Facts and side notes:
Dollar exchange rate: $1.55 US dollars per $1.00 euro
Way more graffiti than I would have expected everywhere in Italy.
The bread was delicious although a little less salty than we are used to. Served at every meal, but was never, ever served with butter or oil unless requested.
Gelato as delicious as Mrs. Miller promised and it was everywhere. It will be hard to live without it.
We switched busses three or four times during the trip.
I never saw one donut or donut shop during the whole trip.
Our trip included guided tours at:
The Doges Place (Whisper Tour)
The glass factory
Museum of Accademia
Basilica Santa Croce
St. Peters Basilica (Whisper Tour)
The Vatican Museum
Pompeii
The trip was arranged and purchased through The European Institute.
The full names of those on this trip have been witheld for privacy reasons.
The Hotels:
MAR 25 – 26, 2008
COMO-GRAND HOTEL
VIA PER CERNOBBIO
Como 22100 Italy
PHONE (011) 39 031 51 61
www.grandhoteldicomo.com $166
MAR 26 - MAR 28 2008
VENICE - Mastre
Viale Ancona 2
NH LAGUNA PALACE
VENICE – Mastre 30172 Italy
VIA TORINO, 105/F - ???
PHONE (011) 39 041 82 96 111
3-4 Stars
http://www.veniceby.com/lagunapalace/
MAR 28 - MAR 30 2008
FLORENCE
MEDITERRANEO
LUNGARNO DEL TEMPIO 44
FLORENCE 50121 Italy
www.hotelmediterraneo.com
Telephone (011) 39-055-66-02-41
3 Star, First class hotel. Style: Modern. Hotel built in 1955
The hotel is located close to the Arno river to the east of the town, a ten minute walk to the Piazza Sta Croce and with good access to main roads leading out of the city.
This is a modern block, the largest hotel in the city.
Best Western Hotel Universo
Via P. Amedeo, 5/b – 00185 Roma
06.476811
Built in 1933 newly remodeled with very modern rooms
Located 2 blocks from the main subway terminal