World Travelista

Get Your Status....

2011-01-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Oh boy, has it really been a YEAR since I've posted anything in my blog??! That's just horrible.. :)

Well, 2010 was definitely a fulfilling travel year for me. I reached Platinum status once again with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Platinum status with US Airways, Gold status with Hilton, Gold #1 with Hertz, and Silver with Marriott.

Yes, I am a points/frequent flying/loyalty club junkie!

If you're wondering if it's worth the "trouble" getting all those cards... making sure the points are there. Yes, it IS! Next week I'll be flying Envoy class on US Airways (FREE w/ mileage...)to Paris and staying at all hotels in Paris and Amsterdam for FREE (using hotel points). And I even still have 120,000 miles banked for another trip to Venice next yr with my husband.

There are great opportunities and deals out there -- you just have to be a smarter and savvier travel shopper. For instance, my flight to Paris -- roundtrip F/C and Envoy all the way is only costing me 60,000 miles + taxes -- for going in the off-season.

Paris is Paris... I certainly don't mind going in January. :)

Last year was certainly a busy, busy travel year for me - -mainly all business travel. But I'm looking forward to traveling again this year, and collecting all the points for future lifelong memories.

FREE Gold Membership at Starwood

2010-01-03T12:38:00.000-08:00

I'm a self-proclaimed Starwood junkie! Think St. Regis, W Hotels, Westin, Sheraton, etc - those kind of hotels, yeah well I love them!

I pretty much always try to stay at Starwood properties so that I can maintain my elite status with them each year. And when you travel alot, the nice perks are appreciated! I just LOVE getting upgraded to nicer rooms... most of the times suites (for free).

Anyhoo... Starwood is allowing me to extend a FREE Gold SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) membership to my friends throughout 2010. With Gold status you will get upgraded, upon availability, to a room upgrade and more SPG points,etc, etc.

If you would like a free Gold SPG membership, please comment or email me your email address. You can reach me at jessica.adza at gmail dot com

***My apologies, this SPG promotion ended on 02/28/2010. If I hear of any more, I will definitely post again in the future. Or feel free to email me and I will save your contact info. :) Cheers!

Vacation Playlists .... keep the memories coming!

2009-12-29T14:57:00.000-08:00

So my new thing when I get back from vacation, is I like to create a playlist on iTunes with various songs that I heard while on the trip.

For me, music really has an affect on me. So even if I hear a song - - it's like I'm transported back to that place. ha!

For example, on a recent Girls Getaway trip to Cancun we heard so many fun songs out in the bars and fun new songs that we all danced to in the villa.

And as soon as I got home, I downloaded the new songs and created a playlist for all to enjoy. And now the playlist is saved on my iPod... so whenever I'm wanting to remember how fun the vacation was, I just click on the playlist. And ALL the memories come flooding back!!

I mean... we have playlists for working out, relaxing... why not have one that always reminds you of the fun you just had??

I call mine by the various vacation hotspot - -that's easiest for me.

Great Travel/Foodie gift for the Holidays!

2009-12-21T12:54:00.000-08:00

Not sure why it took me SO long to do this... but we tested out the Restaurant.com gift certificate last week. What a great deal! And a WONDERFUL gift for the special someone who travels alot. (Maybe that's you?)

It's a great way to check out new restaurants in town... or the city you're going to. It's super easy on their website to sort through the restaurants available.

And the best part - - truly saved $25 off our tab. ;)

Excursion

2009-08-20T07:01:00.000-07:00

Just came back from an AMAZING vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. What was special about this trip was that we were with over 1100 of our friends! Amazing time... we're part of a great travel club. (If you want info about that let me know..)
But what was also special about this trip was the fun adventure tours we took. We went ziplining one day on a canopy tour through the canyons and another day we sailed and grinded away on the America's Cup sailing vessel. So cool!
I'm so glad we went on a couple excursions! We had so much fun with our friends - there were 14 of us who went together. Nothing better than playing around with your friends on vacation!
Excursions are a great way to see different scenery at your destination, experience some adventure, have alot of fun, or even learn history and exciting facts.
I can't WAIT to go on another zipline -- so much fun!!

