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Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,427
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL

[ Edited ]

Husband and I are thinking of going to Italy....1st time ever to leave the country for us.  I don't even have a passport...yet!  That's 1st on my list to get done.

 

I have been reading an older thread here by @NicksMom....and many replies on it for advice and help.  But it is all "greek" to me...I am feeling confused at best. 

 

I like the idea of a tour on one hand but then I don't like it on the other!  I have fatigue issues (doctor says CF) and can wear out if I don't pace myself correctly.  So like the other poster I was thinking that planning out maybe 3 locations in Italy and booking tours directly with hotel or a travel agent may be better for me.  

 

Of course hotels and places to eat....I was thinking of May or even better September this yr....  

 

here is the original topic I was reading for ideas and help

https://community.qvc.com/t5/Travel/Going-to-Italy-Advise-needed/m-p/4413100/highlight/true#M8059

 

Heck truth be told I am not sure I will do well with the jet lag...time difference...long flight and so on.  So my anxiety is going up and I don't like to be rushed into making a decision I will later wish I had spent more time researching and planning out better.  

 

If anyone out there has any more ideas to offer please share with me!

 

Right now my basic plan is Rome...Florence...Venice (open to changing this expect Rome is a must see for me!)

 

Thanks to all for help!!

 

Edit to add: Venice is optional as I did read it's not that nice by other posters.  One other issue is I can't go on ships or by boat for travel to other areas....train is fine.

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,052
Registered: ‎08-25-2010

Re: Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL

There are quite a few serious travelers on these boards who will give you great advice. My advice is to take it easy on your first day in Italy to allow for jet lag. When we went on a Mediterranean cruise a few years ago, we flew from DC to Athens by way of Frankfurt. We had booked an excursion for the first day on board and slept right through the excursion departure time. They were long gone by the time we woke up! We were so groggy, we didn’t care. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,882
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL

@tsavorite: The first order of business is get a Passport NOW!  Next find a TA who specializes in Italy.  With your issues, maybe a Parillo (sp) bus tour is the ticket.  Italy is so nice, you'll love it whatever you decide.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,187
Registered: ‎07-26-2014

Re: Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL

@tsavorite

 

How long are you planning on traveling around Italy?

 

Jet lag...

What I do is keep my watch on its regular time.  I do not change it.  For the first few days I slowly let my body get use to the time change by eating & napping during my normal hours then ease to the country's time zone.

I suffer badly from jet lag.  I suffer for about 24 hrs.  I have rx which reduces its effects.  Ask your doctor.

 

You & your hubby will have a blast whichever city you visit in Italy.  Sample all the Italian food Italy has to offer. 

 

Rome, watch out for the pigeons!!!!!!

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."


220-AuCC-US-CRM-Header-Update.gif

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,882
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL

@Mz iMac:  More important than pigeons be very careful about pickpockets (especially in train stations).  I've been to many countries (including third world) and I've been robbed twice in Italy (40 years apart); only place that has ever happened.  I let my guard down, both times!

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,613
Registered: ‎03-19-2016

Re: Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL

@tsavorite. I have been to Italy many times. I have always been on tours or a cruise. TAKE $$ and passports in a waist or neck holder!

I would allow more time  FALL is good, to plan your trip and check out the tours.

On a tour they will meet you at the airport and handle luggage, tip porters, They take you to the hotel and have a welcome dinner. They understand that the first day you need rest or to go slowly. most things are all pre paid including admissions to attractions.(read brochures carefully as to wording. “Visit the coliseum “is different than “viewing “it from outside. The more expensive  Tauck tours are wonderful. If you don’t feel like seeing something you can remain on the bus or rest in the hotel.They have smaller groups better hotels and more included.

I have  found that upon arriving I forget the time at home and put myself on their time and you get over jet lag faster.

They handle the passports at hotels and most meals are included.

