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CATCH THE WIND TOURS (return to top of page) Small Group Tours to Villas and Exciting Destinations Around the World Catering to small groups (16 to 20) wishing to explore a particular area in depth, in a semi-autonomous manner (no get-on-the-bus, spend an hour, get-back-on-the-bus cattle calls here). Sign up for a fabulous two-week stay in a villa in Tuscany, or a week in a Luxurious Spa in Mexico. Drop me an e-mail to be placed on the mailing list to learn of the many other exciting trips in the works. Also specializing in reunions and gatherings of like-minded people that are seeking opportunities to share quality time and experiences: families, sororities, religious groups, golfers, rotary clubs, chamber of commerce, fraternal organizations, photo safaris, same sex... the list is endless. You get 16-20 people together, and I'll make it happen. Italy, Mexico, Greece, and France now, other countries later. Contact me and we'll talk about where you would like to go, and the dates that work best for your group. Or, you may prefer to sign up individually for one of my general tours. Singles, couples, small groups welcome. You may be strangers when you leave home, but many new friendships are to be found along the way. These tours are best suited to folks that are friendly, adventurous, fun-loving, and flexible. The choice is yours; the possibilities are endless.
October 2008 & May 2009 Staying in a villa is one of the least expensive and perhaps most rewarding travel experiences there is. Join me with a small group of 16 on one of my spring or fall trips to Tuscany, the two best times of the year in this region. This concept has really caught on. Previous trips have been rousing successes (see testimonials below). October 2008 and May 2009 are now being offered. The four-day extension to Cinque Terre has also proven popular. Take a look at the feedback from the May and October 2007 inaugural tours, and what’s being offered, and if you’re interested, give me a call. ...Ihla (702-294-4365) or ihla@cox.net 2007 Tours feedback: "Drifter Sister's Tuscany 2007 trip was a unique blend of independent travel and guided tour. The availability of a rental car allowed the freedom to plan our own daily itinerary, if we wished, while Ihla, the trip guide, planned group excursions, arranged for private guides, acquired tickets, helped with planning with her wealth of information about the area and provided all the incidentals of a group tour -- all with an eye to individualized needs! Thank you, Ihla. It was a wonderful trip." -- Phyllis "This was a beautifully executed trip with the perfect mix of structure and freedom. There was enough sightseeing to satisfy me, and enough relaxation to satisfy my husband. All in all, it was perfect!" -- Margaret "The whole adventure went like clockwork, thanks to Ihla's planning. You can see and do as much or as little as you want. Villa accommodations and scenery were outstanding, and the staff was always available to assist with any details." -- Jennifer "Never felt unsafe, perfect weather, knowing some Italian is helpful." -- Terry "If you want a trip you will not forget, sign up for this one." -- Theda "A wonderful escape from day to day sameness." -- Diana "An amazing adventure!" -- Jeff "Ihla is not your typical tour guide. She is a mother hen." -- JoAnn
THE VILLAS: BORGO CORSIGNANO (in Poppi, near Arezzo) & SAN GIUSEPPE (near Siena) The grounds of Corsignano, a renovated medieval village, are charming, and the views of the Tuscan countryside can't be beat. It is in the Casentino Valley, near the town of Poppi. San Giuseppe is in the Chianti country, near Siena. In addition to their picturesque scenery, these villas are in good locations for day trips, by car or train, to many wonderful Tuscan hill towns and villages. DATES: *COST PER PERSON: INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: *If you would prefer to arrange and pay for your own rental car, and not share, $200/person can be deducted from the cost of the trip. Please talk to me about this. *This package is priced in accordance with exchange rates as of March 2008 (Euro ratio 1.5 to 1). Should the rates of exchange fluctuate more than three (3) percent, a price adjustment may be made. Cancellation Policy: If you must cancel 120 days prior to departure (for any reason), and have not yet been ticketed, you will receive 100% refund of any monies you have paid to Drifter Sister. If a cancellation occurs between 119 and 75 days prior to departure, and you have not yet been ticketed, you will receive a 75% refund of any monies you have paid to Drifter Sister. In the case of a cancellation after 75 days prior to departure, or once you have been ticketed prior to this date, a 50% refund of monies paid to Drifter Sister will be allowed only if a replacement can be found for you. Otherwise there will be no refund. SOME DAY TRIPS we’ll be choosing from (by car, bus or train):
Chianti Region This driving day trip through Chianti wine country will be one of your most memorable. The scenery of rolling vineyards and hilltop vistas is unsurpassed. Cortona One of the oldest cities in Tuscany. It was founded by the Etruscans, whose work can still be seen in the foundations of the town’s massive stone walls. Setting for the book, Under the Tuscan Sun.