Learning Languages from Podcasts

2009-03-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

So you're thinking about learning another language? Want to brush up on some skills before you fly over the pond, down south, or over yonder?

If you have iTunes, you should check out the free language podcasts. (Note the word FREE!) I am trying to brush up on my Italian, so i DL'd a bunch the other night. I mean, you're gonna listen to your iPod on the flight anyway, right? :)

Save some room in your luggage, and try not to bring so many "How to speak __ fast" books and toss some podcasts on.

You could even listen to the podcasts in your car while you're driving to work (if you have to commute) or at the gym.

Ciao!

Taste of ( Location of Your Choice)

2009-03-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

Yes, long overdue. My bad! Meant to put another post for a long, long time.. But have you ever been to a "Taste" event?

First taste I ever heard of growing up was always the big "Taste of Chicago". WGN always did a great job promoting that event. And living out in SoCal, we had the discriminating "Taste of Newport". Yummmm... good eats!

But this weekend, I don't even have to venture far for my next "Taste". It's traveling out here.... in Arizona, for my alma mater. ?! Yeah... that's right! My university alumni foundation is having a "Taste of Minnesota in Arizona" for us .... Arizonans.

We'll have the traditional Minnesota Walleye... with the side of Minnesota long-grain Wild Rice. There won't be any Minnesota Hamm's beer (out-of-date) or Minnesota Nut Goodie bars. But maybe.. just maybe there will be some good ol' potato salad.

What "Tastes" have you been to?

Luxury Travel Expo 2008

2008-12-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

Arrived home last night after attending my first Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas!! www.luxurytravelexpowest.com This was the 10 year anniversary. It was a great event! It was travel week in Vegas all week, so the Luxury Travel Expo was held in conjunction with the Home-Based Travel Agent Expo. So lot's of great Travel Suppliers were there.

There were exhibitors from ALL over the world, and a lot of great education classes to attend. Everything from social-media to CLIA certification classes (Cruise Line Industry Association). We even had the dancers from Cris Angel's Believe perform during the General Session!! This event is for travel professionals; so even though you may be a Professional Traveler.... it's intended for those of us that earn our income from travel.

I received a lot of great information, and would be more than happy to share with any of you. So please feel free and contact me - - no matter where you may be going, and no matter how large or small your budget. It would be my pleasure to help you have an unforgettable travel experience!

That's the value of working with a travel professional like myself, I can provide you with the latest trends and value-driven advice to ensure that you get every penny's worth and then some. Ciao for now!

For the Love of Air Travel

2008-11-30T09:26:00.000-08:00

Zagat Survey just published their 2008 Airline Survey Results. You can read about it here. But what I really enjoyed were the fantastic comments that over 9,000 surveyers had left regarding the various airlines.

Here are a couple of my personal favorites:

"The Rhett Butler of airlines: they just don't give a damn."

"The only thing older than the planes are the flight attendants."

"Bathrooms smell like the lion house at the zoo on a hot day."

I have my speculations on which airlines some of the comments were geared towards, but I give props to Zagat for bringing some much needed light-hearted humor to the travel industry.

One Hotelier's Mindset for this Economy...

2008-11-29T17:17:00.000-08:00

Check out this link on HotelChatter.com for the Morgans Hotel Groups' thoughts for the recession. While the language may be bold for some, I tend to appreciate their attitude. Why wimper and crawl into a hole? Embrace the struggle with enthusiam and energy!

Like attracts like... therefore, having a party to celebrate will bring more excitement, more promotion, therefore more business!

The last thing anyone should be doing right now is to stick their head in the sand, complain, and do nothing.

I know some have found the Morgan's promotion tasteless... and tacky... but then again, there's always naysayers. And frankly, I'd rather hang around with fun, vivacious people who embrace life!

Here's to us who Live Life to the Fullest!!! :) C'est si bon!

Travel Thank-You's!

2008-11-26T10:51:00.001-08:00

With Thanksgiving happening tomorrow, we obviously have alot to be thankful for. The same stuff every year... like friends and family, blah blah... (no, but really -- friends and family you are a big deal!) .... but what else are you thankful for? And specifically what are you thankful for in regards to travel?

