In 5 days we will be 7 hours ahead on another continent. It's crazy to think about. I have been outside of the U.S. in the Caribbean and Mexico, but this will be much different. A lot of people have asked us if we're excited, and I have paused pretty much everytime. The expected response is, "Yes," which I know I ultimately am VERY excited. But it feels like there is so much going on and it's felt like a dream for the past year that I wouldn't say I actually, fully feel it, yet. I think a lot of my worries are taking over and as I tackle more of my to-do list I'm freeing up room for excitement.
One of my biggest worries so far has been just getting to Florence. We fly into Milan, but need to end up in Florence. If we were going with some kind of group or travel agency, it might be easier to just kinda follow along and be guided but that's not the experience we wanted. So, I've had to contact lots of people and stations to figure out our plan. After flying 13+ hours, we'll arrive in Milan, take an hour shuttle to the train station, then ride 2 hours to Florence, hop in a taxi for a 15 minute ride to our apartment. Yes. Planes, (then a bus), train, and an automobile. It's a lot and we will be very exhausted, but I'm glad to have the plan figured out.
I'm very glad we had a week and a half off before leaving. It's given us time to get our house in shape before leaving for 3 weeks. Myles is staying with us for the summer, so it gives us a lot of relief to know he'll be here. I met with our librarian last night (who is from Rome), and she gave me lots of great advice on places to visit such as beaches, food to eat, and what to expect in general. She will actually be at her home in Italy during the last part of her trip. We are not sure if it will work out to meet up with her, however, because she has lots to do and family to see. She's already invited me for next year, though.
So, as a precursor to our trip. Here are the basic things we have planned so far:
Plans for Florence:
Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery, Cooking Class with Laura (our landlord), going to mercati di cibo (food markets), eating gelato and caffe everyday!, lots of walking around, finding myself some leather crisscross sandals, a skirt, and earrings.
Plans for Siena:
I want to eat Pesto here! I've heard Tuscany is known for this. Siena was my Grandma Schultz's favorite place in Italy, and I've been told by many others how beautiful it is. We don't have many definite plans figured out for this day trip other than to soak up it's beauty. So, we're open to suggestions.
Plans for Rome:
Pretty much all the sites- Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Vatican, Travestere (pictured above), also going to mercati di cibo (food markets), eating more gelato and caffe everyday!, lots of walking around, finding Craig some thrift stores/flea markets, taking a day trip to Santa Marinella Beach, and maybe a day trip to Gosetto.
Plans for Pompeii:
Have a private tour of Pompeii. We haven't scheduled any tours except for this one, and it will be private. I figured since this is a monumental site (not that the others aren't!), it would be worth it especially private. This is in Naples, so maybe we will have time afterward to browse around or go to a beach.
That's it so far. Now I'm off to tackle my mega to-do list.
One of my biggest worries so far has been just getting to Florence. We fly into Milan, but need to end up in Florence. If we were going with some kind of group or travel agency, it might be easier to just kinda follow along and be guided but that's not the experience we wanted. So, I've had to contact lots of people and stations to figure out our plan. After flying 13+ hours, we'll arrive in Milan, take an hour shuttle to the train station, then ride 2 hours to Florence, hop in a taxi for a 15 minute ride to our apartment. Yes. Planes, (then a bus), train, and an automobile. It's a lot and we will be very exhausted, but I'm glad to have the plan figured out.
I'm very glad we had a week and a half off before leaving. It's given us time to get our house in shape before leaving for 3 weeks. Myles is staying with us for the summer, so it gives us a lot of relief to know he'll be here. I met with our librarian last night (who is from Rome), and she gave me lots of great advice on places to visit such as beaches, food to eat, and what to expect in general. She will actually be at her home in Italy during the last part of her trip. We are not sure if it will work out to meet up with her, however, because she has lots to do and family to see. She's already invited me for next year, though.
So, as a precursor to our trip. Here are the basic things we have planned so far:
 | |||
| Firenze (Florence) |
Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery, Cooking Class with Laura (our landlord), going to mercati di cibo (food markets), eating gelato and caffe everyday!, lots of walking around, finding myself some leather crisscross sandals, a skirt, and earrings.
 |
| Siena |
I want to eat Pesto here! I've heard Tuscany is known for this. Siena was my Grandma Schultz's favorite place in Italy, and I've been told by many others how beautiful it is. We don't have many definite plans figured out for this day trip other than to soak up it's beauty. So, we're open to suggestions.
 |
| Roma (Rome) |
Pretty much all the sites- Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Vatican, Travestere (pictured above), also going to mercati di cibo (food markets), eating more gelato and caffe everyday!, lots of walking around, finding Craig some thrift stores/flea markets, taking a day trip to Santa Marinella Beach, and maybe a day trip to Gosetto.
 |
| Pompeii |
Plans for Pompeii:
Have a private tour of Pompeii. We haven't scheduled any tours except for this one, and it will be private. I figured since this is a monumental site (not that the others aren't!), it would be worth it especially private. This is in Naples, so maybe we will have time afterward to browse around or go to a beach.
That's it so far. Now I'm off to tackle my mega to-do list.
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