy, can be very expensive but we think that what we have to offer competes with the best tour group prices! But we are always open to any suggestions or other recommendations!
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