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Desperate times call for desperate measures
The train from Rome to Venice | Print |  E-mail
Written by Giuseppe Viola   

The Train Ride from Rome to Venice, The Beauty of Italy

Traveling for the first time by train from Rome to Venice is an exciting experience that you do not want to miss out on. Italy has so much scenic beauty and it would be a shame to skip it, all because of a trip in a rental car or plane.

First time visiting Italy

If it is your very first time traveling to Italy, then taking a train to travel from Rome to Venice is the transportation for you. Even if you've been to Italy several times, the beauty of it's land is timeless and priceless. Visitors who have been to Italy before agree that a train ride is the way to go when traveling from Rome to Venice.

Money Saving Transportation

italian-train-rome-to-veniceWhen you are on vacation the last thing you want to have to worry about is unwanted transportation fees. Renting a car not only will cost money per day, but it will also require you putting in more money for gas. Taking a train ride will save you money on gas, rental fees, and possible accidents that you could be responsible for. Renting a car means you or the person you are with will have to do the driving. There is no way to fully take in the breathless beauty of Italy when you are the one driving. A drive from Rome to Venice could be slightly uncomfortable due to the space of the car.  And since you won't be able to drive within Venice, you will have to leave the car outside the city limits.

A train ride gives you the chance to relax and be taken care of while enjoying the beauty of your surroundings. Plane rides can be extremely pricey, especially if you are traveling with another person. Flying doesn't give you a chance to see the scenery in full detail. Part of a vacation is experiencing the land you are in and appreciating it for what it's worth. Taking a plane ride can be uncomfortable and lack privacy. A train ride is safer and more relaxing as opposed to other means of transportation. Taking a train from Rome to Venice gives you the chance to just sit back and enjoy what your eyes are seeing.

Stress Free Transportation

Taking the train is simple and offers a stress-free environment. Rental cars will take more time and you risk the chance of getting lost. The more time you spend in a rental car, the more money you waste. A train ride would be faster but more comfortable, reliable, and all around better. Choosing a rental car means more stops and unpredictability. A train ride ensures that you are on the right track to going to the place you are trying to get to.

When you rent a car it becomes a hassle because of gas, mileage, and confining space that you can't escape. A train ride means you have the ability to get up, move around, and experience first class service.

Driving laws in Italy

The laws concerning the rules of the road differ in Italy from others and running into a restricted area by accident can leave you with an unwanted fine months later. Taking a train ride gives you a completely different experience that is much more enjoyable then a renting a car and doing it yourself.

Which train station?

From Rome, there are two main stations that you can depart:  Termini and Triburtina.  The Termini station is the one centrally located, and near all the hotels, attractions, ruins, metro (subway station), etc.

The station that you will most likely arrive in Venice will be the Stazione Santa Lucia.

How much will it cost?

The cost of the fare is typically 100 Euros each way.

How long will it take?

The duration of the trip is approximately 4 hours.

Will I have to change trains going from Rome to Venice?

There are times when you will need to change trains in the city of Bologna, (Stazione Bologna Centrale) and you will generally have 5 - 10 minutes between trains.  It is generally enough time to make the change.  Also on the way could be a stop in Florence (Santa Maria Novella) or in Padova.

Conclusion

So if you are planning on going from Rome to Venice, I highly encourage the use of the Italian rail system, as it is efficient, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Buon Viaggio!

 

 
Finding rooms in Rome tips and advice | Print |  E-mail
Written by Jo Linsdell   
Friday, 20 April 2012 01:04

Tips and Advice for Finding a Room in Rome

Rome is one of the top travel destinations in the world and as such hotels are often heavily booked. For the best choice of hotels and prices it's best to book in advance. 
There is a wide choice of accommodations in Rome ranging from luxury hotels to budget B&B's (bed and breakfast) so regardless of your needs you'll have plenty of options to choose from during your stay.

RomaCastelSantAngelo

Where to stay in Rome

When deciding where to stay you ought to consider what you would like to see and do during your visit. Do you want to stick to just the well-known sites of Rome or do you want to be near transport for day trips outside the city?

