maybe a silly question about vases . . .

Hi Everyone, I got several chuckles regarding some responses to my original post. Somehow, it turned into more than I expected and good advice at that! I still want to put flowers in my hotel rooms (if possible) and hear all the ringing bells that I can, but more importantly, I will be more aware of not having too idealistic expectations of Italy. Thanks, my wonderful travel family! I love checking this site and being part of these great conversations. Buon viaggio! Ruth

Hi Ruth,
I too have been following your posts and memories came flooding back about our 1st trip Italy planning. I think that Italy will exceed many of your expectations especially the scenery. Our trip included RS Best of Italy tour and we were blown away by the experience, the fun and laughter of our tour mates, the caring and expertise of our guide Mary, and the many faces of Italy. I have found that we have to leave our expectations of room size, North American amenities, elevators etc. at home and embrace the customs of our host country. I too love to buy flowers when we rent an apt. wherever we travel and this Spring's trip to Italy will include a collapsible plastic vase. I purchased several of them for 99 cents each and have given them away as gifts for flower lovers. I may not even bother to bring them back home so the next renter can enjoy them too. Hope that you hear lots of bells when you wake up in the mornings and enjoy many spring flowers in your travels. Ciao, Sherry

I know it sounds wonderful but how much time will you be spending in your room? You'll be out touring all day while your flowers are wilting. I would save the money and time for something else. If you need to buy a vase there are shops in every city you are visiting that will have them. They range from very plain to very ornate. You can buy one at your first stop and take it with you if you wish. Donna

You might try buying a vase that you keep with you and take home as a keepsake. It should be small enough to fit in your luggage of course and sturdy enough not to break in it if wrapped in dirty clothes. You could also ask at the desk, they might have something to give you during your stay. I don't think it's a silly idea if you're staying in a nice place for several nights. Guess I'm a romantic at heart!

Ruth, I have been following your Italian questions ranging from waking to ringing bells to fresh flowers in the room and I am afraid you may have an expectation of Italy that is only available in the movies. In some ways the hotels rooms are no different than the US. As for fresh flowers you are going to have to provide them in your own vase. Some B&Bs in the countryside when local flowers are in season - maybe but major cities. I hope you are not creating for yourself a perception of Italy that will be hard if not impossible to met. Italy is different from the US, AND it will be different than your imagination. The bells may not ring and the flowers may wilt but your are still in Italy. The key to a successful trip is to roll with the differences and not to be disappointed because an artificial perception was not met. Travel well.

No maybes about it. It's great to dream about an idyllic trip but I'd try to focus on what is there and not try and recreate some fanciful notion.

Well, at least you acknowledged that it might be a silly question, right? :-) I have gotten more than one chuckle out of your questions - in a good way, I promise. You are getting some good advice, though, to beware of artificial expectations. The one thing you can count on about Italy is that it will not be what you expect. I'm reminded of a Brazilian restaurant that I went to here in Seattle (Tempero do Brasil - excellent). There was a Brazilian guitarist playing beautiful Brazilian music, but one patron there (older white woman) kept insisting that he play "something Brazilian" and wouldn't let it go until he (reluctantly) played that old cliche song "Girl from Ipanema." That was the only song this woman would accept as being Brazilian. If you can embrace the unpredictability of Italy and recognize that it might be much more than you expect, you'll have a much better time in that remarkable country. Happy travels (with or without bells and flowers.)

It wouldn't hurt to ask at the hotel. Borrow or buy a vase and get some flowers at a produce/flower market (maybe). Live your dream. A wine bottle can serve as a flower vase. Drink the wine first. If you are using the photos from the hotels' websites as an example of how the rooms look, be aware that these photos are "set up" and you can discount the attractiveness by about 50% for the actual room. Fresh flowers? Probably just there for the picture.

Ruth, I have a friend who does this every time she travels to Paris (although she usually rents an apartment). She has a great fold-up plastic vase that she packs in her suitcase and takes with her everywhere. You might try searching online for something similar.

I have found that most hotels will gladly let you use a vase or a pitcher to put your flowers in.

