No more luggage fees when I visit Florence Italy

Do you drag too much luggage with you on vacation or trips?   After you purchase all those wonderful treasures, do you find there is no space in your bag to bring them home?    And the fees to fly with an additonal bag can be very costly.  I was recently told if my bag was over the weight limit it was 100 euros to bring the second bag!

So, in addtion to traveling with throw away clothing (items I no longer need I leave in the charity boxes in Italy at the end of the trip)  I discovered the wonderful people at Mail Box Etc in Florence Italy.
The location I use is a few blocks from the train station on Via della Scala  13.   I can leave my bag there while I travel all over Italy,   I have had them ship my bag to my next city destination so that I could stop in small towns (that do not usually have luggage storage) and when I arrived at my hotel, my bag would be waiting for me!   And when i finish my trip in Florence I have MBetc mail my extra items to my home in the USA.
My package arrives the week I ask for and has never had any damage or loss.    A very easy way to avoid the excess baggage fees AND dragging that heavy bag through the airport.

Oh and they store your luggage while you travel around Italy or Europe.

Visit my friends at Mail Box etc  they will make traveling a breeze.

MBE 0212

0.86 km

Via della Scala 13 / R  Florence

Tel: 055/268173

E-mail:mbe212@mbe.it

http://youtu.be/UXv2qRk1g2Y

Now that I no longer take vacations, I have adventures!

going home to Italy every year is something I look forward to every year.
I always visit Florence, the city that convinced me to return for a semester abroad while at Syracuse University.   As all college students I had gone through the shock of moving away to a town where I knew almost no one, but I was not very prepared to go to a city where I KNEW NO ONE and could not even speak their language.

For years after that event I visited Italy, England, Alaska and the far east as a tourist or on buiness.  But now I try to NOT go as a tourist on vacation by as an explorer on an ADVENTURE.  Yes my adventures are small.  I don't walk across the desert alone, I don't take a canoe to explore the Amazon or  climb mountains.  My adventures are traveling solo and meeting as many people who are willing to speak with me.

This does not always work.   I still remember the shop clerk in Venice giving me the shoulder shrug (that said who the h--- cares) after I explained how difficult it had been to find a sweater in large American sizes.  She also refused to let me purchase an item on "display" in the window.    After all these months I still wish I had walked out of the store.    But I have a wish necklace and it you are granted 3 wishes than I shall wish that she age gracelessly and become large............

Adventures can be small or large.  When you are going outside your comfort zone often a small adventure can be a great accomplishment.

Where   do you go on adventures??

Some of the interesting people I met on my last trip


This is Frank.    A very kind customer service rep. who never lost his temper or grace when clients were rude, loud and not very nice.  Mr. Frank translated something I had found in Spain, so that I could understand the lengend of the "ringing of the bells"

 I do not know this kind woman's name but I see her every year.
When I visit Florence each year I stop in the large central market.  Sometimes for a great cappucino at the stall that all the market workers visit.   They always know I am a tourist but treat me the same as everyone else.  

Most visits I stop at this one stall where you can purchase pannini's.  the owner always understands my requet for turkey and swill.  She always has a smile even when i am the last customer after her 8hr day.   This trip we exchanged emails and i shall send her photos of her stall.  

:While lost in Venice exploring the hundreds of narrow street on my way from St Marks to the train station.   I stopped in a small glass bead store.  There are many, many of these and there was no particular reason to stop here.   But while buying strands of her mini glass beads I had a lovely chat with the owner.   Her daugher uses the internet but
she was still not "ready" to join the email revolution.




Who have you met on your adventures that made a mark on you?   I keep writing about how surprised I am that the people I meet mark my life but I dont make any impression on them..   Perhaps because they meet so many more people than I do.

                                                                                                                                      

Tell Rick Steves you need more than 3 pairs of underwear on a trip!

I love Rick Steves and take his books with me when I travel to Italy.   But I have to tell Rick that you NEED more than 3 pairs of underwear on a trip longer than a week!   