Stia Poppi’s close neighbor, a bustling, attractive village on the Arno. There are two medieval Guidi family castles nearby. Arezzo One of the wealthiest cities in Tuscany, it produces gold jewelry for shops all over Italy. The film A Beautiful Life was filmed here. The historic section is lovely, and it has a very good Etruscan Museum.
Asissi A beautiful little city. Another must see. It is not in Tuscany, but Umbria, and may be a little far south, but is well worth the journey. We will take the train from Poppi to Asissi. I will never forget my first glimpse of this pink-stoned gem on the side of a hill. It is still a very religious city with several important churches and works of art. Perugia College town, and chocolate capital of Italy. Near Asissi, but the two need a full day each. Full of wonderful marble carvings.
This is just a small sampling. There are many, many more wonderful towns, too. Enough for several trips, actually. SOME THOUGHTS & CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE YOU DECIDE If this sounds like something you would like to do, give me a call at 702-294-4365 or send an e-mail to add your name to my mailing list.
Let's Go to Tuscany Extension Top of section
CINQUE TERRE/PISA EXTENSION Four Nights, Four Days, All Inclusive Oct 18-22 '08 & May 23-27 '09 $700*/person October '08 $750*/person May '09 *Based on Euro 1.50 to US$1.00 INCLUDED: Virtually Everything Cinque Terre is on the northwest coast of Italy, at the southern end of the Italian Riviera. It is Cinque Terre is a wonderful end to our journey in Italy. It is convenient to get there by train. The weather is great in May, is usually still nice in October, and should not be too teeming with tourists in either time Cinque Terre – being on the cusp of the Italian Riviera – and Pisa – being the tourist mecca that it is – are not cheap. The price just covers expenses, literally, and is based on double occupancy (if you’re a single, we’ll match you up with a roommate, or calculate a single supplement if you prefer). The park pass will be the least of our cost, but you will soon see how invaluable it is to our stay. The plan is to leave San Guiseppe on Friday or Saturday along with the rest of our group, drive to Florence, turn in the cars, and get on the train for Cinque Terre. We will arrive by early afternoon, and be settled into our rooms by early evening, in time to catch a dinner and sample the nightlife if so desired. The next two days will be spent sightseeing, hiking, or lolling on one of the few public beaches. Early the final morning we will head out by train to Pisa, arriving noon-ish. The afternoon will be spent taking in the Leaning Tower and other highlights. Dinner that night, and then to the modest hotel near the train station, for a good night’s rest *This package is priced in accordance with exchange rates as of August 2007 (Euro ratio 1.38 to 1). Should the rates of exchange fluctuate more than three (3) percent, a price adjustment may be made. May 2007 feedback: "The most picturesque villages I've seen; views of the terracing for farming and views of the sea were breathtaking." -- Ellen "These gorgeous seaside villages provided an interesting contrast to the Tuscany experience. This is a seafood lover's paradise!" -- Margaret "All the towns in Cinque Terre are strikingly beautiful and fun to explore." -- Jennifer Luxurious 7-Day Spa or Spa/Golf Vacation November 30 - December 7, 2008 JUST $1400/ppdbl* (*plus airfare) A spa vacation in Mexico can be a fantastic bargain, costing in some cases thousands less than a similar facility in Arizona or California. Join me for a luxurious week at this charming, old-world hotel spa in beautiful Ixtapan de la Sal, 65 miles out of Mexico City. The trip planned in 2008 will take place the week after Thanksgiving. Get away from the cold (year-round temps in this locale average 75º), shape up, and shed those unwanted pounds you picked up eating turkey dressing and pumpkin pie. Sign up for either