Pre-Trip Planning
When planning a trip to France in 2021, we thought we would add a few days in Italy. After careful consideration, we decided to save Italy for a trip on its own.
Though we did not make any reservations for restaurants, tours, events or transportation until we got to our destinations, it was still very stressful and time-consuming just making our reservations at an Airbnb.
For our Italy trip we thought we would try a Rick Steves Europe tour. Afterall, we had been watching his travel videos for years, and Lee had even talked with Rick once on the phone, asking what he knew about the Dordogne in France. That was before Rick started going there.
Venice had always been on Linda's bucket list, so it had to be included in our tour. The more we read about the "My Way" tours, the more we liked the idea of their planning, making the hotel reservations, and getting us to our destinations. We loved the idea that we would still make the decisions about what tours and events in which to participate. Our knees are not what they used to be, so going at our own pace was also a plus.
TRAVEL PREPARATION
It is essential to start your preparation as soon as possible after you have decided to take a trip - even before booking your trip. You can't start too early! Time will go by much faster than you can imagine.
Resources
Language
Long before we decided what tour we would take, it was Linda's task to learn some of the Italian language. She was far from being fluent, but did manage to learn a few key phrases, based on the ones that were needed in /France just four years prior.
Media
Many sources of media were at our disposal. to view and study prior to our tour: Italia magazine, books of Italy and the cities we planned to visit, videos from Rick Steves, and others.
Guidebook
Rick Steves' Guidebooks include history of the area, lodging, restaurants, and events so they provided all the information we needed, including Italian phrases. Had we received it earlier, we would have had more time to study it.
Reservations
Lodging
While all the lodging for the tour is reserved by Rick Steves Europe, they do encourage arriving a day or two prior to the trip to get over the jet lag, and maybe staying a day or two after the tour to decompress before going home.
Landmarks and Events
any landmarks require reservations, yet others are available when you arrive at the entrance. Sometimes you have to stand in line for a while, but sometimes there is no line.
If you use an app like Get Your Guide, you will have your reservations and tickets all in one place. If necessary to cancel, you can usually make changes in the app.
Restaurants
If you want to be guaranteed a seat at that special restaurant on the day or time of your choice, it is a good idea to make reservations. Plan ahead - it may be closed on the day you want.
Travel Gear
Luggage
Encouraged by Rick Steves to travel light, and use a backpack, our dilemma was whether to get a backpack with or without wheels, take a rolling suitcase, or both. We chose to each take only a backpack. Linda had shoulder problems already, but then fell in May, and broke her shoulder. Healing quickly, the backpack purchase was made! 30L with shoe compartment.
Clothing
The trip being in September, it was difficult to know what clothes to take - sleeveless or long sleeve tops. Linda took two dark long sleeve sweaters and one sleeveless - merino wool, which were said to dry quicker. Several colorful scarves were bought to accessorize. It would have been better to take sleeveless tops, and take one cardigan sweater or windbreaker if needed. She took two lightweight, black yoga pants with pockets, in addition to the black jeans she wore on the plane. No extra shoes.
Comfortable walking shoes are always hard to find so Linda bought three different pair to try. Settling on just one pair, it proved to be a great choice - ORTHO FEET.
And compression socks are a must for a long plane ride and hours of walking.
Lee took two pair of kaki pants, four solid color shirts, a pullover sweater and a windbreaker with hood. He also took no extra shoes.
We each took a lightweight raincoat. Linda's came in a small pouch so was great to use as lumbar support on the first flight.
Accessories
Microfiber Towels
Microfiber towels and facial clothes - these would be great for camping, but we did not find useful since all hotels supplied towels. They just took up space in our bags.
Soap Bar Case
Soap bar case - dry-through material dries soap while in the case. We only purchased one of these, but could have used a second. It works much better than a plastic soap bar case that collects water.
Guidebook page binder
Guidebook page binder was great for keeping the guide pages for the city currently visiting. We only purchased one (Rick Steves.com), but wished we had at least two, or maybe one for each location. Get them NOW for $1 each - on sale!
Toiletries Kit Caddy
Toiletries kit caddy - great idea, but no place to hang it in most of the hotel bathrooms.
