I just completed reading this forum and so greatly appreciate all the comments/recommendations on here.

Our family will going on a Mediterranean cruise in a few weeks. In Italy, we will have short visit to Venice, Rome, Florence, and Positano/Sorrento. Since I have a four years old with me, I'm wondering if taking an umbrella stroller along would be advisable. I'm concern the crowds may make maneuver the stroller difficult, but I wanted the stroller for when DD gets tired from the walking and while we visit inside the museums and churches. Will the cobble stone paths make it uncomfortable for her in the stroller?

We will also be visiting Barcelona pre-cruise and Paris post-cruise. For the ones who frequent these countries, are the price of high-end goods less expensive in one country over the other? I'm hoping to purchase some souvenirs for myself. Thank you ahead for your inputs.

Originally Posted by Purdue1988

I just completed reading this forum and so greatly appreciate all the comments/recommendations on here. Our family will going on a Mediterranean cruise in a few weeks. In Italy, we will have short visit to Venice, Rome, Florence, and Positano/Sorrento. Since I have a four years old with me, I'm wondering if taking an umbrella stroller along would be advisable. I'm concern the crowds may make maneuver the stroller difficult, but I wanted the stroller for when DD gets tired from the walking and while we visit inside the museums and churches. Will the cobble stone paths make it uncomfortable for her in the stroller? We will also be visiting Barcelona pre-cruise and Paris post-cruise. For the ones who frequent these countries, are the price of high-end goods less expensive in one country over the other? I'm hoping to purchase some souvenirs for myself. Thank you ahead for your inputs.

A stroller is advisable for the cities you mentioned, but I fear that in Venice you will have difficulties because of the many bridges. Anyway, I think a 4 y.o. can easily walk around Venice on her own feet as the centre isn't that big, and if she gets tired you can get a ferry boat (Vaporetto) instead of walking and she will have fun too.

^^^ Thank you, Maryg1! Your comments on here are very helpful!

We plan to also visit Saint Mark's Basilica, and as the stroller can be folded, do you think it is worth while to tug it along? I'm not certain how long we'll spend visiting the church.

One other question I would like to ask as I believe you and I have similar fondness to Hermes. I will be going to Paris (FSH) after my cruise. Are the prices of Hermes the same in France as in Italy? There's a few not-hard-to-find items I would like to purchase at Chanel and Hermes since the price is much better than in the US. But if I see these items while in Italy, I'm not certain if I should get them or wait until I get to Paris.

Originally Posted by Purdue1988

^^^ Thank you, Maryg1! Your comments on here are very helpful! We plan to also visit Saint Mark's Basilica, and as the stroller can be folded, do you think it is worth while to tug it along? I'm not certain how long we'll spend visiting the church. One other question I would like to ask as I believe you and I have similar fondness to Hermes. I will be going to Paris (FSH) after my cruise. Are the prices of Hermes the same in France as in Italy? There's a few not-hard-to-find items I would like to purchase at Chanel and Hermes since the price is much better than in the US. But if I see these items while in Italy, I'm not certain if I should get them or wait until I get to Paris.

You can easily fold your stroller and take it with you while visiting S. Marco. If you plan to go upstair on the balcony where the Horses are, I think you can leave it downstair at the ticket office. Sorry I'm not sure about this, since I've no kids I don't pay much attention to these details unless I'm somewhere with my nieces.

RE Hermes:I've checked the prices of the 90 cm silk scarves and are the same both in Italy and France (310).
When I went, inventory of scarves was good, but I can't comment about SLG or other. Knowing the current stock situation of Hermes, I suggest you getting anything you're after as soon as you see it.
I don't know if Chanel stock situation is better, maybe you can ask our ladies in the Chanel sub forum.

Thank you again, Maryg1!
I agree with you on the Hermes situation; I will not hesitate when I see items I like.
As for Chanel, a PF friend has recommended an SA, so I will just wait until I get to Paris. I will be happy in either case since the the prices in Paris seems much better than it is here in the states.

