Cassino or Anzio?

I've looked at many of the other posts concerning WW2 sites in Italy and must say thanks to all who have posted pictures and suggestions on what to visit! I am going to be staying in Florence for 6 days, but am planning on visiting Rome. While there, I thought about day trips or an overnight trip to either Cassino or Anzio. Being as I only have 6 days total in Italy and want to make the most of the trip, if you had to choose between Cassino and Anzio, which would you visit?? For those that have been to the museums at both locations, which did you find more interesting? Also, any suggestions on where to stay at either location would be great too!:sign_help:

 

Hard choice for me as my dad was at Anzio. However, I think as this is your first visit I would go for Cassino. It will make a lot more sense; visiting Anzio requires a little bit more preparation and is less suitable for the casual visitor. Plenty of ideas of what to see at Cassino on my website.

 

Renn06

Paul is the expert on Italian (and other) War Cemetries and you would be well advised to follow up his links.

For a more personal view have a look at: BBC - WW2 People's War - Return to Cassino

Florence & Rome certainly and Rome has an excellent direct rail link to Cassino.

Cheers

Ron

 

Thanks for the help! I will definately check out the website! Another question - I have been in contact with a local tour guide in Cassino, who has offered (for about 100 Euro) to provide a tour of Cassino - basically take the bus to the Abbey, tour the Abbey, go to the Museums and Commonwealth Cemetery. While a tour guide would be beneficial seeing this is my first time in Italy, would navigating the area be possible by myself? (I would rather not have someone over my shoulder while visiting the cemetery, but realize the benefits in having someone who knows the bus schedules, language, etc.)

 

Personally, I think you could do this yourself. With a couple of maps plus some info off my site, you could easily find your may around. If you were going to follow a specific area of the battlefield then I would say a guide is a good idea, but not for a first, fleeting visit.

 

That is what I was thinking. I would prefer to tour the site at my leisure, instead of being on a time restraint by a tour guide. I might look into staying at the hotel that you mentioned on your website, Hotel La Pace. This way I won't have to rush to get back to Rome for the night and have more time to look around the town and explore. Again, thanks so much for the help!

 

Can recommend the hotel; have had many good stays there. The rooms were even better when we were there in May.

 

beautiful! though my trip is still over 2 months away, i can't help but be excited! i only have gone on "group" tours in the past, so needless to say i wasn't able to venture from the itinerary that much. having 3-4 hours of "free" time in Munich and Berlin doesn't give one much time to seek out certain sites. not to mention people complaining about visiting Dachau, due to the fact that they wanted to go shopping instead. can you believe that?! so, i'm excited about planning my own trip and being on my own schedule. would the employees at the hotel be able to help me arrange a taxi to take me to the Abbey and cemeteries? as well, does anyone know the museum hours in the winter? (seeing as I will be there in November - I've tried to access the Cassino museum website, but it is blocked for some reason).

 

Yes, they should be able to do that.

If you have had a look at the Cassino museum on my website, it does seem that now has closed - albeit maybe temporarily. There is a new one in the town we visited:

Historiale di Cassino

Worth a look - we found it of interest, if a little 'modern'.

 

Renn - welcome to the forum and I note that you have had some very excellent advice in what to choose on your very short trip to Italy - and in November- ouch ...whatever the travel guys tell you about the weather in Italy in November - it's all lies !

It rains a lot - not the nice gentle stuff you get in Joisey but really hard head penetrating stuff so prepare for this before you even think of going anywhere.

Some points have come up a few days in Florence - why ? are you a culture vulture or do you want to do the WW2 thing it's make your mind up time another point from both Paul and Ron start from Rome two hour train to Cassino see everything there -overnight at hotel tour Rome Both Ron and Paul have been there recently and makes a lot of sense for a first visit sooooo let me throw you a curve

Start at Naples - quick trip to Salerno - bus ride to Cassino , that way you will then appreciate what faced us as we came up to the River Garigliano - Monte Camino -River Rapido,, get the "feel" of the place before you get there..and you will be following the US 5th Army of Gen Mark Clark and the three battles before the final assault in May '44

and have a read of this - to-day - but have a box of Kleenex handy

Cheers
Renn - welcome to the forum and I note that you have had some very excellent advice in what to choose on your very short trip to Italy - and in November- ouch ...whatever the travel guys tell you about the weather in Italy in November - it's all lies !

