First Trip To Italy Fall Tours

3. May 2010 admin

One of the fabulous travel princesses who purchased a WisePack™ travel backpack purse has just sent me information on her fall “First Trip to Italy” tours.  If you are thinking about a guided tour with an intimate group of 8-10 folks, rather than a big motor coach full of 40 strangers, this might be perfect.  I love the way she combines the sights with relaxation. Oh and lots of wine. She knows how to treat a Princess with great samplers of this majestic country.  From the looks of it, traveling with Kathy’s team would be like having your own entourage to care for your needs.

Here is what she says. 

After many months of planning, First Trip to Italy is offering two  trips this fall.  The first, The Italian Sampler, is a repeat of  last year?s popular tour visiting the major icons of Italy.   Starting in Venice and ending in Rome, we spend the middle of our  journey in a luxurious 4-star Tuscan Villa high in the Florentine  hills, day-tripping to Florence, enjoying an afternoon cooking  intensive with the resort?s renowned chef, relaxing by the pool  overlooking the stunning, verdant valley below, and many other  activities.

Villas and Vistas: An Exploration of Umbria and Tuscany is our new  trip.  Commencing in the eternal city of Rome, we start our  exploration of Umbria, Italy?s ?green heart?, from the medieval town  of Torgiano.  With a sumptuous 5-star hotel as our base we?ll visit  the historic and cultural gems of the region including Assisi, Todi,  Gubbio, and Spoleto to name a few.  Then it?s on to Tuscany for  another four nights residing in a beautiful countryside hotel in the  Chianti region.  We?ll discover the treasures for which Tuscany is  famous ? Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza and Montalcino. The tour  concludes in Florence.

These exciting itineraries encompass the multitude of reasons why  travelers choose Italy.  Whether your interests revolve around art,  history, architecture, food, wine, or the pleasures of shopping, we  have it all.  Both itineraries are filled with unique specialty  tours typically not available to most travelers.  The Detailed  Itineraries provides an overview of how we will spend our days.   There is also time built in for relaxation and replenishment.  Who  wants to return from a vacation needing another vacation?

Unlike tours where the majority of time is spent riding a large bus  with twenty or more travelers, our groups of eight to ten will  travel in comfort primarily by deluxe minibus.  We will experience  and immerse ourselves in the Italian culture, whether it be sitting  by a fountain, enjoying a gelato(frozen dessert), or simply watching  the Italians during their evening passeggiata (stroll). Depending  on the journey selected, the tours are staged to take advantage of  the opportunity to extend your vacation by starting or ending in  Rome, Venice or Florence, or to join both tours.

To learn more about these trips you can contact Kathy at kjitalia@sierra.net.

Great places, Healthy travel, Inexperienced Travelers, Italy travel, Lodging fit for a Princess, Princess Preferences, Solo Traveling, Travel Advisors, Travel to Europe, Travel to Italy, Wisepack website links | 0 Comments »

We Can Do It!

12. April 2010 admin

I’ve already begun to write about our “big” trip to Italy in the fall.  Traveling to Italy has been of dream of mine of years and years.  Now we have booked the tickets and in September, over my birthday, we will be headed to Rome.  Knowing we wanted to go and when began a major research project which is far from over.  The first decision was whether we needed a fully escorted tour, an “independent” guided tour, or if we could just do our own thing.  After much consultation with people who have traveled far more than I have, Larry and I decided to set our own itinerary, pick our hotels, drive through the countryside, drink espresso when we chose and see the sights at our pace.  We will keep it a Princess pace with many pleasures of sitting and taking in the sights around us.  This was a major decision but we are very excited.  OK, I’m a bit anxious. I worry that Larry and I might kill each other over a direction or decision.  After 41 years we have some history of that.  Nevertheless,  we are following the “thumb print” theory that a travel reporter friend recommended.   “Pick a spot on the map,” she said,  “put your thumb down and really explore that area with the belief that you will return to Italy some day.”  So that is what we are doing.  We arrive in Rome, spend 4 days there, take a train to a Orvieto in Umbria, spend 4 days in that area, drive though Tuscany and set down in Florence for 4 days and then a train to Venice for 3 nights.  None of this four hours here, two hours there, waking up and wondering where we are.  Things might change but we have some structure without too much detail.  Our guide books,  Karen Brown’s Italy Hotels, the Michiline Road maps, and Fodors Italy, as well as many sites on the web have helped us.  My biggest concern is how to travel light enough for the train and climbing steps with luggage in what appears to be many very charming hotels without elevators.   I’ve received many emails from owners of our WisePack™ who tell me that the travel backpack purse we designed really is handy on a trip like this.  The major concern, and I hear it from most of the travelers I speak with, is safety for belongings.  I think I’ll research this more and add a blog soon.  For now I’m reading lots of sappy fiction that takes place in Italy.  Watching “fru fru” movies that take place in Italy and loving every moment.  If you know of any let me know.

