First of all thanks to everyone who gave us their input on celebrating our 25th Anniversary in Venice and the Lake Como area.<BR><BR>I should have never uttered those words.."Please don't lose my luggage!"<BR>Well, they did for 3 of the 4 days we were in Venice. What did I learn? <BR>-you can wash anything as long as there is a window to dry<BR>-Italians move at their own pace (we finally had to go to the airport out of desperation to pick up our own luggage, which they apparently couldn't find and was clearly marked for our hotel)<BR>-once you get your luggage after 3 days of wearing the same clothes you realize you can exist on only 4 outfits quite well and now have too many clothes!<BR>-after being nice, yell! It wasn't till I yelled on Sunday that miraculously my luggage was being looked into.<BR><BR>So much for that. We had 4 days in Venice but lost too much time trying to remedy the luggage situation and then trying to purchase clothes (on British Air's expense) that was reasonable in price. I did note that things are more expensive all around in Italy regardless of the Euro. Couldn't find shoes under $80.00 which is my usual sourvenir.<BR>WE spent much time wandering through the small streets and canals as we searched for something other than Versace and Dolce and Gabana. So thanks to the lost luggage we got to see much of Venice that we probably wouldn't have. I thought the Rialto area was too crowded with touristy shops. Did locate a great local bar with great panini's to the right of the fruit market in an unmarked piazza called Piazza Vienna (go straight from the Rialto) . There is an artist's gallery to the right. Ate at Taverna San Trovaso, Vini da Gigio and Madonna. All very good, but where in Italy is good bread served at restaurants? Cancelled our reservations at Al Cove and found a good local restaurant in Dorsoduro called Risteco Onega. Loved the Hotel Calcina and Dorsoduro area. Wouldn't opt for any other location. Quiet, lovely view and away from the crowds at San Marco. <BR>Contrary to what people warned me here on the boards- Venice wasn't hot, crowded and the canals didn't smell. My husband had to lecture a young Bangladesh boy peddling a "crude" metal sculpture of a plane crashing into the Twin Towers. My husband was personally affected by 9/11 and with too much wine found that hard to take, whatever the culture. No other anti-american sentiment observed. Bought the 3 day pass on the vaporettos,which though they didn't check, came in handy. Instead of taking the train back to Milan, we drove from Venice to Menaggio in Lake Como in under 3 hours. Driving.. another experience. To be continued..<BR><BR>Denise

Great to hear stories of having a good time despite obstacles. Over time, you may feel like you learned more about yourself and your ability to deal with your delayed luggage, than if you had seen 50 more paintings in the Peggy Guggenheim.<BR><BR>But your story causes me to re-iterate one of my cardinal rules of luggage/packing:<BR><BR>I make sure that the smaller bag (carried on with me) has EVERYTHING I will need to get me by for the first 2-3 days after my arrival in Europe - - in case my larger bag is delayed in arriving.<BR><BR>The last time I posted the "full" version of my recommendations for luggage and packing was on this thread from Jan '02<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1337710<BR><BR>I'll look forward to more installations on your trip report.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Please tell us more, Denise.<BR>I agree with Rex---always carry on what you will need for 2 days--especially with multiple connections.

You both are right. I forgot to add that. In the future I will always carry a 2 day supply of clothes. Luckily we had our toiletries. But underwear...a lot of shampoo used to wash our only pair!<BR>Also, took 2 showers a day because I only had on jeans a a short sleeved shirt for the plane and that was just too hot for Venice.<BR>Rex- you are right. We did learn to make the best of the situation.

Denise, <BR>So sorry to hear about your luggage experience. Ironically the airline lost our luggage as well, but it was during the return home, so not nearly as catastrophic. No wonder we didn't have a chance to see you at breakfast -- you were out shopping for clothes! Our honeymoon was as excellent as your 25th ann. celebration. And we had the same reaction to Venice -- amazed at the comfortable temperature, friendly people, "bad" bread (?!), non-smelliness, and few crowds (at least away from San Marco and Rialto). Loved La Calcina as well and have recommended it to many people already (room #32 with the view of two canals was spectacular). We wished we had extended our stay an extra night to see the fireworks -- instead we spent it in an uppity/awful hotel in Milan. Venice is at the top of our "favorite destinations" list.

upping<BR>

Denise, what a wonderful post! First, so nice to hear people coping with fairly lmajor travel glitches without whinning about it or blaming others unfairly, etc.<BR><BR>I'm also glad to hear you enjoyed Venice in summer. I've been there only twice, both times in August, and never found it too hot, too crowded, or the canals smelly (but it seems impossible to convince other Fodor-ites this is true!).

