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Tom & Teresa,
It was great meeting both of you. I would like to stay in touch. You can e-mail me at [email protected] .. Glad you had a good time.. Dinner later was great except for my Scallop. Monica will get a kick out of that.. Betsy I will post it on a new thread and I am going to use WORD (spellcheck) then copy and paste so I can keep it all together.. Josh for some reason if I e-mail you the link it loads. if you want me to e-mail it send me a line to [email protected] |
We just got back on the 24th and going through Italy withdrawals but at least it makes me feel a little better to get back on Fodors and read about all that everyone did. We also had a great time. I think my husband was amazed that I did such a great job of organizing the whole trip but it was due in a large part to all the helpful information gained from this site.
Gary, what is the actual amount of wine you are allowed to bring back per person without paying duty? We bought some excellent wines there and they were very reasonably priced but I didn't think you could bring back more than 2 bottles per person. Guess I'm just going to have to go back sooner than I thought. |
I brought back 16 bottles and itemized them on my customs forms and had no problems. I did had to check the syrofaom container with 12 bottles into "excessive baggage area". No charges or fees. I brought back 3 different 97 Brunello di Montalcono's, several different Chianta Classicos' and Riservas. The prices were so much better I was ready to pay any fee but pleased not to have to. I also brought back dried porcini's, Parm.cheese, olive oils infused with black and white truffles..Yumm....I plan on a cooking a home cooke Italin dinner for my closest friends and sharing a little of the wine with them...
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garynfla, would you like to have a house guest for fews days?:):)
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Great to hear you had such a good trip. Hope you become a regular here.
Your enthusiasm is something this board can never have enough of. Didn't get a chance to acknowledge your "thank you" - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34419181 - - before we left for Vienna/Prague/etc; the kind words are much appreciated. Best wishes, Rex |
Rex Thank you the wonderful compliment and I also hope to remain a regular here. I very much enjoy the time I spend here on these boards.Because of these posts I had a much longer vacation than the 10 days that I was out of the country..Thanks again
Also Kismetchimera, there is always room at our table for one more.You know us Southerners with our charm and manners.. |
BC.. my biggest problem with editing is I can't type..I can actually spell when I am not trying to rush the two fingers I type with..LOL
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Gary - your enthusiasm is infectious and I am glad to see it! I haven't been on the board much in the last year. I planned my honeymoon off this board last year and have been a TERRIBLE person and not yet posted my trip report - but I am doing me wedding thank you's right now as well, so at least I am consistent and am a terrible person in many aspects of my life... I digress...
it is wonderful to be a part of the Italy board, even if I never made it into 'the club'. I have traveled in the US and Canda this year and have not found either board to be nearly as useful as this - thank you Italian Fodorites!! I am in withdrawl and I have been home for almost 11 months - I think of it and read of it each day. Right now I am engrossed in Mayes's works on Tuscany and trying to carve a niche of time into 2004 to make it back! I feel a strange pull to the land as Mayes did and while my husband does not quite share it, he will indulge me in it every few years! While I am not a good fodorite, you all have inspired me and I will finish my trip report and get it posted to help other travelers! As someone mentioned, the people you travel with are so impressed by the knowledge you gain from this board, and that is due to the wonderful participants! Thanks again, and if anyone is traveling soon and would like to read my very disoriented 6 page Word document please email me (we traveled to Lake Garda, Venice, Florence, Rome & CT over 14 days) at [email protected]. Now that the students are gone for the summer perhaps I will even spend some time on the board from work :) |
Gary, I can't wait for your trip report (I'm unable to get to your pics). Our first trip is in October and I know I'll be a "club member" too. Just wondering what airlines you used that allowed bringing back all that great wine in your luggage. We'll be flying British Airways, but it sounds like they won't be was accomodating and I also want to bring back lots of wine, olive oil, etc.
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Yup- us too. We are hooked. Just back May 26 and we are obsessed with finding the wines we loved in cafes in Venice and Positano. And I HAVE to start on a mosaic replica of the "Cave Canem" doggies we saw in Pompeii.
