When you're going to be spending long days walking anywhere, always bring at least three pairs of comfy shoes so that you can switch off each day. Even your most comfortable shoes can start to hurt after a while. Also, invest in a seventy-nine cent mini-tub of Vaseline petroleum jelly and lube those toes up each morning. It will absolutely SAVE you! <BR>

I'm "easy-spirit" all the way! <BR>Granted I'm willing to wear a tie shoe to the opera. As a person with small wide feet and a highish arch I CAN'T wear flats. Sooo.. I try to look nice above the ankles :) <BR>

When you're going to be spending long days walking anywhere, always bring at least three pairs of comfy shoes so that you can switch off each day. Even your most comfortable shoes can start to hurt after a while. Also, invest in a seventy-nine cent mini-tub of Vaseline petroleum jelly and lube those toes up each morning. It will absolutely SAVE you! <BR>

I agree that shoes are very important and have currently picked out three pair of my most comfy for a month in Italy. The only problem is that all are open toe - Romika, Clarks and Aerosoles. Do I really need a pair of closed toe shoes for May?

I always get great ideas from this forum; I've always stuck with black or navy leather shoes, one low-top tie, one slip-on, from Aerosole and Easy Spirit (I'm someone who can't wear athletic shoes, and am exremely comfortable in flexible-soled, soft shoes) and never had a problem. I never thought about Rockports, so I'm off to the store tonight to git me summa them. <BR>As for the question about closed shoes in May: It's more about where than when. Greek isle in October? I want sandals and flipflops. Paris/Rome/Tokyo/New York ANY TIME?? you bet I want closed shoes...dirt and crowded subways tell me I don't want these little piggies hangin' ten...and tromping around in the wide open spaces with creepy crawlies, pricker bushes and rocks makes me want closed shoes as well... <BR>Thanks again to the Rockport posters!

Before our trip to France last fall, I had already packed my new Easy Spirits when I decided I needed something that looked a little "nicer", too. I had a pair of Enzo Angiolini soft leather flats that were so comfortable, but the soles seemed a little thin for cobblestone walking. So I took them to the local shoe repair shop and had thicker more durable soles put on. You would never notice the difference in appearance, and they were (and are) wonderful. I wore them every day. <BR>One of my friends on the trip was really having shoe troubles when, on the streets of Avignon, we spotted a big "Mephisto" sign! A stop there saved the trip for her, and were were not the only tourists in the shop. <BR> <BR>

I travel with Murno shoes. They are great, but hard to find. My only source so far is Nordstroms. I took them and Rockports to London last year and only wore the Rockports once. The soles were just too thin. The Murno's look nice and have great soles for Europe. They come in lace up and slip on styles.