Hello, I am new to your forum and have been going through some of your posts...
I was wondering if any of you might have some tips for a trip for my boyfriend and I. In the beginning of June, we have 6 days in Venice, then a train ride to Rome, where we will be for 4 days. We have never been to Italy at all. We do want to take our time to enjoy the areas we visit, but don't want to miss any great things that are just around the corner. The only thing we have decided for sure is that we want to ride a gondola boat! We do enjoy good food (and he enjoys good wine). I am very interested in seeing architechture and art, and in learning about local cultures or festivals that might be taking place around early June.
I have read earlier posts about ideas for similar trips, but I thought I would also give a try asking for myself. You all seem so friendly on this site!
Also, I was wondering about adapters to bring for the trip. I was thinking about getting this set of adapters: http://international-electrical-supplies.com/italy-plug-adapters.html When I look at my plugs for the small electronics I want to bring, it says "input:100-240V~50/60Hz." Based on this, these adapters are enough, and I do not need to get a transformer/voltage converter, right?
We were in Venice early June last year for a week and it was fantastic. Weather mild but a few late afternoon thunderstorms.
You will find much on this site and other sites about Venice so read and absorb. The Lonely Planet guide is a good reference to various walks because you have to do a lot of walking. Walk as much as you can through the various parts and you will come across heaps of interesting things about day to day life in Venice.
There are many must sees and lonely planet covers these well.
Take a day trip on the water bus down the Grand Canal and out to Murano and Burano. See the glass blowing and the colorfull houses.
Also go on the water bus at night to see the lights. See if you can find the skull.
Book a visit time to the St Marks Basillica about midday because the lights will be on inside. I think they are only on for about 1-2 hours.
Go to the market near the Rialto.
Have your gondola ride, but tell your boyfriend to have plenty of money, very expensive.
Have a look at the cafes around St Marks Square and Harrys bar nearby but also very expensive.
See the Doges Palace and Guggenheim museum near the Accademia bridge. And cross the Grand Canal on a Traghetto or more.
Have a light lunch or many sitting outside in one of the many cafes around the different squares and the mandatory afternoon glass of wine.
I am sure other people will give you names of good restaurants, there are so many.
It should not be too crowded early June so have a great time. But I don't think there are any festivals on then.
I am not sure what country you are from but the local voltage is 220v. If you are similar then all you need is the two pin adaptor. If you are lower you will need a step down voltage adaptor.
Posts: 329 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 16 January 2007
Couldn't agree more with the above. Been there last OCtober and it was simply lovely. Its my third time in Venice so yes do prepare yourself for plenty to see, loads to walk and heaps of money to spend ... you will be needing it.
Rome on the otherhand is another experience ... its just full of arts and culture at every corner.I would suggest that you purchase the guide book - Rome and the Vatican City for 10euros which fully explains all the highlights in Rome. Most museums have audio guides(have a photo ID available as deposit). Audio guides vary from 4 to 8 euros.In Rome upon arrival buy metro tickets for 3 days 11 euros each (days are counted by dates and not by hours so dont use it late at night the first time as you would miss the whole day.) Mostly all important sites are easily reachable by metro. Metro closes at 21.00 hrs but buses work late till abt 24.00 hrs.
By the way have you thought of getting a flight out from Venice to Rome, it only cost us 12euros one way for 2 flights with ryanair (www.ryanair.com)while train is about 90 euros each. For trains check trenitalia.com.