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Charging For Carry-on Bags. UGH!

9. April 2010 admin

I can’t believe that we now have to pay if we have carry-on items.  Spirit airlines just put in a policy that is sure to be followed by other airlines.  Is this all about showing that their prices are lowest online and then squeezing out more and more fees after you choose them?  I’ve been reading about the response by travelers regarding this policy.  Some say YEAH! no more stuffing into overhead compartments, no more over stuffed carry-ons.  Others say NO FAIR!.  They haven’t heard from a princess on this subject for sure.  Some of us princesses have always been willing to pay for luggage check-in.  However, there are things that one wants handy requiring a small piece of luggage with wheels to bring on the plane.  Think about computers, extra books for long journeys, neck pillows, healthy snacks, etc.  I’m thinking of all the women who use our WisePacks™ planning to save their bodies by using a light weight travel backpack purse with them and rolling their other items in a smaller carry-on.  I’m thinking about our upcoming trip to Italy or our long flights to Hawaii.  I needed things with me.  Now the questions is do I need them bad enough to pay?  Pay for this, Pay for that!  Traveling like a princess is getting more costly everyday.

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Can a Princess really be a Go Girl?

16. February 2010 admin

I think the answer is YES and I’m ready to try.  What is it you say?   I’ll let you read for yourself at http://go-girl.com/what-is-gogirl.asp   It’s an amazing way for women, even princesses to be free from one of our major annoyances, especially if you are a boomer on diuretics.  It fits discreetly into your travel backpack purse too.  My only question is how many can I carry with me on my trip to Italy?  An then how much hand sanitizer is needed?  I’m sure it’s on their website.  Seems like they have covered everything.

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£26,000 for a Backpack? OY

10. February 2010 admin

Not only is this $261,000, Louis Vuitton New Age Traveler Backpack ridiculously expensive, it is ridiculously ugly.  I guess you can slap an exclusive luxury name on anything charge a ton and expect to sell.  According to the fashion article below,  “There is an inverse relationship between price and class. It must be a conspiracy, as all the designers have upped their prices this season by £1,000.” Would you expect anything less?

I thought the UGHs fad was nuts.  Then some star wore them and they were hot.  Wish I could get the WisePack™ in the hands of someone famous.  Actually Brook Shields, Leslie Stahl each have one, but they probably forgot they got it as a speakers gift at a conference.  Of course we do have Marilyn Monroe with our bag, but she hasn’t given me a quote to print.

Note her Wisepack™ behind her

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More on Italy Plan

24. January 2010 admin

We continue to do our research in preparation for a decision on our big trip to Italy,  and perhaps the Greek Isles.  The more we study the escorted tours and compare the itinerary the more adventurous we are getting.  It appears that we can get to all the big sites in Venice, Florence, and Rome,  on a tour bus with a local guide.  The prices are similar and there are positive and negative reviews on each company.  When you start talking to people who have been to Italy, they say the rail is easy and we can do it on our own.  My biggest concern is baggage handling.  As a princess, I love having someone else worry about the luggage.  I just want to worry about what I have in my travel backpack purse for the day.  I know I need to travel light but it’s never light enough for me.  We are planning on going in October so the weather should be in the 60’s with  cooler evenings.   The more we study the more fantastic Italy seems to the two of us.  Now we are wondering if we should take our two and half weeks and just do Italy.  I spoke with one tour agent who gave me my assignment.  She said figure out what you want to see and do.  Do you want art, churches, food, wine? How many days?  Figure all of that out and give me a call back and we will put it together for you.  I think that’s a great idea.  In this economy, I can’t believe everyone of these “packaged” tours are available for some flexibility.  I welcome your comments.  Remember I’m a Princess.

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Royal Products To Nurture a Princess’s Skin

20. January 2010 admin

Yesterday my daughter said, “Mom, you have so many different hand creams in your travel backpack purse.”  Can’t you decide on one you like best?”  She is right, I keep trying to find that rich cream that will nourish my hard working, dry, and cracking hands.  This winter I think I’ve found two that work well.

The first product line is L’Occitane en Provence and it contains shea butter which is rich with elements your skin will love.  They have a great little travel set they call their “Travel Treasures.”  Now that is a name princesses will love.  It’s a great assortment of travel sized shea butter products, all in sizes and tubes that  meet TSA requirements.   As a princess on the go, I love to stay fresh and keep my skin moist, with this tucked into my WisePack™ I have it all there.  Sells for $35, which isn’t bad because each individual product is a bit pricey.  Ohhh and they feel so luxurious when they go on.