the luxurious Classic Spa or Spa/Golf package. Take a look at what’s being offered, and if you’re interested, or have questions, give me a call or e-mail. NOTE: A passport is needed for Mexico. ...Ihla (702-294-4365) DATES: COST PER PERSON: INCLUDED: SPA CLASSIC PACKAGE SPA GOLF PACKAGE NOT INCLUDED: Cancellation Policy: If you must cancel 120 days prior to departure (for any reason), and have not yet been ticketed, you will receive 100% refund of any monies you have paid to Drifter Sister. If a cancellation occurs between 119 and 75 days prior to departure, and you have not yet been ticketed, you will receive a 75% refund of any monies you have paid to Drifter Sister. In the case of a cancellation after 75 days prior to departure, or once you have been ticketed prior to this date, a 50% refund of monies paid to Drifter Sister will be allowed only if a replacement can be found for you. Otherwise there will be no refund.
TRAVEL TIPS & ARTICLES The following articles contain information that I hope you will find helpful. To facilitate use of the site for regular visitors, the articles are in order of posting (most recent first) and dated. Click on the title of the article and you will be taken directly to it. Feel free to print out those articles that might help as you plan your travels.
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TRAVEL TIPS & ARTICLES A TIP ON TIPPING (return to top of page) (Return to Travel Tips & Articles List) (posted July 28, 2007) I’ve read several articles about tipping in foreign countries, and they all pretty much say the same thing – Americans tip too much – but a recent item in the LA Times brought it home with a little different perspective that I would like to share with you. Tipping in general is a controversial subject. Here in the states it is a monster that is out of control… to the point that restaurants pay low wages to their employees expecting them to make it up on tips. Let’s not even go there; we probably cannot put this genie back in the bottle. However, we can share in an effort not to import this ‘vile system,’ as it has been called, overseas. The LA Times article points out that the practice of over-tipping is actually rude. “The most glaring way to show you’re an American – besides your accent – is to over-tip. In some countries, particularly Asia, it isn’t even considered polite to tip. ... You’re saying that the person you’re tipping isn’t hospitable enough to provide service without a bribe.” Countries in which you should NOT tip at all in restaurants include: Costa Rica, Denmark, Japan, and New Zealand. And in most others 5-10% is fine. It all boils down to respect. “As the world shrinks, it behooves us to learn the nuances of other cultures. … To do so is the most fundamental way of showing respect.” How can you do this? Do your homework. Check the guidebooks of the places you will be visiting, or ask someone in the country, such as a concierge. Just say, “We’re from out of town, and we don’t know what the custom is on tipping.” Check the bill or menu. Sometimes the tip is included. In Italy, the menu may say servizio incluso, or on the bill it’s a line that says servizio. For a country by country list, check out the Travel Advice section of Magellan’s Travel Supply website www.magellans.com. Here you will find a table listing the recommended tipping percentages for restaurants, porters, and taxis. This article is a little difficult to locate on the website. Here's how to find it: 1. From the magellans.com Home Page, click on Travel Advice; 2. On this page you will see a list of Travel Articles. From this list, click on Planning; 3. Once on the Planning page, click on the last blue entry, Worldwide Tipping Guide. A FEW SIMPLE TRAVEL TIPS (return to top of page) (Return to Travel Tips & Articles List) (posted July 28, 2007) Cheap Security. For awhile there after 9/11 we weren’t allowed to put locks on our luggage. Now we can, but only Travel Sentry Certified combination locks