Timing is everything.
Just in case you haven’t heard Italian towns and European museums have scheduled events in 2019 celebrating Leonardo da Vinci’s art and amazing genius marking the 500th anniversary of his death.
Travel is the best way to gain worldly experience learning about other cultures, languages and cuisines.
And we all know how wonderful it is to travel to Italy anyway.
But this year is special. If you had a chance to ask Leonardo, he would have told you to never go too long without a sunset.
You are never too old, and it is never too late. But, you’d better book the flight.
Planning and Timing
Is there any bad time to visit Italy?
“Italy’s fall, which runs from September through November, is one of the shoulder seasons, though September can still be quite busy in some areas. Nevertheless, the weather cools off in these months, making it far more pleasant than the sweltering summer. However, beaches may be less alluring once the sea temps drop. By late October, a huge chunk of hotels — especially those around the coast or on islands — close for the winter season.“
What can go wrong?
“Over 70% of Venice in late October 2018 was underwater. People in the lagoon city were trying to deal with the water damage, while wading through over knee-high water. Spread across dozens of islands and known as “the floating city” for its ubiquitous canals and bridges, Venice has grappled with inundation for centuries. But due to natural subsidence and the higher tides caused by global warming.“
Packing and Unpacking
One bag or two?
“Where I live, it’s just cobblestone, and that’s very annoying with the rolling suitcase. A lighter bag can make your next trip less stressful and more joyful — sometimes in unexpected ways. Because they don’t check bags, they also don’t need to pay checked-bag fees when flying, which typically run about $25 per bag.”
Legends and Geniuses
“Mark Twain visited Italy four times in four decades: the initial foray took place in the summer of 1867, the last stay in 1903-04. In 1867 he visited Genoa, Italy. From there, Twain and two companions went to Milan and Lake Como and visited Bellagio, moving on toward Venice and continuing to Florence and Rome before rejoining the ship in Naples.“
Leonardo da Vinci’s 500th Anniversary
“In Florence: Events at the Museo Galileo include a spotlight on Leonardo’s library (June to late September 2019) and the quest for perpetual motion (mid-October 2019 to mid-January 2020). The Palazzo Vecchio explores Leonardo’s relationship with Florence (late March to late June 2019) and probes the mystery of his lost painting The Battle of Anghiari (late February 2019 to mid-January 2020).”
Two-Week Bucket List Itinerary
Trip of a Lifetime.
“If you are planning your first trip to Italy, this itinerary is a great place to start. With two weeks in Italy, you can visit the highlights…Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, and the Cinque Terre. Visit ancient historical sites, cruise the canals in Venice, dine on Italian food, go wine tasting in Tuscany, relax on the beach, walk through the heart of Rome, and watch the sunset from the Cinque Terre. It’s the trip of a lifetime.”
Vacation Planning Timeline (Source LA Times, 2011)
One Year Ahead
1. Research Websites, Guidebooks and Travel Agents
2. Budget Room, Food, Sightseeing and Entertainment Per Day
3. Refer to Per Diem Allocations for Estimates
4. Open a Savings Account
5. Find Calendars of Events for Timing Better Deals
Six Months Ahead
6. Optional for Traveling Abroad — Passport
7. Shop for Appropriate Shoes and Break Them In
8. Schedule Medical Appointments for Shots
9. Get Information and Maps from Tourism Offices
10. Inspect Camera Gear and Use New Equipment Twice
11. Request Vacation Dates from Work
Deserts and Flowers. Maybe those families and locals and tourists stuck in Heavenly traffic should have headed to the desert instead. Wait, flowers in the desert? Yup, this years’ super bloom.