Arrivederci Fodors: Maitai is ByeBye To Italy
 

The Italian government has posted an official maitai alert that will be in effect for the next few weeks. All citizens throughout the hill towns of Umbria and Tuscany and the good folks of Firenze, Venezia and Roma have been warned to hide any wine they might have on the premises and be on the lookout for four Southern Californians trying to speak Italian.

Other drivers in Tuscany and Umbria have also been alerted to watch for an ugly rental car making illegal U-turns in their vicinity, and pedestrians in those regions have been cautioned to "walk extremely carefully" when they see us approaching.

Hopefully, American and British Air will comply in getting us there safely.

We vow not to walk into churches in shorts. We vow to test as many varieties of vino as is humanly possible. We vow to leave no hill town uncovered. Most of all, we vow to have fun.

I'm looking forward to our dinner at Cane y Gatto, the underground tour of Orvieto, exploring tiny hill towns, getting lost in Venice, getting more lost on the backroads of Tuscany and Umbria, becoming a lunatic in Gubbio, the Scavi tour in Rome and much, much more.

Thanks to many of you who answered my questions and to those of you from whom I pilfered ideas from your trip reports. Speaking of which, I promise to give you "Italy Uncensored" upon my return.

Grazie and Arrivederci baby!
((H))

Have a wonderful time, and looking forward to your trip report upon your return!

Buon Viaggio,
BC

I'm four months behind ya, Tom. Take good notes and don't lose them when you sample all the vino!

((D)) Happy and safe voyage to you and guests of MaiTai.

Can't wait to read "Italy Uncensored", Tiff

Bye Bye, MaiTai! Have a great time in Italia, Tom. I'll be looking forward to hearing about your adventures when you return, and I'll be heading that way right behind you in about six weeks, as well. :)

Maitai and Tracy: Don't consume all the vino, please. For me it's gelato. Have a great time.

Tom, I've just posted a similar thread, as I'm leaving in two days. Have a great trip! Other than Umbria, I'll be in the same places, but not at the same time. Leave some wine for me...

I promise to save some vino for those who follow.

SusanP - If you see that illegal u-turn I make, be sure to wave. Two days and counting for me, too.
((H))

OK, If I see illegal U-turns, I'll know who it is!

Maitaitom,
Just knew it had to be you - happy trails to you and Tracy and thanks for all your travel notes last spring. Maybe when you get back, we can finally share travel stories. Don't think you heard the one about the motorcycle and the polizia in Perugia. Meanwhile, I'm rationing the olive oil from Umbria and hiding those last few bottles of wine that mysteriously ended up in the luggage.
Marcia

Here's another one who's leaving tomorrow! Off to Sorrento!

Ciao ed a presto ...

We are leaving the 26th,(from LAX) in Rome for 3 days then to the AC then back to Rome... When will you be in Rome? There is a get together (hopefully including our party) on the 28th at Orso 80 in Rome...Will you be in town? Might be fun to compare notes! Have a wonderful time...eat, drink,eat, drink and be merry!

Tom,

Have a great trip!! I am just 4 weeks behind you and look forward to reading your report.

Tom

"When will you be in Rome?"

We don't get to Rome until October 4. Have a great time at Orso 80.

((H))

One Sunday morning I carefully read one of your journals.. with pictures and their captions. I hope you have the time to do this again... your Lady Wife and you appear to be "hoots" and that's a good thing.

Have a great time.

Whoa! Look our Italy!! Here comes MaiTai!!
Have a great time, !!

<i>I am sorry, I never preview...that should read look ouT Italy :(</i>

Ciao Tom and Tracy!

Have a wonderful time in Italia. Any consideration for changing your name to Amaronetom? ;)

&quot;Any consideration for changing your name to Amaronetom? &quot;

Absolutely. Also Brunellotom, Chiantitom and many others.

((H))

Based on just your farewell message I believe I need to wish you a wonderful trip, filled with adventure.

This is an entirely selfish wish. I can’t wait to read your trip report.

It seems that everyone is on their way to Italy. I hope all of you have a grand time.

We're right behind you Tom, leaving tomorrow for Sicily and Tuscany. Have a marvelous time. I'll look for someone sipping a maitai in Tuscany!