Big Meeting On Monday June 10, 2007

There is going to be a mandatory meeting on Monday, June 10. All the tour participants that are able to make it will receive their airline tickets, itineraries and a free backpack. Any questions anyone has will be answered and some of us will be meeting others for the first time. I am looking forward to meeting some, if not all, of the people I will be traveling with. There is something about spending this kind of time with new people. We will see each other at our best and at our worst. We will eat together and sleep together and see the world together.

As far as my preparations have gone.......I am thrilled to be almost done. I have a few things left to do, but for the most part I am ready, except for doing a trial packing.

I have planned for three things that are important to me.......safety, comfort and independence.

The truth is, this is only my second international trip. On my first international trip, I was fortunate to be going to a friend's home, where Tom and I would stay for the duration of the trip.

I think there are many people my age who are seasoned world travelers. I am not, although I feel much more seasoned now. I have spent a lot of time giving thought to making sure I am prepared in as many ways as I am able to predict. While I can solve problems well, I prefer to prevent problems. It makes life so much easier.

One of the nicest things I have done in the last couple of days is put music on my mp3 player. It was a Mother's Day gift from Tom. I expect to enjoy some of my music on the long flight. I know on other flights I have loved to watch the sky to Bach. There is something truly magical and majestic about that.

I will be picking Christopher up tomorrow and we will go to the meeting. I think it is going to seem really real when we hold those airline tickets in our hands!

Sometimes I Make Myself Laugh..From Brindisi To Patras

It was the most amazing thing!

A moment ago I went to view my own blog....yes, the very blog I have been working on for weeks now. I went to get information on Patras, which will be our next stop. And, it was then and only then, that it hit me. Patras is in Greece. I knew that, but apparently I didn't KNOW that! I must not have said good bye to Italy in my mind and all of a sudden I was in Greece!

I have been getting information on all our stops in Italy for so long that I didn't think about Greece until the ferry landed (if only in my mind). I am really enjoying doing my research, and I will be getting information about the places we will be visiting in Greece in the coming days.

Do you see what I mean now? Sometimes, I make myself laugh! Well, at least I am easily entertained and can laugh at myself. It never hurts to have a "Duh!" experience!

Brindisi ... Where We Will Catch The Ferry To Greece

Sitting on the boot's heel of long-legged Italy is Brindisi, one of the three main towns of the Salento peninsula.

Moving south, Italy changes, everything is different - the light is different, the language is different and the sea is different - deeper, open, Italian, Greek, Mediterranean.

Brindisi has always been known because of its port, the gateway to the East, built by the Romans that exploited its natural shape, which looks like of a deer's head. It is one of the safest ports in the whole of the Mediterranean.

From here the Crusaders sailed to liberate the Holy Land. The Silk Route passed through Brindisi and it is still possible to spot the wagon rails used to move the goods from the trains onto the British P&O ships that connected London to Bombay.

More recently, the port's most significant role has been to connect Italy to Greece and long before charter flights became such a big thing, travellers had to pass through here to make their way to Greece and further afield.

Pompeii Will Be The Next Stop On Our Tour

The most memorable volcanic eruption in the history of civilization began about noon on 24 August 79 A.D. The mountain of Vesuvius awakened with unimaginable force 17 1/2 years after the devastating earthquake of 62 A.D. There had been no real warning of the explosion, though wells suddenly went dry 10 days earlier and the cows grazing on the slopes of Vesuvius were behaving strangely.


On August 23, 79 AD, Pompeii looked like any other busy, prosperous city. People were moving about, trading goods, news, and friendly talk. Three days later, on August 26, all of these sounds had fallen silent, and the place itself had vanished. Almost nothing was seen of Pompeii for more than 1500 years. (Click here for a timeline of events in Pompeii) Now, more than 1900 years later, we are learning more and more about the last days of Pompeii. What happened to Pompeii preserved a treasury of information about life in the ancient Roman Empire.

Simple Overview Map Of Where We Will Be Going

Although this map shows some places that are not on our itinerary, I thought it was a good, simple visual for actually "seeing" our tour route. We will be flying into Rome.....see the airplane? I liked that!

Our tour will include Rome, an optional trip to Florence for a day, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii, Brindisi, Patras, Delphi and Athens.

We are scheduled to go on an island cruise of Capri and will be traveling by overnight ferry from Brindisi to Patras. See the ferry? We will then be going to Delphi and Athens.

We will be flying home from Athens. See the plane? Maybe you can tell I am a visual person!

Back To Where We Will Be Going..Capri And Sorrento

Capri

Capri is an island of limestone rock that represents the outermost tip of the mountain chain on the Sorrentine peninsula. The coastline, whose dolomite cliffs fall right to the sea in many spots, is dotted with countless caves and surrounded by reefs whose shapes suggest fantastic creations.

Sorrento

Its picturesque site and mild climate have made Sorrento popular with tourists. The remains of the Roman and medieval eras are fragmentary. Sorrento early became an episcopal seat. During the early Middle Ages Sorrento appears to have been largely independent under its own dukes and often in conflict with the neighboring town of Amalfi and invading Arabs. In 1137 it fell to the Normans and thereafter shared the political fortunes of Naples and its kingdom. Population (1996) 16,459.