that are TSA approved. The TSA employees have special tools that let them open these locks to inspect your luggage, and then re-lock them. This type of lock can be purchased in a luggage store or through catalogs such as Travel Smith (travelsmith.com) and Magellan’s (magellans.com), costing about $20.00 a pair. Actually, I haven’t used locks on my luggage for years. Figured those little locks wouldn’t be much of a challenge for a determined thief anyway. Instead, I use twist ties. Since I figure the primary goal is to keep the zippers on the luggage from opening and spilling out the contents, the twist ties are an inexpensive and effective alternative. Pesky Pills. How about a space-saving and simple way to carry your pills? Those plastic 7-day pill containers take up space and tend to open up and spill their contents. Plus, I’m getting to where all my vitamins and prescription meds don’t fit in one, so must take two. My sister Karen (the 'other' Drifter Sister) showed me a nifty trick. Get yourself some tiny plastic bags (about 2”x2” – the best place to find them is at a bead store), and with a black marker write the letters of the week on them – M for Monday, Tu for Tuesday, Th for Thursday, and so on. Put your daily allotment of pills in each of the tiny bags and put all of them in a larger baggie. Each day the bulk of the baggie diminishes as the contents of each little bag gets used. Cross Dressing. Finally, here’s a tip that might save you a lot of grief if an airline loses or misplaces your luggage. When two people are traveling together, each should put one outfit in the other’s luggage. That way if one of the bags gets lost or doesn’t show up right away, at least the unlucky victim has a change of clothes that can be used until the bag shows up.
LEARN A LITTLE LANGUAGE (return to top of page) (Return to Travel Tips & Articles List) (posted July 28, 2007) In an earlier article, I talked about how valuable it is to learn some of the customs of the country to which you are traveling. Another aspect of thoughtful travel is spending some time learning a little of their language. I know the idea seems daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s surprising how far a few simple words or phrases, such as please and thank you will take you on this journey. Excuse me might come in handy, as well as good morning, and good night. Where is… and What is it? are important. And where would the American traveler be without knowing the answer to How much does it cost? Include I don’t understand; Where is the restroom?; Go away; and help to feel more comfortable and safe, and you will have your minimum working vocabulary. At the end of this article is a list of these terms for Italy. And don’t wait until you are there to find out what these few words and phrases are. A pre-trip visit to the library or local bookstore will give you access to foreign language dictionaries, in which you can look them up. Jot them down on a little card that you can carry around in your pocket during your trip. The added effort will pay off. And I’ll tell you what else impresses the ‘natives’ – not just knowing these phrases, but how to pronounce them. Those planning on spending more than just a day or overnight in a country might want to take this pronunciation part of the equation a bit more to heart. Recently I was introduced to a technique that gives you the tools to pronounce most foreign languages like a pro. Easily Pronounced Language Systems, Inc. (EPLS) has developed a phonetic system that can be used for many languages, and they are working to add more. They provided their guide to the entire media covering the US Olympics in Greece (to rave reviews) and will be providing Chinese communication for Beijing in 2008. EPLS has developed a series of little (and luckily for us inexpensive) books entitled, Say It Right in [fill in a country]. Since I am leading tours to Tuscany twice a year, I have been perusing Say It Right in Italian, and it has already