Why doesn't my boss understand that having to actually do stuff at work is ruining my state of Italy-nirvana? Nancy |
Read your reply - seems like you had a great time - we are leaving for Montecatini June 14 - would like to bring home wine, cheese, oil etc. Any tips on how to pack them and get them home. Also the indoor market where some of your friends purchased the wine - Any tips would be appreciated. Can't wait to go - it will be our 3rd trip to Italy - First time went to Sorrento, Florence and Rome - second to Sicily - LOVE ITALY
Thanks for info |
Somewhere in the center of this capitalist whirlwind hides the indoor Mercato Centrale food market (between Via dell'Ariento and Piazza del Mercato Centrale). Downstairs you'll find meat, cheese, and dry goods. There's one stall devoted to tripe aficionados, a second piled high with baccalà (dried salt cod), and a good cheap eatery called Nerbone. The upstairs is devoted to fruits and veggies--a cornucopia of fat eggplants, long yellow peppers, stacks of artichokes, and peperoncini bunched into brilliant red bursts. In all, you couldn't ask for better picnic pickings. The market is open Monday to Saturday 7am to 2pm and Saturday also 4 to 7:30pm.
Wnet there and found styrofaom wine boxes that held 3 bottles each. I purchased 4 for 1 Euro each. I then went to a office supply store and bought a roll of packing tape and taped the 4 containers together.It worked like a charm .I also had a box with a handle from one wine shop that held 4 bottles. I carried that one on the plane and checked in the 12 bottle box.It shipped just fine. Mike declared 8 bottles and so did I, and we had no problem at customs and did not have to pay anything either.We had a rental car up to arriving in Venice so I kept the wine in the car. It was kinda of a pain carrying it to the Hotel in Vencie and then back to the airport for departure, but for all the nice wines we got it was surely worth it. We did have to check the 12 bottle box in the excessive baggage area and there was no charge for that. We bookef airfare thru Delta and flew Air France there and Alitalia on the way back -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: GARYNFLA Date: 05/27/2003, 05:31 am Message: Hiya Peggyann, I am glad your trip was great also and yes the weather was perfect. We had 2 little showers but being from South Florida we are used to them. The little showers seemed to clear some of the lines so we loved them. I got a great laugh at how quick the guys came out selling umbrellas after 45 seconds of rain.. Where were they hiding with all those umbrellas?LOL I would love to go back in October when so many festivals are going on and all of the wineries are showcasing their products..I can relate to the withdrawl... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Elainee Date: 05/27/2003, 05:42 am Message: Just back last night. Can't sleep. We only brought back 5 bottles of wine but BA would not take them as luggage even tho they were in professional wine styrofoam box which we had plastic security wrapped and we went business class. But ok for carry on. We also had great time (lots of American in Italy) and would go back tomorrow...too tired today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: bobthenavigator Date: 05/27/2003, 11:00 am Message: Buon giorno Gary, Glad you had such a great time. Will be looking for your report later. Welcome to the Club. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: fluffy Date: 05/27/2003, 11:03 am Message: Gary,thanks for the info. I usually buy so many things in Italy, I bring an extra suit case, do you think the styrofoam containers would fit in a dullfle bag, type of suit case? I will look for the in door food market in Florence, I'm sure its a fun place to checkout anyway. I'll be in Italy in Sept. it seems too far off. Glad you had such a great time la dolce Italy Fluffy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: bookchick ([email protected]) Date: 05/27/2003, 11:20 am Message: Gary, I am delighted to hear it all went so well. As Bob said, "welcome to the club", and I'm really looking forward to reading your trip report! BC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: GARYNFLA Date: 05/27/2003, 11:38 am Message: Hiya BC and Bob, It is a club that I am pleased to have joined. What a wonderful country. Bob I also had the pleasure of meeting Monica from Maryland. She is one neat lady!! Her Mom was great too!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Jennie ([email protected]) Date: 05/27/2003, 12:04 pm Message: Garynfla, I'm so glad to hear you had a great first time in Italy. I'm going for MY first time in September. I absolutely can't wait! I'd love to look at your pictures, but I'm having trouble with the link you posted. When I paste it into my browser, it takes me to a page that asks for a user name and password. Is anyone else having this problem? Jennie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Terry Date: 05/27/2003, 12:13 pm Message: Yes, Jennie, I am also having the same problem. Would love to view the photos. