Italy. First tour experience
In my story, I will not describe the sights, retell the history of Ancient Rome, I will simply try to convey the general impressions of the trip and warn of possible difficulties, a kind of reminder for beginners. Experienced travelers may be amused, but for beginners it may be useful.
So, the most important thing - never plan excursions for the summer! The heat greatly interferes with perception, and such as has been established in Europe this summer, especially. We knew about it, but circumstances arose: my husband had a vacation, the children grew up, and they can be left with their grandparents, I wanted to spend time together... the period of falling in love has already passed years....twenty years ago, and lying on the beach, admiring each other is boring, they decided to "conquer" Europe, in particular Italy. At first, they developed an independent trip, but it turned out that through a tour operator it was cheaper than they used it. We bought a tour for the week "New Classical Italy" in Tui, route Rimini (1 night) - Venice - Florence (2 nights) - Rome (3 nights) - Rimini (1 night). The meeting party is Gartour.
This is our first trip to Europe. The travel agency warned us that the hotels there are noticeably inferior to the Turkish-Egyptian ones (we mean accessible to mere mortals), and in Rimini you should not be surprised at all. We were hardly surprised. Rimini is a typical resort region, where for many kilometers hotels and hotels, restaurants and cafes, shops and shops stretch in several rows. And all this is overflowing with half-naked bodies. The owners of these establishments, as it seemed to us, do not really bother themselves with repairs, updates, and service. People are already carrying money.
We were accommodated in the Saxon 3* hotel. Someone will say: "Just think, one night... just sleep. " It's true. But in the forty-degree heat, this turned out to be a serious test for us... The room is clean, and this is its main advantage. Small, just tiny (we got one), 9 meters, a double bed is out of the question))). Bathroom: everything is there, even a bidet. But if you feel the urge to go to the toilet after taking a shower, you will have to "swim" to the toilet, because. the shower is an area enclosed by a curtain with a hole in the floor right in the middle of the bathroom, and of course, the water does not drain very well. In short, terribly uncomfortable. It’s +40 outside, I want coolness, there is a refrigerator and air conditioning, only 5 euros per day for air conditioning and 3 for a refrigerator. It’s not that it’s a pity to pay, but it’s a shame or something (((. They would take money for air. Of course, we solved these issues without money))), I think many Russians do this with their hands. Breakfast is hard to describe. Was he? In short, for one night it can and will do, but if for several days, then I DO NOT ADVISE! It is very expensive (taking into account also the tax of 1.5 euros per day per person) and not comfortable.
The guide escorting us from the airport warned us not to pay with 500 euro bills, because the vast majority of Europeans have never seen such money, problems may arise. And it was necessary for this to happen - we have only such, and as many as 7! euros in small change, of which 3 were immediately given away in the hotel tourist tax. The first feeling is panic, it's already evening, and banks are open in Italy until 12.30!! ! The escort reassured us that we would exchange it for the purchase of additional excursions, and the next day they did so. And now? I want to eat. . . Card! Hooray!! ! But to our surprise and indignation of the stomachs, there were no cafes in the area where they would accept cards. That doesn't mean they don't exist, we just got unlucky. Our salvation was a nearby supermarket, where we stocked up on delicious sausages, chic bread, inexpensive but delicious wine. And they arranged an excellent dinner in the room, already chilled by that time.
Our size )))
Of course, we then walked along the embankment, but there were no special impressions, because pretty tired, and in the morning we had to move to Venice.
Italian breakfast
The way to Venice was 2.5-3 hours, I think. During this time, it was necessary to decide on additional excursions for the whole week. We did it back in Moscow, having received the tour program. For some reason, many didn't. Looking ahead, I’ll say that we spent a little less than 500 euros for two on excursions. We were accompanied throughout the week by a cheerful, talkative young woman with a very positive attitude. It's good that she was talkative, but often in the stream of her chatter the necessary information was lost - what, where, when, why and why. It was a little annoying and annoying, because even to a specific question, it was not always and not immediately possible to get a clear answer))).