I packed carefully for my most recent trip Home To Italy this October.   Everything coordinated and everything could be used with 3 or more items.   The trip was for 4+ weeks in Italy and a return to the USA by ship for 14 days.  

So Off I go!

Well even in October in a heat wave in Rome, quick dry underwear washed out every night does NOT dry overnight!   The heat is not turned on in Italy until November.   However I had planned a week at an apartment in Spoleto (Umbria) that had heat and a washing machine.  But until I arrived there on week 2.5 I had to manage.  So off to the local markets to buy throw away clothing.   I usually bring worn out clothes from home and as I progress on the trip, I toss away items I don't want any longer.  At the end of some trips I leave items at the charity box found in most cities.       Socks were easy to find and I had a contest with my friend in Florence, how little I could pay for sweaters in the local markets.  Florence was cold without the heat turned on.  I was staying at a wonderful convent hotel but only had a quilt in the room!    3 Euros was the best price I found!   

Later I found suitable warm clothing for 10E, 8 E and 12 E!

Once I arrived in Venice the convent hotel had heat!  They were surprised when I called and asked if the heat was turned on, the staff member just said,  this is VENICE!.

So I plan to take more than 3 pairs of underwear when I travel.   Maybe I can get away with only 5.......

Finding and Visiting Our Family Village

I have threatened my family that I was going to find and visit Petina for the past 3 years. Other relatives have visited by car, but I had hoped to take the train and taxi to this small town.
Little did I know that there IS NOT TRAIN OR TAXI. You can take the bus from Salerno 2 times a day and hope that this bus returns the SAME day. This was not the best choice.
I contacted several car service web sites on line. But the car servies could not give me a driver who spoke English. Not a problem for driving to and from Petina but I needed to obtain a birth certificate for my grandfather from the town hall. After a week of travel in Italy, I have been told many times that I really do not speak Italian and they have NO idea what language I am speaking! Strange because I have entire conversations with myself in Italian........ they are probably correct, i never use the proper tense or verb and my pronuciation could be polish for all I know.

But I shall not be detered. An American living in Southern Itlay who i met on Face Book put me in touch with http://www.amalfiturcoop.it.

They have a wonderful website story about their founder and the years he spent building his business. They could accommodate me or a large tour group. And they would drive me wherever I needed and pick my up anywhere on the Amalfi coast! The perfect company. I will post a short blog about
Daniela Criscuolo in the future. But I loved their photos of the first taxi the company had. Right out of the 1940's!!!

So what am I to do aboutmy trip to Petina?

I tried a different approach.
I wrote to the language school I attended in Sorrento and the two schools I found on line in Salerno (closer to the area I needed to visit).  Only one school returned my email and told me about a british woman who taught English in their school.  Maria would be able to help me!!!  Yeah.  I dont know the Italian for Yeah!  but you get the idea.

This is Petina from the small two lane road that you take after exiting the maniac super highway.
I wondered aloud how did the family travel from this village to Naples to take their ship to America?
There were no cars in the late 1800s, there was no road, just I expect a track for waggons.

My aunt told me this week that my grandfather tried to jump off the wagon to return to the village as they pulled away......  so it is off to Naples by wagon!  It took an hour at top speed to arrive here.  How many days would it take to go throgh the mountains to reach Naples????   What an ordeal before they even boarded the ship.

So Maria and her delightful husband picked me up in Salerno (of course my Italian said one hotel and they went to a different one) and off we speed to Petina.   I am still amazed these kind people would take their time to take a stranger to a remote village in the mountains.

As a coincident the best man at their wedding lives in the area and he met up near Petina.  Here are my merry band of helpers in the records office:

After some discussion where I only understood some of the conversation the wonderful clerk found the book of all baptisims in Petina.  Hand written by the church priest and passed on.   Now the records were also filed by hand in an official book.  By searching the year of birth, they found the record of my grandfathers birth.   Of course this was not important to anyone but me but it was very moving.   The records are over 100 years old and they are just thumbing through the pages......

