Getting Started
Over the last few years, my wife and I have been on several tours with another tour company
and took a trip to Rome on our own the summer before this trip. This was our first Rick Steves
Tour. We watched his TV shows, read his books, and listened to his audio guides, so we decided to try one of his tours. We booked the 'Rick Steves Best of Venice, Florence & Rome in 10 Days Tour,' and It was everything we could have hoped for.
A few weeks later we received our Welcome Packet. It includes lots of great information on getting a passport, packing tips, and how many bags we could bring with us.
When I read we were only allowed to bring a carry on sized suitcase and a personal item, I was concerned as I'm accustomed to bringing a large check bag, a carry on and a personal item.
As an engineer, I like to be prepared, and with the limited packing room, I knew I had to plan ahead and take only the essentials. I started packing early, packing all of the travel essentials I wouldn’t need at home until we left. I like to take pictures, so I packed a DSLR, lenses, tripods, etc. I also learned years ago to bring a Leatherman and some duct tape, because, well, stuff happens!
That didn't leave much room for clothes, so I decided to take Rick’s advice and plan to wash clothes in the sink along the way. Another space saver I came up with was to save old socks and underwear that would make a one way trip to Italy. This saved room on the way home for souvenirs, as my wife really enjoyed her time in the Florence Central Market! (One caveat on washing clothes in the sink is to bring clothes that dry quickly, such as Under Armour and Ex Officio. Thicker cottons do not dry well in humid locations.)
A few weeks later we received our Welcome Packet. It includes lots of great information on getting a passport, packing tips, and how many bags we could bring with us.
When I read we were only allowed to bring a carry on sized suitcase and a personal item, I was concerned as I'm accustomed to bringing a large check bag, a carry on and a personal item.
As an engineer, I like to be prepared, and with the limited packing room, I knew I had to plan ahead and take only the essentials. I started packing early, packing all of the travel essentials I wouldn’t need at home until we left. I like to take pictures, so I packed a DSLR, lenses, tripods, etc. I also learned years ago to bring a Leatherman and some duct tape, because, well, stuff happens!
That didn't leave much room for clothes, so I decided to take Rick’s advice and plan to wash clothes in the sink along the way. Another space saver I came up with was to save old socks and underwear that would make a one way trip to Italy. This saved room on the way home for souvenirs, as my wife really enjoyed her time in the Florence Central Market! (One caveat on washing clothes in the sink is to bring clothes that dry quickly, such as Under Armour and Ex Officio. Thicker cottons do not dry well in humid locations.)
Always Wear Your Money Belt!
First things first, always wear your money belt! There's one included in your tour packet, so there are no excuses.
On our last trip to Rome, we were on our way to Ostia Antica and changing subways at Termini. As always, I was standing against the wall and away from the crowd.
When the subway car arrived the doors opened and I started walking towards the car. The woman to my right was walking way too close and pushing her purse into me, while the woman on my left was doing the same. I knew something didn’t feel right, as I’d never been this cramped and jostled getting onto the subway before. I started paying more attention to my surroundings.
Stepping onto the subway car, I had one hand on my DSLR, one hand over my right pocket, and I felt a third hand going down the left pocket of my thin pants!
The feeling that comes over you is a combination of rage, fear and anger with enough adrenaline to get you most of the way to Ostia. I yelled at her as loud as I could as I got onto the car. Then, the woman who was shoving me aside to get onto the car suddenly didn’t need to get on the subway any more. She lifted her purse up to show her empty hand and sheepishly said, “see I don’t have anything.”
I checked my pockets and pulled out all the contents thinking, “She almost got my fig newtons!” Having traveled many times before, I knew to carry only snacks and a handful of Euros in my pockets. All of my valuables were safely tucked away in my money belt under my clothes.
I knew I didn’t have much in my pockets to lose, but it doesn’t lessen the feeling of being violated. I walked away without losing anything, and gained a good story. Now, I cover both pockets and my camera when getting on the subway.
On our last trip to Rome, we were on our way to Ostia Antica and changing subways at Termini. As always, I was standing against the wall and away from the crowd.
When the subway car arrived the doors opened and I started walking towards the car. The woman to my right was walking way too close and pushing her purse into me, while the woman on my left was doing the same. I knew something didn’t feel right, as I’d never been this cramped and jostled getting onto the subway before. I started paying more attention to my surroundings.
Stepping onto the subway car, I had one hand on my DSLR, one hand over my right pocket, and I felt a third hand going down the left pocket of my thin pants!
The feeling that comes over you is a combination of rage, fear and anger with enough adrenaline to get you most of the way to Ostia. I yelled at her as loud as I could as I got onto the car. Then, the woman who was shoving me aside to get onto the car suddenly didn’t need to get on the subway any more. She lifted her purse up to show her empty hand and sheepishly said, “see I don’t have anything.”
I checked my pockets and pulled out all the contents thinking, “She almost got my fig newtons!” Having traveled many times before, I knew to carry only snacks and a handful of Euros in my pockets. All of my valuables were safely tucked away in my money belt under my clothes.
I knew I didn’t have much in my pockets to lose, but it doesn’t lessen the feeling of being violated. I walked away without losing anything, and gained a good story. Now, I cover both pockets and my camera when getting on the subway.