New Link Under Favorite Links

I added a Currency Converter link under My Favorite Links.

In the box just fill in the US dollar amount you would like to convert like this...........200 (for $200.00)

From the drop down menu choose US Dollars

From the next drop down menu choose EURO

Click convert and voila! You will get less EURO for your dollar! Spend it wisely!

Travel Needs And Accessories At Luggage World

I have found the place to go to get the things I need for this trip. I have been wondering about converters and adaptors and what do I do with my hair? While some girls and ladies can just put their hair up or let it dry naturally and come out looking great, that is just not my story at all! Nope! So, I kept searching for options and finally came up with the answer to all my dilemnas. It is a long story but the bottom line is............

LUGGAGE WORLD IN ST. LOUIS PARK ON 36TH AVE. (IT IS IN THE BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY AREA)

Luggage World is a one stop shop for your traveling needs. They carry the converters and adaptors you need for all international travel, and the owner of the store and the young lady who helped me (Ally), were knowledgable, helpful, kind and nice to do business with. I got a great sleep mask that will fit nicely over my glasses, a converter and several adaptors for charging my digital camera, cell phone and my bluetooth headset. I got a light rain poncho in case I get caught in an unexpected rain shower, a travel alarm that also tells the temperature and best of all................best of all...............a small, compact, foldable hairdryer and a small curling iron both of which come with adaptors. I also got a great compact bag that will double as my purse and camera bag. I am including pictures so you can see what I am talking about.

If you have any questions about any of these things, the folks at Luggage World will be happy to help you and you can leave home knowing you have the things you need!

Click on the pictures for a larger image.

The Spanish Steps - This Will Complete Our First Site-Seeing Day In Rome

The Spanish Steps were named after a local 17th century ambassador's residence. No ordinary staircase, the steps are a bewildering mix of curves, straight flights, vistas, and terraces, usually covered with huge pots of flowers and lounging sightseers. Although the views from the top are superb, most people cluster around the Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the steps.

The Spanish Steps (as the Scalinata della Trinita' dei Monti is known in English) are a majestic series of three flights of steps that lead up to the impressive double-belltowered church (before which stands an obelisk). This complex can best be seen from far down Via dei Condotti. In early summer they are sometimes completely covered with flowers of many colours making a delightful sight. In summer the myriad of tourists who come here often just sit on the steps to soak in the atmosphere and watch the street sellers and the charicature artists who work at the foot of the steps plying their skills.

The Trevi Fountain - One Of The Beautiful Attractions We Will See

As I read about the Trevi Fountain, I found myself lost in the beauty of it. For a romanticist, this might just be one of my favorite places to visit.

- Trevi Fountain -

You will not find any other place in the world that celebrates the ever-mutating and incredible power of water like Rome. The Trevi Fountain is a fantastic work of art that is much more than a mere sculpture. This triumphant example of Baroque art with its soft, natural lines and fantasy creatures embodies movement as the soul of the world. The fountain is a true wonder, a jewel of water and stone that is nestled between the palaces of the historic centre of the city.

You can already hear its presence from the nearby streets. Indeed, as you get nearer the sound of its gushing waters grows constantly more intense, reaching a crescendo in the square, where you will find the most breathtaking sight. Suddenly, the space seems to open out and you stand before a symbolic representation of this great force of nature, a tumultuous spring that seems to flow out of the ground.

The light and shade effects on the marble make the wind seem to bellow through the drapes and locks of the statues, agitating the waves, creating an extraordinarily intense and spectacular scene. In this Baroque creation, the architecture itself seems to come alive with the current of the revitalising waters.

There is a curious tradition regarding the Trevi Fountain. It is said that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the water, you will be sure to return to Rome. A second penny grants your wish. Yet another rite says if couples drink from the small fountain on the left they will be faithful to each other forever.

The Pantheon -Another Site On Our First Day In Rome

The Pantheon is one of the great spiritual buildings of the world. It was built as a Roman temple and later consecrated as a Catholic Church. The only natural light enters through an unglazed oculus at the center of the dome and through the bronze doors to the portico.

As the sun moves, striking patterns of light illuminate the walls and floors of porphyry, granite and yellow marbles.

Piazza Venezia - The Hub Of The City

We will soon be in the the hub of the city! Rome, here we come! In a matter of a few weeks, this will be so much more than a picture. Our footprints will be a part of the Rome, Italy landscape!

Piazza Venezia is the large central square in the hub of Rome. Almost any bus that you might want to be on will eventually pass through the piazza. It is close to many important tourist sites including the Roman Forum and the Capitol Hill. Unlike most of the piazzas in Rome, this is relatively square in conception, and was laid out late last century as a worthy home for the Monument of king Vittorio Emmanuele II.

The Colosseum

As our tour continues, we will be visiting the Colosseum.

The Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater was the first permanent amphitheater to be built in Rome. Its monumental size and grandeur as well as its practical and efficient organization for producing spectacles and controlling the large crowds make it one of the great architectural monuments achieved by the ancient Romans.