In further convesation with the most kind town clerk, we find that no family members remain in Petina but that we should try the next town.   Before we leave Petina we can walk by the house where my great grand parents and grandfather lived.   I just know all the zias and zios will lover this::::

But shall I tell them about the scandal?

So off we go to Sicignano degli Alburni which is over the mountain through the national forest and miles of chesnut trees that are ready to harvest.

This town is much larger and livler.  Petina had only 3 people in the street, all over 100 years old.  Two were waiting for the fish merchant to arrive in his mini van to sell fresh fish.......  Perhaps everyone else communtes to work or as I was told, works on farms in the surrounding area.

Petina is VERY clean and tidy.  Homes are well kept and we were able to walk around the entire town in a short time.  

When we arrived at Sicignano we made another visit to the county clerk just as they were delivering take out expresso!!!  Watch out starbucks.

With great luck, the clerk here knew the only remaining Laurino!  And sig. Laurino was called, came by the town hall and walked up over to his office..   Vittori is an engineer and speaks English.  He also had brothers in NYC and a relative with a summer home on Long Beach Island!!! this is only 1/2 hr from my home in NJ.

Life is very strange and the world is small

Even nuns have a bad day sometimes.....

I am traveling in Italy for 30 days and this is not a glamor trip. While doing several other projects, see other posts, I am trying to see if I can do Italy on 100 a day. NO not 100 dollars, 100 euors and it is difficult. So I am staying in convent hotels in most of the cities I will visit. I break up these austere accomodations with hotels and an apartment for a week in Spoleto.

In Rome I stayed at one location two separate times. The building has the most amazing roof terrace! Had dinner up there and videoed the sunset over St Peters. But on my second visit in 10 days when I asked for a fan for my room I was given a hair dryer. No i dont know the word for fan or hair dryer but hair dryer is easier to pantomine! I offered to draw a pictue and received the usual Italian hand signal to go away and see me tomorrow. Well I didnt need a fan in the morning , i needed one TONIGHT.

So I just put it in my funny story pile.

I was lucky, I was not asked to leave when my alarm clock went off at 7:00pm. No I did not wake anyone but as I walked down from the roof terrace I heard a noise similar to a car alarm.... this is from the 4th floor. As i got closer to the 2nd floor where my room was I realized it was my alram clock! You could hear it from four floors away and through thick stone.... jsut another travel event, small and trivial...

Italy on 100 a day, Ha!

Do you mean $100.00 a day or 100 Euros a day?
Remember the Frommer travel books that showed you on the summer before or after college graduation, how to travel for 3 weeks to all the countries in Western Europe for $50.00 a day?  
I took that trip my junior year with two other girls and we ate where Arthur told us, booked b&b's where he suggested and did the trip on little money.
We were not back packers.  I had worked two jobs the previous summer to pay for the adventure. 
 If you can believe this, jeans were just becoming popular,  yes there was a time before jeans.   You will see the 3 of us in our photos in Izod look alike dresses, our practical rain coats and luggage before they came with wheels.

So now i am returning to Italy (my 8th or 9th trip) solo, seeing if the 30 day trip can be done for 100Euros a day.  I gave up on the idea of $100 a day when I found prices up about 20E from my last trip 18 months ago.

I will not be sleeping in hostels, couch surfing or in train stations.   My trip includes a week in a large apartment in Spoleto in Umbria and several guest houses/hotels run by convents in Rome and Florence. 

I leave in 4 days and of course I am not packed and do not have hotels booked for 1/4th of the trip!   But that is part of the adventure.

See you next in Italia!    All my Italian American amici write and tell me your favorite town/city in Italia.

Ciao

Villa Rental In Umbria and Olive Picking/Pressing near Pisa and learning Italian in Todi!

