I just finished writing my web pages on Florence (Firenze) for KnowYourTrip.com.  It brought back a lot of memories – and sensibilities.  Traveling to Italy isn’t like going to the seacoast in the UK or the USA.  You don’t just put your luggage in the boot, drive, arrive, park, and go.  It just doesn’t work that way in Italy.

I flew there on a GO Airline bargain flight from Stanstead Airport, north of London.  I deplaned and entered the world as Italians present it.  Chaos in the terminal, chatter on the bus, and scooter madness in Florence.  Italians flailing about, but rhythmic and energized like a Maestro conducting a symphony.

I forded the chaos and made my way to my hotel – thanks to pre-planning – made my way up to my room and took a breath.  Problem was I could still hear the symphony outside – with the window shut!

I spent the next couple days exploring the Queen of the Renaissance a little dazed by the frenetic energy Italians generated between the gaps in tourists.  It’s a city that has it all, history, past glory, beauty, iconic food and wine, world class shopping – and Italians.

After the raucous joy of Firenze, I headed up to the Tuscan foothills just outside of Florence to my next accommodation – and peaceful refuge – La Doccia.  La Doccia is a meticulously restored farm that is laying on a west facing slope of the Chianti foothills.  The hosts are British Ex-pats that left London to run a bit of Italy.

Directions to La Doccia

Edward Mayhew and his son Rupert are the Anglo Hosts who are a wealth of information on Tuscany and Italian life.  They run a tight and tidy establishment catering to whatever stay you need to have.  I needed rest, relaxation, Italian life education, fed some good local food, washed down with some fine Chianti.  This was the place I should have started my trip.  I would have been ready to absorb more of Florence with my Edward Mayhew’s cramming course of Italian life.

When I headed back to Florence, I was armed with knowledge.  So began my immersion into the love affair I have with Italy and their culture.  I wish I had left Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport and headed up to La Doccia first.  So, consider a first accommodation that is part cultural immersion, part relaxation, and part familiar.

Good Tripping,

Carter

Alright, this is one of these geeky videos but I feel it’s IMPORTANT.  We need to have a conversation here about Travel Insurance.  If you’re from the USA, you probably never worry about it except for that fleeting moment when you get a third-hand story about a disaster a friend of a friend of a relative who knew someone who had.  But NOOOO, it won’t ever happen to me.  Well, it happens to someone, doesn’t it.

A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine became ill a couple of days before leaving to meet up with her friends for a ten week European dream holiday.  Unable to make the flight, she had to cancel her “non-refundable” ticket last minute.  Money donated to the airlines.  She was well enough to leave a week later but had to buy a last minute ticket – at TRIPLE the original price.  The coverage to compensate her for that first ticket would have been a fraction of the cost of the ticket – and she would be covered for the next flight and the ensuing nine weeks, depending on the coverage she chose.  On this trip alone, she will travel on airlines, trains, buses, and a cruise ship.  That’s so much opportunity for unforeseen problems. 

Europeans rarely go on holiday with travel insurance because they know the consequences.  They understand that too much is at risk.  They wouldn’t even think of going on a package holiday without it. You could not be compensated for any loss of luggage and belongings, end up paying much more for your trip than you budgeted for, or even end up losing your life savings.

When I was a much younger Tripper and doing carefree traveling, sure I would have an occasional travel burp in plans.  But, hey, I had a lot less to lose.  If I was severely injured, I optimistically always thought it would work out.  But now with assets and not being as young as I once was, the risk is much higher.  Am I willing to risk life and limb because I don’t want to spring for another 5 or 10% on my budget to make sure I am taken care of if disaster strikes?  Just being Med-evac-ed (medical transported) home from Europe to the USA can cost you more than $35,000.00 (€24,000.00)(£19,000.00).  Prayers and hope won’t pay that bill.  That’s serious money!

So, I encourage you to really take a look at Travel Insurance before you head on that dream trip.  Travel Insurance is a part of Knowing Your Trip.  Below are some companies that offer travel insurance.   I don’t favor any of them.  So, take a look . . . 

Access America 

Betins Travel Insurance

InsureMyTrip 

Gosure Travle Insurance 

Travelex Insurance  

Travel Insured 

Travel Guard 

Medjet Assist

Yes, that is a reference to the old Steve Martin Comedy Routine and Short Story “Cruel Shoes”.  You can check out his book here.  I have thought about his routine as I walked miles around France and Italy.  When one is a seasoned Tripper, you learn that your shoes are number one important accessory while exploring.  It can effect most of your day – everyday.  Blisters, corns, calluses, heel pain, calf pain, even back pain, and overall soreness comes to mind.

