aha, cupid, there is a secret to the fitting of the crocs! thanks, I will go look at that site.

Just thought I'd add a follow up to my original post now that I've returned from my trip (sigh). Experienced travelers probably won't care to read this, however to us cobblestone street first timers - shoes are a big unknown issue.

I went with the Mephisto Niro All-Rounder and Merrell Jungle Mocs. Not that this is a big deal, but my point is that these were pretty much worn right out of the box. They were actually a pretty good combination and I made an effort to switch off at least daily. I definetly don't reccommend not having plenty of break in time like everyone suggested. However, I think it's good to know what shoes will pull you through if that should happen.

Thank you everyone for your help with this during my trip planning!

Wear something old and comfortable and go shoe shopping in Italy. My DIL and I had a great time in Rome "bonding" at shoe stores. Look for SUPERGA sneakers when you get there - they are my all-time favorite comfy and good-looking sneakers and are not sold in the US much anymore - at least not in all the great Euro colors.

HI tam---glad it worked out for your shoes--thanks for the update. Did you love Italy?

Is all this worrying an American thing?

yep!

repeat after me "they don't care".

really, we don't.

we don't care if your wear white sneakers, crocs, flip-flops, jeans, capris, etc. etc. etc.

we will know you are tourists as soon as you open your mouths. [just as you would know if we were in the US].

we love you anyway - or not. [rarely personal - just that some europeans are friendlier than others, just like americans].

just be comfortable and have a great time.

regards, ann

Tamtravels is back from a wonderful trip to Italy, and still the question arises of what shoe to wear. I, too, am a big Crocs fan; have 7 pair and wear them everywhere. They've been to Egypt, Croatia, Slovenia and Ukraine with never a hint of a blister or aching arch. If I were going to London or Paris tomorrow, the Crocs would be one of the first things in the suitcase. I do take a somewhat dressier shoe along for when fashion dictates.

Loved the suggestion about the dryer making them more fitting. Can't wait to try it!

Gotta keep those feet happy when traveling!

Well it was just a helpful comment, but nevermind if it bothers anyone. I couldn't care less what the shoes look like, just that they didn't interfer with my trip.

My trip was fabulous and I didn't think a thread about shoes was the place for discussion about the unbelievable art & history.

I have no problem with tourists at home and I guess I made an incorrect assumption that others felt the same in other countries.

Tamtravels - no apology is needed. I think it's great to have you come back afterwards and let us know what you ended up taking and how well they worked.

Dear Tamtravels and Geribrim,
I am sorry but I am in my early 40's and I have serious issues with my feet. I mean that my comfort level of my feet dictate my appreciation of my surroundings. So I have put considerable time into research for appropriate shoes. I like Crocs if we are talking about the clogs, but honestly they do not give very much support. I have two questions for both of you. First do you ever wear the crocs with socks? and tamtravels did you wear both of your shoes with socks?
Do you ever do alot of walking with shoes without socks? Geribrim have you seen the sketchers that are made of the same material as the crocs? they are of the maryjane type and oh so cute. and they come in all kind of colors. But again I wouldn't wear them with socks. And I don't know about them with skirts. Oh well I am leaving in 2 weeks and I have bought about 6 pairs of shoes and I have tried on about 20 pairs. I tried both of the ones Tamtravels wore but my feet are too narrow and I couldn't find a good fit. Please answer about the socks. This is all about comfort and yet I like to look somewhat stylish. Thanks

Timetraveler - I have the Merrells Jungle Crocs and I wear them without socks all the time - no problems.

On the width issue, I have narrow feet and found that the youths size fit better than the womens. I normally wear a womens size 7 to 7-1/2 and can wear the youths size 6 in the jungle crocs. They're slightly narrower, but the same size shoe as the womens 7.

I threw in a pair of white tennies (gasp!) at the last minute for my 3 week trip to Italy and was glad I did!

Really, nobody gives a hoot what your shoes look like! You will see every combination of shoes, socks, sandals under the sun. Comfort is the key.

Bandaid makes a new roll-on "blister block" product. It works wonders. There are similar products in running/sporting good stores.

This is how I learned about comfort over style: I got a blister in Paris a few years ago, it seemed minor at the time. But apparently some bacteria seeped in and I felt suddenly very ill (high fever, pain) on the flight home. I was horrified to discover the skin on the top of my foot (not where the blister was!) was split open and there were angry red streaks advancing up my leg. I went straight to the ER from the airport and spent 2 days on IV antibiotics!