Feel free to leave a comment on what you are thankful for in the world of travel, this year.

i.e.: I'm thankful that there are less people traveling right now, therefore for the hotels/airports/restaurants are less crowded and great deals are everywhere!

I'm thankful that it's easier to get upgraded now that less people are traveling.

I'm thankful that it only costs $40 roundtrip for my Prius to go to Vegas or San Diego.

I'm forever grateful for noise-canceling headphones (thank you Bose!) and my iPod! Yess...

Ha! Laughing at Technology..

2008-11-17T20:13:00.000-08:00

So first of all, I'm sorry! Sorry that it has officially taken OVER 60 days for me to post here. But looking at the date of the last one, September 11th... well, that was actually the day my "good" laptop crashed. The first time.

Yes... the first time. I brought it back for repair, ironically... I had purchased it EXACTLY one year the year before, so it still had the one-year mfr's warranty. Sent it out for about 45 days... had it back for another 7, and CRASH! Again... alas, HP finally admitted that it was the motherboard.

So I'm coping right now w/ a year 2k Sony vaio Dino.

I know this isn't a travel-related post.. my apologies, but I will continue shortly. :)

Unwired at the Airport

2008-09-11T22:09:00.000-07:00

If you're a road-warrior or spend alot of time in airports.... waiting and waiting for your supposedly scheduled flight to take off, you're obviously using wireless service of some kind.

Ever wondered which airports provide the lowest-cost or FREE (better yet!) wireless? Well, check it out here!

Living in the Phoenix-area, we are pretty lucky to have FREE access at Sky Harbor. It is such a nice treat! I'm reminded of just how nice it is whenever taking off from another airport that charges. Grrrr.

I understand everybody's trying to get their slice of the $8T (Trillion) dollar travel industry. But come on! Show the tired and weary travelers stuck in the airport some love!

And the idea of charging for 24 hours of airport wireless access is ludicrous anyways! Like we really want to be waiting in the airport longer than we already are... ha! :)

So show us frequent travelers some love, and offer it complimentary.

London in 2012

2008-08-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

I just decided, 5 minutes ago, that my next mid-term goal would be to get to the 2012 Olympics in London. Why not? I love to travel, right? I think it would be so exhilarating to see first-hand the best of the best World Athletes competing.

Now the first question that came to mind is... how soon can I reserve a hotel room? Hmm. I'll have to call my favorite hotel brand, Starwood, to see what their policies and recommendations are on future reservations.

One of my colleagues was fortunate to attend the games in Atlanta several years ago, and had the time of his life. Granted London will probably be very expensive; but it's the Olympics -- it's a lifetime opportunity. Another one of the things I'd like to do before I croak.

I think it will be best to break down into small goals and tasks that I can start working on.

Research hotel future reservations

Research site location in London to determine best hotel location

Research 2012 Olympics dates

Start accruing mad frequent flyer points

Start saving $$ for airline tickets, in case FF points are obsolete in '12

Start saving $$ for food and misc items

Put savings in favorite online bank and watch compounded interest grow!

Off to research...

My Own Olympic Games..

2008-08-09T22:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, Phelps is amazing, huh? I just finished watching the 400m not too long ago. And to think he's only 23 yrs old. That is amazing!

Well, I'm going to do a little Olympics of my own tonight, ha! Unfortunately it will not involve any traveling though; it's actually an online olympics - the Page Ranks Olympics. So, me being the competive rookie-olympian blogger decided to partake in the fun.

You can find the link here on MTMD's blog (Meltwater. Torrents. Meanderings. Delta.)

May the eGames begin!

Are you a Nutty Blogstar?

2008-08-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

Blogstars are the New Rockstars!

Southwest Airlines just released a new promotion, "Are you nutty enough to be a Blogstar?". Starting today they are hosting an online casting-call to find their next Nutty Blogger.

If you're interested, all you have to do is submit a one-minute video to them. And if chosen, you'd get to travel to select Southwest destinations and blog-away.

Could be alot of fun.... DING! :)

New Lodging option in Italia

2008-08-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

So, you may be like me and have a fervent fetish for Italia... and everything Italian. I just melt like warm gelato (ha!) when I think of aimlessly meandering the streets of Roma. Ahhh....

