Another app to check out

I found another app I like on a travel blog.  It is called Triposo and it also allows you to download content for offline use.  The app does so much.  It not only helps find great restaurants and hotels but also shares history and culture.  It has extras like an Italian phrase book and shows the currency exchange rate.  I love that it has walking tours with maps and all the prices for all the tourist sites.  Check it out.  I ended up downloading the Italy travel guide by Triposo on top of the regular.  It gives you tons of information!!

TripAdvisor

I do have certain websites and phone apps that I always use.  I love booking.com for hotels whether international or local.  I not only think they have very competitive pricing but you can reserve most times without paying until you arrive at the hotel or B&B.  I love momondo.com and vayama.com for airfare.  I tend to use kayak.com for car rentals.  One of my favorite apps for both reviews and hotel pricing though is TripAdvisor.  I have used them for years.  I have had about a 90% success rate when choosing restaurants and accommodations based off their reviews.  Also when you look for a Hotel they use multiple sites including booking.com for rates giving you the best rate available. 

The other wonderful thing about the TripAdvisor phone app is that you can download a city so that you can utilize the app offline. 

When you open the app and search for your desired city you will see a Download option if the city is available for download. When you choose Download you have the option for a full or the basic download.  If you have plenty of room on your phone choose the full.

If you have access to cellular or wifi then you will see Downloaded for that city once it has been downloaded.

 

 



Once the map is downloaded and you are not connected to cellular or wifi then you will see Using offline content. 

This way you do not have to be connected to cellular or wifi to find the highest rated places.

As much as I hate writing reviews - I always force my self to review as many places as possible after the trip.  

Italian Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars

I think one of the things I love most about Italy is the fact that so many restaurants, cafes, and bars are family owned.  If you are not waited on by the owner it will most like be a direct family member.  They are very passionate about their business and usually provide above and beyond service.  They will go out of their way to make you feel welcome. 

We have a restaurant we first visited in Venice in 2002 called Al Carbon.  It is directly off the Rialto Bus Stop.  They are always excited to see us.  We even have a couple mementos in our curio cabinet which they gave to us over the few times we have visited.  Here is a picture of us with the owners.  We have tried several places to eat in Venice but always seem to come back here.  We love that it is on the Grand Canal and we love people watching at the bus stop.  And of course the owners treat us like family. 

When you do find someplace you really love we encourage you to go back each day.  They will remember you and take very exceptional care of you.  They will appreciate your business. 

Golf Monday May 30th New Ross Ireland

If you are interested in golf there will be a golf outing on Monday May 30th.  The price per person is approximately 45 Euro.  This included transportation, green fees, and equipment rental or hire as they call it.

http://www.newrossgolfclub.ie/

Established in 1905 New Ross Golf Club is a mature parkland golf course situated between the scenic Barrow and Nore valleys with the magnificent Brandon and Blackstairs mountains providing the backdrop.
New Ross is one of the driest golf courses in South East Ireland, rarely closed due to bad weather and therefore can be enjoyed throughout the year.  The Par 70/73 golf course provides a great test for all abilities, with tree lined fairways and superbly contoured greens complemented by a number of water hazards.
We welcome all golfers - individuals, societies and corporate groups and our fantastic course is complemented by a wide range of clubhouse facilities including the restaurant, our club house bar and our Pro Shop.

The course

FRONT NINE:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
BACK NINE:
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
New Ross Golf Club is a magnificent and mature parkland course. This 18 hole course course combines stunning scenery with a challenging yet enjoyable layout.
Originally a 9 hole course, New Ross extended to 18 holes in 1995 when the course was redesigned by Des Smyth & Declan Brannigan.  Since then, Gary Flood has undertaken work to reshape four of the older greens and approaches.  The result is excellent.  From the tee, each hole demands thought, with tree lined fairways, water hazards, fairway bunkers and out of bounds providing the challenge.  For many, the real challenge begins when they get to the greens – superbly contoured and always speedy, our visitors have year after year heaped the highest praise on the condition of our greens.
The course is set on a gently rolling landscape, overlooking New Ross to the South East and the Blackstairs Mountains and Brandon Hill to the North.  New Ross Golfers will tell you that the view from the 11th tee is one of the finest to be found in the South East.

