I am new on the Fodor board and feel privileged to have read your lovely, heartfelt post, Debbie Lee - especially since I will be going to the same places next month!

At the risk of asking a vastly overasked quesiton (yes, I searched the boards regarding this topic), may I ask what shoes you brought? I'm trying to figure out how to find just one pair of shoes, with fairly thick soles, that will work for both bigger cities like Rome and Florence, and also for hiking Cinque Terre.

Thank you again for your trip report. It makes me look forward to my trip even more!

WOW!!! It's still here!!! I clicked on my username, and my trip report came up... What a wonderful trip down memory lane... I'm not forgotten... Feel free to read and enjoy... and I'm very sorry that I didn't answer that question about the boots! Wasn't around at the time... But they were 'Rivers' boots for anyone that wantd to know... and they were awesome! I just threw them away last you... I nearly cried! My sister couldn't understand my holding onto them for so long, when they were falling apart... I walked 'Italia' in them... They still make me smile... Ciao one and all... Awesome blessings.. XXX