The Colosseum was designed to hold 50,000 spectators, and it had approximately eighty entrances so crowds could arrive and leave easily and quickly.

The plan is a vast ellipse, measuring externally 188 m x 156 m (615 ft x 510 ft), with the base of the building covering about 6 acres. Vaults span between eighty radial walls to support tiers of seating and for passageways and stairs.

The facade of three tiers of arches and an attic story is about 48.5 m (158 ft) tall — roughly equivalent to a 12-15 story building.

What To Wear In Rome

Inside Rome: What to Wear

If you’re visiting Rome in the summertime, make sure you pack the right clothes – for weather and for “blending” in! So, what do Italians wear when it’s hot? The answer is not surprising – pants, shorts and cool shirts (like t-shirts and tanks). White, green and blue are the big colors (just like in America).

For footwear, remember that Rome has some pretty tough streets to walk on – cobblestones, for example. Many of the local women seem to walk effortlessly on heels or wedges. But, if you’re not used to that (and to save a trip to the podiatrist when you get home) wear comfortable, low heeled shoes (or tennis shoes). Anticipate that you will walk a lot! If you're not used to lots of walking, or you decide not to wear tennis shoes, bring a box of Band-Aids, just in case. When visiting religious sites remember to cover your shoulders and absolutely no shorts! However, covering your head is not required at most sites.

Forum Romanum

The Roman Forum, which we will also be visiting, was the political and religious centre in ancient Rome. It was mostly abandoned at the end of the 4th century. The importance of the Forum area is indicated by the presence of many of the central political, religious and judicial buildings in Rome.

The site of the Forum Romanum is still subject to excavations, and several parts of the Forum cannot be visited, but the whole area has the status of an archaeological site, open to visitors.

Today, the forum known as the Forum Romanum can look like a disorderly collection of ruins to the uninitiated, but with some imagination you can see the Roman empire come back to life at this site. Remains of many buildings from different periods are visible; the forum was littered with temples, basilicas and triumphal arches.

The Vatican City

One of the first places we will be visiting in Rome is The Vatican City. Here is a brief description of it.

The Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its centre is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is the largest religious building in the world, the fruit of the combined genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderna.

We will also be visiting the Sistine Chapel.




This work has been and truly is a beacon of our art, and it has brought such benefit and enlightenment to the art of painting that it was sufficient to illuminate a world which for so many hundreds of years had remained in the state of darkness. And, to tell the truth, anyone who is a painter no longer needs to concern himself about seeing innovations and inventions, new ways of painting poses, clothing on figures, and various awe-inspiring details, for Michelangelo gave to this work all the perfection that can be given to such details.
(Giorgio Vasari on Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel)

Without having seen the Sistine Chapel one can form no appreciable idea of what one man is capable of achieving.
(Johann Wolfgang Goethe in 1787 in Rome)

Our Flight Schedule

Today I learned our flight schedule. We will be flying from Minneapolis to Philadelphia to Frankfurt, Germany and then to Rome. It made it a bit more real!

Time is fleeting. There are only a few weeks now before we say good bye to our families and lift off to a new adventure.

There is a lot to do including making decisions about what to take with me. I am a girl and electrical appliances are a part of my everyday life. I am doing research on electrical adapters and converters so I will have what I need to charge my camera batteries, cell phone battery and my bluetooth headset.

Much to my chagrin, I may be leaving my laptop at home. Traveling light and simple might just be the order of the day. I will see.

Just An Example Of What I Will Do With My Italy/Greece Pictures

I learn something new everyday. Today I learned how to make a collage of pictures using a new program. Below is a collage of some of my pictures from my Ireland trip. I am looking forward to creating multiple collages of this new and exciting trip I will be taking with Christopher. What a lucky girl I am!!

If you want a larger view of the collage, please click on it and you will be able to see each picture very clearly!

Italy And Greece Here We Come

Hi everyone..I have decided to start a new blog. This blog will focus on the trip I am taking with my grandson, Christopher. It is funny how it all came about. I was having lunch with his mom, my daughter, Kara, and she casually mentioned that Christopher had an opportunity to go to Italy and Greece with his school. I simply said four words, "When do we leave?" Well, that led to this most wonderful opportunity.

On June 19th, 2007, Christopher and I will fly to Italy and Greece and return June 29th, 2007. I am doing certain things to get ready including getting a new cell phone which is set up for International use and a Bluetooth Headset so I will be able to walk and talk and not have to hold my phone or have an earpiece with a cord dangling.

I have also purchased a Skype number so my family should be able to talk to me virtually free of charge. I have tested the Skype connection from as far away as Ireland and it is fabulous...clear as can be.

I will be posting as our preparations go along and I will certainly do my best to update the blog with pictures while we are there as I plan at this point to take my laptop with me.

Traveling has not been a big part of my life. I have made one international trip to Ireland with my husband, Tom. And, now, my second international trip is going to be with my 14 year old grandson, Christopher, which makes me smile and think what a wonderful opportunity I get to have.

I hope you will all check in regularly to see our progress and share our excitement!