Dress Code & Etiquette

Dress Code

New Ross Golf club provides a relaxed environment in which to play golf.  Our Dress Code is drafted along these lines and we politely ask that you wear neat and appropriate clothing for the surrounds.  Please note the following:

• Metal spiked golf shoes are not permitted
• Please change your golf shoes before using the lobby and bar areas of the clubhouse
• As is the norm in most other golf clubs tracksuits, rugby shirts & shorts, all football jerseys, collarless shirts, runners, sun tops & halter neck tops are not permitted on the golf course

Etiquette

• Please keep up with the pace of play – if you are falling behind the group in front, please let the group behind you through
• The use of mobile phones is not permitted on the golf course.  If you need to use your phone in the club house, please do so discreetly
• Course staff have priority at all times.  The course staff will be aware of your presence and do their best to complete their work taking your needs into account
• Please repair pitch marks, replace divots and rake bunkers
• There are provided bins on each tee for rubbish
• If you think there is any possible danger of your ball hitting someone, immediately shout “FORE”
• Please do not hit until the players in front are well out of range

Venice

Good link 

http://www.compassandfork.com/a-perfect-day-in-venice/

A Perfect Day in Venice

Statues atop St Mark’s Basilica

What if you only have one day to tour Venice? Which sights should you give priority to? We give you a full day’s itinerary for that perfect day in Venice. We give you some other ideas at the end of the post if you have more time in Venice.
Venice has so many sights worth visiting there is no end to the choices. If you only have one day and you are cramming in as much as possible and it is summer, take water, hat and sunscreen. Be aware Venice is also more expensive than other parts of Italy.
The trip begins and ends at the Venezia San Lucia Train Station. This is where most visitors staying outside of Venice (which is cheaper) arrive and depart Venice from. Padua or Treviso are close options for accommodation and access via train.
On arrival into Venice, buy a day pass for the vaporetto . You will see the ticket office on your left as you exit the station. They are expensive but if you intend to make 3 trips or more by vaporetto (canal ferry), then you will save money. Also make sure you pick up a transport map from the same ticket office. You can also obtain a map of Venice here.

8.00 Rialto Market

Catch a vaporetto to the famous Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto). Enjoy the early morning light and scenery as you go. It is a good opportunity to take some early photographs before there are too many people on the vaporetto (they get very crowded). Look out for the market on your right about 200 meters before the Rialto. That’s our destination.
From the Rialto Vaporetto Station, cross the bridge and wander down to the Rialto Market (Mercato). Spend 10 or 15 minutes admiring the fresh seafood and great Italian fruit and vegetables. Here is a recipe for crumbed swordfish which we were inspired to make after visiting this market.

Walk back to the Rialto Vaporetto Station and catch the vaporetto to St Mark’s. Or, instead, wander through the alley ways of Venice between the Rialto and St Mark’s (this is not a long walk). Wandering through Venice is a sublime pleasure. Stop off for a quick coffee and brioche while standing at the “bar” observing the happy (if not loud), Italian culture. Hint: the coffee is usually 33% cheaper if you stand at the bar than if you sit down at a table!

9.30 The Doge’s Palace

Resist the urge to wander around St Mark’s Square or to visit St Mark’s itself. It is however a good time to snap a few pictures while the square is less busy. We will be back there later in the day. Next stop is the Doge’s Palace. We want to arrive there before the longer queues start later in the day, (and the building heats up). The museum opens at 8.30am in summer.
The palace was used for 3 different functions. It was the residence for the Doge, the seat of government of all-powerful Venice and the law courts (with connected prison) which meted out justice on behalf of all. Here is some information from Wikipedia about the history of The Doge’s Palace and what you can expect to see inside.
It is well worth a visit to the palace. It contains exquisite artwork, some of it on a scale defying imagination! You will learn much about the history and power of Venice. It is also the only way to access the Bridge of Sighs to the connecting prison.
You can buy your tickets online from the official website (you get express entry) before you visit or pay at the time of your visit. We paid at the time and because we arrived early there was no queue at all. We noticed long queues in the afternoon.

