Key to a good trip - comfy shoes!

So. Last week, during the pre-pack, I realized that the shoe situation was not good. Went out hunting for comfy yet not hideous footwear.  This is not an easy task. Especially when you want a deal. I shouldn't have to pay full price -- nobody should.  So, a hunting I did go.  And I found me an excellent pair of loafers by Dorndorf -- but not exactly what a gal wants to trek about Italia. Watch for them later this fall. I kept hunting.  And I found me a great shoe but getting the size and colour was a major challenge.  Finally found it at the Vaughanwood Mall or somewhere that I would have needed a passport for ... fortunately there is UPS. 

Kudos to Darryl; my fab new shoes were awaiting me upon my return from the cottage. I promptly tried them on, walked about and responsibly sprayed them with that stuff they say you should spray new shoes with.  Trip will be perfect, after I review and edit clothes choices to ensure they will enhance the new footwear.

Manana

Planes trains and vespas

These are the possible modes of transport we'll be using  al'Italia. Word has it that the trains are awesome.  We've booked a 'doubles' 4-day train pass that is good for any 4 days in a 30 day period.  Costs about $275 for the first class option. We'll use it for major commutes between cities, but will use the Circumvesuviano rail service for shorter jaunts in Campania along the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts.

Now, K may not agree to the vespa option, but I'll work on her.  Nothing could be cooler than exploring secluded village markets in search of the perfect pecorino and grape combination on a vespa! Do I need an international drivers' license for one of them? Hmmm.

Alla volta prossima!
Solamente dieci più sonni.

Where, when, and WHO!

Thanks, commenters, for content suggestions! So, here's the itinerary as I can recall*:
09/13 overnight -- Toronto - Rome (via Amsterdam - KLM chosen due to comfy seats)
09/14-18 - Roma (note switch to Italian for city names)  L&K hope to see Andrea & Lucia a Roma
09/18-20 - Firenze - staying at Antica Dimora - sightseeing, maybe a day trip to Pisa or Cinque Terra
09/20-22 - Venezia - staying ON the island to experience the quiet of  the evening (after the tourists leave)
09/23 - Ercolano - B&B in a palazio (figure it out) to hike at Mt Vesuvius & trek through Herculaneum ruins
09/24-27 - Sorrento - home base for seeing the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts from land and sea
09/28 back to Roma to meet K's hubby, P, and overnight
09/29 Roxy's Momma heads back to YYZ filled with the love, light & enlightenment that 16 of Italy offers!
K stays on with P for amorous adventure in Italia.
L returns to loving arms of hubby and daughter, haughty yet needy cat Mekong,and lovable licking Roxy
* Errors in dates/locations due to erratic menopausal moments - ergo all details subject to change

Prepping for the big trip

So, today I am taking stock of all things 'administrative' that I need to do before I depart. For instance I am telling my bank and credit card company of my travel dates, thinking deep thoughts about buying some euros travellers cheques, but really wishing I could  just get cash from machines as I go. Notified the bank already...credit card company is still on to-do list.

One thing I'm gleaning from booking accommodations is that the Italian sensibility seems to prefer to deal in cash whenever possible -- no need for big brother to get his hand too deep in the pockets of hard working paesani!

Am worrying about learning to upload pictures from a new phone I don't even have as yet, a compact digital camera I have yet to purchase, and synching up the right style of memory card so I have the right ones for the cameras -- oh, and charging camera batteries? Guess I'll need an international charger thingy, or borrow K's as she has at least one.  But mustn't be too travel-companion needy!

A domani o dopodomani! (love that word)

Hints, tips and suggestions welcome!

Twelve more sleeps

Or, better I should say 'dodici più sonni' -- cause that's how many there are before my pal Karen and I leave for our vacation in Italy. Come along on our journey to Roma, Firenze, Venezia, Ercolano e Sorrento, e piu otre citte en Campania.

Ok, so, we finally turned 50 -- and with it came licence to plan and implement our BIG DREAM vacation -- to Italy or bust. Or both. The flights are booked, the accommodations researched and registered, the train tix all but purchased. Let the fun begin.

Come along on my (our) 16-day adventure to the land of old and new, of sea and sky, mountains and much much more.

Ciao belli.

Roxy's Momma