proven helpful. Find out more on their website, www.eplsworld.com. Once on the site, you can order a book by clicking the "Say It Right" button on the panel on the left. By clicking on one of the book icons on this page, you will be taken to the McGraw-Hill site to order. Helpful words and phrases for Italy: Please = Per Favore (pair)(fah-voe-ray) Thank You = Grazie (gra-tzi-ay) Excuse me (request passage/admittance) = Permesso (per-mess-oe) Excuse me (bumping into someone) = Scusi (scoo-see) Good Day = Buon Giorno (bwon)(djor-know) Good Evening = Buona Sera (bwon-a)(say-rah) or notte (no-teh) Good by = Arrivederci (ah-ree-vey-der-tchy) Where is = Dov'e (doe-vay) How much does it cost? = Quanto Costa? (Quahnn-toe)(koss-tah) What is it? = Che Cos'e? (kay)(coss-ay) I don't understand = Non Capisco (nonn)(kah-peace-koh) Where is the restroom? = Dove sono i gabinetti (doh-veh)(soh-noh)(ee)(gah-bee-net-tee) Go away! = Vada via! (vah-dah)(vee-ah) Help! = Aiuto! (eye-oo-toe) DEALING WITH ELECTRICITY IN EUROPE (return to top of page) (Return to Travel Tips & Articles List) (posted April 13, 2007) Nothing seems to be more confusing or frustrating than trying to figure out what is needed to deal with electricity in Europe. I think we all make it more difficult than it needs to be. I don’t claim to understand it fully, but will try to explain a little about it in the simplest terms possible. First, in the U.S. we are supplied electricity by our local power company at 110 or 120 volts and 60 Hz (or Hertz). European electricity is generally supplied at 220 volts with a frequency of 50 Hz. Some localities have 110 volts, but don’t let that fool you. They still use a 50 Hz frequency, which could cause you problems. So, to use our electrical appliances in Europe, some hardware is needed in order to plug in without electrocuting your machine, and maybe yourself. Hair dryers and irons (the most common culprits), run at high wattage, so a converter may be needed. I say ‘may be needed’ because some of the appliances have a dual voltage switch. Check yours to see if it has such a switch. If not, a converter will reduce the 220 volts to 110. Other common appliances include razors and battery chargers. Many of them will work without a converter, but you should check that it is marked 50/60 Hz, and not 60 Hz, or you can run the risk of burning it up even when using a converter. Chargers for many modern tech devices accommodate both U.S. and foreign currencies. Check the small print on the back of your charger. Most now say, "Input: 100-240V 50/60Hz". If it doesn't, check your paperwork for your cell phone, iPod, Wolverine, Palm Pilot or other personal equipment to see if this is the case. If not, you will need a converter. You will also need plug adapters (even for the above-mentioned tech devices) because European plugs are different than ours. And they vary from country to country. For instance, the British and Irish use a three pronged plug, and most of the continent's outlets only accept a plug with 2 round prongs – but that varies, too. And it even varies within the same country depending upon the age of the building. I know it sounds crude, but a general rule of thumb in old buildings is that if your appliance starts smelling hot or smoke starts coming out, turn it off immediately. Still confused? Me too, but I’ve solved the problem by purchasing a ‘kit’ that contains a converter and several plug adapters. The converter has a little switch on it that indicates high or low voltage (lo for 0-25 watt appliances; hi for 26-1875 watt appliances), and each plug is labeled with the countries it can be used in. I found an inexpensive set at K-Mart a couple years back. This kit has worked so far in Africa, Italy, and the ship we were on in the Galapagos Islands. You can also find these kits at most luggage stores. A good site to learn more about this, and many other useful topics, is www.enjoy-europe.com. From the home page, click on Chapter 11, Electricity.