Ruth, I'd suggest humbly just emailing each hotel where you will stay and ask them if they have a flower vase that you can borrow while you are there, so you may then pick up some flowers to enjoy in your room. If I were the hotel owner, I would probably not only provide the vase, but surprise you with some pretty seasonal flowers, too. If not, a simple water glass, jar or pitcher can substitute. Create the memories you want.........as an 85-year-old lady once told me, "we all set our own priorities." So, enjoy the flowers, hear the bells, and make it your trip. While it sounds like you will stay flexible and realistic, I have a feeling you will create some beautiful, poetic memories. The neat thing about Helpline is that you will gain perspectives from all sorts of responders.........some could care less how memorable their hotel rooms are; for some, meals are less important than sites; for some saving money is key (even for the sport of it); some would not walk 10 extra steps to see a lovely garden just around the corner.....nothing wrong or right about the perspectives of others.......we are not all the same (thank goodness).....we all have different priorities But there are some who really seek to create special, beautiful definite, deliberate memories. Make it YOUR trip and enjoy!! Some of the most treasured, beautiful memories you bring back may wind up being the totally unplanned ones, though. Flowers are important to me. But, to me, Italy is one big vase and the bouquet is beautiful and the variety vast. Enjoy!!

Ruth.... I almost always buy flowers when I am traveling to keep in my hotel room, and I bring my own music to play, and love creating the ambience that I want. Right now I am looking at a simple crystal vase that I bought in CZ. and used while I was there and it made it home, but I enjoyed it so much when I was there it would not have mattered if it hadn't. I usually have a car, so the flowers live in the back seat while traveling. If I were on a train I would still try to carry them, and if they die, buy some new ones. Going to the flower market is a special memory on most of my trips, and I always photograph them. I don't think you will be disappointed at all, because what you are looking for is relatively simple.... flowers, church bells, etc. Its not like you're asking to meet the Pope. I have borrowed vases in many hotels and happily left the flowers if I could not take them.

Now, Ruth, if you start asking if Italian men will leer at you and try to pinch your rear end, we will really start to wonder!

Ruth, I like fresh flowers, too! I would consider buying them for a hotel where I'm spending several nights, but I probably won't do it because I try to turn money into time (usually gone for close to three months), and flowers are expensive. Personally, I'd rather buy an original small watercolor or something else to bring back. For my next trip I've tried to find as many hotels or B&Bs as possible with rooftop terraces or rooms with balconies, for those late-night and early-morning views.

I think it's a GREAT idea! I bought 4 rosebuds in a little tin in Paris for my friend and I, and we loved it. And I have the tin as a remembrance. If nothing else, use an empty wine bottle, you'll just have to empty it the first night! Also, I've seen packable plastic vases, but I'm not sure I'd pack one as it would take up precious space, but that's up to you. Have fun!!

I think Margaret's response should be an automatically generated response to every new topic on this site. Beautifully put, Margaret!

I certainly agree with Michael. I am in Hawaii and always have local flowers in my small apartment - a touch of "class" or "home" perhaps.

Thank you Donald, Douglas, Frank, Richard, Michael, Swan, ekc, Sherry, Francis, Margaret, Terry Kathryn, Karen, Zoe, Elaine and Charlie! I really appreciate your thoughtful, sometimes humorous replies. I contacted one of my hotels and they have a vase to lend - waitin' for more replies from the other hotels. If vases are not available, I will buy or bring, such as the collapsible vase. I will try not to expect too much, but will make this trip "my own." I will embrace unpredictability. Never thought my question would have engendered so many responses. I just love this helpline. What a great community! Ruth

Update: All the hotels that I am going to spend significant time in have replied and guess what? They all have vases to lend me. Yea!!! Ruth

Can they provide you with an Italian grandmother to bustle about and bring you cake and coffee? ;)

Ruth I don't think it's a silly question at all. One of the hotels we booked in Venice actually has that as an add on feature for your stay. I decided to add on a bottle of wine, flowers and a note (written in Italian) for my husband to make the stay in Venice more romantic. Possibly some of your hotels you are staying at offer those add on extras. Happy travels!

Thanks, JoAnna!
Karen, I will check into that! Ruth :)

I've seen a collapsible vase at the gift shop of better US museums--kind of rubbery, and certainly sturdy enough for flowers. Would also be light. I'd suggest checking websites for museum gift shops. I may have seen it at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, but not sure about that.