Venice itself is a beautiful and interesting museum city. But we didn't fall in love with him. You should definitely visit it, at least in order to say "I was there, I saw... ". I almost forgot, if you are going on a sightseeing tour, be sure to buy headphones from the organizer with a special device for better hearing of the guide. A very handy thing. It is not clear why they do not immediately include these 15 euros in the price and simply do not give out these headphones at the beginning of the trip. So, our escort could not clearly explain to us why they are needed. To be honest, we, out of our ignorance, thought that it was listening to a previously recorded text, hee-hee-hee. Therefore, our sightseeing tour of Venice came down to chasing the guide through narrow streets clogged with people, of course, most of the interesting information was missed (((.
Venice
On the same day, we were to move to Florence, or rather to the suburbs - the town of Montecatini. On the way, an unpleasant incident happened - the bus engine overheated, the cabin was quickly filled with smoke. I had to evacuate quickly. The driver ran around the bus not knowing how to use the fire extinguisher. The escort chattered all sorts of nonsense, which, in my opinion, created additional fuss. It is good that our men quickly organized themselves and, lining up in a "chain", unloaded the luggage compartment. Well, they showed the driver how to activate the fire extinguisher. After 1.5 hours another bus arrived. For us, this accident or misfortune turned into a lack of dinner, because. I didn’t have the strength to leave the room in search of food, and I didn’t have time either, in the morning it’s too early to get up again to conquer the next sights.
In Montecatini, we had to spend two nights at the Le Fonti 3 * hotel (tax 4 euros per day). A small nice hotel (especially after Rimini), with all the amenities in the room, only the refrigerator did not work))), they were not going to fix it, they refused to change it))). We can live without it, of course, we will not melt. But you really want cold water after a whole day of walking in the heat. And if you really swear, then why does the hotel not provide the declared services? And in this place I just hear the indignation of many readers, "They got drunk. They can't spend the night without a refrigerator. Well, etc. " Do not swear, we can, and in a tent in the forest we can, and without a tent, if it is provided. And for the sake of order, we were indignant and cooled our drinks in the sink under a stream of cold water.
Instead of a refrigerator)))
In the morning we went to Pisa. This turned out to be much more interesting than I expected. Pisa is not only a tower, but a very ancient and peculiar (there is a lot of falling) town.
Pisa
I really wanted to take a walk, but the organizers left only 30 minutes of free time, only had time to eat ice cream. Then to Florence, where before the sightseeing tour there was an hour of free time, which could just be used in Pisa, because after the sightseeing there were again 2 hours of "freedom".
Florence is a most beautiful city, and, of course, a separate trip will have to be devoted to it. Let's hope))).
Florence
Horses love ice cream too
Montecatini Terme is a small town, a thermal resort. It's nice to walk along the quiet streets, which we did in the evening. We even managed to get a little lost. We left the hotel in the morning. The whole group went to Florence, from there already on their excursions or just wandering around the city. And we decided to stay in Montecatini, but by 15 o’clock we had to be at the Duomo in Florence. We examined the Terme, unfortunately tourists are allowed inside only from 11.00, and we were already there at 9 o’clock. But on the very first flight we went up to the historical part of the town - Alto (I don’t remember how many meters) by funicular, There were very few tourists, which added more more pleasure to this "attraction". 7 euros for "round trip" - a great price! For this money, firstly, you will get to the historical center - Montecatini Alto, and secondly, you will simply enjoy the breathtaking views. I recommend for a more "breathtaking" trip to use the open platform in front of the trailer, it's not at all scary, even funny, especially when these two trailers Jijo and Jija meet and part in the middle of the way. Well, the very realization that this is the oldest functioning funicular, which has been operating since 1898, gives additional charm to this trip.
Montecatini Terme
After walking, having a rest from the team, having a bite of the most delicious pizza, we got to Florence by train.
Tiny cars are loved in Italy
There was a road to Rome, about 4 hours, if I'm not mistaken. The main part of the group fell asleep as soon as the bus started moving, everyone was so tired. I held on, and then I realized that I couldn’t sleep. Outside the window are such amazing landscapes. Towns on the hills, fortresses in the rocks, serpentines, bridges over the gorges. . . Beauty!!!