LET’S TALK MONEY (return to top of page) (Return to Travel Tips & Articles List) (posted March 2007) Note: There are many helpful links in the following text. When you are finished viewing them, remember to click the back arrow in the top left corner of your browser to get back to this page. One of the concerns we have about foreign travel is what to do about money. Do I need to carry American dollars with me? Should I get some foreign currency before I go? Do I need foreign money in a foreign airport? Should I get traveler’s checks or use my ATM card, or what? I can’t answer all questions that might come up, but I offer below some possible answers to these questions and a few tips that I hope will be helpful. Do I need to carry American dollars with me? For most of my foreign traveling life, my mantra as I went out the door, and all the way to the airport was: "Tickets, passport, money; tickets, passport, money." I would have to physically touch or look at these items at least a few times during the journey to the airport to allay my anxiety. Now the mantra is "e-ticket confirmation number, passport, ATM & Credit Cards." If I have any American dollars, it will consist of a wad of ones and a couple of twenties. The former for tips (a lot of countries – third world in particular – accept, and sometimes even welcome, the American Dollar for tips), and the latter for meals, snacks, or maybe a magazine in the US airports going and coming. Nowadays, I don’t even take dollar bills to Europe. You will find that most European countries, especially those using the Euro, don’t want our money, even for tips. In fact, I have heard that there may be some parts of the world where it is actually illegal for them to accept our dollar. My general rule of thumb is: If their money is worth LESS than ours, they like our dollars; if their money is worth MORE than ours, we might as well keep it in our pockets. Speaking of the Euro (were we?)... the Euro has simplified things for those traveling to multiple countries in Europe. Participating countries include: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. In some of these countries (Italy for one) you can still use their old currency, but it is best, and far simpler, to use Euros. Will I need foreign currency before I leave? In most cases, the answer is no. However, one of my sources suggests you might like to arrive with a little in your pocket for cab fare to your hotel. Options include getting some delivered right to your door (one website that offers this is www.oanda.com – free delivery, but there is a $200 minimum and exchange fees apply), or from your bank – there will be a fee charged, and they generally don’t have it on hand, so you will need to give them at least a week’s notice. You will want to call your branch to check out their rules and procedures. And if you’re going on a cruise, don’t worry about getting foreign currency. What little you will need in port can be bought from the purser on the ship. Try to anticipate this necessity and be first in line because sometimes they run out. Okay, so how do I get it once I’m there? The best way to get foreign currency is from an ATM machine in your destination country. Before you depart, check the back of your card to find your network, and then call or check on-line for ATM locations at your destination. The most common networks are Cirrus (800-424-7787, www.mastercard.com - see note below* before clicking this link), and Plus (800-843-7587, www.visa.com). Visa's website (for Plus) is more helpful. They have a link right at the top of the page that says "ATM Locator." Once you click on that, you just have to enter the country and city and up comes a map and addresses where ATM's are located. If you want advance information for Mastercard (Cirrus) you will need to call the 800 number before you leave. Their website doesn't seem to be helpful for advance planning. It is designed for those with access to the internet once already in the foreign country. On the home page, you must click on 'ATM Locations' under the heading of 'Card Benefits and Services'. Then, you input the address of where you are and it will show you websites near your location. Another thing I don't like about the Mastercard site is that it wouldn't let me back out of it. *If you wish to check it out, I suggest you wait until you have finished purusing Drifter Sister, because it will not let you come back to this page. And, how about that few bucks (or yen, or mark, or a pound) to pay the cab driver to get you to your hotel? Well, most airports have money exchange offices, although I generally wait for better rates. Or, if you have time to search for it, most airports have an ATM machine. However, depending upon how long you are going to be in a particular country, this may not be practical, since the minimum amount you will have to pull out may be more than you will have time to spend. And, finally, your hotel may be willing to exchange a limited amount for you to get by until the next day – for a fee, of course. IMPORTANT NOTE: Foreign ATM machines accept 4-number PINs only. If your PIN is longer, you will need to change it before you go. Do I need foreign money in foreign airports? As you depart you shouldn’t need any because you can use your credit card to pay for meals or any large items you might need. However, as you return, it is a good place to get rid of your left over foreign