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Notes from the Road

Posted by (Reno, NV, USA) on

Hi,

We are in Sicily now. Here are some notes that may be helpful to those who are following in out footsteps.

EU Passenger Locator Form - no one asked to see it. We just needed it to sign up for American Airlines VeriFLY to facilitate things at check in at the airport. I had the VeriFLY on my cell phone and you need to show the check in agent the ready to fly pass on your phone. They do not have that info stored on their computer at the airport.

Form for Sicily - We had it at the ready and no one asked for it. It is now in the trash. Total waste of time and angst.

Masking - As we all know, masking is optional on US flights. On American Airlines international flights it is optional as well. Unfortunately we were sitting fairly close to someone who was not wearing a mask and basically sounded like he was coughing up a lung. Fingers crossed we don’t get sick. Very few people were masking on the plane. People are masking at the airport in Rome and Palermo as it is required with just a few scofflaws.

We flew AA premium economy plus (Boeing 777-200). It was totally worth the cost. We had bulkhead seats so we had extra leg room and no one reclining in our faces. Yes, business would have been nicer but we were grateful for what we had as the economy/coach section looked pretty miserable and crowded.

We were asked for our CDC cards at the gate for the ITA flight from Rome to Palermo. We showed them the laminated version and they were good with that. We had the original cards stored away and could have used those if need be.

We took the shuttle bus from the Palermo airport and it was very easy. RS instructions on using the bus to get to the first tour hotel were spot on. It cost us 6 euros each and took about 40 or 50 minutes to get to the hotel. A taxi would have cost a lot more ($50 - $60 dollars). We were the last passengers off the bus at Palermo Centrale. I had familiarized myself with the walk to the hotel from there ahead of time on Google maps/earth. I didn’t have or need a map.

OK. I am off to get a shower, a nap and food. Just not sure what order yet. I want all three at once right now.

Posted by
276 posts

Thanks for the post, Mary. These updates are very helpful!

I hope you got your shower, nap, and food and are having a great rest of your trip!

Posted by
1024 posts

Thanks you for your update. It is awesome that everyone can give updates to us. I am off to Iceland and Scotland later on down the road

Hope you are doing well , knee wise.

Kim

Posted by
143 posts

Great updates! We are in Italy now (arrived on Thursday morning) and I agree, no one asked to see our EU PLF. We had it ready in Frankfurt where we connected, but all they wanted was our passports and CDC cards. We flew United Polaris business class and while they said masks were required due to German rules, at least a handful of people didn't wear them (I wore my FFP2 even to sleep) until we landed and no one on the crew said anything.

We were in Milan and everyone masks for public transportation and indoors at sites. We haven't been asked for our CDC cards at restaurants although we have been eating outside so that is probably why. We are currently on the train to Venice (thanks Wifi!) and were asked for our cards a few minutes ago.

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you Mary. My daughter and I are heading there mid May. You eased some of my angst and now I know a little what to expect. Enjoy your trip!

Posted by
484 posts

Thank you this helpful update. I will be in Rome and then on to Cefalu, Sicily on Sunday May 01.
I've just completed the troublesome entry form for Sicily so I hope someone does ask me for it :-)
I'm now going to double check my seats on AA.
Have a wonderful time!

Posted by
198 posts

I arrived in Milan from London on Wednesday, April 20th and took the train to Varenna. I am a US citizen, and my first flight was from Charlotte to London, where I stayed for about 9 days. The UK is not requiring masks, vaccine cards, locator forms or anything else. I would say one person out of 100 is wearing a mask in London.

Italy is requiring locator forms, vaccines and N95 masks, but no one has asked to see my vaccine card anywhere on this entire trip, which is so far 15 days! I have just arrived back in Milan today, so they may be more strict. I have been very surprised that I haven't had to show my card, not even at any of the four airports (US, Heathrow, Gatwick, or Malpensa) or any of my many train rides.

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