Thanks for the tips on finances -- it's a reasonable group and I want to keep it that way!

annw~ One other thing I thought of you might want to help (especially) the first timers with - packing tips. Even though you won't be moving around too terribly much, might be good if you gathered and offered everyone some packing lists to help people get organized and pack 'light'.

Great idea, Suze. I've already strongly recommended they plan to bring one rolling carry-on plus the one personal item, but I was wondering about photographing the amount of clothing I bring on a typical trip as a starting point, or just sending along some tips. We will be going on trains and boats, so despite the week-long stay in Lake Como I'm not eager to be fighting big bags on and off the trains the rest of the time.

(I'll never forget going to Ireland for a week with a friend (I had won two free tickets) and seeing her re-stuff her suitcase in my living room before going and seeing these enormous fluffy and heavy clothing items and wondering how long until she jettisoned some of it on the trip.