I am going Home To Italy after more than 18 months since my last visit.
It is like a fix, chocolate, wine, face book,  something that completes your day and enhances your life.
While talking with a stranger about Italy I was amazed that they understood how addictive Italy can be.   Almost from the time you step off the plan or the ship if you are lucky to have that method of arrival, something happens.  Life becomes animated, people are seen in color, I feel more alive.  Perhaps it is becaue I can understand some of what they say and listening to their daily conversations is like watching a movie.  When you view life from the outside/in it can be very interesting.

Back to the topic!   I have not posted in weeks because I was finishing a 23 year career that I closed this week, tried to sell a house to finance the plan to move Home To Italy (yes that was a joke in todays market) and organizing my next adventure:  30 days in country and a 2 week sail back to NYC.

Have so much to share and I shall post each in turn, so stay tuned for my life, Home to Italy.

Food in Italy a Good 4 letter word! Have you tried any of these?

A recent post on FB from Venere listed a number of restaurants and pubs in the Campania area of Italy
(south of Naples and all the way to Salerno+).   I was interested in this because I had lived in Sorrento Solo for 3 months while assessing if I could really live in Italy as an Italian.   Since I am Italian American I thought it would be no problema!  While there I was on a very tight budget since I still had to maintain a home in the USA and had NO income.  Sounds like my life now with out the view of the sea, view of the bella people and great food.     So I did not have the opportunity to eat in the wonderful places listed in their report.   Please see below.


However, to compare their opinion with that of my travel angel, Andrea, I asked him to rate the list.
Why is Andrea a travel angel?  see at the bottom of this post..*******


Venere's post from Face Book:

Venere Travel Blog > Restaurants & Food > Best Restaurants and Pubs in Campania



Best Restaurants and Pubs in Campania


Anita Choudhary Thursday, May 6th, 2010

One of Southern Italy’s most beautiful regions is Campania. It is the most densely populated area in Italy as well as being the second most populated region of the country. Throughout the region’s colorful history, it has been at the center of Western Civilization since the beginning. The capital city of Campania, as well as a very popular tourist destination is Naples but the entire region is rich in architecture, culture, and of course, Italian cuisine.


Throughout the region, there is definitely no lack of great pubs and restaurants to explore and enjoy while visiting Campania. Whether it is the allure of active nightlife over a few rounds of beer or wine, or if you want a romantic dinner for two to cap off your evening out, Campania has something for every taste. The following is a list of our choices for the best pubs and restaurants to enjoy while you are visiting this region of Southern Italy.
Bar del Carmine Di Collela E Fattorusso
Located right in the center of the city of Sorrento, this is one of the more popular pubs in the Amalfi Coast and the entire region. Many visitors rave about the relaxing atmosphere and that it is the best place to kick back and just watch the world fly by.


Bar Birecto
Considered to be the best traditional café and pub in the town of Atrani, it is one of the most popular meeting places in the town and is always a hub of activity.


Tramp’s Pub
Rated as the best combination pub and restaurant in the city of Salerno, Tramp’s is always a busy place. You’ll want to consider making reservations well ahead of when you want to eat or endure a lengthy wait if you show up during peak dining hours.

Jolly Blu


Another great combination pub and restaurant located in the city of Sant’Agnello it is definitely one of the city’s most popular dining and drinking destinations as well as a must-see stop on your itinerary.


Da Giovanni’s
A multi-use type of restaurant located in Avellino, Da Giovanni’s has something for every one including families with children or having a business meeting. Additionally, the facility features outdoor seating to enhance your meal or you can take advantage of their take-out buffet. Italian cuisine is the primary aspect of the menu, but you can also enjoy American, fish and chips, Mediterranean, and Mexican.


Patchwork


Another great restaurant for families with children located in the city of Salerno and features a wide array of cuisines including American barbeque and Middle Eastern cuisine. The restaurant operates on a buffet format and provides the diner with outdoor seating to make your dining experience that much more enjoyable.


Photo of Atrani, in the Amalfi Coast, by Allerina & Glen MacLarty.