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: AC Date: 05/27/2003, 12:17 pm Message: Hi: I am glad you had such a great time. I am about the join "the club" I am in the process of putting my Spring 2004 trip together. Your information has been very helpful. I look forward to your trip report. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Judy Date: 05/27/2003, 12:44 pm Message: Gary, looking forward to your report. My husband and I are also Italy lovers and are planning our third trip for May 2004. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: GARYNFLA Date: 05/27/2003, 12:51 pm Message: I am not sure why some are not able to view the pics. if you have AOL e-mail me and I will send the link.. [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: GARYNFLA Date: 05/27/2003, 02:03 pm Message: BC.. can I send you my report first to have it edited? LOL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Tom_Phillips Date: 05/27/2003, 02:12 pm Message: Hi Gary, It was nice meeting with you and the gang in Venice on the 23rd. We look forward to your report and will do one ourselves shortly. It has been very difficult going back to work after 2 weeks in Italy. I better do some work, though, so I can afford to go back. Tom & Teresa of Orlando -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: bookchick ([email protected]) Date: 05/27/2003, 02:17 pm Message: Gary, *LOL* Any time at all!!! BC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Betsy ([email protected]) Date: 05/27/2003, 03:33 pm Message: Hi Gary Can't wait to read your report! Will you post it on a new thread so we don't have to scan each line back and forth due to the long URL above? (I'm assuming the message on everyone's browser is too wide to fit the page) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: JoshP Date: 05/27/2003, 05:31 pm Message: Gary, couldn't access your photos.....do we need a password? give more info.....thanks, can't wait to hear about your trip. we are going to italy for a month in july for our honeymoon....so excited!!! josh -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: GARYNFLA Date: 05/27/2003, 05:49 pm Message: Tom & Teresa, It was great meeting both of you. I would like to stay in touch. You can e-mail me at [email protected] .. Glad you had a good time.. Dinner later was great except for my Scallop. Monica will get a kick out of that.. Betsy I will post it on a new thread and I am going to use WORD (spellcheck) then copy and paste so I can keep it all together.. Josh for some reason if I e-mail you the link it loads. if you want me to e-mail it send me a line to [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: lm Date: 05/27/2003, 06:11 pm Message: We just got back on the 24th and going through Italy withdrawals but at least it makes me feel a little better to get back on Fodors and read about all that everyone did. We also had a great time. I think my husband was amazed that I did such a great job of organizing the whole trip but it was due in a large part to all the helpful information gained from this site. Gary, what is the actual amount of wine you are allowed to bring back per person without paying duty? We bought some excellent wines there and they were very reasonably priced but I didn't think you could bring back more than 2 bottles per person. Guess I'm just going to have to go back sooner than I thought. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: GARYNFLA Date: 05/27/2003, 07:11 pm Message: I brought back 16 bottles and itemized them on my customs forms and had no problems. I did had to check the syrofaom container with 12 bottles into "excessive baggage area". No charges or fees. I brought back 3 different 97 Brunello di Montalcono's, several different Chianta Classicos' and Riservas. The prices were so much better I was ready to pay any fee but pleased not to have to. I also brought back dried porcini's, Parm.cheese, olive oils infused with black and white truffles..Yumm....I plan on a cooking a home cooke Italin dinner for my closest friends and sharing a little of the wine with them... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: kismetchimera Date: 05/27/2003, 07:15 pm Message: garynfla, would you like to have a house guest for fews days? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: rex ([email protected]) Date: 05/27/2003, 08:21 pm Message: Great to hear you had such a good trip. Hope you become a regular here. Your enthusiasm is something this board can never have enough of. Didn't get a chance to acknowledge your "thank you" - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34419181 - - before we left for Vienna/Prague/etc; the kind words are much appreciated. Best wishes, Rex -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: GARYNFLA Date: 05/27/2003, 09:01 pm Message: Rex Thank you the wonderful compliment and I also hope to remain a regular here. I very much enjoy the time I spend here on these boards.Because of these posts I had a much longer vacation than the 10 days that I was out of the country..Thanks again Also Kismetchimera, there is always room at our table for one more.You know us Southerners with our charm and manners.