1) if you want to use Euro’s, use a bank affiliated bank. But, almost 90% of what I spent, was on my foreign transaction fee free credit card. My mistake was buying $1500 in euros from my local bank and paying a hefty transaction premium. Never again.
2) when you are given the choice of money belts that RST provides, I recommend the one with two loops on it that you put your belt through. Put it on, zipper side out, put your money and passports in it and then flop it over under your pants. Was not uncomfortable and there was no way I was going to lose it or be pickpocketed. We only had one pickpocket, out of a traditional money belt on a very, very crowded bus in Rome.
3) shoes! This is a huge, huge walking tour. My recommendation is a great pair of hiking shoes. Who cares what they look like, comfort is the name of the game. Trust me, it will be money well spent.
4) READ the book!! Have a game plan before you leave for this trip. It really is true, to have an A+ trip, be an A+ student. Big mistake on my part. Read the chapters on each city, scrap the “places to stay” part and staple the rest together.
5) we stayed one extra night in Venice and Rome. Rome was okay, could have extended it to two extra nights, but Venice, we regret not staying three more days. So much to see and do, that extra day just wasn’t enough.
6) I bought a 41L Cotopaxi backpack plus a regular back pack and it was doable. Rick Steves packing cubes plus a three pack of Cotopaxi cubes made it perfect. However, my wife packed a 110L combo back pack/wheeler bag that weighed 50 pounds!!! Everyone else had a carryon, maybe an additional small bag that attached to it, and a regular backpack. Look, no one cares what you’re wearing as long as you don’t smell, so washing clothes in the sink and letting them dry over night is the way to go. Pack your bathroom essentials, use the hotels soap and shampoo. Depending on when you’re going, three pair of shorts or pants, and 4-5 shirts, plus socks and underwear can get it done. Bring a couple of washcloths as they do not provide them in rooms. Swimming trunks for Cinque Terre. Read other packing blogs or post and you’ll end up with what you’ll pack. My wife has regretted her packing from day 1.
7) make sure your adapter has both a three prong and a two prong. The two prong was for the Dolomites.
8) when you fly out of Rome, give yourself a half hour to get there and a hour and half to get checked in. Almost everyone got a taxi from Hotel Aberdeen to FCO. Preset cost of 55 Euros. Yes, the train is cheaper but you have a decent hike to get to the central terminal.
9) get on line and order all your tickets as soon as you can. Word has it that in the near future you will have your name on your ticket to cut down on scalpers. No such thing as skip the line. I believe that being there first thing in the morning is the way to go. We missed some stuff at the Vatican because we had 4:00 tickets. Check the book for what you need tickets for, but I remember the Doge Palace, the Bell Tower, the Basilica in Venice, then if your going to Murano and Burano get a multi day pass for the boat in Venice. Rumor has it that they make the Trevi fountain a ticket in the future, but right now, it’s free. Closed every Monday from 9-2 for cleaning and collecting the coins. Be at the Vatican first thing in the morning, trust me, 20-30,000 visitors a day and it is packed. RST doesn’t go inside the Colosseum, so that is a ticket you will need to buy. Also, I forgot about the Duomo at the Vatican, 500 steps to climb, but that’s a ticket also.
10) in between destinations, the bus will stop for a coffee, snacks, bathroom breaks. The bus has a bathroom on it, for those who absolutely can not wait. No one on our bus used it, it’s in the middle by the back steps. Speaking of bathrooms, almost all are 0.50 to 1.00 euros. Get a pocket full of change just in case. Restraints and museums have them free.