Andrea, who works in travel had the following opinions.


restaurants, here are my TOP choices  as per Andrea:  


In Amalfi, try La Caravella and Da Gemma.


In Conca dei Marini, Ciccio cielo mare e terra.


In Positano: Le tre sorelle, in front of the beach, and La Tagliata located in the highest part of the village.


In Praiano La Brace


In Salerno Tramp's Pub

The most famous (and VERY expensive) restaurant in the area is probably Don


Alfonso, in Sant'Agata (between Positano and Sorrento).      Did he say "Don"?


PUBs


yes Birecto in Atrani, and del Carmine in Sorrento are indeed nice.


in Salerno, in via roma, you will find about 50 pubs next each to other. Salerno, during the week end, is famous for its movida (night life along its many pubs)








I promised you an explaination about Andrea.   The additonal information on Salerno is on part 2,
see you there

ice cream the next food group!

once again, Dream Of Italy, (subscribe to their news letter) has captured a part of Vita Italia that we do not have here.  read and dream.   This is something any Solo Traveler can do!   Go now, Go Home To Itlay!!!

Dream of Italy Travel Newsletter: A Reason to Fly to Italy: The Florence Gelato FestivalDream of Italy Travel Newsletter's Notes.


A Reason to Fly to Italy: The Florence Gelato FestivalShare. Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 8:55am

Florence, what some consider the mecca for gelato lovers, will host the Florence Gelato Festival from May 28th through the 31st. Gelato (to call it ice cream is to not do it justice) is practically a staple food in Italy and especially in Florence. The festival expected to draw 300,000 visitors to the city for the weekend event.

Piazzas and squares all over the city will turn into outdoor gelato markets where the public can line up to sample the rich, creamy ice cream served in biodegradable, earth-friendly cups. The Gelato Festival will also incorporate gelato-making demonstrations and games for children.

Visitors can also attend meetings and seminars in Piazza Santissima Annunziata to learn about the history and consumption of gelato in Florence, starting with the man who invented gelato – Bernardo Buontalenti, a 16th-century Florentine architect, painter, and food enthusiast – and continuing to present-day gelato artisans. These workshops will also educate participants about the range of techniques used in the production of gelato.
The festival aims not only to provide visitors with delicious ice cream, but also to educate foreigners about the quality and importance of gelato as an indispensable Italian product. Besides its large contribution to the Italian and global economy – gelato has increased in sales and production during the current recession – the unique ice cream is also recommended by some Italian doctors for the reported “happy effects” it produces in consumers. -- Elaine Murphy

What was that cheese? Food In Italy is all Important.

An article I found on Sorrento Info.  A great group of travel professonals in Sorrentol.
The generously allowed me to use their office a few days while living in Sorrento.  Kind and generous and a great source of accomdations and other info.  Be sure to see their web cam in the center of Sorrento.  You will feel like you are living there!

http://fwww.sorrentoinfo.com/

The Provolone del Monaco cheese

Besides being a beautiful natural and historic place, the Sorrentine Peninsula is famous for its gastronomy and delicious typical products. Among these products there is one of the most tasty and appreciated cheese all over the world: the Provolone del Monaco. It is produced on the Lattari Mountains, an area with a wholesome air, pasture lands and plenty of water.


In ancient times the product was brought to Naples to be sold because it was too expensive for the rural inhabitants. During the sea journey from the beach of Seiano to the port of Naples, shepherds used to wear a long mantle to shelter themselves from the cold so that they seemed real monks. That’s why the cheese is called ‘Provolone del Monaco’ (Monk’s Cheese).

Technically speaking, the Provolone del Monaco is the result of a raw milk processing. The milk comes from Agerolese cows and is rich in organoleptic properties. The cheese has a characteristic ‘pear’ shape, but it can also have a cylindrical one. After it has reached the desired shape, the pickle, drying and maturing phases follow. They are made in cellars for a period of time that goes from 4 to 18 months.