thanks for the advice and entertainment, folks! got any last minute tips, jokes, or angry words to share? don't worry, though; i've got my travelers cheques and have been practicing how to ask in italian for the closest olive garden! chow! ;)
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
Hey, Matthew, just wanted to assure you that Rome (and ALL of Italy) runs LIKE CLOCKWORK! The Most Efficient Place On Earth. You'll be able to hit ALL of your totally unrealistic sight-seeing goals every day and reward yourself with that traditional dining experience known as The Olive Garden. It's Italian, ya know. I seen it on the TV. Watch out for those Vespas, though...assuming you aren't suicidal... Have a great time!!!
Posted by
OP
Houston, Texas, USA
158 posts
whew, that's a relief! good to know that the italians know how to do things the RIGHT way. i really want to see chef boyardee's birthplace. i hear it's breathtaking.
Posted by
Saugus, MA, USA
48 posts
Have a great time and be sure to update us for those that will be going in the future June 2011!
Posted by
OP
Houston, Texas, USA
158 posts
i'll be glad to, but i don't know how timely my info will be for 6 months later... but i'm pretty sure the colosseum and st. peter's will still be there!
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon, USA
962 posts
Lemoncello... Its not just for breakfast anymore!!! It is important to speak their language correctly. The easiest way I have found to do this is to add an "eh" sound to the end of all your words. For instance, at a restaurant you would order like this, "I-eh, want-eh big-eh plate-eh of-eh spaghetti-eh with-eh big-eh meatballs-eh." They will really appreciate your mastery of the language. :)
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Matthew, have a great trip. It'll be beautiful and a great experience during Christmas. Inquiring minds want to know....if you received advice from all of us, then why are you taking traveler's cheques? Have a lovely time.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32356 posts
Matthew, Be sure to take a warm coat! According to the Italian TV News, Rome has been somewhat "chilly" the last few days. Florence has been worse, with ice covering some of the fountains. Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Houston, Texas, USA
158 posts
well, i only thought i was leaving yesterday. turns out heathrow airport isn't equipped to deal with sub-freezing temperatures. looks like the first available flight is wednesday. we'll see if that one works. i was joking about the traveler's cheques.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Hey, some of us got the joke. Sorry to hear about Heathrow and your delay.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32356 posts
Matthew, I wondered whether you might have problems even getting to Europe. According to the news this morning, Heathrow especially is still badly congested, with numerous restrictions on incoming flights. Gatwick appears to be operating to some extent, as they had several hundred employees working through the night to clear snow. The situation is about the same at Paris, Frankfurt and other locations in Europe. Good luck!
Posted by
OP
Houston, Texas, USA
158 posts
it's especially irritating that there's no one to point the blame at for the delay. it is pretty irritating that BA isn't doing anything to work with other airlines to route their passengers to their final destinations through an unclosed airport. their 'partner', AA, has flights from dallas to new york to rome, but they are unwilling to let me take that route. so i get to wait for the cluster that is heathrow to open up. meanwhile, my tickets to the vatican scavi and museum are wasted. we'll see how kind they are in rescheduling my visits when it's due to an act of God! rimshot