Finally...Itlia!

[SUNBABY]

THE PREQUEL

No...I haven't been there yet...but it's a few weeks away and we are very excited.

We or rather I..had everything all planned for a trip this past May...I spent hours (more like weeks) looking at travel forums, hotel websites, Airlines, and other transportation sites. I had booked a hotel in Rome, transport in Rome, a Flight to Palermo Sicily from Rome and back to Rome From Catania. I booked 5 hotels in Sicily, and a car rental. All that was canceled when My MIL took ill and finally passed away.

Luckily, I had some trip insurance and actually came out better than expected.

So, I went back to planning the trip again..This time for Sept...and add a couple of more days to the trip. The airfare was a little higher, but since I got re-imbursed by insurance and we still had 2 cancelled tickets, we only had to pay the "change" fee. We are also on A VIP upgrade list..so we have our fingers crossed.

So..our transfer is booked...our hotel for 4 nights in Rome is booked, our flight to Palermo is booked as well as our car rental. Our first stop will be in Roccamena, that is where my grandparents immigrated from. We will spend 2 nights there staying in an old converted convent that is a Bed and Breakfast now. Then it's off to Agrigento to see some greek ruins and spend the night there and maybe some beach time. Syracusa is our next jaunt for a night then finally to Taormina for some beach and volcano time. Yes.. We plan to trek up MT Etna..as long as it is not erupting..If it is erupting...our butts are soooo outta there.

After 6 nights in Sicily we will fly to Naples and head to Sorrento. From there we will enjoy Pompei and the Amalfi Coast..and if I can talk Slim into getting on a ferry..the Isle of Capri.

Then we take the train back to Rome for our last afternoon and night before flying home.

All tours have been booked. I am looking forward to the Vatican and the Pantheon...and most of all Sicily.

Clothes have been purchased and ready to be packed.
Drugs have been purchased to knock my butt out while on the plane. I hate flying and this will be a long haul. Biggest problem...smoking!..or not being able to smoke for 14 hours or so. I have cut down quite a bit but I still need to get to where I can go 24 hours without a puff. Yes...I need to inhale. So I may need massive amounts of drugs and just sleep the whole time.

I will be taking a journal to write down what we saw each day and a pedometer to record how far we walked. We will also be taking our "split" personalities along for the trip.

MY only regret is not being able to take Ginger or Andiline to take the photos for me..so you will have to just make do with my photography.
And somebody better pinch my butt while in Rome! BTW.. I have lost some weight and dropped 2 sizes...gotta be able to walk and climb those Spanish Steps.

I have informed all relatives and friends that they are not allowed to get sick or die and if they do...we are not coming home...not for any reason..no way, no how. They understand since they were all just as disappointed as we were to have to cancel the first trip. We have been trying to get there for over 20 years and things just kept getting in the way..so we are going, and will have a great time, and not bitch about the dollar/euro ratio.
I don't like wine..but I will try a few glasses...I am looking forward to drinking lemoncello. Absolutely NO TEQUILA!

Now..back to my Italian lessons!

[Beachnutt]

That is awesome, Rita. I know you have been looking forward to this for a very long time.

[popeye]

Great news! It's about time you got over there. Enjoy (I know you will ) and I look forward to the pics & TR.

[Ginger]

Oh my gosh, Rita, I am soooo happy for you! I'm so glad you are finally able to do this. What a fantastic itinerary, I am so VERY envious!!

I really wish you could take me with you as your photographer, I would have been willing to make that sacrifice for a friend, ya' know!

And most importantly: 2 DRESS SIZES!!!! WOOOHOOO!!! Good job on that hard work, Rita....that is absolutely spectacular and I am proud of you!! (time to kick my own but now ). I am sure that will make a big difference for your hike up the volcano.

LOVE the idea of the pedometer. I'm going to use that idea in the future!

I WANT LOTS OF PICS!!!

[John]

Rita, sorry to hear about all the delays leading up to this trip. It sounds like you have one busy schedule ahead of you. It also sounds like it's going to be awesome. I hope you have an incredible time!

Libby and I only know Italy from the train station in Venice. We were just passing through from France to Austria. Some day we'll make it back over to Europe and see a little more.

Happy Travels!

[DavidB]

"staying in an old converted convent" So glad your finally getting your trip. Have a great time and keep us updated.

