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Other Info

Contacts, tips & everything else

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💱 Euro ↔ Dollar

See any Italian price in dollars — type an amount in either box.

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📇 Important Contacts

Tap any number to call. Save these in your phone before we go!

🎨 Tour Guides

Paola MiglioriniFlorence walking tour, Accademia (Jun 13) & Uffizi (Jun 14)
+39 347 657 2611
Dr. Sara MagisterVatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's (Jun 16)
+39 339 379 3813
Patrizia SfligiottiColosseum, Forum & Palatine (Jun 17)
+39 347 366 7668

🚐 Drivers & Transfers

Paola MiglioriniTwo vans, Florence → Rome — depart 8:00 am Jun 15
+39 347 657 2611
RobertoRome → Gaeta (Jun 18) & Gaeta → Airport (Jun 20)
+39 349 093 0300

🍽️ Booked Restaurants

Trattoria La CasalingaFlorence • Jun 13, 7:30 pm
+39 055 218624
Il Grande NutiFlorence • Jun 14, 7:30 pm
+39 055 210145
Ponte e ParioneRome • Jun 16, 8:15 pm
+39 06 6819 2278
Roma SparitaRome • Jun 17, 8:00 pm
+39 06 580 0757
Adriano a MareGaeta • Jun 19, 8:00 pm
+39 0771 740123

⛵ Activities & Lodging

Gaeta EscursioniBoat charter — Jun 19, 9:30 am
+39 346 319 2612
Faster Bikes (Gaeta)Bike rentals — call ahead for 13
+39 329 266 4308
B&B Le Stanze del DuomoFlorence lodging
+39 055 290012
Hotel MirasoleGaeta lodging
+39 0771 742021
Hilton Rome AirportFinal night, Jun 20
+39 06 65258

📋 Consigli Importanti (Important Tips)

☕

Ordering Coffee Like a Local

Always start with "Buongiorno!" then:

  • Un caffè = espresso (small, strong, the default)
  • Un cappuccino = morning drink ONLY!
  • Un caffè latte = coffee with milk (don't just say "latte"!)
  • Macchiato = espresso with a little milk
  • Un americano = espresso + hot water
  • Un caffè freddo = iced espresso
Order al banco: standing at the bar is cheaper and normal. Sitting at a table costs more!
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Dressing for Churches

  • Shoulders must be covered (bring a light scarf!)
  • Shorts & dresses must be at or below the knee
  • Large bags & sharp objects left at the entrance
Churches are almost always free and stunning inside — step in for 5 minutes whenever you pass an open door.
💶

Money & Payments

  • Italy is card-friendly, but carry some cash for small towns & trattorias
  • Use bank ATMs (Bancomat); avoid currency-exchange booths
  • Coperto: a small cover charge (€1–3/person) is normal — not a tip
  • Tipping isn't expected — rounding up or a euro or two is appreciated
🚶

Getting Around Florence

  • The historic center is almost entirely walkable — nearly every site is within ~20 min on foot of Via de' Martelli 8
  • Taxis are metered; Uber works in Florence
  • The Ataf bus network covers everything else
  • Airport → apartment: T2 tram to Santa Maria Novella, then an 8-min walk (see Flights)
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Getting Around Rome

  • Metro Line A: Termini → Spagna (Steps) & Ottaviano (Vatican)
  • Metro Line B: Termini → Colosseo (2 stops, ~5 min)
  • Single tickets €1.50 — buy at tabacchi or station machines
  • Tram 8 from Largo di Torre Argentina reaches Trastevere
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Good to Know

  • Refill at the free public fountains (nasoni) everywhere
  • The Rick Steves Italy app has free audio tours — the "Heart of Rome" & "Trastevere" walks are worth downloading
  • Piazzas are the living rooms of Italy — lingering is the point
  • Don't try to see everything — the best moments are unplanned
🔌

Power & Phones

  • Italy uses Type C / F plugs, 230V — bring adapters
  • Most chargers are dual-voltage; check before plugging in hair tools
  • Turn on an eSIM or international plan for data
  • Download offline Google Maps for each city

📱 Apps to Download (before you go)

  • Google Maps — download offline maps for Florence, Rome & Gaeta
  • WhatsApp — the family group chat
  • Google Translate — download Italian for offline use (point the camera at menus & signs)
  • FreeNow — hail licensed taxis
  • Trenitalia & Italo Treno — train times & tickets
  • The Fork — restaurant reservations
  • Rome2Rio — how to get from anywhere to anywhere
  • Mobile Passport Control — speeds up U.S. re-entry on the way home
  • Rick Steves Audio Europe — free audio walking tours
  • Flush — find a public toilet, fast

🗣️ Handy Italian Phrases

BuongiornoGood morning / day — bwon-JOR-no
BuonaseraGood evening — bwona-SAIR-a
Per favorePlease — pair fa-VOR-ay
GrazieThank you — GRAT-zee-ay
PregoYou're welcome / go ahead — PRAY-go
Mi scusiExcuse me — mee SCOO-zee
Dov'è...?Where is...? — doh-VAY
Quanto costa?How much? — KWAN-to KOS-ta
Il conto, per favoreThe check, please — eel KON-to
Un gelato, per favoreOne gelato, please — oon jay-LA-to
Parla inglese?Do you speak English? — PAR-la in-GLAY-zay
Non capiscoI don't understand — non ka-PEE-sko
Bellissimo!Very beautiful! — bel-LEES-see-mo
Cin cin!Cheers! — chin chin

🗳️ Still To Sort Out

Most of the trip is booked! These few things are still flexible — weigh in.

Gaeta

June 18 Dinner

First night in Gaeta — pick one and call ahead (no online booking):

  • Monci (burgers & steaks)
  • Mare Fritto (fried foods)
  • Comeilmare (seafood)
Florence

Duomo Climb?

Optional and must be booked ahead with a timed slot. Dome (463 steps, ~€18) or the easier Bell Tower (414 steps). Not for the claustrophobic — no bags allowed.

Gaeta

Bikes?

The flat lungomare is perfect for a family ride. Faster Bikes can hold 13 — call ahead (+39 329 266 4308).

Orvieto

Underground Orvieto?

On June 15, an optional guided tour of the Etruscan caves beneath the city (~€7/person). Fun for kids and adults.

💰 Trip Costs

🔒 Family only — the budget is visible once you're signed in.

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