Ditto to everything nice thing said! Really enjoyed reading about your Italy trip. I'll look for your previous trip posts now. Thanks and ahhhhh Italy!

"she had given me so many looks recently her eyebrows might freeze in that Spock-like position. Fascinating."

I was laughing so hard, I am glad no one else was inside at that moment. Thanks for sharing your trip (and your fine sense of humor.)

Giving thanks (on this day before Thanksgiving) for the witty, fun and useful report! Great job.

Now what do we read?

For my 4 months of lurking here planning our wedding in Italy next April, I can say with confidence...

BEST POST EVER!

Cheers Tom! It's been a fun ride! And yes, attitude is everything. My fiance concurs. Do consider doing more of this type of writing so others can enjoy.

Here's another vote for best post ever from a reader who's been lurking throughout the report! Thanks, Tom.

Tom, two of my sisters and I are going to Rome and Florence for the first time in Feb '06. Your story (novel?) was a wonderful way to add to the already rampant anticipation - and with some good food/wine recommendations to boot! Thanks so much for a good read and very helpful info!

Hi Tom,
Bravo ! Mille Grazie.

Bravo! You have written the perfect report! Thank you!

Thanks for all the nice comments. The trip was a blast and writing about it makes those memories fresh. Hope you have all the ingredients for a Singing Gondolier after a day of overeating.

tom - believe it or not, I just started reading this report about an hour ago. I had been "saving" it for when I had a bunch of free time to dedicate to it, but of course that never happens.

Now, as I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner, I've had an hour to indulge myself. In your honor, I'm enjoying a pre-dinner glass of wine and sitting in front of this computer. I don't know how I will tear myself away when dinner is ready......

thanks!
mom

Thank you, Tom, for an amazing report!

Is there really a french foray trip report?? I'd love to read it!

Dina

Tom, sorry to see this end. I toast you with a grappa.

Very entertaining, it's has kept me amused on numerous trains trips. This morning however I discovered my print out was missing the last day ... talk about suspense. Thanks

Genuinely wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to post it.... let us know when you sell the movie rights.

Thanks for a terrific read!

Bravo! The best report ever. \/

I have thoroughly enjoyed it - thanks for sharing!

"Enjoy the Journey" and "attitude is everything" are wise words for successful traveling. Thank you for sharing your experiences in such a witty, wise, and informative report.

This post should be put in the Trip Report Hall of Fame (if there was one).

cw

PS what ever happened with the rental car issues? or should we not ask?

Did I miss the consequences to the rental car fiasco? Love, love, loved your trip report!

Thank you for your wonderful trip report. I leave for Italia in 1 week and can hardly wait. I have tried to balance reservations with enough free time for spontaneous activity. As of now, I have reservations in Florence for the Uffizi and Academy and in Rome for the Scavi tours. I want to make a reservation for the Galleria Borghese before I leave. What is the best way to do this. Also, is there any other "must see" museum I should make a reservation for?

sharkmom, I got my Borghese tickets at below website:

http://www.ticketeria.it/ticketeria/borghese-eng.asp

I received e-mail confirmation within 48 - 72 hours. It might have been sooner, but I really do not remember. Have fun.

As far as the rentalmobile, we were dinged for a few hundred euro, which seemed fair.