SuzieC

Tom. Thank you, Thank you! Great trip report. Do you think that when you are traveling solo, being in one's "own mind" and "company" one is more open to those magical "moments" as you call them? I got to thinking about that..when I was traveling alone, not having anyone to talk to, I SAW stuff that maybe I otherwise would not have seen.
AND thank you for posting the site to your pictures. They are beautiful. You've a gift there!! Wow...did you get some colorful "light"!

TRSW

SuzieC -

< being in one's "own mind" and "company" one is more open to those "magical" moments as you call them>.

That had a good part to do with it, that and the fact I had waited a very loooong time for this trip. Not to mention it was my first solo trip anywhere, other than Las Vegas.

Thank you for the compliments on my photographs. I am glad that you and others are enjoying them.

SusanP - I remember reading your trip report before I left. I was getting a little nervous about going solo and wondering if I did the right thing in canceling the tour. But your report put me at ease. I thank you for that!!

Tom

LoveItaly

Hello Suzie C, I agree. As wonderful as it is to have a good travel companion with you I find that when I am on my own I notice little details I wouldn't normally even see. And of course when one is by themselves they can stay as little or as long as they wish at various places. Both ways have their pro and cons of course. I think Tom's trip was so wonderful because he had time to enjoy Italy on his own and yet met up with a lot of lovely people. The best of two worlds.

TRSW

LoveItaly - Very well put! That is exactly how I feel about the trip. And I did meet some very nice people and shared some good times with them. Memories that I will always cherish.

Tom

SusanP

Tom, I'm glad my report helped you out! I think people in general are much more likely to talk to you and get into more indepth conversations when you're by yourself. I know I definitely found that to be true.

2Italy

Hey Tom, great report. This is Jerry, and I am sooooooooooooooooooooo glad you had a great time after cancelling your tour. I'm glad Italy was everything you hoped it would be and more and that you're going back!!!!
We're planning on going back in 2007 so we'll have to try and meet for dinner or something on that trip. Also, how'd you sleep in Italy?
Anyway, we're in the same, "missing Italy" mode as you are. Looking at the pictures as I'm putting them to music makes me long for it even more.

donco

Ah Italy! What is it about Italy? Tom, thanks for your wonderful report and photos. Did you use digital camera? When you return, try to get to Pompeii-if you liked Ostia, it'll really blow you away.

TRSW

donco,

I used both digital and film. I finally caved on getting a digital in May and now am glad that I did.

I wanted to go to Pompeii, but that would have taken a whole day and alot of that on the train. So on my next trip I am planning on staying in Sorrento for at least 3 days and will make it to Pompeii then.

Tom

donco

Can't wait to read another trip report! DH and I only allowed a morning in Pompeii and ended up staying all day-fascinating. And welcome to the "Sighing for Italy" group!

bella05

Thanks Tom for such a detailed report on your trip. It sounds like so much fun! We will be in Rome for Thanksgiving. Can't wait till we go. I posted a comment on your photos, (montypython fan). They are so beautiful. I hope my pictures will come out as good as yours.

TRSW

donco - Are there any dues for being part of the "Sighing For Italy" group? LOL

bella05 - I am glad you liked the pictures. So, being a Monty Python fan, I guess you got the 'and there was much rejoicing' reference. I hope you have a great time in Rome.

As to Jerry asking how I slept while in Italy. Some of you might remember a thread I started a while back about traveling and Sleep Apnea. Well, I only used my Bi-Pap the two nights I was in Venice. I didn't have a converter for the humidifier and it was like blowing cold air into my head. And to be honest, it wasn't a big deal. I felt fine every morning. I guess it was the adrenaline of just being in Italy that kept me going. But it also might explain why, once I got home, I was in a fog for about 5 days.

Tom

Tiff

Oh Tom, it has takenme this long to get back over here and finish you report, but I am so slad that I did.

It is simply enchanting and took me back to my trip. You have a wonderful outlook and that is why you had such a wonderful time!

If I may ask you, of all the daytrips you took out of Florence, which was your favorite. I think my DH and I will have enough time to venture out for one day if we want too, but we have had an extremely hard time deciding.

If it will help you, I will say that we prefer a smaller area vs. a larger one. Something quaint. Also, this will be at the end of January if that factors in to your recommendation.

Thank you so again for such a lovely report, I really enjoyed it very much, Tiff

(p.s. I like you, cannot seem to go with just the digital, my 35mm has been invited to be on our journey with us, lol ~~~ hard to part with old friends, isn't it???)

jpm

As far as leaving the Sistine Chapel - I've used the same "trick" more than once without a following a tour - I just pretended to be a tour guide for my family. If you just walk quickly and act like you know what you are doing, the guard at the little booth in the hall never said a word.

TRSW

Tiff,

Nice to hear from you again and I am glad you liked the report. Like I said, I had worked so hard and waited sooooooo long for this trip that I wasn't going to let anything spoil it.

As for the day trips out of Florence, the one to Siena and San Gimignano was a whole day thing. We left Florence at 9am and returned around 6pm. I really enjoyed it even though we lost an hour in San Gimignano due to the lady who missed the bus.

The winery tour was very nice too and was an afternoon thing so you can see more of Florence in the morning.

Both were through CAF Tours www.caftours.com. Siena and San G cost 49 euro and the winery 39 euro. You cant go wrong with which ever one you choose.

If you check out my photos at pbase.com/trsw, the black and whites at the end of the galleries are from Tri-X (that film we talked about a while back) The digital B&W's are nice, but in my opinion, the film ones are better. When you go to get your film for your trip(how many days now?) make sure you get Tri-X and NOT Tmax. There is a BIG difference in the final prints.

Tom

Tiff

Hi Tom,

Oooooooooh, thanks for that reminder on the Tri-X film, I know I would have probably forgotten so I REALLY appreciate that one. I just can't let go of my 35mm. Long may they live, lol.

I will let you know what we decide on the excursion out of Florence. We only have four full days, so maybe we won't go out at all. We are slow trav's so we'll probably just continue to do a little research and then decide there!

Because you asked (thanks!) we have 68 days 'til take off!

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhoooooooooo!

I can remember when it was over 200, lol!

for you.

Tiff

TRSW

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