Another incredible product is made by Origins.  It’s their Rejuvenating hand treatment.  Now here is a rich product that is worthy of the Travel Princess seal of approval.  I love it but it is expensive.  $19.50 for 2.5 ounces.  I use it sparingly and rub it into my nails, cuticles and make sure I don’t need a trip to the bathroom after I put it on.  I don’t want to wash it off.  This is the product I take with me for those times, when you are in the middle of a lunch, or meeting, or waiting for your hair dresser and your hands are screaming “feed me, feed me!”  Then I reach into my backpack and take out this green tube.  I find myself move into a quiet place as I open the tube and carefully squeeze this rich, cream into the bed of my hand preparing to give my hands an amazing treatment. You can almost hear them saying “thank you, thank you.”

Grandmother Travel, Healthy travel, Travel Tips, Travel Tips for Women | 0 Comments »

I Love My Flip Camera!

18. January 2010 admin

My newest favorite toy is my little Flip Video camera.  I don’t have a majestic one like the image here.  Mine is just black, but it is a gem of a toy.  It goes with me everywhere.  I never know when a video of my life is needed.  Almost weightless and taking up very little space, it tucks into my travel backpack purse with ease.  The quality of the video is incredible.  I’m old remember.  I’ve had video cameras since they first came out and movie cameras before that.  They went from a big gigantic box that required a bag bigger than a large computer bag, to my last movie camera that was a super 8 and very heavy.  I needed to carry tapes and transfer them, it was a whole megillah.   Now I just flip it on, flip it into my USB port when I want to download, play with Imovie and post it to my gallery.  I’ve got short videos of my grandkids and long ones for special events.  It’s my newest hobby.  Can’t wait to take it to Europe with me.  Princesses out there…this is a great product.

Flip MinoHD
Lighter than a deck of cards and crazy simple to use, this camera by Pure Digital Technologies takes handheld video recording to a new level with high def. Turn that extra day of travel into a digital reel of sights and sounds — it even shoots in cinematic wide screen — before effortlessly sharing your vids by pop-ping open the built-in USB. theflip.com | $230, 4 GB model

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The Planning Begins

17. January 2010 admin

I’m hoping that finally one of my dreams will come true. How can I be a Travel Princess and never have traveled to Europe.   I’ve had several visits to London and the English countryside with a quick three hour whirlwind of Paris thrown in on one of those trips. I’ve never seen Italy, Greece, or beyond.  A princess needs to see real castles. My hope is that in October this dream will become a reality.  My husband and I will celebrate our joint “big” birthday in Europe.  The planning has begun.  All tips are welcome.  We have some criteria to deal with.  Limited funds, two and half weeks max, we are not the great adventurers, but willing to give educated adventures a whirl, and we don’t want stress, which will come if one of us feels the need to control.  Oh and yes, I am a princess remember.  Our first step was a trip to Barnes and Noble for Frodor’s books on Italy and Greece.  We now know that Rome, Florence, Venice, and Cirque d’ Terre are the top destinations.  We haven’t begun the book on Greece yet.  Last night we began to wonder if we could actually do both countries or if we should stick to just Italy.  More discussions are ahead.

Economics of Travel, Great places, Travel to Europe, Travel to Italy | 0 Comments »

Holiday Travel Alert

16. December 2009 admin

Hey you princesses. I’ve been finding that TSA is really cracking down on the size of Carry-on bags and the weight of check-ins. The airlines have gone to smaller planes when they can and space is a premium. Be sure you check sizes and weights. Then pack lightly. Remember the scarf trick taught to me by Queen Shirley, my majestic, cousin who goes beyond a Travel Princess.   Just pack an assortment of elegant, fun, sparkly, colorful, scarfs that you love to wear.  Then take a basic black and/or brown combo that can be adorned by these beautiful scarfs and you will look like you have a new outfit on everyday and for every event.  You will be regal.  If you don’t know how to tie a scarf so it looks fantastic, check out the images that are in fashion magazines–Shirley didn’t know that she started this fad 40 years ago.  Here is a great link to many popular scarf ties..Click here: web images of how to tie a scarf. Use your travel backpack purse for necessities. Did you know that 1 oz of shampoo is supposed to go for two days? My biggest issue is all the hand creams and body creams I take in the winter. Safe travels and Happy holidays!! May it be a royal time for all.

Airline Travel, Boomer Women Travel, Grandmother Travel, Travel Easy, Travel Tips, Travel Tips for Women, Women Travelers | 0 Comments »