LoveItaly-- Thanks for your post. It's the same translation in Spanish too. If I ever decide to disappear, I think I will change my last name to King--or should that be King-ette? --Maybe Queen? humm :-d

Hi travelintoes, queen in Italian is Regina. That is a pretty name. How about Regina King??? That out to keep anyone looking for you confused for awhile! And don't forget, when you disappear make sure it is to Italy.

LoveItaly--I LIKE the way you think!! So, when I run away from my mundane life I will become Regina King or Regina Re. How about that for a name---Queen King :-d

Definitely it would be Italy. I am hooked on Venice as it is (been thrice) and am currently in the beginning throes of planning a trip May 2006 for 3 weeks--if I can get my act together. I have to make plans for 5, possibly 6 of us--females all-- ranging in age from 16 to 72. That should be a lot of fun--I hope. I a m beginnning to think I may have bitten off more than I can chew!! :-d
All of you on this site are so great and even though I have been to Europe once with a tour (1st time) and twice on my own, this next trip seems a bit overwhelming. So, I will be relying on your good advice much in the next months.:) Regina Re otherwise know as Queen King. OK,I'll stop--I am getting really silly!

An article was posted on one of the Yahoo sites this morning indicating that the stamps have sold out.

Don't know if the link below will work, but here it is:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...ecial_stamps_1

Rats! I was hoping to be able to some when I get to Rome soon. Here's the AP story:

VATICAN CITY - Hundreds of thousands of special stamps issued to mark the period between Pope John Paul II's death and the election of his successor have sold out, the Vatican post office said Monday.

The last of the stamps were sold on Saturday afternoon, the Vatican post office said, just five days after they went on sale and two days before the beginning of the conclave to elect a new pope.

Stamp collectors and pilgrims had turned out in droves at Vatican post offices around St. Peter's Basilica to buy the stamps, which remain valid until the new head of the Roman Catholic Church is elected.

The stamps include a traditional image used by the Vatican in official documents in periods between popes: two crossed keys but no papal headgear. The image on Vatican stamps issued while a pope is alive has the keys and the headgear.

The Vatican said it had printed 700,000 of the stamps in three values: 78 cents, 80 cents and $1.04.

They carry the words "Citta del Vaticano" — Vatican City — and "Sede Vacante MMV" — Vacant See 2005 — in blue, red and green, respectively.

The Vatican post office said Monday it was still selling its standard issue stamps.

It looks like I won't be getting any Vacant See stamps for my stamp collection - OH WELL!

I do want to thank <b>hunnym, Tiggy22, and readysetgo</b> for your generous offer to purchase stamps for me while in Rome. Even though you did not have the opportunity to do this kind deed for me, I will be sure to commit &quot;a random act of kindness&quot; in your honour.

What a great cyber community we have here. Peace.

Robyn :)&gt;-