The Wheels Are Now in Motion!

[Eagle]

It looks like my much anticipated next trip is finally about to happen!!! Only a few short weeks ago, there were still some significant difficulties to overcome so I didn't believe it would actually be possible (that's what I get for being pessimistic!). My work colleagues graciously helped me to arrange the time off work, which was the most significant problem.

However, as of today the airline tickets are purchased, the medical / travel Insurance is taken care of, I have my 5-country Railpass firmly in hand (bought from this site, of course), my HI Hostel Membership was renewed at our local Hostel this afternoon and I have Euros for travelling! I've decided on good advice to pre-book my lodgings, and so far the Hotels in Germany are all confirmed. I hope to have the lodgings in Italy done within the next day or two, and Switzerland and France lodgings confirmed within a week.

I was hoping to stay at the Beehive in Rome, but unfortunately they were completely booked so I'll have to find an alternate site. They suggested Gullivers' House - any comments??? I noticed in the "Reviews" section that Fawlty Towers didn't exactly get "rave reviews".

I still have a few home and pet care details to work out, and unfortunately a fairly heavy work schedule during the month of August (I guess that's the price of getting a couple of months off work!).

Now that the trip is going ahead, the hardest part is going to be waiting for the departure date! I gather from reading other Posts that "the wait" is something that bothers most of our travellers here? I didn't notice it last time, as I arranged that trip in about five days so I didn't have much time to think about it.

Hopefully my planning will be spot-on and everything will run like clock work. Hopefully also I'll get some good photos to contribute to the site.

Time to start packing my Backpack!

Cheers all!!!

[WillTravel]

Congratulations, Eagle! I know you've been looking forward to this for a long time. Gulliver's House has some odd rules, including a requirement that you arrive before 2 PM or you won't get your place, and not being allowed to stay more than 4 nights. However, in general the reviews are good. The Alessandro group of hostels seem to be highly rated here, as does Pop Inn. I'd be happy to stay at the Colors hostel, near the Vatican, based on my research. If you want to spring for a private room, but as cheaply as possible, I have a bunch of suggestions for that.

The wait doesn't bother me. My only regret with this upcoming trip is that I've been way too busy to properly prepare in the way I like to do. But I know you've been preparing for years, so that won't be a problem . It sounds like you'll be really busy too, so the time should just fly by.

[jennifer]

Congrats!!!!!

[Kim]

Wow - congratulations!!! When are you leaving? You forgot to tell us the most important part!

[Eagle]

Kim, Of course, I forgot the most important part! Now that the trip is actually happening, I've been so stressed out trying to finish reservations for lodgings, get all the trivial but necessary details ironed-out, not to mention working as well.

I'll be flying from Vancouver to Frankfurt on Sept. 5th and returning from Paris on Oct. 22nd (have to be back in time for the Andre Rieu concert!). I'm still doing a bit of "fine tuning" on my Itinerary (which is 17 pages long!!!). Hopefully there won't be any major changes, perhaps just a few "adjustments" to my lodging choices. I'm hoping that the remainder of my lodgings will work out according to plan. Germany is now "locked down" and I'm working on Italy at the moment. When that's done, I'll finish with Switzerland and France.

I'm starting to get a few "jitters" about the whole thing, but that should go away as soon as I sit down in the plane.

[WillTravel]

Eagle, what airline did you end up booking? And Sept. 5 is not that long away at all. I'm confident you will know just what to do at all your various points, so hopefully that will help your jitters.

[Eagle]

WillTravel, I booked an "open jaw" arrangement, using AirTransat to Europe and Zoom Airlines for the trip home. There are also two regional flights via Air Canada and WestJet. My choice of flights was based both on where I wanted to fly to & from, as well as timing that would fit my Itinerary.

The accomodations are coming together fairly well. Still no confirmation on Rome, but hopefully that should work out soon. My first choice for Siena was booked, but I found an alternate, and it's now confirmed. First choice for Manarola was full, so I'll work on an alternate today (I might try the same location that Kim stayed at). First choice for Paris was booked, but I now have a confirmed reservation at an alternate (which actually looks a little better than the one I first picked, although it's slightly more expensive). The only lodgings left to arrange are in Bayeux, and hopefully I'll get that done today also.

It looks like I'll have to travel with a big pocket full of Euros, as some of the lodgings are quite specific about taking CASH ONLY. Hopefully I won't have any difficulties with my ATM cards? They worked fine in England, so should be OK?

Yes, it's not that far away but the "jitters" are still present. I still have to confirm the home care arrangements, but I have three "backup" options for that if the first one doesn't work out (always have a backup!).

I'm feeling a bit stressed out these days, as I feel like I have a million things to do before I leave. Hopefully the time will pass quickly.

Cheers!!!

[WillTravel]

Eagle, your ATM card should be fine, but in the event of any problem, I'd make sure you had a way to do a cash advance on your credit card also. Also, if possible, a duplicate ATM card.

[jennifer]

Yup you will be fine. I never had a problem, but make sure you let your bank and credit card holder know you are leaving; that can save nasty cancellations.
xoxo
Jen

[Eagle]

Jennifer, that's a good point for everyone to keep in mind. It's already on my "Things To Do Before Leaving" list. It occurred to me that it might be a good idea to do a "test run" of ATM withdrawals on the cards, to make sure that everything is working. I'll try that in the next week or so.

Cheers!!!

[jennifer]

The most important thing is just not to be stuck. Have someone with a copy of your bank card, make sure your banks mails them worldwide, have a double in your suitcase, have a creditcard in case, whatever the plan, just be safe

[Eagle]

Only two weeks to go now!!! Just four more shifts to put-in at work, and I'm then officially "on vacation"! I picked up my tickets at the travel agent this afternoon, so that's one more detail out of the way.

The reality of the impending departure is starting to "sink in" finally; the nervousness & apprehension is still at about the same level, but I imagine this will increase as I get closer to departure day. Just the same, I'm quite anxious to "get the show on the road", so to speak!

There is one potentially serious problem though. The security screeners at Vancouver Airport are in a legal strike position as of tomorrow morning at 09:00. Although the airport officials have stated that they have "contingency plans" in place, I'm wondering how much chaos is going to result from a labour dispute especially at this time of the year when large numbers of people are travelling to get back to school & work? Although my flight begins in Vancouver, it stops in Calgary so perhaps I should board the flight there?

I'll try to be optimistic and hope they get this sorted by the time I leave.

Cheers & Happy travels all!!!