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: GARYNFLA Date: 05/27/2003, 09:03 pm Message: BC.. my biggest problem with editing is I can't type..I can actually spell when I am not trying to rush the two fingers I type with..LOL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: KAMG Date: 05/27/2003, 09:29 pm Message: Gary - your enthusiasm is infectious and I am glad to see it! I haven't been on the board much in the last year. I planned my honeymoon off this board last year and have been a TERRIBLE person and not yet posted my trip report - but I am doing me wedding thank you's right now as well, so at least I am consistent and am a terrible person in many aspects of my life... I digress... it is wonderful to be a part of the Italy board, even if I never made it into 'the club'. I have traveled in the US and Canda this year and have not found either board to be nearly as useful as this - thank you Italian Fodorites!! I am in withdrawl and I have been home for almost 11 months - I think of it and read of it each day. Right now I am engrossed in Mayes's works on Tuscany and trying to carve a niche of time into 2004 to make it back! I feel a strange pull to the land as Mayes did and while my husband does not quite share it, he will indulge me in it every few years! While I am not a good fodorite, you all have inspired me and I will finish my trip report and get it posted to help other travelers! As someone mentioned, the people you travel with are so impressed by the knowledge you gain from this board, and that is due to the wonderful participants! Thanks again, and if anyone is traveling soon and would like to read my very disoriented 6 page Word document please email me (we traveled to Lake Garda, Venice, Florence, Rome & CT over 14 days) at [email protected]. Now that the students are gone for the summer perhaps I will even spend some time on the board from work -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Ann509 Date: 05/28/2003, 12:30 am Message: Gary, I can't wait for your trip report (I'm unable to get to your pics). Our first trip is in October and I know I'll be a "club member" too. Just wondering what airlines you used that allowed bringing back all that great wine in your luggage. We'll be flying British Airways, but it sounds like they won't be was accomodating and I also want to bring back lots of wine, olive oil, etc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Petoonya Date: 05/28/2003, 02:52 am Message: Yup- us too. We are hooked. Just back May 26 and we are obsessed with finding the wines we loved in cafes in Venice and Positano. And I HAVE to start on a mosaic replica of the "Cave Canem" doggies we saw in Pompeii. Why doesn't my boss understand that having to actually do stuff at work is ruining my state of Italy-nirvana? Nancy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: antbry Date: 05/28/2003, 06:46 am Message: Read your reply - seems like you had a great time - we are leaving for Montecatini June 14 - would like to bring home wine, cheese, oil etc. Any tips on how to pack them and get them home. Also the indoor market where some of your friends purchased the wine - Any tips would be appreciated. Can't wait to go - it will be our 3rd trip to Italy - First time went to Sorrento, Florence and Rome - second to Sicily - LOVE ITALY Thanks for info -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Garynfla,
I'm just curious, why did you copy all the previous posts on your latest reply. Is there some kind of weird thing happening eith the website? |
I think the error was definetly on my part. I was answering a question that was partly answered in a previous post and was trying to "copy & paste"..Sorry
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Hi Gary!
I was searching for a message I posted last month and came across this one. Yes, I will NEVER forget the scallop dish you had. I'm still writing my journal but hope to get it done next week and post it (and my photos) on my web site: http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com/home.html Mom and I enjoyed meeting everyone that Friday night - it was a great evening! Take care, Monica |
Having returned from Italy two weeks ago today..this boost of Italy enthusiasm comes at the right time.
Ad me to the I love Italy club too. |
Add me to the list, as well. Just returned a week and a half ago. Loved it! Working on my trip report to post soon.
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