Even with a chance of light showers, it looks like we should have mild weather, perfect for a trip sure to include a lot of schlepping.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
October Weather in Italy - Likelihood of Acqua Alta in Venice
We are now close enough to our grand voyage that weather predictions are available -- yeah! Predictions range with a high of 70 and low of 50 in each of the cities and chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms, which means the Daybreak Hugheses will be bringing jackets and umbrellas but no real cold weather clothes.
Additionally, Venice has been experiencing scattered showers throughout the week and, with showers the likelihood of Acqua Alta increases. Venice for You has a page that predicts the likelihood of flooding for any given day and I'll be watching this site over the next two weeks. Currently, Venice is experiencing intense tides which means that the water level is between 90 and 100 cm above standard sea level. At 100 cm up to 5% of the city may be flooded for some portion of the day. If the forecast predicts that the water levels may go above 120 cm "very intense" the Venetians set out wooden planks for easier transport around the city.
Even with a chance of light showers, it looks like we should have mild weather, perfect for a trip sure to include a lot of schlepping.
Even with a chance of light showers, it looks like we should have mild weather, perfect for a trip sure to include a lot of schlepping.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Italy Packing List
This morning Rob and I were talking about what kind of reference "materials" we'll be bringing to Italy. "Cause we're that dorky. And I thought it would be useful to y'all to know what I'll be bringing since, as Rob put it, if I fell off the vaporetti in Venice and drowned on day one the rest of you would have a tough time continuing the vacation. I'm sure after sending me to my appropriately Venetian watery grave that is. Good thing swimming is my only athletic strength right, so no trying to pull a fast one with the elbow to commandeer the vacation agenda.
In addition to my general packing list, which I of course will also post, I will be bringing:
In addition to my general packing list, which I of course will also post, I will be bringing:
- Maps for every city
- Airline confirmations for everyone flying out of Utah
- Hotel check-in information for Venice, Florence, and Rome
- Vouchers for transport between cities
- Confirmation numbers for vaporetti tickets
- Vouchers for tickets to various museums
- Confirmation to Musica Palazzo Opera
- A rough info packet for everyone on what is officially "booked"
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Venice by Night and Tips for Getting Around
Found a few useful bits for Venice, which is infamously difficult to navigate.
Also, came across this bit by Rick Steves' and really enjoyed it, thought I'd share:
Venice by Night
By Rick Steves
While Venice's splendid decay is undeniably charming by day, you must experience Venice after dark. The city is quiet at night, as tour groups stay in the cheaper hotels of Mestre on the mainland, and the masses of daytrippers return to their beach resorts and cruise ships.
Do what you must to reserve energy for evening: Take a nap, or skip a few sights during the day. When the sun goes down, a cool breeze blows in from the lagoon, the lanterns come on, the peeling plaster glows in the moonlight, and Venice resumes its position as Europe's most romantic city.Though Venice comes alive after dark, it does not party into the wee hours. By 10 p.m., restaurants are winding down; by 11 p.m., many bars are closing; and by midnight, the city is shut tight.
Evenings are made for wandering — even Venice's dark and distant back lanes are considered very safe after nightfall. Enjoy the orchestras on St. Mark's Square. Experience Vivaldi's Four Seasons in a candlelit 17th-century church. Pop into small bars for an appetizer and a drink. Lick gelato. As during the day, it's the city itself that is the star. But Venice under a cloak of darkness has an extra dose of magic and mystery — the ambience that has attracted visitors since the days of Casanova.
Here are some hints for soaking up the city after-hours.
The local way to spend an evening is to simply enjoy a slow and late dinner in a romantic canalside or piazza setting. Caffè Florian, on St. Mark's Square, is the most famous Venetian café and one of the first places in Europe to serve coffee. It has been the place for a discreet rendezvous in Venice since 1720. Today, it's most famous for its outdoor seating and orchestra (see below), but do walk inside through the richly decorated, 18th-century rooms where Casanova, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, and Woody Allen have all paid too much for a drink.
