We leave Sunday for Italy!!! Any last minute tips, etc...

Do you have some empty zip-lock bags? And a journal (with a pen)?

For me, having a good map of both cities in hand might be helpful. Beyond that, having the gelato joints mapped out might be handy.

The poor man's GPS - a small compass. It's amazing how easy it is to get turned around.

Bethanne - Be sure to call your bank and cc company to let them know you'll be in Italy so they don't block your transactions. Have a wonderful time!!!!

Do you have printed confirmation for your lodging? And call ahead to your next lodging a couple of days before you leave for it, to re-confirm. Aside from that, the best advice I got was from a friend who told me not to sweat it too much when something goes wrong (because it will). Think of it as material for a good story when you get back home. :-) Have a great time.

Bring an open mind and a willing spirit. Be ready to stop and relish the moments, go with the flow, and as mentioned, don't sweat it if something goes differently than you planned, it's an adventure!!! Buon viaggio!

Bethanne, Sounds like you've got all the pre-trip details well sorted. Buon Viaggio!

Don't forget a few copies of your passports, and a camera to capture all the amazing things you are going to see!

Don't forget ...me!! :-)
Have a great trip!

Agree with Laurel, something will go wrong but just look at it as part of the adventure. The things that went wrong on our trips are some of the ones we remember the most. Enjoy!!!!!

MICHAEL: Yes, I did print my confirmation for both b&b's, for to put that one here. I have also been in contact with them both at least twice a week for the past month!! THANK YOU!!! CHARLENE: I have the ziplock bags but didn't think of a journal & pen, even though RS mentions it, I think I will bring one, won't hurt!! THANK YOU!!! MIKE: I have Rick's maps, forgot to mention that but I think I'm gonna get some maps for point to point places done, like with google earth, seen ppl mention that before...THANKS!!! MICHAEL: Compass, where would I get one, kmart?? I wasn't thinking of that! THANKS!!! GRIER: Another thing I forgot to mention, we did call have both accounts noted but I plan on calling again either tomorrow or thursday to reconfirm!! THANKS!!! LAUREL: I will take you and Michael's advice to heart! I am one of those pesky OCD control freaks but I will make sure I know that it's okay if it doesn't go my way...lol!! THANKS!!! KEN: THANKS!!! AMY: Yesterday I scanned in and printed color copies of both our passports, visa debit cards, state id's, ssi cards and birth certificates. We have a Kodak Digital but thank you for the camera tip b/c I need to run out to buy a new battery!! THANKS!!! MONIQUE: Sure, you don't mind squeezing into a carryon, do you?!? LOL!! THANKS!!! GAIL: Again, great advice and we will adhere to it!!! THANKS!!!

....and don't forget that your RS friends/resource are only a click away on your netbook!! ;)

Justtravel, That's one of the BEST tips I've gotten so far!! :) !!! Thanks!!

I always carry a small travel size package of tissues. You never know when TP will be in short supply when you are out & about. I also take a package of wet wipes and small anti-bacterial gel. You never know when you will need it...

Thank you Andrea, good idea!!!!

Don't forget to turn off the stove.

Rik, What you'll find funny with that reminder is I am a Paralegal in Subrogation Law and handle alot of fires from electrical appliances, etc... So, EVERYTHING is unplugged in my home on a daily basis except the tv. I mean every lamp, appliance, charger, everything...I also leave nothing near the stove or the heating vents, etc... It's an OCD I have, I go around and unplug everything every morning...It drives my fiancee crazy but rather be safe than sorry! lol!! Thanks!!

Be ready for the Italian attitude. I call it "come what may", other, less kind, people might call it "who gives a rip?" "You had reservations? Oh well, we're all full (shrugs shoulders)." That's why reconfirming your reservations is a great idea in Italy. Italians see things as working themselves out and REALLY don't sweat the details. The more you try to travel on a schedule, the worse it seems. Relax and go with it is my best advice.

Thank you so much Brad!!! I will definitely be open to it will all work out...lol!!

Stop the mail; stop the papers; get somebody to water the plants; tell the neighbors; put timers on the lights; draw the curtains; set the alarm.... oh, and have a great trip...

Take an extra memory card for your camera - you will take many more pictures than you can imagine!

Okay, this may sound a little odd, but I've heard of people alternating two memory cards in their cameras, switching back and forth each day. The idea is that if you lose your camera or it gets stolen, you still have half the photos you took. I can't decide if I want to try that on our trip in May, but thought I would pass it along. Buon viaggio! You're going to have a wonderful time. Just don't be surprised by all the graffitti in Rome. Think of it as part of its charm. :-)

Nigel & Ekc - Thank you, good tips definitely am printing this posting out to go over tomorrow!! Michael - Come on now, I'm from Philly, Graffiti is Art!! :) Thanks again everyone for all the wonderful advice!!! :)

Bring a ziplock to put all your brochures, ticket stubs, etc. in that you collect through out the day. Make sure you do this at the end of each day and also jot in your journal. This helps keep your memories fresh when you get home and want to relive your trip. Also it keeps all those paper souvenirs in one place if you ever get around to putting a scrapbook of your trip. Enjoy, go with the flow. Romecab is very reliable by the way.

Remember to validate your train ticket in the yellow box near the platform before you board. Otherwise, it could result in a fine. It's something that I always have to make a mental note to remember - we forgot once and got a stern lecture from the conductor but he was kind and didn't fine us! Bon Voyage!

