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

[Sarabi's Cubs]

We will be taking a bus through the Tuscan countryside when traveling from Rome (to Orvieto) to Florence.

We also take a train through Tuscany when traveling from Florence to Venice.

But are we traveling on a generic highway with McDonalds signs or through those pretty rolling hills with gorgeous vineyards?

John and I travel with only a quart sized zip lock bag and what we are wearing.

I literally laughed out loud reading this!

I am a huge believer in the Eagle Creek packing folders too. I can't believe how much space they save! I travel with a 25in suitcase and a carryon tote that is basically like Mary Poppins' carpet bag. No one has ever reached its depths!

I always find that I pack dressy things that I never wear. I'm going to try to resist that urge this time.

Laurie

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

If I may interrupt the festivities, in looking up information about my photos from the last ABD trip, I stumbled across a positively delightful website about Orvieto. http://www.keytoumbria.com/Orvieto/Home.html

Wow...just wow. I will skip any ceremonies that involve killing birds to explore this place!

Laurie

 

[DisneyKevin]

But are we traveling on a generic highway with McDonalds signs or through those pretty rolling hills with gorgeous vineyards?
Laurie

There are no generic highways in Tuscany.

It seems that every single view is spectacular.

When you see those paintings of Tuscany with the farmlands and the tall spindly trees, you think that can't be real. Then you get to Tuscany and find that it's all unbelievably real.

All of this is visible from the highway.

Also, the scenery between Florence and Venice is also awesome.

You travel through Tuscany towards Venice and and there are more hills. We have even seen snow at then top of the hills.

I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

There are no generic highways in Tuscany.

It seems that every single view is spectacular.

I don't think you will be disappointed.

Cannot wait and just found Samantha Brown episodes for Rome and Venice!

Laurie

 

[NYC MM]

Oh, I cannot express how much I LOVE The Container Store!!! Yep, their corp office is very near me, and there are two stores close by.

Kathy ,
This will be my 4th European trip with ABD. I stressed over what to bring and what not to bring on the first 3 trips, then I figured out a plan. The weather has ( for the most part ) been the same as the North east when we travel and for the Southerners - bring layers, having said that here is what I do . 98% of our time is casual comfortable clothing.
I take out all the clothes, including shoes, jackets and toiletries that I "want to bring ". I put them into the suitcase and weight it. ( we have a hand held travel thingy that you hook on to the luggage handle and lift the suitcase and it beeps when it reaches the weight ). If I am over 45 lbs I look to remove items that I can do without. I know that the limit is 50 lbs. but I try ( yes John I do !!) yes I try to have my suitcase at about 45 lbs just in case the scale at the airport " is off " . I KNOW that I will bring something back for me or family, and I believe ( Kevin help me out here ) that anything you purchase must be declared and in the carry on "in Case " Customs wants to see it !!! .... last time we went to Florence, I bought jewelry which I had to have in the original boxes ( BULKY ) and I bought Florence scarves and leather handbags - OH MY THEY ARE FANTASTICLY BEAUTFUL ,,, this time I'm looking for more leather and more scarves ( John don't read that part ).

Most times when I begin my packing the weight is over 50 lbs and I start removing items. I'm most conscious of what something weighs ..
Like Christy, I opt for Skechters brands over traditional sneakers and shoes as I find that shoes = the most weight of any other item so I try to narrow the number down ... I have found that I don't REALLY need "dressy" shoes if I have a pair of black ones. So from now till the end of Aug. I think about " how much does this item weight compared to something of equal value to me.
Hope this helps

 

[KathyTX]

Good tips, Micki!

I've ordered some new, lighter weight luggage (Travelpro). The old set was pretty heavy, and several zippers were broken or failing, so it was time.

I have some beloved Skechers and just ordered a new pair, so I'll be wearing those a lot now to decide which are comfortable enough to bring along. I do love the light weight and ability to crush them a bit in the suitcase.

I already have one of the luggage scales, that has been a super handy gadget for years!

Looking at the Eagle Creek packing cubes, I'll probably be picking up a set of those.

Hair dryers... Do I need to bring one, or do these hotels have them in the rooms? It's a necessity, unless I shave my head.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hair dryers... Do I need to bring one, or do these hotels have them in the rooms? It's a necessity, unless I shave my head.

I believe the hotels will have hair dryers, but since I don't use one...I may be wrong.

If you are bringing a hair dryer, you will not only need an adapter (which will make your plug fit their outlet) but a converter (makes your current match their current).

That being said....you might want to forgo bringing one and just buy one in Rome. There is a drug / beauty store across the street. That will negate the need for the adapter and converter (at least for the hair dryer).

Every trip, someone zaps their hair dryer and / or curling iron, which can be dangerous.

If you use Apple products, they are dual voltage and only need an adapter (making your plug match their outlet).

Anything else (that's not dual voltage) needs a converter as well.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Kathy ,
This will be my 4th European trip with ABD. I stressed over what to bring and what not to bring on the first 3 trips, then I figured out a plan. The weather has ( for the most part ) been the same as the North east when we travel and for the Southerners - bring layers, having said that here is what I do . 98% of our time is casual comfortable clothing.
I take out all the clothes, including shoes, jackets and toiletries that I "want to bring ". I put them into the suitcase and weight it. ( we have a hand held travel thingy that you hook on to the luggage handle and lift the suitcase and it beeps when it reaches the weight ). If I am over 45 lbs I look to remove items that I can do without. I know that the limit is 50 lbs. but I try ( yes John I do !!) yes I try to have my suitcase at about 45 lbs just in case the scale at the airport " is off " . I KNOW that I will bring something back for me or family, and I believe ( Kevin help me out here ) that anything you purchase must be declared and in the carry on "in Case " Customs wants to see it !!! .... last time we went to Florence, I bought jewelry which I had to have in the original boxes ( BULKY ) and I bought Florence scarves and leather handbags - OH MY THEY ARE FANTASTICLY BEAUTFUL ,,, this time I'm looking for more leather and more scarves ( John don't read that part ).

