“You’re going to take the fun out of the trip” stated my friend who had watched me plan and plan and plan…two weeks in Tuscany with a nine year old and a teenager…Our goals were to vacation, learn about Tuscany, look at real estate, find fun things to do for each child…not kill each other.
What people did not understand is I think it is important to get from point A to point B with out toooo much drama. I had some worries…First we are in a foreign country. Second I can say “Hello”, “Goodbye”, “I’ll take the chicken” and “How much does this cost” in Italian. Third…I had read that the roads don’t really have street signs…and various other issues that I wanted to make sure didn’t ruin our day while trying to get to the next amazing site.
I have to say there is a simple glow you feel inside when you can’t say “I told you so” (because that would be rude) but you just realized you were right to plan…here are few examples of why you can never plan too much for a trip:
1.Renting a car in Tuscany is a must. Renting a car in Tuscany that will fit your family and the luggage is not as easy as the online description states. Explaining that you would prefer your 9 year old NOT have to sit on her suitcase for the hour drive to next location to a rental agent is not easy. Learn more Italian…or as we have learned…download the translation ap to your Blackberry. Plan Plan Plan
2. Driving on the Autostrada (interstate) …there is a learning curve. Do not take it personally when every car passes you when you are already going 500mph, do not take it personally when they honk at you (this is just a form of communication in Italy not a form of meanness like in USA). When you come to a toll booth find the picture that has a hand taking your money on the sign-DO NOT get into the Express Pass lane-I think the mafia runs this lane and will kill you if you put on your breaks…when you get to the booth PUSH THE RED BUTTON, take the ticket, then give it to the overwhelmingly bored attendant when you exit said Autostrada. Dont; try to figure out how much you will pay-just pay it and have fun.
Step on the gas, do not worry to look in the rear view mirror and enjoy the sunflowers, otherwise you will arrive pissed off. There is alot of reading on driving in Italy on Slow Travel…Plan Plan Plan
3. Shopping…Italy is lucky really-super giant stores do not complete with the little shop owner…therefore the little shop owner has never had to sit in large corporate world training classes on how to succeed in customer service (stand, greet the guest, etc). They are there to take your money when you finish shopping…end of story. Do not get upset if they do not rush up to help you with the sweatshirt you must buy but they will help if you ask… if you throw out a little Italian they will actually stand up! PLAN PLAN PLAN
4. Eating…unless you really really really like pizza…make sure you read up on store hours! Once siesta starts you will be stuck eating pizza at a gelato bar till dinner which in our world is pretty darn late…say 8pm!! You will also be sitting in a piazza (which is actually quite fun) or in a museum-when the shops close, the shops close…lunch is much more important than you shopping….and you should become familiar with menu items or you will be eating ravioli all week and there are so many amazing things to try! PLAN PLAN PLAN
5.If you happen upon a town that is having a festival you are in luck-you may also not get a room, have anywhere to park your very small rental car, and pay more from your meals and wine…but it is sooo worth it. We actually planned our trip around the festival in San Gimignano-it was fantastic-all ages love these festivals. I recommend you google “festivals in Tuscany” then find your room in advance-be careful you aren’t outside the town it is located in just to save a few bucks-being able to go back the room between activities is worth the money.
6. Real Estate…no, I’ll save that for tomorrow.
These guys worked hard all weekend!
I….of course had no problems with any of the above issues because I planned!!