This morning I ran across a new lodging option for your next trip to Italy. Yes, I love the comfort of clean hotels and hospitality of pensions; but how staying in an Italian village that has been resurrected as a hotel?

This has got to be one of the neatest ways to experience the culture. From CNN travel: "This new type of hotel is probably the closest travelers can come to living like a local in Italy. You stay in apartments or rooms in renovated houses that sit next to buildings still occupied by residents, "inserting yourself into a town and becoming part of it temporarily," says Giovanni Pacifico, the site manager for Sextantio il Albergo Diffuso."

You can read the article here. http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/getaways/08/06/italian.village.hotel/index.html

Reason 5,376 to start planning for your next Italian getaway...

Ciao!

Break the Monotony...

2008-08-01T15:13:00.000-07:00

Break the monotony.... where will YOU travel to next? What destinations and faraway lands have you always dreamed of visiting, but just haven't had the time or money freedom to go?

We all only have so many sunsets left.... :)

Live Your Dreams!

Remaining Chicago Street Fests!

2008-08-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Planning an upcoming trip to the Windy City? Staying over a weekend? Check out these upcoming street fests... (as if you needed a reason to go to Chicago!)

AUGUST
1-3: Lollapalooza

2: Uptown Summer Unity Festival
2-3: Retro on Roscoe
8-10: Gold Coast Art Fair
8-17: Illinois State Fair ('burbs)
9-10: Korean Street Festival
9-10: Market Days

9-10: West Fest
15: Croatian Fest
15-17: North Side Summerfest
15-17: St. Demetrios Greek Festival
16: Carifete
16-17: Chicago Air & Water Show
22-24: Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest
23-24: Bucktown Arts Fest
23-24: Taste of Greece
23-24: Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival
24: Festa di Tutti i Santi
28-31: Chicago Jazz Festival
29-Sept. 1: African Festival of the Arts
29-Sept. 1: The Last Fling ('burbs)
29-Sept. 1: Taste of Polonia
30-31: Bash on Wabash
30-31: Randolph Street Market Festival

SEPTEMBER
Through Sept. 1: The Last Fling ('burbs)
Through Sept. 1: Taste of Polonia
5-6: Windy City Wine Festival
5-7: German-American Festival
6: Guinness Oyster Fest
6: Von Steuben Parade
6-7: Ukrainian Village Fest
11-14: Festival de la Villita
13: The Wine Crush in Old Town
13-14: Celtic Fest Chicago
13-14: Lincoln Park Art Faire
13-14: Renegade Craft Fair
21-22: Hideout Block Party
26-28: Eighth Annual Oktoberfest

Experience Your America

2008-07-29T09:29:00.001-07:00

Still looking for a summer vacation destination? How bout looking somewhat closer to home.... at one of our countries fine National Parks?

"The National Park System comprises 391 areas covering more than 84 million acres in every state (except Delaware), the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House." according to the US National Park Services website.

Some National Parks will require a significant advance reservation, such as Yosemite. Most are readily available.

NPS Director Mary Bomar said, “Your national parks pay homage to our ancestors and inspire our children to become better stewards of the parks for tomorrow. National parks provide incredible opportunities to experience the marvelous natural and cultural heritage of our country. I welcome you to come out and enjoy your national parks this year and every year.”

Last year over 276 million people visited the various National Parks. Were you one of them? What is your favorite park?

http://www.nps.gov/

Ahhh... Summer Vacation (now a roadtrip!)

2008-07-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Remember National Lampoon's Vacation? Talk about a classic... whether you appreciate this humor or not, it's pretty much how most will probably travel this summer. Road Trip!

Hopefully your roadtrip doesn't involve putting Aunt Edna on the roof of your SUV or visiting crazy Eddy in Kansas. And... I really hope that Wally World doesn't close the day you get there.

With airfare being so high, we are not going to forgo travel or our vacations! We need travel now more than ever. Travel and the escape it offers us, brings most away from the stale cubicles they sit in 45-50 hours every week.