currency. In addition to meals or snacks, you might wait until you’re on your way out to buy little souvenir items. Most airports have shops carrying items typical of the country, many of which you have most likely seen throughout your travels. Granted, if you’re into buying upscale regional items or fine artwork there may be occasions when it might be worth schlepping your treasure around with you – sometimes this can be done conveniently, but most of the time not. I must admit, I have fallen prey to the lures of the Sirens myself a time or two. (You may not know this, but an oil painting purchased in, let’s say, Athens, can be taken off of its stretcher boards, rolled up, and placed in your suitcase. Once home, a professional framer can stretch it back onto boards and frame it just fine for proud display in, let’s say, your family room.) Who are we to judge another when that other has fallen in love with what they are convinced is surely an example of the next Picasso? The reality is, you’re most likely in the market for something to take home as a memento for yourself or friends/relatives. In this case, I suggest waiting til the last minute and using up your foreign currency in your airport of departure. What is the best way to pay for things? Credit cards are your best bet for hotels, meals, and more costly souvenirs. You will have a record of all your expenses, and they usually give you the best exchange rates. Be aware that most now charge a 1% to 2% international transaction fee. To avoid rejections, notify your credit card company of your impending trip abroad. IMPORTANT NOTES: 1. Credit cards are NOT the best way to get your foreign currency. For currency conversion, most banks charge an additional 2% fee above the fee charged by the credit card company, and may tack finance charges on, to boot. 2. Notify your credit card company of your impending trip abroad. Carry the card’s toll-free number with you in case it is refused or lost. If you have more than one card, it is best to take more than one, in case one is not accepted. What about traveler’s checks? Although traveler’s checks offer a measure of safety, they can also be a bit of a pain. They are best used to pay directly for things. If you use them to exchange for currency there will be fees involved. You can generally trade American Express Travelers checks for foreign currency sans fees at an American Express office, which you will find in many large European cities, but do you want to spend your sightseeing time looking for and getting to one of these offices? BOTTOM LINE: No matter what method you use, there is no free ride. You will pay a fee of 1% at the very least. My Visa card charges a 1% foreign transaction fee. Other cards may charge more. You might check this out before you go so you will not be surprised when you get your bill upon returning home. COMMUNICATING WHILE ABROAD (return to top of page) (Return to Travel Tips & Articles List) (Posted November 2006) Note: There are many helpful links in the following text. When you are finished viewing them, remember to click the back arrow in the top left corner of your browser to get back to this page. While doing research for my first Let's Go To Tuscany tour [blatant plug for a tour to Italy I offer – see below], I came across an interesting article entitled “Using a cell phone outside the U.S.” Turns out there’s a big, seamless network that allows cross-border cell phone use in Europe and other countries worldwide, including the U.S., making it possible to use your very own cell phone abroad. Did you know about this? I didn’t, so decided to learn more about it. So far, only T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless, and Cingular sell phones with this capability. And for it to work, your phone must be a relatively new version. Because my phone was three years old, I went to my carrier (T-Mobile) and purchased (for a mere $19.95) a nice little flip-top model – capable of all sorts of new things, including working in Europe. Nice. When you’re ready to use it, a couple weeks before leaving on your trip, you must call your carrier to let them know the dates of your trip, and which country you will be visiting, in order to make sure that it uses the same frequency as your phone (most are compatible), and to get it unlocked. Don't wait too long. The first time I did it I waited til the week before and almost didn't get the phone unlocked in time. Your carrier must forward the request to the manufacturer of the phone, and they have no control over how long it will take to get permission. Could take anywhere from 48 hours, up to 2 weeks. When your carrier receives permission, you will receive instructions on how to unlock the phone once you arrive in the destination country. So, now that your phone is unlocked, you can do one of the following two things, depending on the circumstances. 