Just being in St. Mark's Square after dark is a thrill, as dueling café orchestras entertain. Every night, enthusiastic musicians play the same songs, creating the same irresistible magic. Hang out for free behind the tables (which allows you to easily move on to the next orchestra when the musicians take a break) or spring for a seat and enjoy a fun and gorgeously set concert. If you sit a while, it can be €15-20 well spent. Dancing on the square is free (and encouraged).
For a relaxing glide under the moon, take a gondola ride. Although they cost lots more after dark, this is a traditional must for romantics. You can divide the cost — and the romance — among up to six people per boat. Note that only two seats (the ones in back) are side by side.
Also, came across this bit by Rick Steves' and really enjoyed it, thought I'd share:
Venice by Night
By Rick Steves
While Venice's splendid decay is undeniably charming by day, you must experience Venice after dark. The city is quiet at night, as tour groups stay in the cheaper hotels of Mestre on the mainland, and the masses of daytrippers return to their beach resorts and cruise ships.
Do what you must to reserve energy for evening: Take a nap, or skip a few sights during the day. When the sun goes down, a cool breeze blows in from the lagoon, the lanterns come on, the peeling plaster glows in the moonlight, and Venice resumes its position as Europe's most romantic city.Though Venice comes alive after dark, it does not party into the wee hours. By 10 p.m., restaurants are winding down; by 11 p.m., many bars are closing; and by midnight, the city is shut tight.
Evenings are made for wandering — even Venice's dark and distant back lanes are considered very safe after nightfall. Enjoy the orchestras on St. Mark's Square. Experience Vivaldi's Four Seasons in a candlelit 17th-century church. Pop into small bars for an appetizer and a drink. Lick gelato. As during the day, it's the city itself that is the star. But Venice under a cloak of darkness has an extra dose of magic and mystery — the ambience that has attracted visitors since the days of Casanova.
Here are some hints for soaking up the city after-hours.
The local way to spend an evening is to simply enjoy a slow and late dinner in a romantic canalside or piazza setting. Caffè Florian, on St. Mark's Square, is the most famous Venetian café and one of the first places in Europe to serve coffee. It has been the place for a discreet rendezvous in Venice since 1720. Today, it's most famous for its outdoor seating and orchestra (see below), but do walk inside through the richly decorated, 18th-century rooms where Casanova, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, and Woody Allen have all paid too much for a drink.
Just being in St. Mark's Square after dark is a thrill, as dueling café orchestras entertain. Every night, enthusiastic musicians play the same songs, creating the same irresistible magic. Hang out for free behind the tables (which allows you to easily move on to the next orchestra when the musicians take a break) or spring for a seat and enjoy a fun and gorgeously set concert. If you sit a while, it can be €15-20 well spent. Dancing on the square is free (and encouraged).
For a relaxing glide under the moon, take a gondola ride. Although they cost lots more after dark, this is a traditional must for romantics. You can divide the cost — and the romance — among up to six people per boat. Note that only two seats (the ones in back) are side by side.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Fiesole, evening in the tuscan hillside above Florence
As an option during our free day, or any evening really, in Tuscany we can take a bus to Fiesole to watch the sunset over Tuscany. Fiesole can be reached by car or bus, and also on foot along narrow walled roads past numerous villas and the area where Leonardo DaVinci conducted his flying experiments.
Reaching Fiesole by bus
The ATAF Florence city bus to Fiesole is Number 7 which runs about every half an hour until almost midnight from the Santa Maria Novella train station. This 25 minute ride arrives and departs from the town square Piazza Mino de Fiesole. The late bus scheduled makes it possible to stay in Fiesole for sunset and dinner. The bus line starts at the SMN main railway station in Florence.
Fiesole, A Brief History
per http://fiesole.com/
Fiesole is of Etruscan origin, and was probably founded in the 9 C BC and was then conquered by the Romans in 283 BC. Under Roman rule, it became the seat of a famous school of augurs, and every year twelve young men were sent here from Rome to study the art of divination.