Thank god I no longer sit in a cubicle. I will always feel the need though for escape, to travel, to venture, to explore new and familiar places.

And fortunately, living in Arizona both Vegas (#1 destination in the world I believe) and Southern California are a 5 hour drive away.

"You may think you hate it now, but wait til you drive it." - Clark Griswold

Headlines for European Travelers

2008-07-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

Lufthansa faces major strike next week; flights will be impacted (USA Today)

Buckingham Palace state rooms will be open to the public for two months (BBC)

Britain's National Parks Week features picnics, festivals and spectacular walks (The Guardian)

Guided tour of Athen's new Acropolis Museum (The Guardian)

Stretching your Dollar in Europe

2008-07-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

Greenback Blues

T+L’s Andrea Bennett tells you how to stretch your dollar in Europe.
From May 2008

When it comes to saving money in Europe, the advice I most often hear is: go during “shoulder season,” discover alternate destinations, or take a cruise (and eat on the ship, even when it’s docked). But sometimes, only Paris in the springtime at the Four Seasons Hotel George V will do. To mitigate the pain of the current exchange rate without compromising your ultimate trip, follow my six-step plan. More money-saving ideas can also be found in “Strategies”, and in “Three Affordable European Itineraries”.

Avoid ATM fees
Cash machines are still the best way to get local currency—if you can get around the exorbitant fees. Lately, some banks have hiked their flat rate of $2 per withdrawal to $5, or added a conversion surcharge, or both. Check to see what your bank levies before leaving home—and before making a withdrawal (you can find a list of costs at Bankrate.com).

Find a Local Partner
Even if your bank has substantial fees for withdrawals, many institutions now work with partners abroad and allow customers to take out money at no charge. Bank of America imposes $5, plus 1 percent of the withdrawal amount, at unaffiliated overseas ATM’s, but nothing at those of partners like Barclays (United Kingdom), BNP Paribas (France), and Deutsche Bank (Germany). Some banks, such as Citibank, have their own branches in Europe.

Do fewer exchanges in larger increments
Travelex currency-exchange kiosks (located at most airports) provide a lower service fee for larger transactions—for a $100 exchange, the charge is 6 percent, while it’s about 1.5 percent for sums of more than $500. Some companies (Travelex and Marks & Spencer) have “buy-back” programs, where consumers can sell their leftover currency at a favorable rate, often waiving the service fees, so you won’t have to dump your leftover money on duty-free Toblerone bars (although you’ll often have to return to the place of the original transaction).

Make major purchases with a credit card
Using your plastic abroad often guarantees you the lowest exchange rate and protects you from unauthorized charges. But the fees (for currency conversions and foreign transactions) are often the same as those on the issuer’s debit card. Only a couple of cards don’t charge extra (check before you go). Or, consider opening an account in euros to escape transaction fees altogether. Lloyds TSB Offshore (lloydstsb-offshore.com) or HSBC Premier (hsbcpremier.com) are two options.

Minimize transportation expenses
It’s possible to cut costs on getting around. Autoeurope (autoeurope.com), for example, guarantees car-rental rates in dollars. Eurostar (eurostar.com) usually charges far less if you purchase your rail trip through its United States Web site. At press time, we found a three-day, London-to-Paris trip on the U.S. site for $424; the same trip from the U.K. site was $654.

Watch out for dynamic currency conversion
Often, a merchant will present a credit card bill for purchases abroad in dollars, rather than euros, as a “convenience” to the customer. But since he’s free to pick any exchange rate for the transaction, you could end up losing money. And travelers aren’t aware that they can turn down this “service.” It’s generally safer when you buy using the local currency.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/greenback-blues

Frustrating Frequent Flyer Points...

2008-07-22T16:56:00.001-07:00

I tried to book a free roundtrip ticket this morning to Minneapolis; I have over 30,000 points.... more than the 25,000 free roundtrip price.

But... apparently there must be alot of people using mileage right now. The flight was quoting $500 - - ouch, considering I used to pay around $200 R/T. So why not use my points, right? Ha! That 25,000 option wasn't even available... I had to go w/ the 50,000 premium award trip.