Most of the historic centers of France and Italy have cobblestones which can be like hiking on Hawaiian lava rock – barefoot.  In Italy, besides older women being allergic to gray hair (that’s for another post), they are slaves to foot fashion.  Sit in a cafe in a piazza on a Sunday and watch the elderly ladies in their fashionable Ferragamo high heels stepping cautiously from cobble to cobble praying they don’t break and ankle.

In Paris, they have a whole other problem and so will you.  The French women are smart enough to wear cute little flat shoes around town like this:

Now, you’re a head of the game if you wear these shoes around cobblestones.  But the Trippers in Paris have a whole other problem: Mutt Mines!  In Paris, the French do not pick up after their pooches.  It just doesn’t happen. You see all these fashionable attired French women walking their cute little dogs but when they walk past and you’re not looking – they’re dropping a Mutt Mine.  So, you have to look down virtually every step you take or – well – MUTT MINE EXPLOSION!  More here. But don’t click here!

I have a list of requirements that a Tripper’s Travel Shoes should meet:

• Break Them In First: Make sure you have already broken them in before you left on your trip.  No trial runs while on your trip!
• Black or Brown: The shoes should be black or brown for versitility, they don’t show dirt or scuffs or mutt mine explosions
• Do NOT Wear White: Do not where white sneakers, running shoes, tennis shoes, nursing shoes EVER – for too many reasons to write.
• Cushioned Shoes: Shoe Manufacturers have come up with dozens of options for fashionable, comfortable, and “foot health” friendly selections.  Find a good line of men’s shoes here.
• Two Pair Limit:  Unless you don’t have a problem with lugging a lot of luggage, you should be able to get by with two pairs – a comfortable dressy pair and a comfortable casual pair of walkers.  If you are an athlete or continue to train while you travel – you can make your second or even a third pair – a pair of running shoes.
• Flip Flops:  This is a gray area.  If you do bring them, you had better be bringing them to go to the beach or take a shower in them.  For your own safety, do not wear them on a city street.  All you’d need is to have someone step on your foot and break crush a toe!

Just for fun, listen to a bit of Steve Martin’s “Cruel Shoes” AFTER THE JUMP . . . . .

Cheers, Carter

(more…)

As you’ll find out, as a Trip-er, Italy has always been my favorite travel destination.  There are many places I may love certain aspects of more but for overall holiday satisfaction – Italy does it – with Spain a close second.  The history, the food, the services, and above all the people are a great combination that is hard to beat.

While touring Italy, there’s one simple thing that brings my whole being into a satisfying blisssssssss.  That one thing is gelato.  I have a scoop or two everyday.  It’s just better than ice cream!  The flavors are rich and don’t taste artificial.  The vendors take pride in the craftsmanship and presentation of their flavors.  The consistency is a bit like melted ice cream – creamy and smooth.  

I take my touring seriously, almost as serious as my food.  My days are long and strenuous because my favorite mode of travel is my feet.  A couple of scoops of gelati mid-afternoon gives me the welcome boost in energy and comfort.  I just make sure  I don’t enjoy it at night after dinner because I know I’ll be wearing it and it’ll slow me down the next day.  Dinner time in Italy is quite late and something that high in calories before bed is not the best for a Tripper.

I have been in Italian Semifreddo Bliss as well.  It translates into “half frozen”.  I had it fresh scooped several years ago while touring Milan.  (I’ll research my journal notes for the exact spot if someone wants)  Semifreddo has the consistency of half-frozen whipped cream meets custard.  During all my subsequent trips to Italy I have not run into fresh semifreddo again.  I have seen a few frozen balls of semifreddo – it just couldn’t possibly be as good as fresh.

Rome has the Gelato Mecca –  Giolitti’s, the original Gelateria Opened in 1900 (1909 on he building) – the best in Rome and you will measure all gelato you eat in future against it. Via Uffici del Vicario 40, Rome, Italy 00186 · PH 06-6991243 And who can complain about scoopers in military style uniforms.  You’ll be saluting after your first bite!

So, on your next trip to Italy, find yourself in Gelato Bliss and if you’re really fortunate, semifreddo bliss. Yum!