FYI

Dino Ristorante, Ristorante Za Za and La Loggia are great restaurants.

These Merrell shoes are great! This is easily the best pair of shoes that I've ever bought. As for trip planning, it's been two weeks since our passport application, so I've been checking the status at the State Department's website. The application is in the system, but they merely acknowledge that--nothing detailed. I also like to regularly re-check our flight itinerary for any price fluctuations, i.e., to see if ticket prices have dropped/increased for the same flights since our purchase. We bought our tickets in August (for May travel) and the price is only $350 more (total) as of yesterday. That's not too bad.

Attention all tourists travelling during July and August and want to see the Accademia -

The Accademia will be open on Tuesday nights from 7pm-10pm and offer free admission.

I too have Merrell shoes and think they are very comfortable. Now that I have the dansko shoes I must say that the dansko shoes are more comfortable.

See if the store that you bought your Merrells at also has dansko, then try them on and compare for yourself. Other wise go to the web site and find a store near you.

www.dansko.com

I also bought dansko socks, they are great.

Also check out there on sale items at dansko.

I'm stubborn, like most people and I know when you think you have the best thing.

So for me comparison is everything, what do you have to lose?

Who knows maybe you'll walk out after tying the dansko shoes on and know that the Merrells were the best choice for you!

Regarding the passport:

I applied for mine on January 12 - they said I would get it within six weeks which would be February 27, and I got it before that date.

Did you apply with ROUTINE SERVICE, within 6 weeks

or EXPEDITED SERVICE, within 2 weeks

Either way, you will get it before your trip.

You said you applied in February and your trip is in May.

Have a great trip!

cea

I just checked out the Dansko site. 298 choices of footwear for women and--are you ready?--10 (!) choices for men! I did see two pair that I like, though. I'll have to take a pair for a test drive.

As for the passport, we requested routine service. It should arrive before March 27, according to the website.

Suburbanite005... I saw that info about the museums in the Tribune..a good piece of info to share.

Anyone like any particular open toe waling shoe? I will NOT be happy walking around in August in closed toed shoes...

No further planning so far, really... I am still finding websites for places we want to go, verifying hours, etc etc...

5 more months to go, which would not be so bad, but I am not taking any time off until then... UGH

marathongirl - check out: www.dansko.com

cole haan outlets have sandles with nike technology as well.

We're going to Tuscany in Sept 06.

We'll be coming from London and staying 20 kl E of Florence. Where do we fly into? Milan, Florence or Pisa?

I want to fly nonstop from London.

Ill also need to rent a car in/near Florence.

Any ideas??

I think Pisa would be the best airport, nearer than Milan and Florence only seems to be very small.

Trip planning update - booked 3 nights at Tourist House Ghiberti. Now need to book somewhere in Cinque Terre and then start thinking about how to get around - trains, buses etc. Looking forward to bringing the rucksack down from the loft.