It's in the suitcase

this was our mantra the first day in Venice.

We left Maryland during a terrific storm, arrived for our connection in Philly late, missing our flight to Venice by 10 minutes. We were detoured on a later flight, going by way of Frankfurt so I upgraded all to Envoy class,bliss!
We arrived in Venice later then planned, in the afternoon, however, our baggage didn't!
So whenever we needed something, we chanted,"it's in the suitcase". Promises were made that it would arrive the next day at our hotel, the Palazzo Rosa, so we continued our adventure, exploring Venice.

Beautiful city, the Rialto Bridge and San Marco in the evening, the many bridges over canals and walkways, twisting and winding,always going the right direction,beautiful churches and the architecture so different from home.
Special highlights were the museum at Ca'D'Or, the food, the Happy Bar, and especially sampling the gelato.

Yes, our luggage arrived the second afternoon, and we enjoyed our Venetian holiday even more.

Now, we are at a lovely B&B, The River Mill near Downpatrick, N.I., enjoying the gracious hospitality of our hosts, Theresa and Aidan, with our bags near.
Quite proud of myself, driving from Dublin airport, no near misses and just a few encounters of the rumble strips!

Departure Day!

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go..." Well, one bag and a tote are sitting there for a final check.
I have a few errands to run this morning, a coffee break with my daughter Sarah later then I am out the door.
Venice forecast tomorrow is 79 and partly sunny, a cold wave compared to the 102 I registered  at my house last week.
Andrea and Debbie are ready, too and we are three excited traveling sisters!
Stayed tuned for our adventures.
Arrivederci!

103

That's 103 degrees here at home! Even Venice in the summer has to be cooler than that so I am really looking forward to departure day! And cool weather in Ireland and Scotland!
I think I have what I need now. I was really stressed out about my shoes but ended up buying the updated version of my Keen hiking sandals. My dogs will be happy!
Will be checking things off the list and getting clothes ready to go into the suitcase.
Final check is Monday morning before take-off in the afternoon.

12150

As of yesterday at 10:30 a.m., it is 12150 minutes until the start of our adventure.

I just came home from Colorado in the wee hours of the morning and flew first class.
Now, I will have to get mentally prepared for the coach cabin.
Will be making my master list, paying the bills and unpacking the carryon for its next journey.
And, doing laundry for the next packing detail.
After the long weekend in CO, I realize that I have to really pare down what gets packed. We will be gone 15 days.
That might worry me a bit.

12 days...

this is my first attempt at blogging so we shall see how it goes.
12 days until the grand adventure for 2011, traveling to Europe with friends Debbie and Andrea. Ask Debbie, she can give you the count down to the nearest second.
This will be Andrea's inaugural (sp?) trip to Europe so this blog will be dedicated to her.

We are traveling to Ireland, both Northern and Republic, and Scotland by way of Venice.
Yes, a strange itinerary but Debbie and I missed it on the Italian Adventure last year. We missed Florence too, but I suppose that will be added to next year's trip, maybe.

Rules of traveling with Debbie are quite simple, everything goes into a carryon and that's all you are allowed to take. That's really the only rule. Oh, and no whining, that's my rule.