Tuesday's Trip Tips. {Post 1}

My absolutely wonderful and talented graphic artist, Wendy, is heading to Europe in a few days.  She's taking a 7-day cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean followed by 4-days in Rome.  Hmmm, doesn't this sound a bit familiar...?  I thought so too!  Last November, Bernie and I took a 7-day cruise of the Western Mediterranean and 5-days in Rome. And I sooo wish I was there now.  Yes, I truly do.  I think I'm in need of a vacation.  On a side note, I'd also like hit the beach complete with frosty beverages served beach side...sounds nice, doesn't it?  Are you feeling it?  My vacation fever that is.  I seriously need to do something about this "feeling"...  I was so excited last week to hear this fabulous news from Wendy.  It's also a first time trip to Europe for them.  So, of course, I just "had" to share some "tips" that Bern and I learned from our trip.  Especially, the things we won't repeat and the things we will.  And "yes" I do realize there has been no posts - as of yet!

I've already sent my "tip" email to Wendy and I thought I'd share on ...this & that... what I wrote, here goes:

• Make a list on 1 sheet of 8-1/2x11 papers of all your numbers and/or important information.  Basically make an itinerary for your use and include important numbers as well.  Example: cruise line information in case of emergency and contact numbers for back home and bank credit card company international numbers (for cards that you are using).
• I'm sure by now you've already gotten euros from the bank here in the States; most places won't take US money, cash.
• On a "cheat sheet" list a few "key" phrases in case of emergency for each country you are going to. For example: where is the bathroom? hospital? police? AND most importantly do you speak English (I always asked this first)? I used google translator.
• Review your clothing one last time and remove anything that "really" isn't needed. You really don't want to check a 62 pound bag (I did and never again). Trust me and where things twice. Comfy shoes are a must: I brought and wore flats but my feet still hurt - I would recommend gym shoes (especially because of the marble everywhere).
• Make 2 or 3 copies of yours and your hubby's passports; place each in 2 different places in your bags, separately. Leave a set at home with someone in case of an emergency. And your itinerary (I emailed mine to my girlfriend in the FBI; I knew she would NOW what to do if I didn't return, just in case). The cruise ship will "hold" your passport the entire trip and you won't have it with you -- I didn't like this but, we had to do it. Good to have a copy with you and of course picture ID, driver's license.
• For your 4-days in Rome definitely bring your translation book. It was very helpful to us.
• You want to buy the "Roma Pass" when in Rome. Look up online -- there are places everywhere to buy it. You basically get in for free to 2 museums if memory serves me correctly and you get discounts at other places.
• Take the tour bus that is red. I can't think of the name nor can I find it in my notes (if I do I'll email you). They have in "English" a recorded tour along the 3 different routes you can take (and we did all three). Every day we hopped on this bus. We did NOT take the public transportation. And we walked basically everywhere.
• Reserve in advance your visit to the Vatican. We spent the entire day there and didn't have enough time.
• The Borghese Gallery is a must see and you are allotted a 2 hour time slot to visit the gallery. And a beautiful walk through the "gardens" to get there. You need reservations and have to book in-advance.
• Go to the TOP of the Vittorio Emanuele Monument http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_to_Vittorio_Emanuele_II We didn't know you could go to the top and there is an absolutely killer view from the top. The funny part about this monument is we waited for the bus every day there and never went it or on top of it. By the way, we joked the entire time about having "dinner" in the horse like they did a very long time ago (and I wrote a blog post about this).
• If it rains in Rome head to the Pantheon. It's very cool to see the rain come through the hole.
• Any restaurant you go to order the house wine. Fabulous and inexpensive. We did order a few nice bottles as well.
• BUY a compass before you go!!!! I was sooo glad that someone recommended this. It saved us one time in particular.
• Have pizza (very different from the US).
• Have cappuccino (I was on a quest for the best and found it: will email the name later and location).
• Watch Angels & Demons before you go or bring it with you and watch night before you go to Rome. We did and my guy was in "awww"... I was extremely overwhelmed with what to do in our 5-days of Rome and I sort of followed all of the places they went in the movie and some of the churches as well (we went into a lot of churches and they ARE amazing).
• There are 2 squares or "piazzas" that you need to go to at night that are uber

There are so many things I can tell you and recommend but, these are just a few that stand out and some of these are things we would do differently. I hope this helps. And I will email you the 3 additional pieces of the "missing" info from above.

Oh, and there are a few "helpful" links to Rome that I put on the absolute bottom of my blog for Rome. Actually I think they are moved now to the lower right. They definitely assist you while on the cruise ship and/or when in Rome. Also, check one of the link's as it is Rome's tourism website in english.

Have an absolutely wonderful time and take a lot of pictures.

PS - Take an umbrella just in case.

My 2nd email to Wendy -- with the follow-up information.

The cappuccino that you "have-to" have is called Sant Eustachio check this blog post for a little background info or google it http://www.venere.com/blog/rome-coffee-sant-eustachio/. I was on the search for the "perfect" cappuccino -- it is an old coffee shop and known for the smooth taste of the cappuccino because of the water (comes from the ancient Roman viaducts, at least this is what I've read and been told). And it was well worth it. Also, I included a picture of the front to this email. **Plus, its a fun journey to find this coffee shop -- we went into a lot of churches along the way and this is when the "compass" came in handy.**

http://romeitaly.ca/attractions/piazzanavona.html I highly recommend a "night" time visit to the Piazza Navona. There is a huge fountain by Bernini in the middle of the piazza and its breathtaking. And little cafes/restaurants line the piazza. And visit the church in the square as well. Great places to eat in and "around" the square. Side note, I became obsessed with Bernini sculptures while in Rome.

Don't forget to toss a coin (backwards) into the Trevi Fountain to "ensure" your return to Rome.

Anyhow, is there any tips I neglected to mention?  After your first trip to Europe what did you "make a mental note of" to do or not do for your next trip...?

Have a wonderful evening.