... but uncomfortable to wear inside your pants.

:-)'

I've finally found a good book to read on the plane and i've been real picky about which one to choose, I want to make sure that it is one so good I can't put it down and I've found it !!!!!!!!! It's going to be the Patty Boyd autobiography, Wonderful Today, the George Harrison/Eric Clapton love triangle, btw does it get better than that song Layla? gosh i love it,

No washcloths?! I'm so embarrassed ... All this time I thought they gave you REALLY big washcloths and you had to drip dry!

No wonder the maids kept asking why the towels were soaking wet ...

Oh EC I loved the grand piano story. Can you imagine.? A friend of mine foolishly inquired of a friend in Siena if they "wanted" anything from the US as he was coming for a holiday.

They said Yes, they really wanted a Weber grill. He actually took it!

Don't forget your slippers...Italian floors can be a shock to the system in the early morning hours.

Umbrella, rain jacket, plastic bags for various items that seem to float around in your suit case.

Static guard and clothes brush for the famous diamond jacket :)

Have the best time ever Mike! xo

Michael - ha ha :)

I like Denise's suggestion of taking a picture of your luggage - but I will go one further and say take a good picture of the inside of your packed luggage - for insurance purposes - and a good laugh later on.

Oh--do you think we can pack a wine bottle corkscrew in our checked baggage? No screw-tops for me while in Italy!!!

Also packing several packages of the "Airborne" medicine. I was sick as a dog half-way through my last trip to the UK and vowed NEVER AGAIN!

Pinksoda, I bought the Brisk Brew on Amazon. I think it's the same company that makes the "itty bitty booklight". And yes, I bring a ziploc bag of my own coffee from home.

One of the most helpful hints I have received about traveling is to bring a selection of OTC meds in a ziploc bag. Aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. And immodium, just in case of "traveler's complaint" which I got for the first time ever on this trip.

Don't bring the whole bottle or package; just what you might need in a sandwich bag. Yes, I know they sell this stuff in Rome and most places. But who wants to waste time finding a drugstore, trying to explain what you need in English, etc etc. Much easier just to have it. I have never bought immodium before and felt silly bringing it...but was very grateful to have it and be cured quickly.

Love this thread lots of fun:

1. Pack the Travel Journal - we read journal entries from past trips while waiting in the airport to leave the country (gets us totally excited for the things to come - like getting any more excited is even possible) - we would never remember all the great experiences if we did not journal while we are away

2. Pack a few small Votive candles for romantic appertivos and night caps on the terrace

3. Pack the Bug spray - so that #2 does not become an itch fest instead of a romantic interlude

Buona Fortuna

Agatha,

Only a true friend would haul a Weber grill on a transatlatic flight... Here's to friendship!!

Charmed,

look here for wine openers:

wineloverspage.com/wineadvisor1/tswa050518.p…

We used Airbourne but have migrated to Emergen-C... the plane trip is where you'll get sick! Keep hydrated and move around when possible.

Alison,

I didn't know you could bring a bag of pills with you, I thought they had to be in original packaging? Having a stomach crisis is no way to enjoy any vacation. I can't believe you bring your own coffee... Italy is coffee heaven! :0

Ravens,

My wife is the journal writer... I love to read them when I get "Romesick".

The big thing on my "to do" list this week is chop wood. We had a Norway Maple tree taken down and as much as we chop, the pile doesn't seem to get any smaller!

Lovely tips everyone!! I agree, don't forget batteries, your journal, tyleno, directions for where you want to go (LOL) and your travel guide book.

I'm reading 'ATraveler in Rome' (old book, probably everyone has read this but me). I love it. I took 'A Season in Rome' on my trip, about a young man and his family who spent a year in Rome while he was living on a writing grant - funny and wonderful. I cried and read it on the trip back, it made me miss Rome so much!!

Two pairs of shoes are good, too.

We made sure we turned off the water when we left so we wouldn't come back to any surprises, and turned up the thermostat, too. And we let our family know where we'd be. And if you really want to be good, notify the consulate of your travel plans, too.

Other than that, get on that plane, forget all the work and go have a marvelous trip - I am so jealous. Have a great time and write your trip report when you return!!!

-Deb