Travel Preparations

Okay, now I'm getting excited about my next trip. I'm returning to Greece and Italy in 2011. Interesting to note that this trip chose me, not the other way around. I had no intention of returning to Greece again, having visited this amazingly beautiful country four times in the 1990s---and many reincarnations in other lifetimes, too. So why again and why now?

I was invited by the Greek Gods. Well, okay, not quite, but almost. I haven't seen my friend who owns Dive Med on the island of Rhodes for many years---it was time. He and his brother run a tourist diving boat; a wonderful experience to learn how to scuba dive and float along the big blue turquoise ocean for a day. Catch up with Dive Med at Mandraki Harbour, or call +30 6932647152 (mobile) for info. Yes, you can learn how to scuba dive in an afternoon!

Greece's economy is failing fast, there are strikes happening, and the people are not happy campers (as we say in Canada). Still, after everything that's happened there, the beauty of the land is a big draw. I love visiting a country where the ancient history impels me to research it and, thus, I am led there. And I am intending to bring a spark of renewal to the Light of Greece.

After Greece I fly to Italy for several days, staying in a Tuscan villa with friends for a momentous birthday celebration—a friend is turning 50. I'm the Elder Wise Woman of the group, the rest of our party is mostly late-40s to mid-50ish. Keeping up to them will be good exercise and lots of fun. Speaking of keeping up, Italy appears stable, with the exception of its President who is "up" to his usual shenanigans with young women. There are earthquakes in southern Italy, another Mafia boss was just arrested, and the pizza dough is rising fast! 

Travel Tip: So how am I preparing for this double-country trip? A month before I leave, I pull out my old suitcase and leave it open on a chair. Whenever I come across something I might want to take I toss it into the suitcase. This usually means I have to "unpack" half the things I've tossed in, but this way I don't forget anything. And so what if I do, there's plenty of opportunity to buy forgotten items in Europe!

Travel Tip: The most important item is my "primary."  What's that you ask? It's my money belt with my tickets (airplane & train tickets are taken out of their packaging and folded up), extra credit card, extra ATM card for the bank machines, my passport, driver's license and International Driver's License for rental cars, medical card, and anything else that fits in my "primary" strap-on money belt. It's my safety deposit box and I wear it while traveling, or lock it away in the hotel safe.

Travel Tip: So I've booked all my flights using my air mile points from my credit card—Yahoo!—so it's almost a free trip. Next comes booking the accommodation. I e-mailed a few pensions and BandBs and waited for a response. In Europe I prefer to stay in the smaller family-run hotels. For listings I usually go to the library and take out my favourite travel books, such as Rick Steves, Foder's, Frommer's, Let's Go, and The Lonely Planet. When I buy books it's usually Rick Steves or The Lonely Planet because they suit my budget and my style of travel. You may prefer the others. All of them are good. For history buffs the Cadogen travel guide series is best. Whatever your choice, going to your local library lets you peruse the books before you buy one. Yes, one!  Bring only one book per country and a few city maps.

More tips later. . .

Si va bene,

M.J. ;O)