quote:

Originally posted by Znu:

quote:

Originally posted by tennisgal:
Thank you for the great checklist, Owen. My husband and I will be taking our first trip to Italy Sept. 15, Highlights of Italy & Sicily. Any specific advice for first timers? We're from Toronto and would like to know if anyone else is taking the same tour.

My husband and I just returned in May. My tip "Dr. Scholl's Gel Inserts" and bring a couple pairs. Also, we traveled light; one bag (carry on size), each. However, I rolled up a huge duffel bag in order to bring home my Wine, leather and all the other fun stuff you can't live without. When we left, we just checked it all. The carry on made it alot easier for traveling through the various airports when entering different countries, as we did not have to keep going to baggage claim before each flight.

You will have so much fun and trust me, it is so liberating to travel light.

I also love the Dr. Scholl's Gel inserts and used them on trip to France last September. However, be aware that, unless it has changed and I don't think so, the U.S. anyway has gel insoles on their list of items not allowed on the plane and they do check shoes. I would have liked to wear my walking shoes with the insoles on the plane but wore a pair of lightweight loafers instead.

Wow, I never thought of that. Good point but if they're removable gel inserts, I suppose you could put them in your checked suitcase and then use them on the tour.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeannie118:
Wow, I never thought of that. Good point but if they're removable gel inserts, I suppose you could put them in your checked suitcase and then use them on the tour.

Jeannie: I think it depends on airports and/or airlines. I wore gel insoles flying out of Pearson in October and was fine--no-one asked or checked.

Brenda

quote:

Originally posted by kimari:
I need a detailed map of Belgrade. I am willing to pay for it but only in US$s. I found a few websites but they all want B pds or something else. I even checked Amazon but it's only the UK one that has something. I've ordered lots of things from Amazon UK and the rate used depends on the date of the transaction but will be roughly what is in the paper give or take a few points. I have to convert from Pounds to Australian $.

Thanks

Kimari, presuming you have a credit card such as Mastercard, Visa or American Express, just order whatever you want and even though it is charged in Pounds, Cowrie shells, whatever, the charge will appear on your statement as so many US dollars. To get an idea of the exchange rate just look in the business section of a national newspaper which usuall prints these for major currencies. A simple sum will then tell you what it costs in US$.

Key: Welcome to the board. You might want to post this announcement below on the "Meeting Friends Before you Go" forum, under "who goes where and when" under the aegis of our very own, SteveH. But do ask any questions. We're all eager and avid to answer . No, seriously, Key, the indormation one can glean from the prople on this forum is as the Master Card commercial says, "priceless."

After my TT in May I will further explore Amsterdam by myself and then Brussels and Bruges. I found this fabulous website this afternoon that sells walking tour audio guides that you can download and then transfer to your ipod/mp3 player. I downloaded one for Brussels and it is great. It also comes with a map.

I have read guidebook upon guidebook for these cities but its nice to have something that just tells you "where to go".

The guides come at 5E each (not too bad - i thought).

The website is:

http://www.pocketvox.com/en

I hope it is okay to post this here. Many people - particularly those from far off lands like Australia - combine independent travel with their TT (like me) to make the most of their long journey o/s

Michelle ~ Thank you for posting the site, it is a great idea very useful for all travellers.

You will love Brussels and Bruges.

Thanks Missie. I can't wait to get to Bruges. I am staying at a lovely hotel on the Dijver canal about 200m from the Markt. In Brussels I'm also staying about 300m from the Grand Place (the ex-spanish ambassadors residence). I chose both these hotels because of their central locations ... Wish I was already there ...

P.S. Hope you're surviving the heat!

Michelle ~ I remember sitting on the banks of the canal near the Bruges market feeding the ducks, it was so peaceful, I hope you have have the same experience.

The buildings surrounding the main square in Brussles are stunning, enjoy your stay.

We are slowly melting here in South Australia with no relief in sight.

Making me envious yet again Bruge is on my never ending must do list.
Anywhere colder than Adelaide right now sounds good! Sure are melting Missie

Global warming has hit Adelaide big time, we have had 14 days over 35 degrees Celsius, tomorrow it will be 40 degrees Celsius, we have had enough.

I hope any visitors to our beautiful (hot) state are keeping cool.

Yep- best reason yet to travel- to get to some place cooler. We are all becoming little melted puddles here.

Anywhere except where they have hurricanes, floods and feet of snow!

Ohhhhh you poor guys in Sth Aussie you certainly have my sympathy, enough is enough. Hopefully Wednesday or Thursday will bring the relief you so badly need.

Dimpz, I take what the weather bureau says with a grain of salt, A house not to far from me burnt down last night because their air-conditioner overheated, I know of people who have not turned their air-conditioners off for the last two weeks.

Snow would be nice about now.