Central Rome is quite compact and as such most of the city's main tourist attractions can be visited on foot without too much reliance on public transport. However, there are not too many budget hotels and rooms in this part of town.

Staying outside of central Rome will save you money but will obviously be less convenient.
The area around Termini Station is one of the most popular places for tourists to stay. As Rome's main station it is ideal from a mobility point of view but the same charm and atmosphere of other areas of the city and can at times feel rather seedy.

Rome Hotels / Alberghi a Roma

As you would expect from a city that has entertained it's fair share of the worlds rich and famous, Rome has a large number of luxury 5-star hotels. It's worth bearing in mind that a historic building in the heart of an ancient city doesn't tend to lend itself to facilities like swimming pools so if you're after sports facilities, green space or car parking you're better off looking for a hotel outside the city's central district.

Rome offers an assortment of hotels with 3 and 4 stars which tend to be comfortable without being painfully expensive. These are probably you're best option.

Although Rome does offer a selection of good hotels at the lower end of the price scale you should research carefully and check customer reviews before booking as a lot of these are just dodgy cheap hotels with appalling customer service. You really do get what you pay for.
The best budget hotels are small and fully booked well in advance, so if you want a good deal you should plan ahead.

If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Rome, they tend to be located near Via Veneto and near the Villa Borghese.

If being near the nightlife in Rome is appealing and important for you, then you should book near the Trastevere district.

B&B's in Rome

A good alternative to a budget hotel is a B&B. Rome has a large selection of B&B's and, if you don't mind missing out on hotel facilities, often offer more comfort for your money.
B&B accommodation in Rome seems to grow each year and has become a real success story in Italy. Although you may have to make arrangements in advance for checking in and depositing your luggage as staff are not likely to be on site all the time, B&B's tend to offer a more of a "home away from home" atmosphere.

Since B&B's usually have a small number of rooms it's best to book  as early as possible in order to find availability.

Tips for students in Rome

If you are a student and looking for a room, keep in mind that in June, July and August, you will have an easier time, as most students will leave their room after the school term.  In September, when classes start again, there will be a lot of competition for the most-coveted rooms.

Final tips

If you are looking for a traditional hotel, b&b, etc., it's best to book as early as you can.  There are some great options online where you can find a room in Rome and they have pictures, reviews, prices, availability, etc..  You can also look in some of the Italian classified ads if you want to book from a private party, but you should use caution.  Finally you can stop by the Fiumicino (FCO) information kiosk at the airport if you are still looking for that last-minute booking, but you will more than likely pay top Euro for that.  And if you are a backpacker, your best bet for a last-minute booking will be to stay around the Termini area (main train station).

Buon viaggio!

 


 

You may also be interested in seeing the Pope in Rome.

 

 
Italian transportation strikes | Print |  E-mail
Written by Larry Aiello   
Saturday, 14 April 2012 19:02

If you've traveled to Italy to any great extent, you realize that Italian transportation strikes are a real possibility at any time, and can sometimes come unannounced.  This holds true not just for the travel-related industries, but all industries in general.  Often times, the strikes are announced ahead of time and occur according to plan. Other times, they are cancelled at the last minute. The locals are so accustomed to this happening, that they are used to it, even though they do not approve.

Italian vocabulary lesson - strike - sciopero

A couple of strikes to be aware of should your travel take you to Italy in the upcoming weeks:

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Italy train system:  Ferrovie dello Stato or Trenitalia personnel are planning a strike for 24 hours.It will run from from (21:00) 9 PM of April 21st to 9 PM of April 22nd. 

Monday, April 23, 2012

Airline:  Alitalia workers will be on strike for 4 hours on this day starting 12 PM to (16:00) 4 PM.You may want to check with your ticket office to see if this will affect your flight.

Alitalia phone numbers:  USA -800-223-5730 / Canada 1-800-361-8336 / UK only 08714 241 424

 

 
Win a free cookbook of Italian recipes | Print |  E-mail
Written by Larry Aiello   

A chance to win a free book of Italian recipes this Columbus Day Weekend!