[SUNBABY]

Originally Posted by DavidB

"staying in an old converted convent" So glad your finally getting your trip. Have a great time and keep us updated.

I once had a psychic tell me that in a past life ..I lived in a convent..but I wasn't a nun. Ha ha

a cousin who spent 2 years in Roccamena said he never knew anything about a convent there.

Here is a link to their site with pictures.
Bed and Breakfast PARISI in Roccamena. Bed & Breakfast Italia.

[SUNBABY]

here is another Agritourismo (working farm) that we will stay at. Not only is there free parking..but we will get more of a feel for Sicily and do something different. Many of the cities are very cramped and the streets are small. So, there are limited places to park. Plus, We are hoping that driving in Mexico has prepared us for Italy...we would rather not drive in the bigger cities if we can avoid it.
pics of this place
Reggia Saracena Agriturismo, agriturismo in sicilia, templi della Valle di Agrigento, farm holidays in Sicily, ferienwohnungen Siziliens, agriturisme en Sicile, Sicily

[SUNBABY]

Well, Leasa,...Thanks for the compliment...Since I can't take you..can I take your cameras????

[susango]

Exciting! TR when you return!!

[DavidB]

Looks nice. So whats the exchange rate? Whats the weather going to be like?

[SUNBABY]

Originally Posted by DavidB

Looks nice. So whats the exchange rate? Whats the weather going to be like?

around $1.50 per euro..give or take. The weather should be hot! August is their hottest month and when most of them take vacation or close shop...so I think Sept should be still pretty warm.....but very cold on top of MT Etna.
I am planning on going snorkeling and get some beach time.

THe two places I showed are the cheapest of the places we will be staying. Rome and Sorrento will cost alot more..but hey, I'd rather spend it than give it to the govt!.

We could go to Playa 6 times for what this trip is costing us. Hell, maybe more.

[TAPPY]

Have a great time Rita, I know you have been looking forward to this for a long time.

[MsRubio]

Oh Rita I am so excited for you and Slim! I know you have waited for this trip for so long...safe travels and I really look forward to seeing all your pics and reading your trip report!

Oh and even though you are not a wine drinker I bet you find something you like....

[SUNBABY]

thank you Tammy and Monica. All I have left to do is just wait till it's time to go...and it is really dragging.
ON a bad note...I hurt my knee again...that's what I get for setting the treadmill at a really steep incline. Hopefully it will heal up soon. It's pool exercise or the next few days and I already made an appointment with the ortho to get a cortison shot before we depart.

[SUNBABY]

I have been growing my hair out. As most of you who know me, knows how easily I sweat...and it's all in my head area. So, I figured, a sweaty ponytail would be better than a short cropped sweaty head. So, now with longer hair, that means having to pack a hairdryer, conditioner, and hair accessories. I still have a over a week to decide whether to let it keep growing or chop it off.

[melliedee]

Originally Posted by SUNBABY

thank you Tammy and Monica. All I have left to do is just wait till it's time to go...and it is really dragging.
ON a bad note...I hurt my knee again...that's what I get for setting the treadmill at a really steep incline. Hopefully it will heal up soon. It's pool exercise or the next few days and I already made an appointment with the ortho to get a cortison shot before we depart.

Works like a charm, I just got one in my elbow last month. Also, I don't remember if Italy is one of the countries where you need a converter for your hair dyer? There were places in Europe where you need one, but I was there so long ago maybe this isn't an issue anymore?

What a great trip, Rita! Have a wonderful time and take lots of pics. I'd love to see some inside the Vatican walls. When we were there for some reason we didn't make it/couldn't figure out how to get into the courtyard!

[JudyBluEyes]

No tequila? Ha ha! Well, you got to drink some grappa!

I'm so glad you and Slim are finally going to Italy!! Have a blast and don't be too hard on the Gypsies...

Buone viaggi!!!

[SUNBABY]

;

Originally Posted by JudyBluEyes

No tequila? Ha ha! Well, you got to drink some grappa!

I'm so glad you and Slim are finally going to Italy!! Have a blast and don't be too hard on the Gypsies...

Buone viaggi!!!

I will treat them with the same respect that I give to Pemex employees.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by SUNBABY

;

I will treat them with the same respect that I give to Pemex employees.

Oh no!! Somebody warn the gypsies!