I'm booking the flight 3-4 weeks in advance for a trip in August! Not enough points... so I'll be extending my trip, got the price down to $385 (w/ taxes).

Still pretty high for Mpls... flights to Chicago on the same airline are $218 R/T.

Moral of the story - - I think everyone is cashing in their points while the fuel prices are over the top; so plan ahead or pay extra!

Yes, I could have flown a couple other airlines that were about $80 less... but I'm "loyal" to the airline partner I've built my status with. The free upgrades and perks still mean something to me I guess, even though it takes DOUBLE miles now. Ugghhh. :)

Here's an article from Travel+Leisure on secrets of Frequent Flyer points. http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/fly-free-frequent-flier-miles-secrets

No snacking near Rome's monuments, please

2008-07-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

ROME, Italy (AP) -- Cappuccino by the Trevi Fountain? Gelato on the Spanish Steps? Such small delights have run afoul of the guardians of Rome.

A ban on snacking is in effect at some of Rome's famous sites, including the Spanish Steps.

City Hall has banned snacking near its famous monuments in the historical center. Violators face an $80 fine.

Officials say they want to preserve artistic treasures and decorum in a city that has millions of visitors every year.

The ordinance also bans the homeless from making makeshift beds and takes to task people who loiter in central areas at night, who, "often drunk, not only leave all manner of litter on public grounds and in the fountains, but also disturb the peace."

The ban was passed July 10 and remains in effect until the end of October.
Since the ban went into effect last weekend, police have patrolled sites such as the Spanish Steps, asking tourists to move out and preventing them from sipping their drinks while sitting on the 18th-century stairway that is one of symbols of the city.

They handed out the first fines, too, City Hall said. Corriere della Sera reported that among the first to be fined were three Tunisian men eating and drinking beer on the Spanish Steps.
According to city figures, 7.6 million people visited Rome in the first five months of the year.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Another way to Save money when you Travel -- for Pet Lovers

2008-07-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we've always brought our two mini-dachshunds to this great Doggie Daycare when we travel. Our dogs absolutely LOVE it... and they spoil them rotten!

But... the prices for boarding keeps going up, AND.. we're are trying our best to keep costs low when we travel (which is frequently).

So I checked the online business directory of my local Chamber of Commerce and found several licensed and bonded "Pet Sitters". Pet Sitters will come to your house once or twice a day (maybe more or overnight if you'd like)... and they are considerably less expensive.

For example, the local kennel is around $50-60/day for our dogs while the Pet Sitter is $30/day for two visits and up to 3 dogs.

So now our dogs will be in the comfort of home, while we're out drinking Mai Tais! :)

Icelandair's giving away 120,000 award points!!!

2008-07-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

Join the Icelandair Saga Club today and you will automatically receive 1,000 free award points and be entered to win 120,000 free award points*

Even if you don't travel with Icelandair frequently, you can benefit from membership by using points with our partners like Points.com, Marriott, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Hertz and more.

Through Points.com you can use your award points towards other airline programs like JetBlue TrueBlue or even on your next trip to Starbucks. Trust us, 120,000 points will get you a lot of Mocha Frappuccinos!
SIGN UP NOW FOR THE ICELANDAIR SAGA CLUB!

Offer details:+ Valid from July 9 - 29, 2008.+ Valid for new Saga Club members only.+ Valid for US and Canadian residents.+ Points will be granted after the July 29, 2008.
*Click here to view Icelandair Official Rules.

No free water on US Airways

2008-07-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

"US Airways will begin charging for soft drinks on Aug. 1. That includes bottled water. Yes, bottled water. The airline is completely unapologetic about the new charge. “We’ve chosen to be more aggressive than our competitors,” Doug Parker, the airline’s chief executive, told his employees in an internal memo."

By Christopher Elliott
Travel columnist
MSNBC contributor
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25557812/

Wow...

Travel Checklist

2008-07-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

Need help planning what to pack? Here's a great travel checklist found on Oprah.com

Italy Well Worth the Effort in 2008

2008-07-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

By Rick Steves

Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) -- Bella Italia, my favorite country in Europe, is a wonderful work in progress. Here's a look at what to expect in 2008.

