HELP! Los Angeles to Venice, Italy JET LAG ADVICE NEEDED...
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Sep 7th, 2010, 04:27 PM
#44
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I adjust my biological clock before going. I go to bed 1 hr earlier, get up 1 hr earlier...next night 2...then 3. By the time I get on the plane, I'm tired. Meal, no alcohol, no coffee, no movies...just sleep or listening to music. When I land, no nap. By napping you are letting your body slip back to 'home' time, you want to stay on local time. Lots of outdoorsy stuff, walking,etc.. Bed at proper local time. By seond day I'm almost there.
Sacrifice at home...so you don't need to sarcifice your time over there.
But then again, I am leaving from eastern side of N.A.
Sacrifice at home...so you don't need to sarcifice your time over there.
But then again, I am leaving from eastern side of N.A.
Sep 7th, 2010, 04:37 PM
#45
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Thanks, suze! Thanks, janisj!
I think I've gained 10 pounds just THINKING of Italy. I'll try to post a trip report when I get back.
Our itinerary so far (subject to last-minute, whimsical changes):
1) MONTEGROTTO (near Padua): our first visit to a Veneto spa town; curious about trying the warm outdoor mineral pools (great for post-airplane stress, I hear!)
2) PADUA & LUGO: for family gatherings & celebrations
3) VERONA: my first time!!! very excited; I hear the shopping is tempting, though I doubt I'll be sampling any horse or donkey (not really my thing)
4) LAKE GARDA/VALPOLICELLA WINE REGION: This part is a bit of a question mark... subject to whether we have enough time or energy; MALCESINE looks pretty gorgeous though!
5) VENICE: Probably will be one day only (I've been there a few times already, so it's okay); will definitely be doing a spritz and chichetti (spelling?) run and browsing some beautiful Murano glass
My first time on Air France too. Wish me luck. My best to all of you, Happy Travellers. Happy September! Cin-cin!
I think I've gained 10 pounds just THINKING of Italy. I'll try to post a trip report when I get back.
Our itinerary so far (subject to last-minute, whimsical changes):
1) MONTEGROTTO (near Padua): our first visit to a Veneto spa town; curious about trying the warm outdoor mineral pools (great for post-airplane stress, I hear!)
2) PADUA & LUGO: for family gatherings & celebrations
3) VERONA: my first time!!! very excited; I hear the shopping is tempting, though I doubt I'll be sampling any horse or donkey (not really my thing)
4) LAKE GARDA/VALPOLICELLA WINE REGION: This part is a bit of a question mark... subject to whether we have enough time or energy; MALCESINE looks pretty gorgeous though!
5) VENICE: Probably will be one day only (I've been there a few times already, so it's okay); will definitely be doing a spritz and chichetti (spelling?) run and browsing some beautiful Murano glass
My first time on Air France too. Wish me luck. My best to all of you, Happy Travellers. Happy September! Cin-cin!
Sep 7th, 2010, 05:10 PM
#46
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just to reiterate what everybody has said.
lots and lots and lots and lots of water on the flight.
lots of walking and stretching.
have a great time - we will be in Venice sept 22 to 26 - if you see me, buy me a drink (but not on the plane-no alcohol on the plane)
lots and lots and lots and lots of water on the flight.
lots of walking and stretching.
have a great time - we will be in Venice sept 22 to 26 - if you see me, buy me a drink (but not on the plane-no alcohol on the plane)
Sep 7th, 2010, 07:02 PM
#47
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Grazie also to Michel Paris and AUERJAC.
AUERJAC: I think our dates in Venice will not overlap, but here's a tip I'd like to share... get your chichetti (aka "Italian tapas") and spritz from CANTINONE GIA SCHIAVI -- Dorso Duro 992, 041-5230034.
They close by 8pm and are closed on Sundays.
AUERJAC: I think our dates in Venice will not overlap, but here's a tip I'd like to share... get your chichetti (aka "Italian tapas") and spritz from CANTINONE GIA SCHIAVI -- Dorso Duro 992, 041-5230034.
They close by 8pm and are closed on Sundays.