Well, here is Rome. And the roads finally brought us here. We were placed in the Park Hotel Dei Massimi 4 * (tax 6 euros per day). It was about eight in the evening. While we settled down, shower, then and there, it was already dark. We decided to look around the area. The first impression - the priest of the world. Sleeping area, no people, luminous shop windows too (we are trying to find a cafe or a shop). We did find a "patch" where there were several establishments, ate ice cream and back. And to go uphill and for a long time (20 minutes), but along the dark deserted streets... Then we thought that we had to pay extra when booking the tour for accommodation in the center. But in daylight, everything turned out to be much more pleasant.
After the hotels of Rimini, the Hotel Dei Massimi is heaven. Spacious room, all amenities are available and everything works. The room also has a sofa that unfolds (for those who are not alone). The interior is old, shabby, but not killed. It is difficult to judge the service, we only came to spend the night. Everything was cleaned, things were left on the couch, no one touched or moved them. At the reception, along with the keys, they give out a memo on how to get to the hotel by public transport, and a map of Rome, which is very informative and convenient. Breakfasts are hearty and not limited in volume and quantity, which allowed us not to think about food almost until the evening, although we had breakfast at 6 - 6.30. The fact that this hotel is quite far from the center can be considered a disadvantage, but we know this when booking, and there is nothing to be outraged about. We only once had to get to the hotel on our own, and it was something like an attraction for us. We deliberately did not use a taxi, we should have looked at the Roman metro and felt all the delights of a crowded bus))).
In general, the hotel is quite suitable for a short stay in Rome.
On the first day we had a wonderful overview of Rome, the same guide gave a tour of the Colosseum. A small digression: when you see just an incredible number of people who are suffering from getting into one or another interesting ruin or museum, you understand the advantage of organized excursions - the absence of queues and getting information. The second half of the day was free for us, which, of course, we devoted to independent wandering through the streets of the Eternal City.
Rome
The next day we went to Naples and Pompeii. While preparing for this trip to Italy, I repeatedly came across advice not to go on this tour. My husband was against it, I insisted. Indeed, for us this day was probably the biggest disappointment. Maybe we are already tired, maybe there is too much bus travel, maybe the guide was not very good. Be that as it may, there is no pleasure, and it is a pity for money for displeasure - 140 euros. Oh, but you could wave on the train to the sea...
Naples
Vesuvius from different sides
On the third day of our stay in Rome, we visited the Vatican. Also an interesting and informative tour. If anyone is ever in Rome, then the Vatican is a must-see place, and preferably with a guide.
Vatican
And here again in avtobus, we return to Rimini. Here we spend the night in Victory Hotel 3* (tax 2 euros per day). The hotel is located not far from the sea, next to a supermarket. We even managed to skimp in the sea, very warm, but muddy. The room is small, cozy, with a balcony. The room is designed to accommodate children, there is a fold-out bunk bed, which is convenient. But... I, as a mother of two children, do not understand how you can use the bathroom, where the shower is a curtained area with a drain hole in the middle of the bathroom. Yes, and without children is not very convenient))). As we understood, this is a normal layout for Rimini. Breakfast is not just meager, but very meager. . . I had to run to the supermarket.
Before flying to Moscow, we had to visit San Marino. Of course, we were taken there, but we did not have time to appreciate all the beauties, because. We were picked up from the hotel 1.5 hours later than scheduled. Moreover, no one deigned to warn us, and even more so, to apologize. As it turned out, this was due to the breakdown of several buses at once. In general, we got to San Marino, transferred our suitcases to another bus, and after half an hour we went to the airport.
San Marino
Summary. We enjoyed this trip. Italy is a beautiful country! In spite of everything, we got great pleasure, our eyes were "fed". Yes, there were some inconveniences, organizational problems. But now, having a general idea of the country, having received an impressive portion of historical information (although I don’t remember much anymore))), such a mess in my head), you can go on your own for a more detailed study of some place, town. I won’t go to Venice and Naples yet. . .