It rains a lot - not the nice gentle stuff you get in Joisey but really hard head penetrating stuff so prepare for this before you even think of going anywhere.

Some points have come up a few days in Florence - why ? are you a culture vulture or do you want to do the WW2 thing it's make your mind up time another point from both Paul and Ron start from Rome two hour train to Cassino see everything there -overnight at hotel tour Rome Both Ron and Paul have been there recently and makes a lot of sense for a first visit sooooo let me throw you a curve

Start at Naples - quick trip to Salerno - bus ride to Cassino , that way you will then appreciate what faced us as we came up to the River Garigliano - Monte Camino -River Rapido,, get the "feel" of the place before you get there..and you will be following the US 5th Army of Gen Mark Clark and the three battles before the final assault in May '44

and have a read of this - to-day - but have a box of Kleenex handy

Cheers

 

Sorry Renn -
made a pig's ear of that last message - what I menat was that a friend of mine wrote of his return visit to Cassino as he was with the Perth regiment in the canadian 5th Armoured Division in the attack on the Hitler/ Gustav lines in the Liri valley
try this one ...

BBC - WW2 People's War - Remembrance at the Cassino War Cemetery

 

I am only staying in Florence because that is where the "tour" that I am a part of is staying. "Tour" as in we arrive in Florence, have a mini-tour, and then the rest of the trip (6 days) we are on our own. I plan on staying overnight in Rome and then traveling to Cassino in the morning. Not sure if I just want to make Cassino a day trip and return to Rome in the evening, or stay overnight in Cassino and then return to Rome the following day. I also am not sure that seeing Naples/Salerno would be an option, considering I have such a short stay in Italy. Plus, I would like to be in Florence somewhat (since I am paying to stay there). In Florence there is the Florence-American Cemetery as well as the Jewish Synagogue that I would like to see. Besides seeing the "usual" tourist sites in Rome, there is also the Rome War Cemetery and the Ardeatine Caves - both which I would like to visit. Again, I am going to have to whittle down my list of places, considering having only 6 days in Italy. I'll be sure to bring along some quality rain boots!

 

Renn06

My wife & I have holidayed both in Rome & Florence on many occasions.

You appear to have plenty of time in which to plan your trip so leave me a PM as to when you will be travelling and I will cobble up a "must see" itinerary in both places based on personal experience.

The Ponte Vecchio (see below) is a must, but whatever you decide to do, you have a treat in store.

Cheers

Ron

 

Renn -
didn't realise you were part of a tour with a six day break - then that is all you can do is to overnight in Rome - Cassino back to Rome et al
Cheers and have a great trip

 

Yes, I would agree - keep your objectives small, and you will achieve more. Make that overnight stay in Cassino if you can as the battlefield there is fascinating and a day is not much to even do the Abbey and cemeteries justice.

 

Went to a travel agent today to find a hotel near the Termini Station in Rome - she named a few all pretty close/within walking distance. When the travel agent went to look up a hotel in Cassino, the town didn't even register on her computer! So, thanks for the mention of the Hotel La Pace! Without that I would be lost! Now just to conquer figuring out a train schedule! Anyone know of where I can find a good street map of Cassino?

 

You get one for free when you check in at La Pace. I am sure must have somewhere - or Owen will - which we can scan?

 

Renn - her is the link to the Hotel la Pace -it'll cost you 80 euro' per night - which is standard for the three star

Cassino Hotels | venere.com

 

Sent the hotel an email! I think the price is actually less (around 65 Euro) since I only need a single (not double occupancy). The reviews all stated positive things!