More of Ancient Rome on our first full day

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It will be out first morning in Rome and I am sure we are going to be filled with energy.  So why not go on a long walk and see many of ancient Romes most electric sights.  It's about a 20 minute walk from out Hotel to The Roman Coloseum.  This is my #1 HAVE TO DO thing in Rome.  Within a 20 minute walk of The Coloseum we can also visit The Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Trajan's Market.

First Night in Rome...The Heart of Rome Walk

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We should arrive to our Hotel around 7pm for our first night in Rome.  We are thinking of heading straight out and do the Heart of Rome Walk which includes:  Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, Piaza Navano and Campo de Fioro.

This should give us a great opportunity to see Ancient Rome all lit up at night as well as having a nice late dinner at a local cafe.

Valentine's Day in Paris

 Although we won't be in Paris for Valentine's Day, we will be there on our 22nd wedding anniversary and I'm finding some great posts on romantic ideas. While a visit to the Eiffel Tower is the obvious suggestion, there are many other things to do that sound absolutely wonderful.

Here is one from Le Best of Paris that details some walks and some chocolate shops. I especially like the idea of walking the side streets of Montmartre and visiting the Sacré-Coeur to share a bottle of wine.

The New York Times recently did an article on the same topic. Their contributor recommends the Bar Hemingway at The Ritz "which is pricey but has inventive drinks, some with orchids and roses hanging from them." As you would guess, this bar is named after Ernest Hemingway who, it is told, ordered a drink at the Ritz Bar while gunfire from retreating Nazi soldiers was still audible in
 the streets (1944). This bar is located at 15 place Vendome, 1er.

A cruise on the Seine, a walk in the Tuileries Gardens....come to think of it, there isn't much you can do in Paris that wouldn't be considered romantic!

One of my favorite finds is what happens at Le Pont des Arts. It also happens at various places all over Italy and in other countries from what I gather. It is is the practice of two people declaring their love by affixing a padlock on a fence with some declaration of their love written on it (like "D+K"). Last year the city had to remove almost 2,000 love padlocks (candenas d'amour) to make way for more! It really is the city of love.

The Ultimate Packing List

The ultimate packing list

This is a very thorough packing list I found at Reids Guides. I am just not sure I can fit it all in my suitcase :-)

"The five cardinal rules of traveling clothes: 1) Nothing white; 2) Nothing that wrinkles; 3) Clothes you can layer; 4) lots of pockets; and 5) Very few. Clothes take up the most space in your luggage, so don’t pack many. Just get used to doing a bit of laundry each night or two in your room.

Urban Europeans dress pretty snappily—not necessarily in the latest Armani suit, but well nonetheless. While you should travel in whatever wardrobe makes you feel comfortable, you’ll probably be happier fitting in, so save the Bermuda shorts and sleeveless T-shirt for that trip to Hawaii"

2 pairs of pants (men/women)—Take quick-dry travel slacks (with secret pockets), not heavy, never-dry jeans; I always make one a pair convertible pants ( men/women) so I don't need to bring extra shorts. 1 pair of shorts with pockets or convertible pants (men/women)—European adults don’t often wear shorts (& most churches won't let you in with bare knees), but they’re good for hiking and, for men, as swimsuits (women: buy a swimsuit there if you find you need one—a great souvenir!). 1 long skirt or dress—The skimpiness at which your respectability will be questioned varies with the country, so hedge your bets with something long. 4 pairs of underwear (men/women)—They even make disposable underwear now for men and women. 4 bras or camisoles 4 pairs of socks (men/women) 3 T-Shirts (men/women)—Wear under long sleeves so the easily washed T-shirt will soak up all the sweat. Get quick-drying tops, not cotton.

2 long-sleeve shirts (men/women)—Button-down collared shirts are respectable for all occasions; travel ones have hidden pockets, sunblock, and easy washability. Sweater (men/women)—Warm and dressy. Or you can do a...: Jacket (men/women)—Only for fall to early spring. Wrap/shawl—For covering bare shoulders (or improvising a below-knee skirt over shorts) to visit churches (it's a rule). Long Underwear (men/women)—Only for visiting northern countries from late fall to spring. Good walking shoes (men/women)—No dress shoes, heels, flip-flops, or anything you can’t walk in all day for two weeks. (Travel sandals—men/women—are also OK.) Hat —The Tilley Hat is the ultimate travel topper. Belt—Those with a hidden zipper let you hide your passport photocopy and some emergency cash.

Keeping Clean

Minimize toiletries spillage disasters by storing everything in resealable plastic baggies. Maximize the tiny space inside a bathroom bag with sample sizes and by putting shampoo and detergent into small, screw-top plastic bottles—bonus, this makes them TSA safe.

Keep toiletries and cosmetics to a minimum. Perfume or cologne on the road become vain deadweights and spills waiting to happen (imagine everything in your bag drenched with Chanel no. 5). And for women, trust a touch of red lipstick to be formal enough for any occasion.

