We leave July 28. I am mostly organized - but not yet packed.
I am getting quite excited. I've read every post on this board - even those that do not partain to our trip, I've read every website I can find about the Amalfi coast as this is our main area for this trip, and I've looked at the travel products websites just for fun.
What do YOU do to pass the down time before an exciting adventure?
Sally D.
I go back over my check list of things to do at home before I leave.
Stop the mail, paper, tell the nabors, the bank we will be out of country.
Have a list of things to use up or dispose of before we leave in the refrigerator, bread, milk, etc.
I use our spare bedroom for organizing the things I won't be using up till time to leave I put in my suitcase or on the bed by it.
Make sure you have all your copies of things, tickets, confirmations,passes, passports,State ID etc ready.
Have a fun & Safe trip
Just before we left for Italy last May, I spent two hours buying tickets for London in September. We are always completely packed four or five days prior so that we can easily play the game, "Did I pack that ???? !!!" We also begin time shifting the week before and run the checks lists. Most just relax, and maybe watch a Steves CD or two.
Sally, if you're on the web already, why not catch up on European news? The International Herald Tribune is www.iht.co. The Guardian is www.guardian.co.uk.
Read and read and read all about the region. Get your guide books out and really look for the smaller interesting things to do, not just the "tourist" sights.
Then, just relax, the days will pass, and before you know it, your holiday is over and you are back to the real world.
"before you know it, your holiday is over and you are back to the real world"
That is the sad part...
No, no, no, no,,,,,,, that is not the sad part. The sad part is not going again, You have your picture to review, edit, organize, share, and stories to tell. And now that you are more experienced -- start planning the next trip. For me the saddest part or perhaps most depressing part of my trips is the wait in the airport for the departure plane -- that is truely sad ---- But by the time I hit the ground in Denver, I have reviewed and edited my packing list, same for the misc list, made notes for what worked well and what didn't, made a followup to do list, and have tentatively discussed the next trip. No date -- just the next trip. We may go next year or the year after or maybe in a couple of months as we are doing this year --- (long story) -- point is --- we know we are going, just don't always know when. That is the best part.
Frank your a traveler after my own heart!
I totally agree with all you posted.
Already working on my next big trip in 2009 gathering all the info I can.
Start packing! Lay out everything you're taking. Pack it up at least a couple days ahead - better to evaluate if it's too much or too little before you haul it across the pond. Check weather reports and make sure you've packed accordingly. Check international news sites and get in the European frame of mind. Start getting up earlier every morning until you leave (amazing how this reduces jet lag) and catch up on interesting early morning television. The sad thing is it will be over before you know it - so try to relax and be ready for the trip of your lifetime.
This weekend I will do the packing. I pretty much know what I'm taking. I have my "Italy Stuff" that stays on its own shelf in the closet. I've already done my liquids, as that is new since our last trip.
Frank - you are right. We too will have some idea of our next trip - as we are headed back to Denver. It will depend on what we get accomplished this trip compared to what we hope to accomplish! We always have a list of what we want to do and see, but it doesn't mean we do it. We almost always get sidetracked with a place we see from the road and just have to explore it.
Think I'll plug in Rick's DVD of Back door Italy...
Sally, just before my trip, I reviewed my Italian language CDs and practiced and also listened to a great CD called "Italian Cafe" with Italian songs from the 50s all the way to today. It really got me in the mood as I packed and practiced walking with luggage.
As I was flying back from Italy, I mentally planned my return trip and booked it 2 weeks later.
Sally, we had more fun opening up the live web cams in Sorrento (and the other places on the Amalfi coast! the streaming video in Positano is awesome!), and watching the people and weather. We would go to the computer all hours of the day and night and watch. Talking about building up our anticipation!
It was fun watching the 1st people on the street in the morning, and the last people out at nite. You could see if it had rained, or if it was sunny. You could see what people were wearing.
YES! I've been watching the one in Sorrento. Thanks for the link for the others!!! WEBCAM here I come!
We just returned from Italy last night. Travel light!! There are plenty of places to do laundry. Create a list of what you would like to see. Don't forget some "down" time during your trip. Our Rick Steve's book was our best friend. Don't forget it! Get ready to have a wonderful time. Make copies of all emails to confirm your reservations and take the copies with you. Call your credit card company to give them the dates of your trip. Practice some phrases in Italian to help you communicate.
Enjoy!
Kay
Powder Springs, GA