Just remember that when things don't go as planned, that that's part of the wonderful adventure of travel. Those experiences will create some of the most interesting stories that you'll be telling for years.

Memory card for the camera isn't a bad idea. I brought a bunch but filled them all up. If you need one and can't find a camera store, look for a game store. They sell SD cards (and the price was reasonable).

Agree with Claudette regarding saving the receipts, ticket stubs - even hotel business cards. They all are reminders of your trip and I have used them often in remembering where I spent my time. On the restaurant business cards I jotted down the names of the dishes I ordered because food is huge in my life. Bethanne: I am a Legal Assistant and worked for a property subrogation atty for 10 years. Although I do not unplug everything on a daily basis, I do make sure my toaster is unplugged. When I leave for long trips I do unplug all my old lamps along with the toaster. Some would say that is paranoid... you and I have read enough expert reports to know - NOT. Happy travels - I miss Italy very much. Ciao!

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlist.htm The first thing that comes to mind would be a washcloth. Keep it in a ziplock when it is still damp if you're moving to a new hotel, then take it out to dry when you get there. Claudette mentioned keeping your brochures, ticket stubs, etc. from each day in a ziplock. I used to keep this stuff, but I think a better idea is to just take pictures of all that paper at the end of the day and leave it. If you get a particularly nice brochure or if you're a scrapper then maybe it makes sense to bring it back with you, but most of it on a digital photo will end up being far more useful. Most point and shoot cameras have a macro mode, so just use a well lit spot, like next to a window to "transfer" your paper to photos. The same principle can be applied to Linda's comment above. Take a picture of the restaurant business card, the menu, and even the food and wine bottle. If you want to take those kinds of shots, use the food scene (or equivalent low light scene) on a point and shoot and make sure you turn off flash to not disturb other diners.

Claudette - Good idea, I love keeping stubs, etc... Sharon - Thanks, I'm already anxious about that, I will def remember!! :O) Karen - Thanks!!! :) Brad - I have one but am going out to pick one or two more on Friday, along with some other little things... Linda - Good idea!! I am always taking pics of great dishes I make or have here in the states!! Thanks! Oh and yes, I have had TOOO many cases, with toasters, coffee pots, lamps, electrical cords, electrical heaters...I could go on and on!! I don't take any chances. Everything is always unplugged and gets plugged in for use everyday. Kevin -I never thought of taking pics instead, that's a neat idea!! Thank you!!!

If you cross-pack your suitcases, IE: some of his stuff in yours and vice versa; then if one bag is lost enroute, you will have something to wear till it's found. Also: take a change of undies and a clean t-shirt and socks in each carry-on , just in case. Also, pack any medications in your carry-on , not your checked bags.
Have a blast!!!!!

Definitely a few memory cards AND a couple batteries if your camera is a rechargeable battery type. When I was there, I always had one charging/ready to use while the other was in the camera. Each day I changed it out to be SURE I didn't run out of battery!
I think about the only thing left is to relax and have fun!

These are all such great tips! We got a great small compass at Wal-Mart. May need this in Venice! The small pack of tissues thing is a must - take it with you every time you go to the loo - they always seem to be out of paper... (You will also see every kind of toilet known to man or woman.) I also carry a small pack of hand wipies. I have e-mailed my hotel recently to ask a question or let them know the time we will be arriving... Just let's them know that you are coming and they may look on you as a real person instead of just a reservation. Hope to see you in Venice! Have a wonderful trip!! Definitely don't try to do too much. Slow down and savor the experience.

Bethanne - someone commented on batteries. We take a lot of batteries with us. For our cameras. We take a huge # of photos and so we use a lot of batteries. If you run out, getting new batteries can waste time (can be had at tabbachi or little discount stores) and they really aren't very good although cheap. =)

S Jackson, Robyn, Diane & EVERYBODY ELSE: Thank you for your comments, ideas and help!! My camera is digital with a charger, no batteries... I will take into account everything you have added!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

It all sound great and I wish you a wonderful trip......... as for if you are missing me, I think I should be in your luggage..... Well I only wish I was. Have a great trip.

Scan your important documents to an accessible email account. They too can be stolen. That way they are always available. We put all of our vouchers for everything there as well.
Works for us.

Marsha, I did that!! I also printed them out in color and we CROSS packed them! Thank you!!! Were here now and having a BLAST!!!

Just returned from the north. You probably want to learn how to say, "there is a line here"! They're not big on queues.

Geoffrey(SP?) Oh, MY fix to that, (LINE JUMPING) was my usual as in Philly, either tell them to MOVE or elbow them out of the way! May seem rude to some ppl but coming from a large city, you don't allow that at ALL!! I actually yelled at my fiance today (aww) b/c he's a man and couldn't say NO to a pretty woman who asked to go ahead of him!!! LOL!!! I stopped her and told her NOOOO and refused to let her jump the line! Michael was like "oh it's okay" and I was like "NOOO it's not, learn how to say NO to women!!!!" :)

"...learn how to say NO to women!!! :)" You go, Girl! Otherwise, you'll have to troll the queue for a good-looking Italian man at the end of the line... Just tell him she'd better be bleeding, using a cane, or pregnant ;-) (FYI - the training continues at nearly 30 years of wedded 'bliss' LOL) Sounds like you're having a blast!