11.00 Murano Glass Factory

No trip to Venice would be complete without visiting Murano to marvel at the magnificent glass produced and sold there. From St Mark’s, catch a vaporetto to Colonia Station on the island of Murano.
When you alight from the vaporetto, there will be men encouraging you to visit their glass factory for free. We visited along with a bunch of other people from the same vaporetto and it was well worth it. For years and years, we have admired Murano’s beautiful glassware! It is fascinating to watch the men hard at work blowing glass. What a hot job that is in summer!
After the demonstration you can have a look around the showroom. There was no hard sell and we enjoyed looking at the magnificent glassware (but didn’t buy anything)!

12.30 Lunch at Acquastanca, Murano

After the glass blowing, wander back past the vaporetto station and walk up Fondamenta dei Vettrai, next to the canal. Admire all of the glass shops as you go. Cross the bridge called Apa Gioielli di Apa Antonio and just on the other side you will find a restaurant called Acquastanca.
This is a seafood restaurant.   At Acquastanca, the menu is different from the neighboring restaurants, it was very cool inside the restaurant, the service is good and we had a fabulous seafood meal there. It was not in the cheap eats category, but nothing is cheap in Venice!
We had a most pleasant lunch there so we are happy to recommend the restaurant.

2.00 St Mark’s Basilica

Lion of St Mark, symbol of Venice

Catch a vaporetto back to St Mark’s Square. On arrival back at St Mark’s Square, join the queue to tour through the truly, magnificent Basilica di San Marco, whose eastern-looking architecture is so different to anything else you will see in Italy. It is the quintessential highlight of Venice and should not be missed.
It may take 30 to 45 minutes before you gain access to St Mark’s. Just relax, people-watch and observe the adjoining Companile di San Marco and the Piazza San Marco.
Once inside the Basilica enjoy its magnificent, golden interior. It leaves you rather awe-struck! It really brings home the historical power of both Venice and the Church.   Once inside, count on about 45 minutes to tour the Basilica.
You can avoid the queues by booking online. Be aware that if you do book online (maximum 8 people) you will need to be at the Basilica at your assigned time.

4.00 Florian Café, St Mark’s Square

Need a break after the awe-inspiring St Mark’s? For the ultimate indulgence, why not have a coffee or maybe a wine at the Florian Café, in St Mark’s Piazza?
This place has been in the same location for almost 300 years. Just think about that for a moment.
You can either sit inside the café amongst the luxurious surroundings in the air conditioning or sit in the outside seating on the piazza. Here you can enjoy the small band playing for its customers as well as watch life go by on St Mark’s Piazza, possibly the world’s most expensive rentals on the world’s most famous square.
It is a terrific experience, but be aware prices at the café may well result in your most expensive coffee ever!

5.00 Peggy Guggenheim Museum

Typical Venetian Windows

Catch the vaporetto or walk from St Mark’s to the Accademia Station on the other side of The Grand Canal and walk to the  Peggy Guggenheim. It closes at 6pm so be there by 5pm which will allow enough time to see all of the pieces at a leisurely pace. It is not open on Tuesdays.
I am not big on modern art but I found this museum to be fabulous. It is the previous Venice residence of Peggy Guggenheim. It is not a big museum, so not too much effort for your tiring feet! It contains artworks from many famous artists (including Picasso). At the time of our visit there was an exhibition running on Charles Pollock, brother of Jackson Pollack, both benefactors of Peggy Guggenheim.   Also check out the gift shop- it has some very different items if you are looking for a souvenir or a gift to take home.

6.00 Aperativo Time

You must be tiring at this stage. Do what the Italians do and enjoy an aperativo or two before dinner. They are meant to stimulate your appetite. Try a prosecco or maybe a Campari and soda for something different. Add a little antipasto to quell your appetite as dinner is still ahead of us.