Sep 7th, 2010, 10:31 PM
#48
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Hi, all! I am just 12 days away from my first trip to Italy (from Oregon) so am starting to get into the groove of the technical details of things (combating jet lag? best way to convert USD to euros? Warm or cold weather clothing? Etc.) I WANT to sleep the entire flight. I have Ambien to make that happen. BUT, two years ago, I had a superficial blood clot in one of my legs so my doctor has declared a "NO GO" for taking any kind of sleeping or sedation medication for the flight. She insists that I need to get up hourly to walk to prevent another blood clot. So, I just wanted to say that I really appreciate everyone that took the time to post their advice on this board for how to deal with jet lag. You've given me some great ideas! Grazie mille...
Sep 8th, 2010, 06:40 AM
#50
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SCARLETTDZ9: I just spoke to relatives in Padua (near Venice) and they said it's been pretty darn cold lately. Coming from Los Angeles, I don't like hearing that but Hey: a cold Italy is better than no Italy. Are you going to be travelling in the north or south?
When it comes to converting dollars to euros, I just use my ATM card once I'm abroad. I know some people like to bring euros with them, but I usually wait. I haven't used traveller's checks in years. For everything else (meals, gifts), I use my credit card.
When it comes to converting dollars to euros, I just use my ATM card once I'm abroad. I know some people like to bring euros with them, but I usually wait. I haven't used traveller's checks in years. For everything else (meals, gifts), I use my credit card.
Sep 8th, 2010, 11:54 AM
#51
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Hi betty -
The only thing I can add is a mental adjustment. Set your watch to Venice Time the moment the plane leaves LA. Your 330 departure becomes 930. And once you arrive, never ever think in terms of what time it is at home.
I am in line with mostly everything above. Get up really early for a few days before the flight and have no caffeine the day of the flight. I don't like drugs but I do like alcohol, so I will have a few drinks on the flight. I eat the dinner. Almost never watch the movie. I try to sleep. Sometimes I can, other times it's more like dozing.
On the first day, I am definitely in the 'no nap' camp. Of course you will be tired but a nap is not a good way to adjust to the time change. And I do as much as possible outside on the first day, since natural light is supposed to help your body clock adjust.
Have a great time!
The only thing I can add is a mental adjustment. Set your watch to Venice Time the moment the plane leaves LA. Your 330 departure becomes 930. And once you arrive, never ever think in terms of what time it is at home.
I am in line with mostly everything above. Get up really early for a few days before the flight and have no caffeine the day of the flight. I don't like drugs but I do like alcohol, so I will have a few drinks on the flight. I eat the dinner. Almost never watch the movie. I try to sleep. Sometimes I can, other times it's more like dozing.
On the first day, I am definitely in the 'no nap' camp. Of course you will be tired but a nap is not a good way to adjust to the time change. And I do as much as possible outside on the first day, since natural light is supposed to help your body clock adjust.
Have a great time!
Sep 30th, 2010, 05:29 AM
#53
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We will have the same problem end of october flying to Rome from JFK which is actually only a 8 hour flight. They serve dinner/breakfast so not really much time for sleeping. So odd but many meds keep me awake!! Benadryl, I took half a zanax once and couldn't sleep at all!! I hope we can snooze on the plane I think it will help. I will look into all the recommendations.
Sep 30th, 2010, 05:50 AM
#54
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Alcohol affects your sleep patterns, as does caffeine. You want your body clock reset. anything that masks or retards that is just another thing ot overcome.
I also have a hard time sleeping on board, but find I can at least zone-out by putting on music and headset.
I used to think, I paid good $ for this flight, I am going to take full advantage, meals, wine, movies,etc...Until I started thinking that I have limited time whenever I get to europe, and feeling crappy for the first few days is costing me more than the pleasure of enjoying all of the airline 'stuff'.
So how do I get my 'body' ready for Europe, even it is a slight inconvenience back home.
I also have a hard time sleeping on board, but find I can at least zone-out by putting on music and headset.
I used to think, I paid good $ for this flight, I am going to take full advantage, meals, wine, movies,etc...Until I started thinking that I have limited time whenever I get to europe, and feeling crappy for the first few days is costing me more than the pleasure of enjoying all of the airline 'stuff'.
So how do I get my 'body' ready for Europe, even it is a slight inconvenience back home.
Oct 17th, 2010, 06:53 PM
#56
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Thanks, Michel and Diann, and to all that responded!
The Air France leg of our journey was great -- good customer service and good food.
The Delta portion was pretty BAD, unfortunately. I will try to avoid flying them in the future.
Happy Travels to all!
The Air France leg of our journey was great -- good customer service and good food.
The Delta portion was pretty BAD, unfortunately. I will try to avoid flying them in the future.
Happy Travels to all!
