A Rambly Mess, and a Question
Posted in Historical Adventures and tagged with Help, Travel on August 24, 2009**I apologize for the fact that this post is incredibly rambly. It’s basically my thoughts from the last 24 hours, put in a slightly more coherent form. **
You know it’s been a busy weekend when I haven’t had time to think about my blog. Highly unusual, I tell you, because my weekends are usually as happening as 10 PM at the Bingo parlor. (And I have no idea what that means…please blame the nonsensical simile on the busyness as well.)
Between a Sunday School leaders meaning that I ran, our first day of Sunday School for the new year, and helping a friend who is crazy busy at this point in her life, I was going a mile a minute. Usually I spend a lot of time resting on Saturday as well as on Sunday, but this weekend I hopped to it, getting a lot done, earning a little money, and doing some exercise (gasp!). In fact, though I’m only a week into my commitment, my pants are already getting loose. A good thing…except two of these pairs I just bought!
One of the things I did yesterday was hang out with my friend who has a ton of exciting things going on in her life right now. She’s crazy busy, so getting time with her was a blessing and a pleasure. While we were eating lunch (at Chili’s, our favorite post-church hangout…what can I say, we know how to party!), she mentioned in passing that she’s planning on visiting Europe next summer for 10-12 days.
And it hit me…I want to go to.
Hearing her say that threw me for such a loop…I just hadn’t been thinking this way. But, isn’t this one of the reasons I say I love being single…I can take advantage of opportunities like this? In a exercise of maturity, I actually even mentioned this idea to my parents, even though it’s in its infancy. They agree that now is the time to do this before I’m tied down.
So for the last 24 hours, I’ve had a hard time thinking about anything else. I’m the kind of person that wants to know something inside and out, have it all planned, and know the answer to every “What if…”. When I first told her that I’d want to go we were thinking possibly Italy, Greece, and Turkey (I can’t go all the way to Greece without hopping over to Turkey, and I’d love to introduce my friend to the country). After looking at the map, I’m thinking that might be a wee bit ambitious, even for 2 seasoned travelers.
So, I know several of my readers have traveled to Europe. I’ve only been to Spain and Turkey, and my friend hasn’t been to Europe at all. So, I have a few questions:
Assuming we have 9 days on the ground (2 days spent traveling there, 1 day traveling back), would it be best to limit our travel to Italy? She has friends in Rome, so we wouldn’t have to pay for a hotel there.
If you’ve been, what would you consider a must-see?
What other parts of Italy would you recommend we visit?
Is it worth trying to travel to another country, or would it be best to focus on Italy?
When you traveled, how much did you budget/how much did it cost? (This question is a big one, because it will help me decide if I can even save up enough to go!)
Are there any websites that you’d recommend?
So readers, can you help me out?
Photo by **Maurice**
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August 24th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Wow, I’m so excited for you! I so wish we could travel. I would say that weather you go to another country or not besides Italy maybe would depend on what you actually want to see in Italy and where the things you want to see are in relation to one another (i.e.if they’re close together you will spend less time traveling and more time seeing and would possibly get your sightseeing in Italy done early and would be able to visit another country).
August 24th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Wow, that is so exciting! I bet your mind is spinning in circles right now! I really wish I could help but I really don’t know anything about Europe. I hope some other people are able to give you some good information!
August 24th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Go For it FGD…now is the time to dream/do these things. I have only been to Belize…what an experience. I have no idea what I was spending as i gave my money to my friend and let him do that…he was in the Peace Corps. And then I did go to Hawaii too…way back…always a dream…not a foreign county; however, it was something I dreamed about. I know it cost; however, I certainly don’t remember how much…however, the excitement of going was worth every penny.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
VENICE. You gotta see it.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I would focus on Italy and not try to see other countries. I prefer seeing more of one place than just a surface of many places. Not to miss places in Italy: Rome is amazing- plan on 3 days, minimum. Pompeii is awesome. One day should be enough. Be sure to see the museum that is off site (I missed that on my trip and I regret it). Florence is wonderful and Tuscany is beautiful – 2-3 days to do those. I would disagree about Venice, however. I didn’t like it at all. But, that’s must me.
August 24th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I have never been there but would love to go to Florence for the art.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:10 am
CINQUE TERRE!!!!!! and anywhere in Tuscany, but preferably San Giminano. Florence is awesome as is Venice. I didn’t make it south of San Giminano.
Rick Steves is always a good travel guide to go to.
AAAAGGGGGHHHH!!! I’m so excited for you!
August 25th, 2009 at 2:06 am
oooh! yes! go! i’ve never been to Euro!
August 25th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Oh I agree with everyone!! You must go! :)
August 25th, 2009 at 7:58 am
I’m not a traveler AT ALL… so cant help… but excited for you as you set some ADVENTURES ahead of yourself!
August 25th, 2009 at 9:46 am
[...] for the help yesterday (if you haven’t checked it out, I recommend/ask/beg you to do so now!). Unfortunately for blogging, I’m still mulling over [...]
August 25th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I’m the type of traveler who tries to squeeze as much (usually that translates to as many countries as I can) into the same trip as I can. Of course, this adds to transportation and lodging, but there seems to be good transportation between most European countries, and hostels are generally reasonable. That being said, imagine the opposite. What would be the most disappointing if you didn’t do it? If they’re all in Italy, just do Italy. But if it includes other countries, consider a side trip.
And if you’re still worried about lodging, check with the missionaries living there with your Church. They often have guesthouses for summer teams, or know of local lodging options. And they’re generally thrilled to have Americans come and visit…who knows…they might even host you and show you around their neck of the woods.
No matter which you choose, it will be a wonderful experience. ’cause it’s travel!
August 25th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
HOw exciting, definitely go. I’ve never been to Europe, or anywhere really, so I don’t have any advice.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
That was way more than one question. I think you could spend your entire time in Italy easy. We did Spain, Paris, and Italy in 16 days and loved it but will definitely return to Italy. We did Florence and Rome, and I’d say both are kind of must sees, but definitely Rome. Email me if you want more planning help, what can I say there’ ‘s just too much to put in a comment.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:52 am
I have never been to Italy. The closest I got was Monaco, which was pretty darn close :) If you’re in Northern Italy, you could easily include Monaco (Monte Carlo) and Nice, so you’d *technically* get 2 more countries in :) However, I spent 12 days in Nice alone and 6 months in Paris and STILL didn’t see everything so you could easily confine your time to Italy alone and not lack for things to see and experience.
Italy is high on my list of “next places” to travel to…I even have an Italian dictionary that I picked up in France (so it’s French-Italian, which is interesting…) for like 1 euro on a whim.
Happy travels!
August 26th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Thanks for all the advice…it’ll come in handy!
August 26th, 2009 at 9:35 am
I don’t have any recommendations… just jealousy! lol! I’ve always wanted to visit Europe! Watched so many Travel Channel episodes that I’ve got quite a list of what I’d WANT to see! :-)
Hope things work out for you to go! That’d be exciting!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
August 26th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I’ve never traveled to Europe, so in going, I’d certainly want to see as much as possible. But you have to stop and think about the quality of those visits. If you hurry it along, just to get from place to place, how much leisurely time to truly enjoy yourself and sites will you really have?
August 28th, 2009 at 12:14 am
[...] still definitely leaning towards going to Europe in the summer. Everyone: family, boss, you all is saying “go for it!” There are still some [...]