1. If you are going to just use the phone for emergencies, or to call home once or twice while away, your carrier will add world class roaming at no extra charge. However calls will have an expensive per minute rate (at least 99¢ a minute), and you will be charged for incoming minutes as well. 2. If you will need to use your phone a lot within the foreign country – to call ahead for reservations, say, or communicate with other trip members – a cheaper way might be to buy and install a prepaid SIM (or TIM) card once you are in the destination country. The SIM card is a little removable computer memory phone chip that holds your data – all cell phones have them. You will get a local phone number – and much, much lower calling rates. When you return back to the states, you simply take out the new SIM card and put your old one back in, and your phone is back to normal. Note: This option does not let you make calls back to the U.S. For either of these options you will need a world-capable multi band phone such as many models offered by Sony Ericsson, Motorola, or Samsung. And it must be an ‘unlocked’ world phone. (Some cell phone operators sell ‘locked’ phones, that won’t work.) Check with your carrier to see if your phone qualifies, or, if you’re ready to buy a new one, make sure it qualifies. A third option is renting a phone. You can do this in most countries once you’re there, but it is preferable to do it before you leave, so you can give loved ones and business associates your number. This is not cheap – usually $40 to $50/week, and airtime fees are high – up to a dollar a minute (although incoming calls are usually free). Two good wireless rental companies are InTouch USA (800-872-7626) and RoadPost (888-290-1606). For Italy: Rentacell (877-736-8355) will even deliver the phone to you for free. And, finally, for safe-arrival and check-on-the-home-front calls, you can purchase a phone card when you arrive at your destination. Most phone booths accept these cards, and for the equivalent of $7.00 or so, you can get about 100 minutes, thus allowing you to make a few short calls home. As you can see, many options are available. You need to choose which one is best for you. I lead tours in Italy, and need the phone to make calls within the country (to make and confirm reservations, etc.). Last time I was there I got my phone unlocked before leaving and purchased a local TIM card (apparently this is the same as a SIM card). This worked quite well, however it was not as easy as I thought to find a place to purchase it. The literature says that you can buy them in the airports, but I couldn't find any way to do so in the Florence airport. I finally found, in a small shopping mall, what looks like a franchise store, called, roughly translated, The Phone House, where I was able to get a TIM card to put in my phone in place of its SIM card. This was free. I then had a choice to pay 5 or 10 Euros (or more) in advance, which gave me credit to make calls up to that limit. I was charged .19 Euro per call, plus .16 Euro per minute. This worked very well for my purposes. Some good web sites to find out more about this are: Slow Travel, and Europe for Visitors. (Reference: Italy for Dummies, 3rd Edition, by Bruce Murphy and Alessandra de Rosa)
RENTING A VILLA IN ITALY (return to top of page) (Return to Travel Tips & Articles List) (Posted June 2006, revised November 2006) |
Florence A must see. In fact, some of us will surely want to make two visits. The tour's only excursion will include transportation to and from Florence, a 3-hour guided tour (including tickets to Sante Croce Church and the Accademia – where Michelangelo's David is), and lunch.
Siena A city of steep medieval alleys surrounding the Piazza del Campo, location of the famous Palio. The palio is Tuscany's most celebrated festival, the bareback horse race in which neighborhood is pitted against neighborhood. A cooking class option is offered.
San Gimignano This “city of beautiful towers” is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Tuscany. It is near Sienna, and is thus a full-day trip. The movie Tea with Mussolini was filmed here. 
Montelupo Charming little city we might visit on the way to Pisa. Boasts of being the ceramic capital of Italy, and has a nice ceramics museum.
Poppi Our ‘home base,’ so to speak. The older part of Poppi is located high on a hill. Its splendid castle, the imposing Castello di Poppi contains an interesting museum, and it can be seen from as far away as Bibbiena, many miles to the south (and Corsignano, our villa, of course). 
Lucca Became a colony of ancient Rome in 180 BC, and the town’s Roman legacy is still evident. It is enclosed by massive red brick walls, which help to give the city its special character. These walls are one of the best-preserved Renaissance defenses in Europe.
Volterra Situated on a high plateau, Volterra offers uninterrupted views over the surrounding hills. In many places the ancient Etruscan walls still stand.
Pisa There is more to see than the famous leaning tower, but it can be done as a long day trip. Those on the extension will fly home out of Pisa.
breathtakingly gorgeous, and a totally different experience from Tuscany. Cinque (five) Terre is a district of five ancient fishing villages that, until recently, have been hidden gems, possibly due to their inaccessibility. It is very difficult to reach them by car, so you must travel to and between them by train. Both Italians and American tourists flock there in abundance now, but in the spring we get there before the influx, before the tourist season really gets into swing, and in the fall the tourist season is winding down.
frame. There are beaches to walk, trails to hike, and charming little churches to see. Three nights will give you time to see all the sights, and get a taste of the place, without totally breaking your wallet or adding too many days onto your time away from home.
before flying home the final day.