JonJon

My valet..but he travels with his own suitcase and not in one.

blh

NYCFoodSnob: I recently bought a Bialetti - haven't used it yet! The directions are sparse, and I am wondering how you know when the coffee is "done"! Do you time it - so many minutes per cup? Thanks!

Sally

My feather pillow and several good paper back books. And was I glad to have them when I hurt my back when we were in Rome . At least I was comfortable and entertained for the several days of enforced bedrest to get my back feeling better.

NYCFoodSnob

blh, be sure to "cure" her first before you enjoy your first cup. To "cure," fill water to inside notch. Insert filter. Fill filter half-way with inexpensive, finely ground coffee. (I never use my favorite beans for this. Starbucks is perfect.) Bring to boil over moderate heat. (Don't let the flame bleed up over the edge.) Within minutes you will hear the Bialetti "percolate." Give it a minute or so to finish the job. When the subtle sound of the percolation begins to die down, remove from heat and pour out. Wait until cool to do again, two more times. Now you're ready.

For actual coffee preparation, make sure your coffee is properly ground. I own the Braun Electric Coffee Mill Model KMM 30 (http://fantes.com/images/19623coffeemills.jpg) and I set the grind between 6-7 (I had the grind checked at Sant'Eustachio in Rome). The size of the grind makes a big difference in flavor and you don't want it too fine (1-4 on this machine).

Don't pack your coffee into the Bialetti filter. Simply scoop it in and not to capacity. Leave a little room for air.

When serving guests, I steam half-and-half, otherwise I nuke the half-and-half for 30 seconds before pouring coffee into cup. I like my coffee hot and a rich caramel color after cream is added. I only use "natural" sugar. No Domino white.

If you can't get your hands on a more esoteric bean, Illy makes a pre-ground espresso that is used all over Italy. It's easy to get here in America and its grind works well in the Bialetti.

Whatever you do, don't scrub the interior of your Bialetti after each use. Simply rinse clean and let air dry. The more build up of oil residue, the better your coffee will taste.
Good luck!

blh

NCYFoodSnob - Thanks for the good directions - so glad you mentioned your Bialetti!!! I'm anxious to give it a try - I love that Italian coffee and am looking forward to making it. Thanks again for your help!

cmt

I don't think I've ever carried "over-the-top" items on a vacation. That's not to say I haven't overpacked. I have many times. But I really don't take luxury items. The closest I can think of is that for years, I used to take a drawing pad and drawing materials--graphite pencils and Conté pencils and sticks and charcoal sticks and single-edged razor blades (in the "old days&quot to sharpen them and kneaded eraser. In all those times that I lugged the drawing materials with me, I only used them once, and that was on a beach vacation with a friend who also drew. We both drew the same twisted, dancing tree on a beach in Jamaica. So, no more drawing materials on trips; I just think drawing thoughts, and look at things and people as IF I'm going to draw them, but I don't pretend to myself that I'm going to pause for a half hour here and there to draw.

There's just one odd little luxury item that I do take on vacations, to use when the mood strikes me: a tiny life-like animal hand puppet that I made about 15 years ago.

OReilly

Shoes - LOTS of them.

Every member of my extensive shoe family wants to accompany me on my trips. I find it so difficult to choose between my favorites and I hate to offend any of them. I try really hard to be sensible and only bring the bare minimum. But I love them all.

So ... I line the bottom of my LARGE case with my shoe friends.

For a one-week trip to Europe, I travel with enough shoes for a centipede on the Grand Tour!

... Ger

Andrea_expat

Like many of the others, books are one of my main indulgences, although I always warn my husband I will want to buy a few where we are. I used to travel with a dedicated e-book, which would fit more than 10 novels and was FABULOUS for traveling, but they've gone out of business (I did stock up on titles before they did, but it won't last me very long, I'm afraid).

The one indulgence I bring is an extension cord. The cord is at least 8 feet long, and even then, I often can't manage to get myself and my curling iron anywhere remotely near a mirror. I bring a travel mirror just in case, but it's much easier with a normal size mirror. I also bring my (dual voltage) curling iron and hair dryer. Mock me all you want, but I frighten fewer small children when I am able to fix my hair.

cigalechanta

I try to lug as little as possible as I am usually bringing gifts. Anyway, France has so much better candles than our Yankie or Lush, who's fragrances are too artificial to me. So I'll buy one there if the room smells too whatever, but luckily, It hasn't happened. I do believe in shawls for the plane (like Sally)

flygirl

I was going to say I don't bring anything I don't need, but, I also have been known to come home with 8 different bags. (yes, 8). so that is a paradox. I'd say my superfluous items include shoes (like Ger) and books (like Kavey) although I am getting better on the books. I've been known to take like 10 books with me which is ridiculous.

although in my defense I will say I travel much lighter on the way over - I am a shopaholic (it's true, and I am admitting it now - the first step to recovery) so that's why I have so much stuff to carry on the way home. I only shop to excess in my travels though so it doesn't seem as bad as a mall-rat. (ugh).