I'm giving away a free cookbook to someone that posts a random comment on this blog by the end of Columbus Day (Oct 8th, 2012). The cookbook is Preserving our Italian Heritage and you'll be entered for a chance to win it by posting a comment on any of the posts. It is a nice hard-cover book (this is not an ebook) I will even pay shipping and handling.

Basically, I will draw a randmom number to correspond with a comment.

The more comments you post, the more chance you have to win....Good luck!

The winner will be posted on this page.

Thank you, grazie mille!

Last Updated on Saturday, 06 October 2012 20:58
 
Rent a car in Rome Italy Tips and Advice | Print |  E-mail
Written by Larry Aiello   

Looking to rent a car in Rome, Italy?  Here are some tips and advice to help you with your Italian vacation.

trevi-fountain-rome-italy_x700Rome is the largest city in Italy and the country's capital. Home to many world famous attractions, the city is constantly on everybody's list as a popular tourist destination.   With that popularity brings a lot of tourists in an already crowded city.  For that reason, I generally don't recommend renting a car in Rome if you are wanting to see the sights around the center of Rome's attractions including Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Trastevere, The Vatican Museum, etc.  The city has an excellent transportation system of buses, trains and even a metro (subway) system, that can get you around pretty easily and inexpensively.

In addition, the roads are poorly surfaced, you will spend a lot of time in traffic jams, gasoline prices are expensive, and you will spend a lot of time trying to find a space to park.

When to rent a car in Rome?

However, there are times when a car rental in Rome can make sense.   If you don't care about the above disadvantages, it can be a good way to explore the Eternal City and its periphery during the low season when Rome is generally less crowded.  This includes October through December (excluding the holidays), and the winter months.  With your rental car in Rome, you can explore everything from the main tourist sites in the centre of the city to those slightly further out.

If you plan on doing a lot of day trips from Rome, then it may also make sense for a car rental.  It may also make sense if you plan on seeing a lot of Italy during your trip.

The advantages of renting an auto in Rome

rome-car-rentalAn obvious advantage is the freedom renting a car can provide. You can see it all at your own pace. You're also not limited to what the city centre has to offer (although there is plenty to keep you busy) and so when you've had enough of Rome's splendor you can check out nearby towns like Tivoli with the amazingly beautiful Villa D'Este and Orvieto, a magnificent hill-town in the region of Umbria.

Alternatively you can venture further out and head down to Naples or up to Florence.

You can also break up your holiday by visiting more than one destination. A rental car also gives you the opportunity to easily access adjacent countries like France, Switzerland or Austria.

Requirements for Italian car rental

You will need to be at least 25 years of age for most rental companies, although some will rent to you if you are over the age of 18, but that number is quickly diminishing.   In addition, you need to have an international driver's license before your trip. If you are in the United States, you can procure one from your local AAA office. There is also required insurance coverage as well as optional insurance that you may purchase.

What companies rent cars in Rome?

There is a huge selection of car rental companies in Rome to choose from. 
Some of the best known companies are:

  • Maggiore
  • Hertz
  • EasyCar
  • AutoEurope
  • Europcar

Alternatively you can use a car rental service like the Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO) Car Rental Comparison situated at one of Rome's main airports. They can compare the rates of all major and independent car hire vendors in Rome and then you just need to select your preferred automobile type.

Where can you pick up an auto-rental in Rome?

At both main airports, Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino - FCO) and Ciampino (CIA), you will find various car rental options. There are also a large variety of car rental companies through out the city.

Other tips

  • Seatbelts are required to be worn at all times
  • No right on red is allowed in Italy
  • Driving while using a cell phone is prohibited, unless using a hands-free device
  • Baby seats are required for those under the age of three

So if you want to rent a car in Rome, Italy - I recommend Auto Europe as they often will have free GPS available if you rent a car from them.  Many of my site visitors have had positive experiences with their services.

 

Related Links:

How to spend 3 days in Rome

Should I rent a moped in Italy?

 
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