I so look forward to my upcoming trip. Just have to get the packing done!

Planning my next trip now (for December), and looking into cooking classes...this is probably a long shot, but does anyone have a recommendation for one in Rome? I'm looking into http://www.ciaolaura.com for ideas for when we're in Sorrento and the Naples area, but there seems to be a very wide range of classes in Rome, and I don't have a clue where to begin...it might be that we just forget doing anything in Rome but wander, though, if it is too complicated.

What would you all suggest for transportation around Italy? We were planning on renting a car - but it seems there are extra fees everywhere, and we would need to return it to a different location.

I'm now looking at trains, but how much luggage do they allow?

We are going from Rome to Florence to a town near Grosseto...think we might need a bus for the last leg. Transportation back to Rome is provided for us.

What have been your experiences? Thanks so much!

Originally Posted by fabgrabs

What would you all suggest for transportation around Italy? We were planning on renting a car - but it seems there are extra fees everywhere, and we would need to return it to a different location. I'm now looking at trains, but how much luggage do they allow? We are going from Rome to Florence to a town near Grosseto...think we might need a bus for the last leg. Transportation back to Rome is provided for us. What have been your experiences? Thanks so much!

We took the train everywhere when we went last year. I would recommend purchasing 1st class tickets, though, as the cars are a little safer. We had 4 suitcases with us, plus my purse and various coats, etc., and no one said anything. Maybe you could take the train to Florence, and then if it's not too much, hire a car to take you the rest of the way? We did hire a driver for a day to take us on a 6-hour tour of the Amalfi Coast, and it wasn't horrifically expensive.

I am not sure I'd be comfortable renting a car (yet)--the driving we saw was pretty insane. But, we did not go north as far as you are going, so perhaps it is less crazy there.

We just returned from trip to Europe. We took the night train from Paris to Milan. We had six to a cabin. Luggage went up top and down below. Plenty of storage with six travelers with large suitcases, overnight bags and purses.
I wouldn't feel comfortable driving in Italy. We were in Rome and Florence. Very crowded and hectic and I grew up outside NYC, so I am comfortable driving in tough situations.

Can someone tell me the highlights to do/see/eat in Milan for 1-2 days??? Thank you!

Thanks so much for the advice, Elara and Coachwife!

I think trains will be the way to go! I looked on trenitalia and the process seems simple enough...did you book your seats in advance?

There's even a train going to Grosseto! Just need to find a way to get to our destination - an hour drive from there. Maybe taxi? Wonder if they're available in the less populated areas...

Originally Posted by fabgrabs

What would you all suggest for transportation around Italy? We were planning on renting a car - but it seems there are extra fees everywhere, and we would need to return it to a different location. I'm now looking at trains, but how much luggage do they allow? We are going from Rome to Florence to a town near Grosseto...think we might need a bus for the last leg. Transportation back to Rome is provided for us. What have been your experiences? Thanks so much!

From Rome to Florence, I suggest you to take the Frecciarossa train, it will connect you between the 2 cities in about 1 - 1 hour and a half.
You can check if there's local transportation between Grosseto and the town you're headed to - unless it's a very remote site, there should be some.
Or you can rent a car, driving in smaller cities in Italy isn't worst than in other countries. Where are you going exactly? Maybe I can help better

We are going to Arcidosso.

Thanks for the train information and your help! :))

DH and i are planning to go to italy this summer since we'll be in london anyways. just not sure which cities to visit- we've been to rome already and loved it, so i wouldn't mind going back. we'd only be going for about a week or week and a half, so i don't know which cities to pick! we'll be going in august or september. any recommendations?

Originally Posted by stephc005

DH and i are planning to go to italy this summer since we'll be in london anyways. just not sure which cities to visit- we've been to rome already and loved it, so i wouldn't mind going back. we'd only be going for about a week or week and a half, so i don't know which cities to pick! we'll be going in august or september. any recommendations?

Do you prefer culture, sightseeing etc.., or do you prefer to relax, going to the sea?