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RD: First Europe Trip Report (Protein Powder guy)

Posted by (Lawrenceville, GA, USA) on

I just got back from my first trip to Eurpe. Here is what I did:

Paris 5 days
Milan 1 day
Florence 1.5 days
Lucca .5 days (daytrip from Florence)
Rome 2 days
Naples (and Pompeii) 1 day (daytrip from Rome)

It was the best trip I have EVER been on. I am already thinking of where a friend and I will go in Europe in April. Thanks to your help (a little protein powder) and a lot of good planning I had a lifetime of memories in Europe.

Some initial thoughts:
-Paris is the world's greatest city.
-Rome is a great city, but I don't think it is in Paris' league.
-The Italian train system is great.
-The key to day-tripping in my mind isn't just the time it takes to get from point A to point B, but what you want to do at the location. Ex.: I went to Lucca for four hours (2 hours of biking) rather than spend six hours in the evening in Florence. I had seen everything I wanted to in Florence and wanted a change. Those two hours on a bike were two of the best hours of my LIFE.
-I got a bit "arted out" so I skipped the Borghese and the National Museum in Rome.

-The Louvre was so amazing I went twice.
-Thanks for dissuading me from doing the neighborhood walks. I did them in Paris just because it is my fave city ever, but not in Rome. Instead, I focused on things I wanted to experience. Frommers goes a bit overboard with its walks.
-Italians are amazing people.
-After going to Italy, I realized the heart of that country is in its little towns like Lucca. My next trip to Italy will focus on Cinque Terra and Hilltowns (and Venice which I missed.
-It is better to use trains then budget airlines. (Myair delayed one flight by five hours).

-It is easy to underestimate the cost of water, batteries, etc. Supermarkets are a godsend.

I will follow up in the coming days

Posted by
588 posts

Great report!! Yes, supermarkets are a godsend in Europe. It is one of the first things I look for when I arrive. The little towns are so special. You might think of RS Village Italy tour when you decide to return to Italy.

Posted by
582 posts

I'm so glad you had a great trip!! I know you were in Milan only for one day, but can you tell me what you thought of Milan as a city to visit? I'm going to be there for the first time in November. I've heard that as big Milan is, it doesn't take very long to see the sights. I am booked to see the Last Super. It's a good thing I'm only spending three days there. I'm also going to Venice and Switzerland. I'm so much looking forward to it. No protein powder for me! LOL!
Mangia! Mangia!

Posted by
448 posts

Dear PPGuy..What a Positive report!!!..Looking forward to hearing about what you ate besides the PP.

Posted by
658 posts

So glad you had a great time.

Congratulations on doing it your way and using your solutions to sidestep problems ( Protein Powder - whoda thought it ? ).

Travel is a unique, individual experience. You certainly brought an element of individuality to your travels - hats off to you !

Posted by
3262 posts

RD,
You did a thorough job of planning and it really paid off! Congratulations! Sounds like you're addicted to European like the rest of us! I'm curious if you were happy with the time that you spent in each city-- would you plan differently for the next trip?

Posted by
683 posts

Milan is the commercial and banking center of Italy. There is little to see there besides the LS and the cathedral popularly known as the "Duomo" . The city lacks redeeming features such as large parks and quaint neighborhoods. Your time is much better spent in places along the Milano-Venezia train route,such as Vicenza oe Verona or north of Milano at Lake Como

Posted by
13 posts

Im curious how you did the bike ride. Did you rent the bike in Lucca and where did you ride?

Posted by
38 posts

RD, What a fabulous time you had, very exciting...I am curious - did you take the protien powder with you or did you buy it over there? How did you mix it? I am going to Europe next month for 3 weeks....would like to know.

Posted by
79 posts

Thanks for the comments guys.

I was happy with the time spent on this trip everywhere except Milan. I am glad I saw Milan just to "check it off" my list (Italy's 3 biggest cities: Rome, Milan, Naples: Check, Check, Check) but there is no reason to go back unless (1) You want to go to the world's finest opera, or (2) you want to catch a fashion show.

As far as protein powder, I took it with me in a second bag. It turned out to be a great idea because I was walking 8-9 miles a day in the cities and needed the constant boost. I did not find any powder in the grocery stores I visited.

Posted by
9146 posts

Did you look at the bike tours most of the bigger cities have today as opposed to the walking tours? I still believe that whatever that protein powder cost you in the states, you could have bought all the protein you wanted in the form of fresh food, like grilled fish, chicken, steaks, etc. Just because you are walking 8-9 miles a day doesn't mean someone needs a protein powder. This is something completely normal for the human race to do and we have been doing it for centuries with out a powder. As to costs for water and batteries. We usually take our little battery charger which is also ecologically correct, and we fill up our water bottles with tap water. No need to buy. Glad you had a good trip though. Maybe someday you will come to Germany and give it a try.

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