I'm finally going to continental Europe. What took me so damn long? I was in England in 2007-2008. I don't count that. It's an island. They don't use the euro. They speak English. C'mon...
But this coming February Carrie and I are finally headed to Europe. For Pete's sake, I've never been to Rome, Paris, Berlin, Zurich, or Madrid. Friends have tales and tales about their trips around Europe, and I got nuttin'. If you know me well, you know I'm an archaeology nut. Pyramids, Tut's Tomb, Stonehenge, Angkor Wat, Machu Picchu, Easter Island, but how could I have never yet set foot in Italy, let alone the Coliseum? That problem is about to be solved.
As for Rome, the research is basic. The hotel is being arranged for us so at least this time we won't spend weeks pouring through resources to investigate neighborhoods, hotels vs B&Bs, who has free breakfast and wifi and who doesn't, etc. When we finally know where we're staying, that's when we can begin to find out more about where we'll be centrally located and work from there. This time it's nice to have that decision made for us. The rest of the Rome research is mostly going to evolve around two things: 1) a map, and 2) local details. First, we have a few must-sees: the Coliseum, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and the Vatican (one of the reasons for going off-season and before the Lent/Easter holidays). Secondly, local details. These will include how to figure out our dinner check. Navigating the subway system. Ordering a meal. Cultural do's and don'ts. Studying city maps, getting oriented, mentally situating sites. Researching museum and site hours and admission (we're going in February during off-season so these details might be handy). Finding the train station to get to Naples.
In Naples, our basic plan is to eat plenty of pizza, tour Pompeii, and climb Vesuvius (although I'm researching if it's best to approach through Pompeii or Herculeneum). From there we may take in an opera if it's in season, and I hear the museum houses most of the magnificent artifacts from Pompeii. Our trip planning will be much more extensive for Naples since this is more of a side-trip from the Rome arrangements. We have to investigate neighborhoods, select lodging, as well as the typical navigational logistics.
As far as food in Rome and Naples is concerned, we'll probably wing it. There aren't many must-eat places on my list in either city. I figure it's Italy, the land of pizza, pasta, wine, cheese, and great meats. As far as I'm concerned, we can't go wrong. If the weather cooperates some days we may picnic. Or take something back to our hotel. Gelato will probably be consumed. And then there's the issue of wine. Drinking, yes, but also purchasing and getting it back to the US. Will it survive in checked baggage? Maybe I'll need hard-sided luggage? It won't be allowed in the carry-on, so otherwise do I have to ship it back separately? Logistics. I can't go to Italy and not return with a few bottles.
We definitely want to climb Vesuvius. Ever since we climbed Huayna Picchu, we relished in the physical challenge and the joy of overcoming a monumental obstacle. We bitched and moaned in the process, but knew that we'd remember those kinds of moments for life, and they really did enrich our trips (see also: Inauguration). As we like to say, "We may be miserable now, but one day we'll look back on this and really appreciate it." Why do we do this to ourselves? To challenge us mentally and physically? Do we not know what we're getting into? It usually amounts to, "That'd be a great idea, I don't know anyone else who's done it!" Then get into it, realize why we don't know anyone else as slightly insane in the membrane, then laugh it off later in shared physical misery. But all these experiences really do enrich our travels. It was great to see Machu Picchu, but even better to have another side adventure that accompanied it. It'll be fantastic to wander Pompeii, then to climb the volcano that subsequently destroyed it. I've had this little itch in the back of my mind for years to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. And maybe one day Mt. Fuji. You won't get me up Everest (the risk of death thing kind of impedes my sense of adventure), but these more medium-sized excursions off the well-worn tourist paths have paid off in dividends.
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