Hi! Vicky, this GTG isn't organized like Savannah or San Diego....more laid back , although I know a few had expressed interest in doing some sort of Prosecco tour and Dolomites tour. I also read about a photography tour in Venice that looked interesting. I'd be happy to look into any of these once the time gets closer I still haven't been approved for time off but I doubt I'll have any issues with 2 weeks off (it's the 3rd week I'm worried about).

Most likely, I'll be in a "threesome" with "MoJen" and her hubby Chris. for our time in Venice. (Jen says he's up for it) We're looking at 2 BR 2 baths. (Jen's willing to share her hubby but not a bathroom). kidding! I'm hoping for the Dorsoduro area but we're flexible. Venice is small enough that wherever we all end up, it will be fun to explore the different areas. Make sense??? Think of the apartment reviews we'll submit afterwards!!

I'm hoping to arrive in Venice Oct. 10th and then head down to Florence on Oct. 16th.

A little more than a year from now.......whoo hoo!

Mindy

Just reconfirming dates...October..
9-16 Venice
16-23 Florence
Is this correct?

From someone who cannot travel in the fall, but who is enjoying reading about your plans for this adventure, may I suggest that since you are now 1 year out that perhaps you should start a new thread for this, since you are already at 5 pages here - that is coming from other GTG planning - things can get tough to read through when threads get this long.

Traveling with you from afar,

quote:

Originally posted by MarciaB:
From someone who cannot travel in the fall, but who is enjoying reading about your plans for this adventure, may I suggest that since you are now 1 year out that perhaps you should start a new thread for this, since you are already at 5 pages here - that is coming from other GTG planning - things can get tough to read through when threads get this long.

Traveling with you from afar,

Yes, I totally agree with Marcia's suggestion and I am SO enjoying reading about all of your plans as well.


Leslie

Those dates are correct Kendall. I did shoot the company that puts on the "prosecco tour" (it's really much more than that) an email about organizing a group or two. They replied that they are so busy (good for them!) that they didn't really want to think about next year until early 2010.

I will keep on top of that and would be happy to be the point person for other interesting tours in Venice (I have already begun some research). There is also a possibility that our own Shannon may be in Venice during that time period and perhaps could offer interested parties her own tour options.

I HAVE TICKETS!!! Ok, only one way, because the return isn't open, but business class on Lufthansa 105k miles and $90 in taxes! Fake return is booked; I'll change it when the return dates open. Doing the happy happy dance!!!!

Anne, fabulous!!!! I'm so excited for you...business class, yee hah!!! Oct. 2010 will be here before we know it. Can you believe it's already Nov. 2009???

I'm thrilled for you. I must get my time off approved from work soon. My supervisor doesn't like to give approval so far ahead, but I'll beg and plead.

Mindy

Yeah Anne!

I must get my time off approved from work soon. My supervisor doesn't like to give approval so far ahead, but I'll beg and plead. [/QUOTE]

Well, my dad is my supervisor, and since he already has his vacation planned, I had to work around his dates As long as one of us is here, we can take care of our clients and my mom and the dogs, we are set!!! Much easier than when I worked for the bank! I can take off all the time I want...of course, there is no paid vacation ... and if I 'm not here getting clients in the door, no commissions so no income, so that holds down the time off

Anne

Ciao tutti, we are back from our 2009 trip to Italy and talking about next year. We know we won't be there for all of your week, but probably come-in mid-week and be there for the last couple of days with everyone.

And, who is everyone? There doesn't seem to be a current who's-going list and will we be there for any of the fun events going on?

Baci

Me too Anne! Snagged Business class with AA FF miles on Iberia on the way to Venice anyway. Return from Rome too far out to book yet. Had to get up at both 2 am and 3 am to secure the seats. I'm sure being exhausted today will be well worth having a comfortable flight nexy October. Now this trip seems real!

You're right Wendy, we need to start a new thread of who's planning on this trip. Mindy-Jen?

WTG Colleen! I wasn't sure where to book return from...I'm thinking my choices are back to Venice, Milan or Rome. I hadn't looked at trains yet to see which is easier. Suggestions?

