Travel lessons learned

Prior to my trip to Italy, I read up on traveling abroad. I purchased Rick Steves' Guide to Italy as well as researched online. Some of this helped. Some of it was of no help at all. Here is what I learned first hand about going across the big pond to a new place.

1. Best way to get Euros is to order from your bank. It cost me $10 to get $1000 (split between my sister and I). Of course contact your credit card company about using it abroad. My one credit card carried no fees or additional charges, which helped tremendously.

2. You must bring an adapter to charge up your phones and other electronical devices. The hotels I stayed at did not have multiple outlets, but my adapter had a three way outlet, so I was able to charge two phones and an ipod. Also make sure that the wire is to your phone. My android had difficulty charging and while I am not sure, I may have brought a wire for another electronic item and not my phone's wire. My sister's iphone charged daily with no problem.

3. About the hotels: we stayed at 4 star hotels, which was wonderful, but the amenities are a bit different. Hallways are narrow, and elevators are small. When we went from Rome to Florence to Venice, the size of the elevator shrunk. In Venice (which was the oldest building of the three), the elevator was so small, you could barely fit 2 people and 2 pieces of luggage. Bathrooms are small, especially since there is a bidet along with a toilet. Tubs have very high sides and are quite narrow. These things for me were tolerable. What bothered me the most is that none of the hotel doors had a peephole to see who was on the other side.

4. I did a great deal of walking. But walking on cobblestone isn't the easiest way to travel. It is uneven and hard. You have to watch the walkway while watching the area for people and cars as you are looking at the sights. Curbs in Rome are higher then they are in the U.S. Italy is not handicap friendly: no ramps for wheelchairs or signs or accommodations. A couple of people in our tour took a nasty tumble and one ended up having to wear a sling during the trip.

5. I wore loungewear under my clothes for the trip to Italy. I was able to slip off my clothes, which I threw into my bag and relaxed (to the best of my ability) during the flight. Before landing, I ran to the bathroom and changed. My clothes looked great for the day ahead.

6. If you wish to sit outside at a cafe, it will cost you more than sitting inside. Just saying.

7. Though my sister and I didn't want to go on a tour, it was the best thing for us. Besides the safety in numbers factor, the scheduling and transportation was all arranged ahead for us. In addition, and so very important, having advanced tickets to places of interest helped us avoid the very long lines. Was there waiting, yes. But a much shorter one.

8. Bottled water is very big in Italy. They serve sparkling and natural everywhere. No complaints about the water. In Rome, there were places to fill your water bottle, but I could not find these water fountains.

9. My biggest aggravation of the trip was with Global Blue. Tax rate for items (not sure if all items, but for the items I purchased) was at 22%. Yes that is a twenty two percent. If your purchase is above a certain amount, then you can get a rebate through this company, which is located at the airport. An envelope (provided by the store) with very confusing directions is where your store receipt goes. I was told by various salespeople, to bring it to the place at the airport so it can be processed. And somewhere by someone this envelope must be stamped or it would not be processed. It seemed simple enough, but Global Blue stand was closed at the Venice Airport when we were there at 3:45 am to fly to Rome. When my sister and I arrived at Rome for a connecting flight home, the airline lost her luggage. By the time the lost luggage report was completed, we had barely anytime to go through security, find our airline to check in and get to our gate. (For the record, Rome International is a combination of Newark International and Orlando International). There was no time to find Global Blue, which you had to take care of BEFORE going through security. Our priority was getting to the plane on time. My communication with Global Blue has been pathetic at best.

10. Speaking about luggage, save plenty of room for gifts and those special purchases. I went to Italy with luggage 15 pounds below the maximum. Returned with luggage at the maximum amount of weight. Vino and olive oil can put some weight on your luggage.

11. I bought a purse that was reinforces so that if someone slashed it, your contents would not fall out nor could someone cut the strap. There was additional protection from someone trying to get your credit card information. My sister brought a small back pack. It benefitted her because she was able to carry more things, like an umbrella and jacket. That helped in the hit and miss weather we experienced in Italy. I hung my umbrella on my purse. Neither one of us had any issues with what we used on a daily basis.

12. I was forewarned about those trying to take advantage of tourists as well as those begging for assistance. I saw less panhandlers in Italy than I saw the last time I was in NYC. Was I lucky, maybe. There were many street artists, some being more pushy than others. And I saw a flower man, someone who give you a flower but wants money in return. I refused to partake in any of that, because I didn't want any trouble.

13. Do not buy at the outdoor vendors. Most of that stuff they sell are not made in Italy. There are plenty of stores with items you can not find at home. Believe me!

14. Biggest regret was that I didn't bring home more wine. Went to the website where I bought my wine in Tuscany. The bottle was $17 Euro. No problem there. The shipping was $95 Euro per bottle.....um nope!

A few other bits of information. Best food on the trip: Osteria Pastella in Florence. My sister and I came across this place while walking around. It happened to be the next block over from our hotel. A woman was making pasta in the window and it looked like a wonderful place to go. It was a "typical" Italian restaurant, with dinner beginning at 7pm. I had spinach and ricotta tortellini and my sister had lasagna. It was beautiful presented on our plates. Though not the size or amount you would find when you order a pasta meal in the U.S., it surprised us on how filling. HOW it tasted....we were blown away. Amazing! I stated that we have been eating dog food all of these years if this is what real pasta tastes like. Light and tasty. There was little sauce on the pasta and enough filling which also tasted fabulous. The lasagna didn't weigh you down like a ton of bricks after eating it. The restaurant had a funky style, with mismatched chairs and unique items on the walls. To this day I remember that meal.

Best pizza: right down the street from Osteria Pastella at La Grotta Di Leo. We ate lots of pizza on the trip, but this was the best hands down. The place was cozy and welcoming as well. And probably our least expensive meal to boot.

A final note:

When I was in a store in Florence, I struck up a conversation with a lovely sales assistant. The store was busy, crazy, noisy. Not my idea of a good time. A large Chinese tour group was there and was pushing their way through the check out. Manners went right out the window. The clerk told me that the Chinese tour groups have problems with people occasionally "disappearing" from their group and trying to immigrate to Italy. When people disappear, the tour groups are fined and if it continued, would lose their license. So the tour guides try to keep them on a short leash.

The assistant also told me of the difficulty Italy is having right now. Since there are economic, political and safety issues in other countries, many more people are going to Italy for holiday/vacation. Places are being overcrowded earlier and for longer periods. A major part of Italy's revenues comes from tourists. (I am no economist, just repeating what was told). But Italians are considering limiting how many and when can come to the country, especially Rome and Venice. This information also came from our tour guide, so one needs to wonder if and possibly when this will take place. Another reason why I am so thankful for this trip.

If I can, I really would love to return. Amo l'Italia.

#OsteriaPastella, #LaGrottadeLeo,#Globalblue