Preparation, Resources, Links - (Updated: 6-16-07)

LET THE PLANNING AND PREPARATIONS BEGIN!

Apartment: For the first time I'll be renting an apartment rather than booking a hotel and this is something very new for me. I always stayed in hotels as a sort of security blanket. If I needed information or help I could simply ask the hotel staff to make the arrangements for me or ask them for information on how to do something.

In an apartment I won't have that luxuory. I will need to rely upon my own know how! I think it'll be a new and fun experience for me. What's life without a few challenges?

Slowing Down: For the first time I'll be staying in one place for longer than 5 days. I'll be in Venice for two glorious weeks! It's going to be so cool! Although I've been to Venice twice already, I have only spent a few hours there on each visit. Yes, you guessed it. I was among the hoards of daytrippers boated over and departing before sundown as if we were going to turn into pumpkins or something if we didn't get back to our hotel before dark.

I can't wait to experience Venice the way it should be experienced. Slowly!

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RESOURCES I USED TO PLAN THIS TRIP

I am using several resources (guidebooks, website links, website articles) to plan my trip and I wanted to cite them here.

The most useful resource I relied upon is the Slow Travel Website for their trip reports, travel notes and photo galleries. I also used their community message board for ideas, up to date information, reviews, advice and most important of all inspiration.

Slow Travel Message Board - Slowtalk

SlowTravel - Travel Website

Rick Steves' Italy 2007: Avalon Travel Publishing 2006 (Guide Book)

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, "Italy", Dorling Kindersely Publishig, Inc. 2002 (Guide Book)

"Italy: Instructions for Use" by Nan McElroy, 2004, Illustrata Press, www.italyinstructions.com (Guide Book)

VENICE: LINKS & RESOURCES USED

Note: Edited on 11/29/07 to include additional Links used as a resource for Venice

Chow! Venice (2nd Addition): Wine Appreciation Guide & Chow Bella Books-2007 (Guidebook) (http://www.chowbellabooks.com/)

Durant Imboden's: Europe For Visitors-Venice for Visitors (Website Resource)

"From the Seren"-Trip report by Colin Owen, 2005 (Website Article)

Packed Magazine-May/June Issue (Page 42): "Venice" by Shannon Essa (Website Article)

Slow Travel Notes: "200 Things to Do and See in Venice" by Ruth L. Edenbaum, December 2005 (Website Article)

Slow Travel Article: "Venice Sestieri - the neighborhoods and where to stay" by Shannon Essa, December 2004 (Website Article)

Slow Travel Notes: "My Favorite Lesser-Known Churches in Venice" written by member, Annie Atwell (AnnieNC)

Packed Magazine-May/June Issue (Page 42): "Venice" by Shannon Essa (Website Article)

Rick Steves' Venice 2007: Avalon Travel Publishing 2006 (Guide Book)

Rick Steves' Italy 2007: Avalon Travel Publishing 2006 (Guide Book)

FLIGHT INFO: SECURITY - BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

I'll have to check the updates in late August to see if there are any new updates on restrictions or baggage allowance.

Transportation Airport Security (TSA)

Department of Transport

Delta Airlines - Baggage Allowance Information

GROUND INFO: Trains, Vaporetta . . .

One important thing that I learned from my trip to Italy two years ago (2nd to packing light) is the need to research and have a printout of their schedules for ground transportation plans.

I did really well last year using the trains traveling between the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany. I did my research and printed out several schedules and I think that made a huge difference for me. Never had a problem.

I'm going to do the same for this trip. There's quite a bit of information in my guide books and also on several threads posted on Slow Travel.

Man in Seat 61

Trenitalia - Trains in Italy Schedules

Rail Europe

NEW IDEAS LEARNED: LINKS & RESOURCES

Bringing Wine/Olive Oil Home: Since I'm only homebasing in one location (VENICE) for the entire two weeks (and not hopping on and off of trains between cities and countries), I plan to bring home a couple of bottles of wine, prosecco and olive oil. I'll keep one and give the others as gifts.

I did some research on Slow Travel and got a couple of ideas for packing methods that will keep my wine and olive oil safe during the flight home.

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