Clothesline
Braided rubber clothesline that needs no clothespins. It took up very little space in the backpack, and was very handy for drying socks.
Power Pack
The power pack was a great idea, and was used every day. Linda's backpack included a USB charging port, but it was not as handy as anticipated; it was easier to just carry the power pack in a fanny pack or handbag. We both brought along a phone charger and adapter, but Lee's charger failed. Next time we will make sure to take a new one!
Compression Bags
Compression bags appeared to be a good idea when packing, as it seemed to make more room in the backpack. However, when the zipper failed, air got in the bag, taking up more space in the backpack. Linda bought different sizes of compression bags, but also used some Ziploc bags, which actually worked just as well, if not better! She also bought several of the packing cubes, which proved to be very useful.
Luggage Lock
Linda found some great little TSA luggage locks. It seemed like a great idea because you can set a code to lock it, but TSA has a master lock they can use to inspect your bags without damaging the lock. Lee decided not to use his lock, and Linda lost hers in the first airport even before getting to security! Sounded like a good idea at the time...
Stopper
It was suggested that we bring a rubber stopper for the sink since most hotels do not have a drain stopper. We took a set of 3 stoppers to account for any width, but they did not fit!
Transportation
Airport Shuttle
One of the decisions we made was to take the airport shuttle from home to the airport. Shortly after leaving home it began to rain - really hard! But we were not stressed because we were not behind the wheel, and did not have to deal with parking.
Plane
We have had a TSA Pre-Check membership for several years to save time going through airport security. There is something else that will save time and reduce stress if you are a senior citizen. We put it into practice on this trip.
Bus
Sometimes bus tickets can be purchased on the bus with cash or "tap to pay" by credit card. Sometimes tickets must be purchased prior to boarding. If you have a paper ticket, be sure to validate the ticket when boarding the bus.
The bus was a less expensive way to get to our hotel from the airport. Tickets were available inside the airport, near baggage claim.
Taxi
Perhaps more expensive than taking a bus, but when you have been walking around all day, you are a long way from your hotel, and it is already dark, hailing a taxi can be a good option.
Metro
The underground "metro" can be a good option if it is raining or really hot or cold outside, but there is more chance of encountering pickpockets.
Train
Riding on a train is a fast and easy way to travel in Europe. We took a train to Venice from our pre-tour stop in Milan. When we got to Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, our tour bus was not allowed along the rugged cliffs, so we stopped in Levanto to catch a train into the largest of the five villages, Monterosso.
Water Taxi
Forget the cost! If your hotel is on the south side of Venice, and you have luggage with you, we learned the hard way that we should have taken the water taxi!
Gondola
Isn't that the first thing you think of when you think of Venice? You can't go to Venice without a Gondola ride. Prices vary, depending on the time of day, location, length of the ride, and number of people in your party.
Most gondoliers do not even talk with their guests, much less sing, but you can get a singing gondolier, known as a barcarolle, if you are willing to pay the price!
Check out what RS has to say about the Gondolas of Venice.
Day 1 - Explore the alleys and cruising the canals. Meet tour group at 5:00 at the hotel.
Day 2 - Explore Venice on your own
Day 3 - Say "ciao" to Venice, and drive to Bolzano, in Italy's Alps, to experience a blend of Austrian and Italian cultures.
Day 4 - Explore the trails of the Dolomites, or walk around town.
Day 5 - Take the bus/train to the Cinque Terre, home of five pastel beach towns, and stylish resorts.
Day 6 - Get some sun on the beach or explore the stairways and alleyways. Enjoy fresh air and panoramic views.
Day 7 - Take the train/bus to the Renaissance city of Florence, Europe's cultural capital.
Day 8 - sightsee all day.
Day 9 - take the bus into the heart of Tuscany, stopping to stroll down the streets of a small hill town on the way to Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis.
Day 10 - Wander through the charming town of Assisi.
Day 11 - Get an early start for the 3-hour bus ride to Rome.
Day 12 - Follow the footsteps of emperiors and sightsee all day.
Day 13 - Tour ends after breakfast.
