Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Trip Report My red wine is calling to me

Hi, all...thanks for your patience...I’m happy to report that our baby girl was born happy and healthy 2 weeks ago today and mom finally has time to get back on the computer and is looking forward to having some red wine very soon.

First, I’ll try to answer your questions...

@ Dickens87 - I booked the Accidental Tourist Cooking Class probably 9 months in advance, but I plan things WAY far in advance. We had to change our date a few months out and it wasn’t a problem. Here’s the website with pricing (70 euro per person): http://www.accidentaltourist.com/act...?activemenu=00

@ elnap29 - the Locanda Orseolo was wonderful...everything that everyone on this board had described. With the windows closed, we didn’t hear a thing...but I did open them as soon as I got up every morning. The gondolas didn’t start running until after about 9 or 10 in the morning, so not a problem. I’m not sure how late they would run at night or if the noise would be a problem because it rained every night we were there and the gondolas stopped when the rain started. But, the number of tourists decreased significantly around dinnertime, so I wouldn’t worry about the noise at night.

@LuvToRoam - we did arrange for the Rome cab ahead of time, and they were waiting for us at the airport with our name on a sign and were right on time to take us to the airport the morning of departure as well. I would certainly use them again.

@ Cpelk - We had simple cotton pants and jeans. May was warm, so the cotton felt nicer, but we are both more comfortable in jeans...and for those who are wondering...jeans were just fine for anything we did during the day. DH had some khaki’s that could be dried in the drier (and also screamed tourist, but he wouldn’t get a pair in black). I had wide leg cotton pants that looked like linen in grey and black. I think I found them at Kohl’s, but probably any department store would have something.

@ annhig - next time i think we will slow it down a bit. DH said he would have liked 3 nights in each location instead of 2 because he felt like we were moving all the time. We would probably pick two or three locations for 10 days.

That seems like a good lead in to “The Things We Learned” or “What we Would do the Same/Different”. This isn’t really in any sort of order, just a rambling of thoughts...

Carry-on Only is way to go! Still not sure how we did it, but SO glad we did. We each still had a couple of shirts too many. Packing cubes kept everything organized and made it easy to unpack/repack so many times.

Go to the bathroom every time you have the chance...you never know when you might have the chance again, or what the conditions will be the next time.

The CT wouldn’t make our “must do” list. Sorrento and a visit to Pompeii are on the list for next time.

An extra day or two in each location would have been nice. If we could just manage more vacation time at work...

Cabs in Rome were worth the money (not too expensive during the day) to save our legs and avoid arguments.

Get up early in Venice. So worth it! Actually, get up early everywhere and take a nap after lunch when everyone else is out.

Get to the Rome airport 3 hours early...you do need the time.

It was helpful to know a few basic phrases in Italian. I had learned a few but DH had not. He said this was the one thing he would do before our next trip.

Don’t be afraid to try something new or that you don’t normally eat at home. I haven’t touched a tomato since we got back, but I ate them in Italy and they were wonderful. I also still order my bacon extra crispy, but will always remember the way that “bacon” melted in my mouth our first night in Rome.

You don’t need to be at the train station too early (30 minutes was too much)

Coffee is better in Italy.

Stay off the train tracks.

The real Venice is not where the tourists are.

Plan ahead, prioritize and be willing to adapt.

Blisters happen...moleskin is your friend.

Jeans would have been ok to wear every day, maybe with a pair of black pants for dinner at night.

Keep a positive attitude and have fun!