italy is almost here

ok, i will!

when i first made the decision to go to italy – i was obsessed. every day i was researching and looking up things to do…making plans. but it always seemed so far off.

but it’s HERE now! ohmygoodness!!!!

and for a while i didn’t think about it…until mid december when i freaked a little and realized i needed to finalize my bookings. 4 hotels are now booked….Rome, Sorrento, Florence, and Siena. but of course time will be spent along the Amalfi coast..Pompeii!…Pisa…Venice…i will ride in a gondola. i will eat gelato. and cannoli. and legit italian margherita pizza. and we willllll be taking a private cooking class in Florence with an Italian chef! – making a three course meal in which going to the market to buy fresh ingredients and homemade pasta is included (i’m soSOso excited about that!). and of course museum tours. and historical sites.

to stand in the sistine chapel! – i can’t wait.

and it’s….just around the corner!

i start to get nervous…thinking i forgot something in my planning.

oh well….it’s happening!

flight = January 2nd…the best way to start off a new year…i’ll get to check a couple items off my bucket list!

any suggestions/tips/must-do’s for while i’m in Italy are very welcome!!! in fact…do you have any??

i need europe travel advice?

so, i know that it seems i JUST decided that i want to plan a trip to europe. but, i’m all in! already. oh, i love that.

the plan – and yes, i already have a plan – is to use the train system. they have these special passes you can get. you get unlimited train use for certain amount of days and countries depending on which pass you get. i’m looking into it to consider all my options with it. seems a great idea.

i’m thinking fly into madrid, spain first. when done there, take a train to barcelona.

from barcelona, we’d (i told my mom she’s coming with, she’s craving travel too) take the night train to Milan, Italy. Yes, we’re going through France and not stopping – but if i do France, i’d want Paris. and Paris needs time. trains take time. and i’d prefer Paris not in January. adding Paris to the trip ups the costs, and the length, so i’m not so sure.

anyway…after time in Milan, take the train to Florence. We’d stay in Florence a few days and take trains during the day to see Venice and Pisa. Then…last stop…ROME! a couple days there and then…fly home. depending on time, we could take a day train down to Naples too. what’s in Naples, though?

i have a rough estimate of how much time/days are needed for each stop. yes, it will be winter. but i’m not going for a tan – not that i get tan anyway. and it’s the only time i have. hay que aprovechar!

QUESTiON! i need advice. on anything. must sees. must eats. trains. hotels. attractions. things to know. tips. what’s worth it. what’s not. overrated. overpriced. you know?

i’d like to get this all figured out and planned and booked…and do it wisely.

if you’ve got anything for me – i’d appreciate it!

love, whit