Most times when I begin my packing the weight is over 50 lbs and I start removing items. I'm most conscious of what something weighs ..
Like Christy, I opt for Skechters brands over traditional sneakers and shoes as I find that shoes = the most weight of any other item so I try to narrow the number down ... I have found that I don't REALLY need "dressy" shoes if I have a pair of black ones. So from now till the end of Aug. I think about " how much does this item weight compared to something of equal value to me.
Hope this helps

In the past, ABD has always provided a small duffle for each guest. These are great for shipping home city clothes or things that are not fragile, leaving room in the suitcase for things that might break.

If that doesn't happen this time, it's a perfect excuse to shop.

John and I try to have everything (or as much as possible) shipped home. This allows you to avoid declaring it.

I know you won't believe me, but you need far less clothing than you think. There is very little opportunity / reason to "dress up". Unless you plan on an upscale dining experience, sporty casual is just perfect for almost everything.

I will bring a paid of kakis / jeans that I will wear at our farewell dinner. Unless it's cold, you will probably not see John or I in long pants

We usually wear our heaviest pair of shoes on the plane and bring one extra pair in case the first gets wet.

Many hotels in Europe have a towel warner / heat source in the bathroom. Washing something out and laying it over that works really well.

I also travel with a travel clothesline like the one below:

http://www.amazon.com/Going-In-Styl...N0VE8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403482528&sr=8-
2&keywords=travel+clothesline

This style works well as you don't need clothespins. You just pull the braided part apart and use the tension as your clothespin.

A hotel shampoo of detergent and a bottle of Dawn dish washing detergents for stains are all you need. Shampoo works well if you forget or decide not to bring detergent.

Leaving a couple of empty pounds in your suitcase allows for some shopping.

As the billboard outside OIA says..."Saying "oh...I got this in Venice" never gets old."

 

[jcb]

Forget dead Tuba concerto composers, Gioachino Rossini is buried in the Santa Croce Basilica, in Florence.

Without Rossini, the best Bugs Bunny short of all time would never have happened.
Some lesser important folks are buried there too, but who cares about Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.

 

[k5jm]

Forget dead Tuba concerto composers, Gioachino Rossini is buried in the Santa Croce Basilica, in Florence.

Without Rossini, the best Bugs Bunny short of all time would never have happened.
Some lesser important folks are buried there too, but who cares about Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.

I have all ready started my Italian Opera Playlist (with some Opera Buffa as well).

I may have to engage in a Three Tenors TV marathon, oath wise wise known as a PBS Pledge drive.

http://youtu.be/QtlgzFKWZKE

http://youtu.be/c_9OGUPDamQ

 

[k5jm]

Rick Steves Travel Lecture on Italy...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0g9vEeA0VM

 

[k5jm]

Packing light and right...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEGHdQGz0ug

 

[k5jm]

Here are many of the Italy episodes (full) from Rick Steves...

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2203FB5B8E4D4D99

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks for the link Mike. Val & I will have to sit down and watch these once our company leaves.

 

[DDuck4Life]

Packing light and right...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEGHdQGz0ug

Thanks for the videos but an hour and 15 minutes on packing. not sure I have it in me to sit through all of that. I will be checking out the Rick Steves Italy playlist. A little easier to watch an hours worth of Italy than how to pack my suitcase.

 

[k5jm]

Thanks for the link Mike. Val & I will have to sit down and watch these once our company leaves.

The Travel Lectures are much more enjoyable to watch than the canned TV shows, but both have great information.

 

[KathyTX]

mom has gotten me hooked on Sketchers Go Walks. Both come in lots of colors and take up less suitcase space than tennis shoes. That being said, take your most favorite comfy shoes!

Christy, I just got some Go Walks. OMG!!! My feet are very happy, and they want me to thank you and Joyce for the find!

Not especially cute or feminine, but they are so, so, so very comfortable!

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

The Travel Lectures are much more enjoyable to watch than the canned TV shows, but both have great information.

I have a bunch of his podcasts on itunes but haven't seen these. I'm laid up for a couple of days so it's going to be all Rick Steves, Samantha Brown, and Dan Brown for me. Thanks!

Laurie

 

[MinnieGarden]

Christy, I just got some Go Walks. OMG!!! My feet are very happy, and they want me to thank you and Joyce for the find!

Not especially cute or feminine, but they are so, so, so very comfortable!

I'm so glad you like them Kathy! Mom said they are the only shoes she's never had to break in.

I have a bunch of his podcasts on itunes but haven't seen these. I'm laid up for a couple of days so it's going to be all Rick Steves, Samantha Brown, and Dan Brown for me. Thanks!

Laurie

Laurie, I'm reading Saving Italy right now. It's the sequel to Monuments Men and came out earlier this year. I really wish I had read Monuments Men before London/Paris and especially Germany. So many places we visited on those two adventures were talked about in Monuments Men and so many stories that would have added another layer of history, especially to Germany. While Inferno talks about landmarks, Saving Italy is about the process behind saving and preserving art and landmarks during WWII.

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

Laurie, I'm reading Saving Italy right now.

Christy -

I just got Saving Italy and am planning to read it after Inferno! It looks really interesting. Are you still thinking about doing something vineyard-related in Florence or are you planning to go into Pisa?

Laurie