Toothbrush & small tube of toothpaste Small soap bars & small shampoo—Bring the soap sliver from your bathtub to start; filch more from hotels as you go. Razor & shaving cream—(Battery-op shavers are OK (electric razors just bring the hassle of electrical converters and adaptors). Medicines—Prescriptions should be written in generic, chemical form (not brand name). Extra glasses/contacts— Count on losing them, and bring a hard glasses case. Also, bring enough saline solution to last (parts of the world sell it only in glass bottles). First-aid kit—Take at least: a few Band-Aids, antiseptic ointment, moleskin for blisters, aspirin, Dramamine or motion-sickness wristbands (I swear by Relief Bands, worth the outrageous price) hand lotion and lip balm (traveling promotes chapping), sunscreen, Pepto-Bismol (indigestion and diarrhea), and decongestant. Comb/flat brush

Laundry kit—To wash clothes on the go in your bathroom sink, you need travel detergent (biodegradable), a braided clothesline (the twists act as clothespins), a sink stopper, and I suggest the truly remarkable stain eraser (perhaps I'm a slob, but I need them at least once per trip). All available at travel and camping stores, or from Magellan's. Towel—H2G2 fans don't need to be told this, but a shammy-style camping towel or even small terrycloth towel is a lifesaver when confronted with Europe’s nonabsorbent, waffle-pressed jobbers. Feminine hygiene products—You can buy tampons abroad, but take what you need with you, especially if you’re brand-loyal. Condoms—US brands are safer. Pocket-sized tissue packs—Invaluable for sudden spills, substitute napkins, bathroom emergencies, signaling surrender, and, if still clean enough, runny noses.

Documents & Sundries

Don’t forget to carry your most important documents—passport, plane tickets, railpass, traveler’s checks, driver’s license, and credit cards—in a moneybelt.
Carry your daily needs items in a small backpack or security purse (designed to foil pickpockets and purse snatchers).

Guidebooks and phrase books Journal and pens—You won’t remember it all half as well as you imagine. Camera— Bring extra batteries. Tote it in a purse or mild-mannered daypack, not a “steal-me” professional camera bag. I like the new waterproof pocket cameras. Film/Memory Cards—Very expensive in Europe. Airport X-rays will fog higher speed films, so stow the rolls in large, see-through plastic baggies for hand-inspection. Tripod—I like the GorillaPod, with flexible legs so you you can wrap it around tree branches and other impromptu supports. Tiny flashlight Travel alarm clock—Battery powered. Plug adaptors—For charging your digital camera, cell phone, etc. Chargers/cables—I carry all my plugs, cables, and adaptors in a small toiletry bag. Cell phone —Only bother bringing yours if a tri– or quad-band world phone with AT&T or T-Mobile (on the GSM standard used in most of the world). Otherwise, rent a cellphone. Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman/multitool—Most useful features: screwdriver/can opener, blade, corkscrew (for picnics), tweezers, scissors, nail file. Remember: pack it in your checked luggage. Small bottle of water—Buy them as you go, but always have one; outside of Europe and the North America, carry a bottle with a built-in purifier or get a sterilizer. Sunscreen Bug spray—Most countries have yet to discover window screens. Also handy: After Bite for the itch.

Address list—Friends appreciate postcards at the time more than a slide show afterward. Luggage locks—Get enough for every zipper; make sure they're the kind approved for TSA use. Sleep Sack—If you'll be camping or staying in hostels. Tiny folding umbrella Sunglasses Pocket Sewing Kit—Trust me. Duct Tape—Ditto. Novel or e-Reader—For long plane and train trips. If an e-Reader, load up before your leave or get one with WiFi (so you can download outside the U.S) or one of the new Kindles (which connect for free in 100 countries). Teensy binoculars—Maybe I'm getting old, but increasingly I find these useful for admiring distant frescoes, wildlife, landscapes, popes, etc. Neck pillow - For the plane. Inflatable kinds pack smaller than bean-filled. Some prefer the all-around-the neck style to the old horseshoe collar. An eye mask is useful, too. Noise-canceling headphones - The one seemingly silly travel gadget I actually use (it really does make flying less stressful, even if you don't sleep; also: easier to hear the movie). There are tons of models. I currently rock a JVC HANC250—1/3 the price of Bose; just as good. Driver’s license & International Driver’s Permit—Only if you plan to rent a car. Wallet—But keep important stuff in the moneybelt. Money—Credit cards, ATM bankcard, traveler’s checks, and cash (euros if you got 'em and some emergency dollars). Passport—You won't get very far without it. Airline tickets—Crucial.

Rick Steves Book Review

Rick has a lot of different types of books and this review covers any book about a specific city or region.  The focus will be on what I/we found interesting and informative from our perspective as first time European travelers.  

Here is my breakdown by chapter.

• Introduction

The introduction covers the first 20 or so pages of this 480 page book and it is chalked with valuable information for the new traveler.  It begins with a basic introduction of the city and a key on how to read the book.  Rick then moves into some basic travel tips that are applicable regardless of where you are going.  There is a section about budgeting for your trip that I found very helpful. It goes into the basic costs for travel to the specific city as well as travel within it along with budgeting for room & board, sightseeing and shopping.    For example, it costs $60 for a cab from the airport to the center of Rome, otherwise you can take the train for $20 per person. 

