I cannot believe that in 2 weeks I will be leaving for Italy. I am so excited!!!!!!!!!I think I have everthing covered--packing, passports,good walking shoes/sandals.Any last minute words of wisdom ??
Thank you all for all of your advice & posts.

Make sure to e-mail your hotels and ask for directions to the hotel from wherever you are arriving from (train station, airport or the metro). This will make your arrival much smoother if you don't plan on getting a cab. We did this on our second trip to Italy. I just highlighted the route on a map of the city and printed it so that upon arrival we were not lost or having to stop and ask directions. We did not do this on our first trip and it was a little confusing - especially in Venice. Have a great trip!

Be sure you call your credit card companies to tell them your destination & travel dates so they don't suspend use of your card(s) due to "suspicious activity" while you are overseas.

I agree with the tip to bring your hotel address, phone number and map with directions from your arrival point. We arrived at the Amsterdam train station, and the cabbies said they didn't know where our hotel was. So it was good to have it plotted on a map to show them. Even better, ask your hotel to send a car for you since you'll be tired from your long flight. Have fun!

Not very exciting, but...
Check that your CC's/ATM to make sure none of the cards expire in the next month or so - order replacements now if they do!

Find a great book to read that will last you through your travels - something to occupy you for jetlag & airport delays!

Yay for you! 13 days to go

Along the same advice, contact your bank and tell that you'll be using ATM's out of the country. You may also want a temporary increase of your daily withdrawal limit.
Make a copy of credit cards, drivers license, passports,etc.
Have a great time!

I always make a one page "vital info" sheet before a trip, and find it very helpful. On one side I put a calendar that shows what city/town we'll be in each day, what hotel we'll be staying at each night, and flight/train times and #'s. On the other side I put the address and contact #'s for each hotel and airline as well as contact info for credit card and banks.

I refer to it way more than you would think.

Just returned from Italy, it was great.
If you have another ATM account you may want to take both. My bank blocked my transactions after the first withdrawal, even though I called and told them where and when I was travelling.
I called the bank on my return and they had my note about travel in the computer but the security company they use blocked my access. I had a card from my Credit Union and used it for the rest of the trip.Take your bank phone numbers just in case.
American Express also e-mailed me while I was away and about unusual activity but I called and I had been issued a new card the day I left and they were concerned that I had not activated the new card. They did not block use of my card just sent me an e-mail.

Thank you ALL !! Great tips !!!
I REALLY appreciate your help !!

A British teatime television institution is of the same name: Countdown. Sadly its host died aged 61 on Sunday evening.

Here's the news story as most of you will not be familiar with the late Richard Whiteley.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertain...io/4625347.stm