janisj

Actually one came by post one by DHL and the rest via FedEx so likely not tooooo much gossip.

historytraveler

Wanted to add that your comments about the ease of posting items from F&M has put the store near the top of things to do next time I'm in London. I'm not usually a big shopper but can always find something(s) in Fortum that I really like.

latedaytraveler, I am working on that trip report.

chris45ny

Great report janis. Taking notes. I'm working on my Venice planning right now so timing is perfect with all the info in your report. Thanks.

LCBoniti

Loved the entire trip report, jj, especially the London part as I am leaving for there in just over a week.

I will definitely check out those amazing boxes as I hope to do a bit more shopping than usual this time with Christmas coming up.

And historytraveler, I second the request for you to finish your TR. I won't be getting that way this trip, but I would love some ideas for future trips.

Thanks again, janis.

nola77382

Great report, as always. I had to look up mosquito repellent in Italian (repellente per zanzare) just in case for next time we are in Venice... Ciao.

lovs2travel

Excellent report. I really enjoyed reading about your adventures. Thanks for sharing!

kovsie

"One of the quirks of the hotel is you use your room key to activate the lights/power . . . meaning if you aren't in the room you can't charge anything ..."

Janis, our London hotel had the same quirk. My DD figured out that you can leave ANY card in the little slot that activates the power - a library card worked just fine. THEN we figured out that we had to leave a 'do not disturb' sign on the door or the cleaners would come in and cancel all our clever scheming.

thursdaysd

The card in the slot thing is common in Asia, seems to be just starting in Europe. I charge my gizmos at night, either I'm taking them with me (camera and smart phone), or I don't want to advertise their presence.

janisj

That wouldn't work here - the key wasn't a card but a little metal disc on a chain. It electronically opened the door and then you had to hold the door open to give you light from the hallway to find the little slot that fit the disc exactly.

But I'll definitely remember the card trick if I see a true card version in future. Thanks

annhig

jj - we found on this recent trip to Germany that in the rooms that have the card in the slot system there was at least one electrical point which was always on, whether or not the card was in the slot. Sadly I can't remember how that point was marked.

Kathie

Thanks for posting this wonderful report. I was especially interested in the Venice portion since it is one of the destinations we are considering for 2015.

janisj

note re the Poppies at the Tower . . .

When I visited in the early evening in Sept there were very few people -- just a handful walking along and stopping for a look.

Now apparently it is much different - thousands. They have even had to close Tower Hill tube station intermittently due to over crowding. The Tower is asking people to visit early in the AMs or late to avoid the crush. Partly due to half term and partly due I'd guess getting nearer 11/11

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/w...blic-told.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-29861969

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-backlash.html

janisj

this is sooooo weird. For the second time this morning (other was on the US forum) a post has 'taken' but not updated the thread list. I'll try this to see if it tops the thread.

Fodors has been <i>very</i> twitchy today . . .

latedaytraveler

Hi JANISJ,

Just received confirmation that I will be sent my POPPY from the Tower of London display sometime after the holidays. All are sold by now I guess.

Really excited.

TDudette

Don't know how I missed this but it sure was a good one. Brava, janisj. And what fun to send things home--wish I'd tried.