Blue Legs

I've been checking the weather in London and am rethinking the wardrobe. It's like flipping zero degrees most of the day! So...the light wool swing coat may be replaced by the Russian inspired, thick wool long coat. Brrrr.

Of Course, 'I never feel the cold' Rob says he's wearing shorts. So tell me, have you ever seen a red headed man with blue legs? Be outside Heathrow on 30th March and you will !

Only two sleep peeps! Whoo hoo...

Stuff I have learnt

I thought this may help anyone planning a trip to Italy. Little facts that are good to know!

First up, you need an international driver’s license if you plan to rent a car.  Easy to get...which essentially means they prove nothing so I have no idea why they are a requirement. Then again, it wouldn’t be Italy if there wasn’t some illogical sub text.

Unlocked Australian mobile phones work on the Italian mobile network. We’re planning to buy a TIM sim in Italy because they have the greatest coverage around Italy (as opposed to Vodafone or WIND). You need a copy of your passport to buy a sim. In fact, you need a copy of your passport for checking into hotels, villas, B&B’s (etc) so make lots of photocopies and take them with you. It will save you the grief of having to hand your passport over only to find out the photocopier doesn’t work/is busy/doesn’t exist.

You can book rail tickets online at www.italiarail.com and pay by foreign credit card. This is something you cannot do on the official Trenitalia website...which, for some obscure reason, only accepts Italian based credit cards. Illogical? Yeah...but it is Italy. I mean look at how many people voted for Berlusconi recently. Anyhow, back to trains. I know from past trips that the rail system is good but book first class and reserve your seats if you want some room and comfort (and don’t want to worry about your bags getting knocked off).  Does Italiarail cost more? YES (lots more)...but check out the benefits. No queues, no need for validation as you receive emailed e-tickets, no stress. Now that is logical (for me anyway).

Finally, the ultimate travel question “what do I take?’. Take as in pack. Bear in mind, I have not actually gone yet so I am still ho-humming however, I am a somewhat seasoned so I do have a few clues. First up, having travelled with Rob extensively, I can tell you he will take everything. So I don’t have to worry about electronics (he will have a Harvey Normans in his back pack). I have decided to take one cardi, one light wool swing coat, two pairs of jeans (one plain black), five shirts and my smalls. I have invested in a stunning pair of Hispanitas boots for walking and a fold up pair of leather ballet flats. I have some antibiotics just in case, four electric plug in adaptor thingies, some fold up shopping bags and my personal care items in small screw top bottles.  Oh and my mini ipad loaded with books. Oh and 5 bottles of Chanel no 5, 5 Fossil wallets and various other gifts for my Italian family. There is no way I am going to manage with just a carry on no matter what the travellers on Trip Advisor recommend. Good thing too because I plan to have much more than that to bring back.

Oh roll on 29^th March!  I cannot wait!

Making Decisions

So I had decided we need a holiday. Not want...NEED. Living in PNG is never boring but you need to expect the unexpected and be a master at thinking on your feet. We’re burnt out.

Last year, I tell Rob that we should really look at ‘doing’ Alaska in March. I’m thinking dog sledding, the Aurora, the world ice carving championships .He listens. For two weeks. Finally I notice his decided lack of enthusiasm.

“Well” I ask “What do you think?”

Blink blink.

“I’d rather go back to Italy”.

Blink blink.

Sigh. Italy it is.

In 2006, dear husband and I (when we were dear fiancés) had travelled to Rome for my cousin's wedding. Rob had fallen in love with all the things Italian. The culture, the food, the verbosity, the wine. Under his Kiwi skin, there was the biggest Italian wanna-be I’d ever met. So I understood his desire to return but other than that...he had no preferences. “You pick” he says with a very happy grin.

Well...where do you start? Google of course. I read trip reports, recommendations, laughed and learnt. Finally...I pieced together a budget and started making decisions. I really wanted to fly Qantas. It took Patrick (my guru travel agent) 10 seconds to destroy that preference.  He basically railroaded me into Emirates and dates were picked, tickets booked and we were good to go. At least I knew when we were arriving in Venice (via London...I want a wee shop in Harrods LOL).

Only 22 sleeps...exciting.