Buon Anno...Happy New Year!

Just returned from Roma tonight and have been awake for 24 hours. I wanted to make a quick blog entry to wish everyone a Happy New Year...Italian style.

The trip was great and I will write a trip report including pictures, but right now I have got to get some sleep! The flight from Roma to Atlanta was 11 hours, then there was a 3 hour lay-over in Atlanta, and we arrived in Savannah at about 8pm. By the time we drove home it was about 9:20pm and after having something to eat, taking everything out of my suitcase and going through my mail I am in need of some major shut eye!

Ciao and Buon Anno!

Almost out the door!

The day has arrived!

We are about 40 minutes from leaving the house and heading to the Savannah airport! YIPEEEEE!

I'm so glad I left work early yesterday and got everything coordinated, including getting mom's cat Maddie to the pet lodge place...that was a big accomplishment! Maddie has never been out of the house, so getting her into a cat carrier was a major undertaking, but more on that with the trip report when I return!

Goodbye Bluffton, Hello Roma!

It's just around the corner....

After a year of preparations, the Christmas trip to Roma starts tomorrow. Yes, it will be a long travel day and long first day in Rome, but both mom and I are eagerly anticipating this trip. What a great way to spend the holiday...in the Eternal City.

Following my usual form, I plan to take lots of pictures and of course write a trip report upon my return.

Buon Natale!
Ciao!

2 Days until lift-off!

My entries are getting shorter and shorter because my trip preparations are nearly complete and all that is left to do is get through tomorrow morning at work and a few last minute things that will get done tomorrow afternoon and evening!

The weather forecast for Rome is still 60% chance of rain for the first 2 days we are there, and high temperatures in the mid-50's...I will put up with a few days of rain in Rome! :)

Check it out...

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will see a world map with the places I have been too marked. Pretty Cool...it's a link to my trip advisor map.

And now drum roll please....only 3 days until departure for Rome! All the last minute trip loose ends are tied up, and it's just a matter of getting through the next day and a half of work! Friday can't get here fast enough...then Saturday morning we are off for our Roman Adventure.

T minus 5 Days...

How freaky is this...we just found out today that friends from home will also be going to Rome on Saturday! We're going to find out if they will be on the same flights as us...it really is a small world.

I spent time yesterday packing and have almost everything done! Just the few last minute things that I have to wait to put in my suitcase...ahhhh...now it really feels like I am going on vacation!

I've been continuing to monitor the weather in Rome, things do not look good for Christmas Eve...there's a 60% chance of rain...boo hiss! Let's hope the forecast will change, for the better! :)
I am ready to start the journey now!

One Week From Today!!!!!

One week from right now I will be flying over the Atlantic, hopefully in blissful slumber, or at least trying to be in blissful slumber, on my way to the Eternal City...Roma!

I've been checking out the weather in Rome this past week, and it looks like the highs have been in the low to mid 50's, and the lows in the mid 30's...brrrr, for me. This week here at home we've had unusually high temps...one day it was 80 degrees!

I'm prepped for my packing ritual which will be starting tomorrow and if I am really organized will end tomorrow too! And if I'm really lucky I will get the packing done in an hour or less. Yes, I have almost everything piled up on the guestroom bed right now, just waiting to jump into the suitcase...too bad I'm no like Samantha on Bewitched and could just wiggle my nose and be packed in a nano-second! Well, in reality I enjoy the packing process, it means my trip is nearing and provides me the opportunity to get even more excited about the adventure before me! :)

Now I just have to get through the work week and I will be travel bound soon!

Ciao!

10 days and counting...

I know I am only back from Turkey 9 weeks ago and Tucson 4 weeks ago..but I am soooooooo READY for this Rome trip!

I have been "crazy busy" at work since I got back in October and I am in major need of some more R & R, and I think Rome will be the perfect cure for that.

We got our tour member list a couple weeks ago and I was very happy to see Don as our guide. I have read the tour member feedback on the Rick Steves website about Don and they have all had glowing reviews of Don as tour guide...Yay! A tour guide can definitely make or break a trip and I think this will be a good one!

Ciao!

2 Weeks from today....

Woo Hoo! Two weeks from today we will be airborn and heading for the Eternal City...Roma!

Today I started putting clothes in piles on the guest room bed and tomorrow the plan is to do a "practice pack" before the "real thing" next weekend.

I've read all my guidebooks, put together my own version of a guidebook with more restaurant recommendations then any one person could possibly visit in one week...well, except for maybe a restaurant critic, and printed all my booking confirmations....guess you could say I am READY!

I can hardly believe it...last year when I booked this trip it seemed so far away and now it's just around the corner. Now just to get through the next 2 weeks at work!

And the 2008 trips are only around the corner and down the block a bit! :)

Ciao!

20 Days To Go...

I can almost smell the "gravy" simmering for the pasta....ahhhhhh...me, the queen of carbohydrates going to pasta mecca!

Less than 3 weeks before we jet off to Roma for a fun-filled week...what a great way to celebrate the Christmas holiday!

Next weekend will be the start of pre-packing mode!

Ciao!