[lodwick]

Good morning. Are you trying to see as much as possible, or do you have a specific interest ie architecture, cuisine, art, that interests you?

Our first trip in 1983 originated in Frankfurt where we started our Eurail adventure to Vienna for a few days, south to Venice for shopping and gawking, back north to Monte Carlo, Nice, and then to Geneva where Pam's sister's family lived.

We had no reservations for lodging so we could stay as long, or as short a time at any one stop. The only place my strategy proved weak was in Monte Carlo: turned out that we arrived around 12am during Grand Prix. Reservations during this week are like season tickets to the Packer's football games - they are so prized as to be mentioned in folk's wills! Yikes. So we reboarded the next train and continued on to Nice where lodging was secured.

Last October our neighbors spent a wonderful two weeks in Rome and are ready to return - there is that much to see and do in the Eternal City.

Whatever you do -pack LIGHTLY. All those duds you won't wear sure do start to weigh heavily upon the shoulders. You will have a wonderful time, guaranteed!

[Endeavor]

You are so on the money, "Pack Light." I am always a pig when I travel - I take everything and boy is it not the right strategy when going overseas. Lod, sounds like you are a great traveler & I'll bet not too shabby a tour guide.

[MaeWest]

Lodwick, you are right on target when you say pack light and don't worry about reservations (unless you are arriving during some event that fills up all accomodations - in that case do get reservations or better yet, don't stay overnight there). We've traveled a fair amount and only a couple of times did we have any problem finding a place to stay. Try to arrive in town early enough to scout around and get a room established. The real biggie is travel light so you are mobile. The carry-on bags that convert to a backpack are ideal.