Rome's Altar of Peace, which kicked off the Pax Romana, is housed in the first new building in central Rome since before World War II.

Italy is gung-ho for restricted traffic zones in its city centers. This is great for pedestrians, but not for drivers who are finding $100 fines in their mail when they arrive home. If you drive in Rome, Florence, Milan, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Orvieto or Verona -- in restricted areas marked by a Zona Traffico Limitato sign -- your car's license plate will be photographed and you can be fined without ever being stopped by a cop. Pay attention to signs, get parking advice from your hotelier, and park outside restricted areas.

Rome
With a revolution brewing among the throngs of tourists stung by the Vatican Museum's stingy hours, the museum has agreed to stay open longer in 2008: Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 4:00 p.m.); as usual, it'll be closed on Sunday except for the last Sunday of the month, when it's free and open 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 12:30 p.m.). While some Catholics would love a private audience with the pope, those passed away with John Paul II -- Pope Benedict XVI doesn't do them.
It's a good time to be a fan of ancient Rome. On Palatine Hill, the Augustus Rooms, four newly restored rooms in a house from the era of Emperor Augustus open in March 2008 (entry included in the Colosseum/Palatine Hill ticket). At Trajan's Forum, a new Museum of the Imperial Forum just opened, offering ancient artifacts and computers showing how the forum was built.

Nearby, a small part of Nero's Golden House has reopened, but it's in a sad state of ruin -- more historically significant than interesting. And travelers are rediscovering the Ara Pacis -- the first-century "Altar of Peace" built by Emperor Augustus to kick off the Pax Romana. It's wonderfully displayed in a state-of-the-art exhibit housed in a starkly modern building -- the first new construction in Rome's old center since 1938.

Florence
If you're planning a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, the more-popular-than-ever showcase of Italian Renaissance paintings, reserve a ticket and entry time at least a month ahead (to avoid the two-hour-long ticket-buying line at the gallery). The simplest option is to ask your hotelier to make the reservation (most will do this for free or for a small fee). You can try to make the Uffizi reservation yourself by phone (from the United States, dial 011-39-055-294-883), but the line is often busy, and once you get through, it seems that they almost enjoy keeping you on hold and then disconnecting you.

Venice
The Clock Tower on St. Mark's Square has finally opened, giving visitors a close-up look at the clock innards, as well as expansive views of the square and beyond from the terrace. Unfortunately, you can only see it with a reservation-only guided tour (12 euros, includes Correr Museum). You can make the reservation in person at the Correr Museum, from the States by dialing 011-39-041-520-9070, or online at www.museiciviciveneziani.it.

The glorious dome of Venice's La Salute Church will likely be covered in scaffolding in 2008. The proposed 10-year, multi-billion-dollar Moses Project, designed to protect Venice from flooding through the use of underwater barriers, was funded several years ago ... but construction has yet to begin. Meanwhile construction is under way on the Grand Canal's new, ultra-modern fourth bridge, made of glass, steel and stone. The Calatrava Bridge will connect the Santa Lucia train station with Piazzale Roma as early as this summer, if it's finished on time.
In nearby Vicenza, 2008 promises to be a great year as the town celebrates the 500th birthday of Palladio, the homegrown architectural genius (www.andreapalladio500.it).

Milan
Reservations to see Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper still book up long in advance. It's better to book by phone than online. If you call, you'll have a greater selection of days and time slots to choose from, since their user-unfriendly Website doesn't reflect cancellations (from the United States, dial 011-39-02-8942-1146, www.cenacolovinciano.org).

Milan's new Museum of Art and Science offers a hands-on look at Leonardo's work -- sketches, paintings, and models of inventions -- during the 20 years he spent in Milan. The cathedral's Duomo Museum is still under renovation and may be closed for the first part of 2008, as is the train station (expect chaos until the dust settles, and even after that).
From Milan to Rome, Italy is working hard to spiff up its sights, draw more tourists, and keep the gelato-slurping masses moving as smoothly as possible. It's hot, crowded, expensive ... and well worth the effort. E-mail to a friend

Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. E-mail him at rick@ricksteves.com, or write to him c/o P.O. Box 2009, Edmonds, Wash. 98020.