I left my passport in Rome once and we were returning from Milan in 2 days. The escort had my passport delivered to the hotel.Even he was concerned because things can take longer in Italy. They are slow at changing a light bulb!

While in line for a church in Spain an escort warned us loudly to watch the Gypsies and pick pockets. (They are near the Trivi fountain in Rome also!)

If you don’t like boats I wouldn’t recommend Venice. The only way in is by fast water taxi. And the gondolas rock from the waves.We had 6 in the Grand Canal! Plus Venice is not close to Rome. & don’t do Capri boats again!

Italy is my favorite Country other than the USA I wish you could spend a month there is so much to see!

But my Father who loved travel said that if you don’t see it all you can return!

Have a wonderful trip!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,427
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL

[ Edited ]

Hello ladies thank you... @Mz iMac could you tell me name of script your doctor gave you to get over your jet lag? He gave me one to try for chronic fatigue it's is a stimulant...adderall generic. I only took it twice didn't want to be dependent on it in daily life but perhaps something like this for trip would work for me to keep up and not ruin it for husband.

I am not sure how long to go maybe 10 days or a little longer. All up in the air right now.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,630
Registered: ‎08-19-2014

Re: Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL

[ Edited ]

 @tsavorite  Hi, After doing all that research on Italy we ended up not going.DH had a lot of cramping issues with his leg,& I had a knee problem that started acting up. We decided to take a Carribean cruise instead.This gave us more control on a day to day basis.

   My suggestion would be to be honest about how much running around you can do.A lot of people told us to go to Italy anyway.We’re glad we didn’t go. We would have felt terrible if we paid all that money & couldn’t keep up the pace.We are now talking about taking a Mediterranean Cruise next year. This would be a way for us to see several countries at our own pace.We have friends who have taken it & have been raving about it.

   Good luck with whatever you choose to do!!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,427
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL


@1Snickers wrote:

@tsavorite. I have been to Italy many times. I have always been on tours or a cruise. TAKE $$ and passports in a waist or neck holder!

I would allow more time  FALL is good, to plan your trip and check out the tours.

On a tour they will meet you at the airport and handle luggage, tip porters, They take you to the hotel and have a welcome dinner. They understand that the first day you need rest or to go slowly. most things are all pre paid including admissions to attractions.(read brochures carefully as to wording. “Visit the coliseum “is different than “viewing “it from outside. The more expensive  Tauck tours are wonderful. If you don’t feel like seeing something you can remain on the bus or rest in the hotel.They have smaller groups better hotels and more included.

I have  found that upon arriving I forget the time at home and put myself on their time and you get over jet lag faster.

They handle the passports at hotels and most meals are included.

I left my passport in Rome once and we were returning from Milan in 2 days. The escort had my passport delivered to the hotel.Even he was concerned because things can take longer in Italy. They are slow at changing a light bulb!

While in line for a church in Spain an escort warned us loudly to watch the Gypsies and pick pockets. (They are near the Trivi fountain in Rome also!)

If you don’t like boats I wouldn’t recommend Venice. The only way in is by fast water taxi. And the gondolas rock from the waves.We had 6 in the Grand Canal! Plus Venice is not close to Rome. & don’t do Capri boats again!

Italy is my favorite Country other than the USA I wish you could spend a month there is so much to see!

But my Father who loved travel said that if you don’t see it all you can return!

Have a wonderful trip!


Thank you so much I will look into the Tauck tours!  I need things to be handle pretty much for me and the less stressful/worry for me the better I will do over all.

 

The reason I mention boats or ships is that I get extremely seasick....car sick...motion sick even while on dry land.  I have vertigo attacks and dizziness issues also for most my life (long story) and I have to take promethazine to travel which makes me even more tired.  Fine for flying but I need to be able to recover from it...get it out of my system to be able to do things.  Not something I would want to take daily on vacation.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,882
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Italy Trip....Please HELP! LOL

@tsavorite: No Jet Lag pills are available over the counter at many places including CVS.  For DH and I swear by them!