Traveling to Europe for the First Time 

One of the most important things that I have had on my bucket list is to travel to Europe.  In my daily driving of people going to Europe for travel I would always ask what is the best places to visit in Europe.  I had several countries in mind but I finally narrowed my country down to Italy. 

Once I had the  country narrowed down I realized that I wanted to go to Venice, Florence, and Rome.  I knew I only could go for a week because of work so I decided to spend three days in Venice, one day in Florence, and two days in Rome.  

Pre Planning of the Hotels

I spoke to many people who had traveled to Italy and I watched a great deal of You Tube videos of recommendations for Hotels.  Once I selected and booked hotels in the three cities I moved on to booking my flight.  Since I am always at Dulles International Airport picking people up from Europe.  I thought this is where I am going to leave from.  I did not want to get any connection, I just wanted to fly directly to Rome, Italy.  I knew an airport shuttle company that could pick me up from my home and drive me directly to the airport.  

Relax and Ride Carlisle https://www.relaxandridecarlisle.com  is a local shuttle service based out of Carlisle that I knew I was going to use.  The cost was worthwhile considering the other companies I called for quotes.  

United Airlines Economy

I booked directly with United Airlines because they had a direct flights to Rome Italy and I got reasonably priced airline tickets. Once everything was booked and paid for all I had to do was wait. 

Most Amazing Experience

Rome, Italy November 2024

The trip to Italy was amazing.  The first City that I traveled to was Venice upon my arrival to Rome.  By train the trip was beautiful looking out the window at the Italian countryside. 

Venice, Italy Experience 

Upon arriving in Venice it was just breathtaking.  The sunsets were awesome and the weather was great.  The food was really just remarkable.  During the days I would walk for real long stretches due to excursions.   I went to Marano and Burano one day and St Marks Square the other days.  The first couple days I did at least 15,000 steps.  On the third day I just stayed in Venice and explored.   It is such a great place to be.  The people were very welcoming. 

Rome, Italy November 2024

Florence, Italy Experience

Florence was a totally different vibe.  I only stayed there for a day but it is very walkable but be careful because there are alot of cars and public transportation there.  Florence was great in that the food was just out of this world.  I had pizza which was just so authentic and very good.  The hotel that we stayed was kind of noisy at night but they had a really nice breakfast. 

Finally Rome Experience 

Florence, Italy November 2024

We took the train to Rome for the last couple of days and that was a treat.  Rome was awesome.  We did the Vatican Guided Walking Tour and that was just great.  To see the architecture and the monuments was just fantastic.  I am not really an art person but it left me shaking my head.  We ate at a couple really nice locations.  The colosseum was also a very neat experience.

Rome, Italy November 2024

Takeaways 

When you travel to Europe make sure you have very comfortable walking shoes.  You are going to clock some miles over the days that you are there.  Also the most important takeaway for me with this trip was I will never travel economy ever again.  The eight hour flight really did a number on me.  My legs were cramped both ways and there is little room to move especially when your sitting next to someone.  I am going to only travel premium economy from now on no matter the cost.  Another thing that  I am going to make sure to do is make sure all the hotels have a breakfast.  Only two out of the three had breakfast.  When I read online the one hotel said they had breakfast but they failed to mention there was a cost involved.  

 

Venice, Italy November 2024