Dis Exclusive Viva Italia 9/16 - 9/24/2014

[HollyMac71]

Well Holly
There just may be a few more people that you know on this mysterious list

Just saying

Just one big happy family!

 

[k5jm]

Well Holly
There just may be a few more people that you know on this mysterious list

Just saying

Will there be a Tardis appearing in California in the Summer of 2015?

 

[apurplebrat]

Can't wait

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=-Ojw6K9wxmQ

 

[tardis1029]

Will there be a Tardis appearing in California in the Summer of 2015?

There very well could be

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm thinking of starting a technology list for this trip so I don't forget anything.

Does anybody know how prevalent wifi (preferably free) will be in Italy? Will our hotels have wifi?

If we have wifi, I'm thinking I can avoid buying a sim-card for my iPads.

 

[jcb]

I'm thinking of starting a technology list for this trip so I don't forget anything.

Does anybody know how prevalent wifi (preferably free) will be in Italy? Will our hotels have wifi?

If we have wifi, I'm thinking I can avoid buying a sim-card for my iPads.

It has been (or will be) 2 and a half years , but a sim card was cheaper than the hotel wifi. I only had one iPad so if you have five, then it might be different. The only hotel on our trip with no extra cost wifi was the Tuscan Tower of Terror and you are not staying there. Every other hotel wanted 10 to 15 euros a night.

There were at least two sim-card stores just down the street from the hotel in Rome. Kevin and John (and some others) used a company other than Vodafone and they seemed to have better coverage. Coverage wasn't that big of a problem even with vodafone but it was weak in the Venice hotel room.

I'll try to find my prior posts about this and link to them.

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks Jack! At least one of the hotels we will be staying in is a Westin and I've got SPG Gold status that should get the wifi fee waived there.

 

[jcb]

Thanks Jack! At least one of the hotels we will be staying in is a Westin and I've got SPG Gold status that should get the wifi fee waived there.

Vodafone store experience: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44965736&postcount=671 The other sim-card carrier was TIM. http://www.tim.it/home They had stores all over Rome.

I summarized the tech experience in a post on the regular ABD forum: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2939779

There is a recent trip advisor post about the Westin that makes me wonder if SPG members get free wifi outside of the lobby The post is ambiguous. If you are not SPG it appears the fee is about 15 euros for in room internet access at the Florence hotel.

I don't recall there being wifi on the train from Florence to Venice. I had a sim-card so I might not have noticed. The sim-card was reassuring when the Tuscan prison provided bad directions to the bus driver. At least I knew we were still in Tuscany.

I'd recommend folks peruse Heather's flickr photos from the trip.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/49676979@N08/sets/72157630036327033/

 

[k5jm]

I'm thinking of starting a technology list for this trip so I don't forget anything.

Does anybody know how prevalent wifi (preferably free) will be in Italy? Will our hotels have wifi?

If we have wifi, I'm thinking I can avoid buying a sim-card for my iPads.

So what we did before our Germany trip was to purchase a Google Nexus 4 (now 5) from Google. It comes unlocked with no preferred carrier. I purchased a 5GB SIM from Vodaphone and then used that in Nexus. The Nexus has a hot spot feature. This saved me having to purchase hotel internet, plus we had internet during the time on the coach and on the train. I uploaded a ton of pictures and still had 2 GB of data left over. And now, if you buy a SIM in one part of the EU, there is no roaming in any part of the EU. I also kept my DSLR connected to my NEXUS via WiFi for most of the trip so it could upload after I proofed a picture. We will probably do the same this time (and I will also get Christy a SIM for her IPAD, I promise Dear!! )

 

[MinnieGarden]

So what we did before our Germany trip was to purchase a Google Nexus 4 (now 5) from Google. It comes unlocked with no preferred carrier. I purchased a 5GB SIM from Vodaphone and then used that in Nexus. The Nexus has a hot spot feature. This saved me having to purchase hotel internet, plus we had internet during the time on the coach and on the train. I uploaded a ton of pictures and still had 2 GB of data left over. And now, if you buy a SIM in one part of the EU, there is no roaming in any part of the EU. I also kept my DSLR connected to my NEXUS via WiFi for most of the trip so it could upload after I proofed a picture. We will probably do the same this time (and I will also get Christy a SIM for her IPAD, I promise Dear!! )

Jeff, get the SIM. Trust me! In Germany, we had the "Mike effect" on the hotel internet. Granted, it could have been the old buildings that didn't allow for reasonable coverage, but I have other theories..... And yes honey, this time I am getting my own SIM!

 

[apurplebrat]

I found my receipt for my SIM card May 23, 2012
The Rome hotel recommended a store right around the corner
I purchased the card for 20 euro. It was called FastWeb and my IPad worked great the whole trip

 

[k5jm]

Christy and I were flipping channels this afternoon and stumbled on "Rick Steves' Italy: Cities of Dreams" It is a 2 hour special they are airing during the pledge drive for PBS.

http://vimeo.com/85492745

 

[k5jm]

Using our trip to WDW next week as a test run for Italy. I am going to attempt to pack 1/2 the clothes and 1/2 of the gear. I am also using a scale to keep my bag weight in-check. Not load shuffling at the airport this time. (Christy just buys too much stuff )

 

[OKW Lover]

I can understand 1/2 the clothes, but 1/2 the gear>

 

[k5jm]

Arrrrrggh, watching the Rick Steves' special and I hear one of the themes of my Freshman year of College. Jack, you might understand. I heard Saltarello by Anonymous (he is popular in the 14h century, apparently), I had to run and pull my Machlis down for the bookshelf (which is right next to Christy's Machlis on the bookshelf). This horrible little ditty featured the schwam.

http://www.musichistoryi.com/Music_HistoryI/Saltarello_files/Salt_HR.mov

 

[k5jm]

I can understand 1/2 the clothes, but 1/2 the gear>

Like only one or two camera bodies instead of 3

 

[jcb]

Arrrrrggh, watching the Rick Steves' special and I hear one of the themes of my Freshman year of College. Jack, you might understand. I heard Saltarello by Anonymous (he is popular in the 14h century, apparently), I had to run and pull my Machlis down for the bookshelf (which is right next to Christy's Machlis on the bookshelf). This horrible little ditty featured the schwam.

http://www.musichistoryi.com/Music_HistoryI/Saltarello_files/Salt_HR.mov

Oh, I understand completely, though I go more for lusty horns than Machlis.

 

[k5jm]

Oh, I understand completely, though I go more for lusty horns than Machlis.

...and the use of continuo and drums. A real ear worm. I wonder if there will be any schwams on our trip. (And I thought 6th grade oboes sounded bad)

 

[jcb]

...and the use of continuo and drums. A real warm worm. I wonder if there will be any schwams on our trip. (And I thought 6th grade oboes sounded bad)

you could get these guys, though some in our group found it quite hilarious.

 

[KathyTX]

Y 'all are torturing me. I SOOOOO wish I could join an ABD group soon!