We are at the two week mark! The countdown has started and I'm getting excited about getting home. But first things first. We have a trip to take!
Kevin and I are leaving on an overnight train tonight to Rome. It's our first overnight train so I'm interested to see how it goes and what our set-up looks like. Getting the tickets proved a bit difficult so I'm hoping it was all worth it. Initially, we went to our train station in Vipiteno on Monday to get the tickets and the machine was broken and there wasn't a teller working. So we went to Innsbruck to buy them yesterday, but the lady there told us we couldn't buy them from her because it was an inner-Italy trip. I know this is nonsense because we always get our inner-Italy tickets from Innsbruck (because they speak better English there than in Vipiteno). We thought we'd try the machine in Brennero on the way home and it turned out their machine was broken too. Since today was our last chance to get tickets, we woke up bright and early and headed to the train station. The machine was still broken, but the teller was there and was super helpful in getting us our tickets even with our broken German and his broken English.
We get into Rome tomorrow morning at 6:08AM and are going to spend the day and night there. Saturday, we are heading to Sorrento for three days/two nights. In those three days, we will also check out Pompeii, Capri, and Naples. Everything was booked through a tour group, Viator, which we have used a few different times and the nice thing is all transportation, meals, tours, and accommodations are included....one less thing to worry about.
Once we leave Sorrento, we are going back to Rome for 2 days/nights. We want to check out Palatine Hill and the Roman Forums, visit the catacombs of San Callisto, take a tour of the Jewish Ghetto, and do some people watching in Piazza Navona. The last time we were in Rome, we got engaged so I'm not sure this trip can top that, but I'm holding out hope.
After we leave Rome, we are going to Florence for 2 days. Last time we were in Florence, we didn't get to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David so we definitely want to do that. We are also thinking about taking a Chianti tour and visiting Siena, but nothing has been booked yet. One things for sure, we are eating more Jersey Shore pizza.
Once we get back to Vipiteno, the countdown will be at 6 days. In between packing and cleaning, I'll be sure to post pictures and an update of our trip.
Showing posts with label Pompeii. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pompeii. Show all posts
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wrapping Up Our Time Here In Italy
Kevin got home on Saturday and we've been busy since the minute he walked in the door. We're trying to plan one last trip before we leave, get everything squared away back home before we get there (insurance, jobs), clean and pack up the apartment, and get all our loose ends tied up here.
One of the first things we needed to figure out was our flights home. When Kevin came to Italy, the team booked him a return flight for May 3. But when we booked my flight, we booked me returning on May 17. Obviously, we realized we would have to change one, depending on how long Kevin ended up working. Since Kevin went away with the National Team and we really haven't had a chance to travel by ourselves, we decided we would switch his flight to the same day my flight was on.
Yesterday morning, Kevin called US Airways to try to arrange everything and was told that all the flights on May 17 were sold out, but he could fly on the 16th or 18th. His other option was to fly Lufthansa (a partner of US Airways), but the change fee, along with the difference in fare would be $2600! The person Kevin was talking to was less than helpful and basically told him these were his only two options. On that note, Kevin hung up and we started brainstorming.
1. We could change my flight to May 3 (which had open seats) and not travel. Neither of us were fans of this option because part of the reason Kevin works in Europe is so we can travel.
2. Kevin could fly out on May 16 and I would just stay the night in Munich and fly out on May 17. For me, this was not an option because it would require we to go through Passport Control by myself without any proof as to why I was in Italy for 100 days over my allowed time. Just thinking about it gives me anxiety.
3. We could change both of our flight to May 16. Last night, we decided on this option. Yes, it was going to cost us about $700, but it was really the only option that made sense.
First thing this morning, Kevin called US Airways. The first thing he did was ask if there were any open seats on my flight on May 17, but nothing had opened up. Luckily, the guy who Kevin was talking to was actually helpful. After 40 minutes on the phone, he had found a flight that would require Kevin to have two connections instead of one, but would have us both leaving on May 17 and arriving in Pittsburgh within 2 hours of each other. Obviously, flying 11 hours home separately isn't what we want to do, but this solution is the most logical.
Instead of dwelling on the 11 hours we'll spend by ourselves on the plane home, we moved onto our next task..planning one last trip. Due to my visa (or lack thereof) issues, we can only travel by car or train. We haven't booked anything, but we think we have decided to go to Rome, Sorrento, Naples, Capri, Pompeii, and Florence. We've been to both Rome and Florence, but don't feel like we've seen everything they have to offer. And we can't wait to see some new places. Make sure to check back in the next week or so to read about our trip.
One of the first things we needed to figure out was our flights home. When Kevin came to Italy, the team booked him a return flight for May 3. But when we booked my flight, we booked me returning on May 17. Obviously, we realized we would have to change one, depending on how long Kevin ended up working. Since Kevin went away with the National Team and we really haven't had a chance to travel by ourselves, we decided we would switch his flight to the same day my flight was on.
Yesterday morning, Kevin called US Airways to try to arrange everything and was told that all the flights on May 17 were sold out, but he could fly on the 16th or 18th. His other option was to fly Lufthansa (a partner of US Airways), but the change fee, along with the difference in fare would be $2600! The person Kevin was talking to was less than helpful and basically told him these were his only two options. On that note, Kevin hung up and we started brainstorming.
1. We could change my flight to May 3 (which had open seats) and not travel. Neither of us were fans of this option because part of the reason Kevin works in Europe is so we can travel.
2. Kevin could fly out on May 16 and I would just stay the night in Munich and fly out on May 17. For me, this was not an option because it would require we to go through Passport Control by myself without any proof as to why I was in Italy for 100 days over my allowed time. Just thinking about it gives me anxiety.
3. We could change both of our flight to May 16. Last night, we decided on this option. Yes, it was going to cost us about $700, but it was really the only option that made sense.
First thing this morning, Kevin called US Airways. The first thing he did was ask if there were any open seats on my flight on May 17, but nothing had opened up. Luckily, the guy who Kevin was talking to was actually helpful. After 40 minutes on the phone, he had found a flight that would require Kevin to have two connections instead of one, but would have us both leaving on May 17 and arriving in Pittsburgh within 2 hours of each other. Obviously, flying 11 hours home separately isn't what we want to do, but this solution is the most logical.
Instead of dwelling on the 11 hours we'll spend by ourselves on the plane home, we moved onto our next task..planning one last trip. Due to my visa (or lack thereof) issues, we can only travel by car or train. We haven't booked anything, but we think we have decided to go to Rome, Sorrento, Naples, Capri, Pompeii, and Florence. We've been to both Rome and Florence, but don't feel like we've seen everything they have to offer. And we can't wait to see some new places. Make sure to check back in the next week or so to read about our trip.
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