There are some very good tips about Money...Cash vs. Credit Cards, What to tip, ATM's, Taxi costs, etc.  Pretty much all you need to know about how to use and get money.  I found it very interesting to know that in Italy, your tip is already included in the cost of the meal and you only leave a bit more if the service was outstanding....maybe a Euro or two.

The Introduction also includes the best time to visit the city as well as some general things you should know before booking your trip...like which days certain museums are closed.  Furthermore, he gives a basic introduction to the major sights and what to expect when you show up to visit them.

Overall, I felt this was a very valuable chapter.

• Orientation

This chapter delves into the neighborhoods of the city and how to best get around.  There are maps of the bus, train and subway routes as well as the costs associated with using them.  In addition he discusses local bus and walking tours.

• Sights

 Based on the title, this chapter is pretty cut and dry.  It goes into depth about the major attractions and neighborhoods in the city with reviews as well as maps of where they are.  Obviously a major reason you are traveling is to see many of these sights as well as experience the culture.  This is a must read chapter that I found very valuable.

• Self-Guided Walks and Tours

Again this is pretty self explanitory.  It goes over the the different sights and the best way to fit them into your daily itinerary.   It goes into the cost of each sight, when you should get there and how to save time while visiting it.     These will be great pages to tear out of the book and bring with us so we can read them as we visit the sights.

• Sleeping

This section goes into different types of places to stay (i.e. Hostels, Hotels, Apartment Rentals, B&B's and Hotels) along with the pros and cons and prices of each.   There are many hotel recommendations and some offer Rick Steves Discounts.   I found that I could get better rates online or by phone so the discount did not help me.  I will do a full post on selecting accommodations.

• Eating

Similar to the sleeping section, this basically covers different restaurants in the city as well as local customs on tipping, selecting a restaurant and where the best neighborhoods for eating are.  I think this is again another set of pages that we will be tearing out of our book and bringing with us.

• Nightlife

 Regardless of where you go, the odds are good that there is going to be nightlife of some kind.  Rick gives you an overall feel of what the nightlife is like....what the hot clubs are, where the lively piazza's, bars and cafes are, etc.  If you have the energy to go out after a long day of sightseeing, you should check out this chapter.

• Connections

This is the chapter that talks about how people get into and out of the particular city.  It covers Train Stations, The Airport, Cruise Ship Arrivals, Bus and Car Travel.  This is an important chapter and gives very valuable information on how to get from your arrival point to your hotel as well as various fees and travel customs.

• Day Trips

Most of the major cities in Europe offer many opportunities to take day trips to different parts of the country.  In the Rome Guide, there are 3 or 4 tips that they discuss.  In each section they go over how to get there as well as the sights in each local and how to best spend your day.  I will find this section particularly helpful in the Florence part of our trip as we will be planning at least two day trips out into Tuscany.  

• City History

 This section goes into a basic history of the city you are visiting.  Most of this information you can find elsewhere, but is fun to read.


Well there you go...my initial review of a Rick Steves City Travel Guide.  I am sure I will be reading many of these sections again and as I find more and more useful information, I will be sure to post it.

Starved for Information - Rick Steves to the Rescue

While out trip was still nearly 10 months away, both Kris and I were very eager to get the planning started.  Eager may be quite right...we actually couldn't think of much else the first few weeks.  Just about every conversation we had revolved around the vacation.  We were starved for information and to the internet we went.   We visited many blogs and websites, the most useful which are listed to the right.

While doing some Christmas shopping on Amazon in late November I ran across the Rick Steves Travel Guides.  The were pretty inexpensive and the name seemed to be everywhere with books about every far away place.  They had to be good....right?  I didn't really care, they were only $10 and I was starved for information.  I bought the 2012 Rome, Paris and Florence/Tuscany guides and eagerly awaited their arrival.  As an Amazon Prime member I get free 2 day shipping so the wait was not long. 

These books pretty much cover everything.  Chapters include:

• Sights
• Self-Guided Walks and Tours
• Sleeping
• Eating
• Sleeping
• Nightlife
• Connections
• Nightlife

As this was still the early stages of information gathering, I decided to read everything.  I think I read or skimmed almost 300 of the 470 pages of the Rome book the first night.  There is really a lot of valuable information in these books, especially if this is your first trip abroad like it is for us.  I found the initial chapters the most valuable while only skimming the eating and sleeping sections.  The maps were also very helpful, but I found better ones that I will talk about in a future post.  At this point what I valued was the basic general knowledge of traveling to and in Italy along with the recommended sights.  Picking specific restaurants, bars and neighborhoods would come a bit later as there is only so much information you can process at once. 

I am thinking that a more proper review of what we found really helpful should be a post all in itself.  So I say buy these books, and if you wanna know more about why...stay tuned for another post coming soon.