Denise,<BR><BR>Loved your report thus far. Please tell us more when you can!

Nice to hear how your luggage problem turned out to be a positive experience. We had a similar situation when my husband had his wallet stolen in Rome. We were afraid to take the bus after that because it had been stolen on the bus, so we walked absolutely everywhere, and got a lot more flavour. We now use public transportation only for longer trips.<BR><BR>I always carry a few items to get me through the first few days if my luggage is lost: underwear, a mini-version of my toiletries, including sunscreen. I dress in light clothing and carry a jacket.<BR><BR>The lost wallet episode taught me another thing about carrying the essentials with you. I had a make-up bag that was also stolen from my backpack on the same bus. It contained essentials that I could not easily replace, including my diaphragm and two sets of disposable contact lenses. Now I use ziploc bags instead of makeup bags, so theives don't think my toiletries are a purse.

One more eager reader, waiting your additional posts.<BR>

I did post a follow up titled "Lake Como/Lake Orta", but I can't seem to locate it. With all this nonsense Rex bashings, it may be far back. <BR>Thanks to all of you and in the future, I will carryon at least one days change of clothes. Luckily we had our toiletries. I keep waking up since Tuesday, hoping to open my window and see a lake somewhere. Funny how fast those memories fade once you are back.<BR> <BR>What's with the fast food frozen microwavable pasta dishes served in some bar type restaurants? Embarrassingly, we were hungry, went in and I had this funny feeling something was not right. There were photos off of box tops (the first warning sign) in the window. I put two and two together and had this sinking feeling we were about to eat microwavble pasta and pizza. My husband thought I was nuts. In Italy, impossible!<BR>Well, sure enough they opened the fridge and into the microwave it went. I won't let him live it down. But to be quite honest it wasn't half bad. Later on at night, we saw tons of unsuspecting tourists eating at these places. If they had prepared meals like that in the US, I might be inclined to buy them. This was more apparent in the Lake areas. Anyone else observe this?<BR>Hope you find my other post.<BR><BR>Thanks again for everyone's help in planning this trip.<BR>Denise

Denise<BR>I don't think your follow-up post is here. The indexing is up to date. Perhaps you could repost?

To ruth<BR><BR>The indexing has NOT been updated, and remains stuck on July 17. This thread offers a simple confirmation of that. Search on "scanmike". This thread does NOT come up. Because this thread began SINCE July 17. There are now over 1500 threads which cannot be located with the "search" function.<BR><BR>I believe that the post Denise is talking about can be located. But not because the indexing is updated.<BR>

Rex<BR>I did do searches- that is why I am suggesting that the follow up post is not there! There is no point in searching for scanmike if she hasn't posted it!<BR>BTW put in Italy in the search and it gives post for today!

I tried every keyword to locate the post of July 31st. It's just not there. Bob the Navigator, REx and Mr. Go responded to it, yet it's missing. Can't figure out why, but will post again early this afternoon. Have to go out for a few hours. <BR>If anyone can find it please try. Titled <BR>"Trip report-Lake Como/lake Orta"<BR><BR>Denise

The addition of "country" (if it was originally "clicked") is instantaneous. I have to conclude, as (probably) you do as well, that Denise did NOT click "Italy" on her posting of Lake Como/Lake Orta (at least I can't find by selecting Italy and scrolling back for the past several days).<BR><BR>But this is not the same as indexing every word in a thread - - which is what you need for the search function to work.<BR>

Your older post has been located, Denise, and topped by fiona. topping is good, but is only a very temporary solution. Far better - - and permanent - - is to cite the URL of that thread here:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1395830<BR><BR>This way, anyone who finds this thread and wants to read THAT one can always go there.<BR>

Thanks Fiona and Rex.<BR>You both saved me the time of re-typing it. It was the first time ever that I didn't hit "Italy" when posting.<BR><BR>Thanks again,<BR>Denise