During the Gothic War (536-53) Fiesole was besieged several times and in 539 Justinus, the Byzantine general, captured it and razed its fortifications. In the early Middle Ages, Fiesole was more powerful than Florence in the valley below, and many wars arose between them. In 1010 and 1025 Fiesole was sacked by the Florentines, and its leading families obliged to take up their residence in Florence.
Reaching Fiesole by bus
The ATAF Florence city bus to Fiesole is Number 7 which runs about every half an hour until almost midnight from the Santa Maria Novella train station. This 25 minute ride arrives and departs from the town square Piazza Mino de Fiesole. The late bus scheduled makes it possible to stay in Fiesole for sunset and dinner. The bus line starts at the SMN main railway station in Florence.
 |
| Piazza Mino de Fiesole |
per http://fiesole.com/
Fiesole is of Etruscan origin, and was probably founded in the 9 C BC and was then conquered by the Romans in 283 BC. Under Roman rule, it became the seat of a famous school of augurs, and every year twelve young men were sent here from Rome to study the art of divination.
During the Gothic War (536-53) Fiesole was besieged several times and in 539 Justinus, the Byzantine general, captured it and razed its fortifications. In the early Middle Ages, Fiesole was more powerful than Florence in the valley below, and many wars arose between them. In 1010 and 1025 Fiesole was sacked by the Florentines, and its leading families obliged to take up their residence in Florence.
 |
| View of Tusany from Fiesole |
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Venice Connected Vaporetti Tickets
I've purchased our Venice Connected Vaporetti Tickets. To validate the tickets we'll need the PNR for each reservation:
Rob & Stacy: J3V6YVL
Tom & Kris: R46ZW6I
Amy & Brad: VAKI2HF
Dean & Kathy: ZM5UYQC
To use the electronic tickets we need to validate the reservation number at a Venice Connected automatic ticket point at the Santa Lucia train station, next to our hotel. To validate the tickets we just follow the instructions on the touchscreens at the ticket machine. The tickets are then valid for 72 hours on all Vaporetti within Venice and to the outer islands.
Rob & Stacy: J3V6YVL
Tom & Kris: R46ZW6I
Amy & Brad: VAKI2HF
Dean & Kathy: ZM5UYQC
To use the electronic tickets we need to validate the reservation number at a Venice Connected automatic ticket point at the Santa Lucia train station, next to our hotel. To validate the tickets we just follow the instructions on the touchscreens at the ticket machine. The tickets are then valid for 72 hours on all Vaporetti within Venice and to the outer islands.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Museum Tickets in Advance
Sorry it's taken me a while to get this finalized. Here are the tour tickets we'd want to purchase in advance so that we can skip the lines:
Venice Doge's Palace English Tour: Thursday, October 14 - 9:55 AM Tour, $25 per person
Venice Basilica San Marco Tour: Thursday, October 14 - 12:05 PM Tour, $2 per person
Florence Academy (David) Gallery: Sunday, October 17 - 8:15 AM Tour, $26 per person
Florence Uffizi Gallery: Sunday, October 17 - 5:00 PM Tour, $26 per person
Rome Vatican Museum: Thursday, October 21 - 8:00 AM Tour, $25 per person
If you want me to book tickets for you to some (or all) of these venues just send me a check, and let me know if you don't want tickets for one of these options.
Our address:
10762 S. Navarro Way
South Jordan, Utah 84095
Venice Doge's Palace English Tour: Thursday, October 14 - 9:55 AM Tour, $25 per person
Venice Basilica San Marco Tour: Thursday, October 14 - 12:05 PM Tour, $2 per person
Florence Academy (David) Gallery: Sunday, October 17 - 8:15 AM Tour, $26 per person
Florence Uffizi Gallery: Sunday, October 17 - 5:00 PM Tour, $26 per person
Rome Vatican Museum: Thursday, October 21 - 8:00 AM Tour, $25 per person
If you want me to book tickets for you to some (or all) of these venues just send me a check, and let me know if you don't want tickets for one of these options.
Our address:
10762 S. Navarro Way
South Jordan, Utah 84095
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