Grazie, everybody! It's such fun to relive a wonderful experience, even if it's just on paper.

Croque Madame- Our suitcases just begged me to leave them out! And, poor things, they seemed so heavy as I carried them upstairs. I think I hear them now--"Pack me! Pack me!"

barbmike- By all means, go to Dino and Tony, near the Vatican. Notice that the address is Via Leone IV, 60. If you take a taxi, make sure that the IV is included in the address. Apparently there is another Leone area!

I said we probably wouldn't go back because it was our third time there, and when the antipasti begin to look familiar, it's time to try another great place.

Mogli- While we were waiting for our flight at FCO we could tell the snow was a thing of the past. Wouldn't you know!
I know you had a great time in Roma, too.

walkamalfi--We were all so charmed with the Amalfi Coast, especially Ravello. Actually, we have mementos of Ravello since we just manaaged to find a ceramics factory.

We will be back there!

Glad you topped it JOdy, I missed it until now.

Excellent report Byrd, great fun to read. Sounds like a marvellous trip!

Thanx for your report, Byrd.

Glad it worked out so well for all of you.

Byrd, if you had done this trip "all right" you wouldn't have had half as much fun! Glad to see that you all enjoyed yourselves. I certainly enjoyed reading about your adventures!

i sympathize with you. our family of three organized a gruop family vacation to paris and strasbourg in december. i personaly wanted to strangle two of the party after a day.

Jay-

You know the old saying: You can't select your family, but thank goodness you can pick your own friends!

I think we are very lucky to have a congenial group, all of whom seem to go out their way to be considerate.

We also have some really witty, funny, bright folks!

Too, we made a conscious effort to keep this trip simple. We hired mini-coaches as much as we could so we wouldn't have to deal with train schedules, etc.

The hotels were selected with location in mind, so walking most places would be possible.

Of course, we can't control the weather, but as DH John always says (like when we're on a ski lift in a blizzard or in a tent in a monsoon), "These are the times we remember."

How right he is!

Byrd

Byrd, what a great report. As said before, glad you did so many things wrong so that you could have a great time! After reading this I am eager to go.

I loved your trip report.

I have had some of my best memories from trips where everything is wrong. The disasters make "bad funny" stories but only after you are home in your own bed.

Thanks for taking the time to post.

Byrd,
Your trip report had me smiling. I love that it snowed while you were in Rome because it makes it more memorable. It always makes me laugh when others say - why are you going to Europe in the winter - it will be cold? Well, it's cold in Baltimore too! I've been to Paris during Christmas and I'm off to Germany the end of this month. A friend who lives there said, "I don't know what to tell you to pack - it's 70 today, but was 40 on Sunday." Same as in Baltimore this month. I just know I'd rather see the Louvre, or Notre Dame, or the Cologne cathedral then the same old sites around home - regardless of the weather!

Byrd, this was a fab trip report. You should really be a travel writer...great info, and really conveys the joy of travelling instead of the "serious work" involved. Fodors are you listening?????

Loved the part about the Euro in Trevi...hope it works for you!!

It sounds as though you did it all RIGHT! Great report.

LOVED this report. Loved it.
Last year 14 of us traveled together on a Barge trip. It can be done. I'm one of those who read too much, like that one thread where there is information overload. So I toss it all out, except some generalities, get where I'm going and then just sorta hang around and fit my activities into the day.
LOL, I have yet to get up close and personal to the Eiffel Tower for Petes Sake! (So I have to go back someday soon....) Anyway, now I'm thinking Rome!! Thank you!
My bags are whining as well.

SuzieC,

It's great hear of another successful travelin' group! Your barge trip sounds great, and like something we might want to try.

Actually, by the time we were on the plane home, we were beginning to ask "Where are we going next?"

Now I have a suggestion!

Thank you and everyone for your nice comments.

Byrd

I loved this! When I was in Rome we had gelati at Giolitti every night. After eight Thin mint and Baci. It has been in Rome forever!