Well the rest is how I spent my 3 days in rome hope you find them useful :
A minimum of 4 hrs each are needed for the Vatican and the Vatican Museums. Yes quite a lot off riches, art and history to see. Highlights Piazza Navona with the lovely church of St Agnes, Piazza di Spagna and Trevi Fountain (cherry on my cake) Castel Sant Angelo. We arrived in Rome Thurs at abt 11am and left Sat at 15pm and we spent our 3(2)days as follows DAY 1 pm Noon - Vatican musuem, Piazza Navona & St Agnes church Piazza the Spagna and Trevi Fountain at night time. Day 2 - Vatican, Castel Sant Angelo, walk along the river Tevere till the 1st metro stop and off to the Coliseum area. Took a glimpse of the Coliseum but we did not enter it as we had been there the year before but walked through all the Roman Remains there. At night again we ended up in Trevi area we ate there and we really enjoyed it. Day 3 - Piazza Republica, followed by the 2 churches Santa Maria degli Angeli and St Maria Maggiore. Afternoon off to Venice
Hope you find the above useful Do enjoy it and have fun
Originally posted by euronoob: Also, I was wondering about adapters to bring for the trip. I was thinking about getting this set of adapters: http://international-electrical-supplies.com/italy-plug-adapters.html When I look at my plugs for the small electronics I want to bring, it says "input:100-240V~50/60Hz." Based on this, these adapters are enough, and I do not need to get a transformer/voltage converter, right?
Thanks!
Hi, euronoob. Welcome to Slow Travel forums. I don't know how much you have read over on the main site, but here is the page regarding electronics. Instuctions for visitors...bringing your electronics to Europe Based on the information you provided, you should only need the plug adapter. That was all I needed while I was there.
Cindy ~ "Follow your Bliss." Find where it is, and don't be afraid to follow it. ~ Joseph Campbell
Posts: 767 | Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA | Registered: 16 November 2005
When I look at my plugs for the small electronics I want to bring, it says "input:100-240V~50/60Hz." Based on this, these adapters are enough, and I do not need to get a transformer/voltage converter, right?
Does your actual appliance say this or just the the plugs?
Your appliance must be able to operate on 220v 50 Hz for it to work properly. If you are looking at a "plug" that is integral to the appliance then you should be OK once you get the right socket adapter (plug adapter)
An adapter plug can be "rated" to handle the higher voltage but won't produce the proper voltage for you appliance. If you appliance (hair dryer, laptop computer, Cell phone charger IPod charge, curling Iron) lists the voltage as being able to handle the 220 volts, (110-240v will handle it) then all you should need is the adapter that change from the "parallel spade" plugs used in the US (Are you from North America?) to the "parallel round post" used in Italy.
You should also know that many electrical adjacent to the lavoratory will NOT work (because of amperage restrictions) for high load appliances (hair dryer, curling iron, etc). You will have to find an electrical outlet not in the bathroom for these items.
to Fibonacci - my ipod plug, and my camera battery charger body (not just the plug) say "input:100-240V~50/60Hz."
If there are any more suggestions anyone wants to give, please do share! I am from Hawaii and New York; he is from Philadelphia and New York. So parts of Italy that are a lot like Hawaii, Philadelphia, and New York will probably be the least novel to us!
Buy the book- Chow Venice it was written by two of our board members and is recognized as the best food guide to venice by many people here. It's available on Amazon.
Wine bars are a great way to sample wines. Chow lists several.
Do you have accomodations? I always stayed in hotels for short stays but apartments are now much more economical in Venice. "Ours" is nice I think.
Robert, I couldn't find a map on the site for this apartment. Where is it located? Also, do you know if they rent it for less than a week?
Sharon J
In is in San Polo adjacent to the San Toma vaporetto stop and close to the trageto (sp?) that crosses to san marco. Yes this August/Sept we are renting for 3 days on the way in and 4 on the way out. About 110/120 euro/night depending on how many days you rent.Less/night on a weekly basis of course.
In is in San Polo adjacent to the San Toma vaporetto stop and close to the trageto (sp?) that crosses to san marco. Yes this August/Sept we are renting for 3 days on the way in and 4 on the way out. About 110/120 euro/night depending on how many days you rent.Less/night on a weekly basis of course.
Thanks Robert, I see it now.
Sharon J
Posts: 618 | Location: Houston, TX USA | Registered: 01 November 2003
I second the motion on getting "Chow Venice", especially since you will there for nearly a week. Also, take the short train ride out to Padua to see Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel. A must see for art lovers. And Padua is a sweet little place. You may also want to check out Verona which is also on that train line, I believe. All in all maybe a half day trip.......enjoy, ciao, Cheryl