Are you goig to Florence after Venice Anne? If so, it's an easy train ride to Rome (1 and 1/2 hrs)and of course a good hub for many airlines at FCO. We will be spending 6 nights in Venice, 6 nights in Florence and the last 3 nights in Rome because it's fairly easy to fly to Boston (either through London or NY) from Rome on AA, not to mention that I can never get enough of Rome!

Yes, I am going on to Florence. I was thinnking that Rome was probably the easiest way out. I'm flying over on Lufthansa via Frankfurt, so I might even be able to fly back to Frankfurt from Florence, and not have to train anywhere else. If I go back to Rome, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to stay on Continental. Luft. seems to have much better availability of business class seats for regular # of miles. Continental isn't showing any online, but I might get better results on the phone.

I have my calendar marked to change the return next week when the flights open.

Anne

quote:

Originally posted by colleenk:

You're right Wendy, we need to start a new thread of who's planning on this trip. Mindy-Jen?

Done!

Mindy

Ok....I just have to say that I am really getting gunned up about this trip, it hit me last night while shopping for flights...yipeeee!!!!

I woke up from a dream yesterday morning in which I was being offered some prosecco by a handsome Italian waiter, to find that I was actually being offered a cup of tea by my husband

Fortunately for my marriage, I did find the real-life offer just as appealing, but if this the effect on my sleeping hours nearly a year away...........!

Panda-

That made me laugh out loud in my office

Jen

Jen are you and chris still planning to go on that hike while in Venice? If so I still plan on joining you.

Have plans been made for events such as the prosecco tasting? (We won't be in Venice the whole week and are trying to figure out which end of the week to be there).

No prosecco plans have been made as far as I know.

What hike? (not that I hike or anything. Although I'd hike to the van for the prosecco tour)

Mindy

Mindy, you lush!

It was a tour of the Dolomites...We may be leaning more towards the prosecco tour...we're lushy that way too! lol

I just booked a place in Venice for the week for Michele and I! Wheeeeeee! ( I had to choose the dancing cow coz my hinny has gotten big)

LOL Kendall!

Where are you staying???

I rented the Sagredo through venice apartments. It's in the realto area. Couldn't find what we wanted in dorsoduro, which is where we wanted to stay. It's nice though and I think it will be fine. I'm just happy to actually start doing something to make this happen. Wheee!

Wonderful to hear, Kendall!

I was just wondering today if people were making a move on booking accomodation and whereabouts people are going to be. Took a brief look at studio apartments and hotel/B&Bs - I knew Venice wasn't cheap but hmm, pricey for a solo bear.

I might be able to get a cheaper deal via the magic loyalty points that got me my free flights. I'm being budget conscious because this is a bit of a 'bonus' trip for me - I'm transatlanticing it for San Diego and I've just laid out a large deposit for a family trip to Turkey in the summer. ( Getting agreement on dates for that has been akin to herding cats but I digress)

I don't know Venice - have got guidebook and map to start aquainting myself. Any recommendations on areas to look at/avoid?

Help .

Great news Kendall, and Panda I am glad I'll get to see you twice in 2010. What a year you are going to have, some very nice travel plans and then there is that annual stay at friends house while they travel. Is it 'cat sitting'?

I was going to go look to see if a new thread had been started, but there is still so much conversation here.

Kendall, thanks for my daily laugh.

quote:

Is it 'cat sitting'?

Cat, dogs (including new puppy who is aaaaaaah!). They are in the process of moving to a house with much more land so the fat carp will be left behind (just a sea of open fishy mouths staring up at you first thing in the morning)but apparently we have goats and possibly a pony to look forward to

I am getting about a bit next year - my husband said I am travelling more than him (since he is off to NZ to see his mother in Feb and will no doubt have some trips to Japan, China and the US for work cropping up, I think he was taking a little poetic licence - and he always turns left on getting on the plane!)

Since Michele is going on to Lucca while I head to Florence I will be looking for a Florence roomie. Anybody looking for one?