7.30 Grand Canal

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Venice is slowing down on the Grand Canal but it is a great time for photographs with the late afternoon light. Take a load off your feet and catch the vaporetto from Accademia to San Marcuolo (Casino) station.

8.00 Jewish Ghetto Wander and Dinner

This is our last stop! After alighting from the vaporetto have a wander around the Jewish Ghetto. It is not as busy as the area around St Mark’s. It is an area full of history.
The word ghetto originated in Venice when Jewish people were forced to live in this area. It was also the setting for Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”. Here is some further information about the Jewish ghetto in Venice.
There are lots of dining options here. Choose one and review your perfect day in Venice.
That is the end of the tour. You can either catch a vaporetto back to Venezia San Lucia or walk. It will take you about 10 minutes to walk.

Staying Longer?

There are plenty of other great sights in Venice we haven’t covered here:

• How about a gondola ride. Mornings might be the best time to take your ride, as it is less busy. A couple of things to keep in mind before you board the gondola:
  • There are a number of stations where you can board the Gondola around Venice and some are quieter than others. At peak times, it becomes very crowded, to the point of “traffic jams” on the canals.
  • Think about what you would like as scenery on your ride, it might influence where you board.
  • Rates are set, and it is cheaper before 8 p.m.
• How about a visit to the Fenice Theater? (Teatro La Fenice). Click on the link to check out how magnificent the theatre is. We attended an opera here but you can also just do a tour of the theater.
• There are a lot of other musical and theatrical events on in Venice.  As you walk around notice what is on, purchase tickets in advance.
• When you look out over the water from the edge of St Mark’s Square you notice the beautiful, domed church of Santa Maria della Salute. It is a magnificent sight. Why not visit it? It is not far from the Guggenheim and it is much quieter on that side of The Grand Canal.  You can see it in the picture of the Grand Canal.
• Wander around Venice with no destination in mind. Venice is just made for this. You will come across magnificent churches, large and small piazzas everywhere just oozing with character, beautiful old buildings and the ever-present canals.

And the shopping in Venice is fabulous. No giant, characterless malls here. Start at the Rialto and head towards St Mark’s and see what you find!
Maybe look for a mask or some Murano glassware. Finish off by admiring the very expensive looking shops around Piazza San Marco.

Currency Exchange

The Euro had been hanging out right around 90 to 92 cents on the US dollar for quite a few months.  Unfortunately that changed about a month ago.  Now the Euro is averaging around 88 cents on the US dollar.  What does that mean?  It means - if something cost 1 euro it actually costs (rounded up) 1.14 US.  So for every euro to get the US price multiply it by 1.14.  For example - first night in Dublin a room is 125 euro.  That would be 125 X 1.14 = 142.50.  We have over 5 weeks so it could change.  I will be saying my prayers.

Remember that your best exchange rate will be at an ATM.  Only take out as much as you think you might need because they will charge you to exchange it back to US.  Spend all of your change because they won't take change.  

Always have cash though because a lot of pubs in Ireland only take cash.  Cash is definitely used more in Ireland and Italy than here.  I would say we are a card society.  We think nothing of putting a couple dollars on a card.  I know I rarely have cash but I carry my debit card everywhere. 

AND DON'T FORGET TO FILE A TRAVEL NOTE WITH YOUR CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD BANKS.  If you don't you have about a 97% chance that they will lock the card.  Do this about a week before leaving. 

Getting around Venice

From the Lonely Planet

Vaporetto

The city’s main mode of public transport is the vaporetto. Azienda del Consorzio Trasporti Veneziano runs public transport in the Comune di Venezia (the municipality), covering mainland buses and all the waterborne public transport around Venice. Although the service is efficient and generally punctual boats on main lines get full fast and can be overcrowded during Carnival and in peak season. One-way tickets cost €7.
Some lines make only limited stops, especially from 8am to 10am and 6pm to 8pm, so check boat signage. If in doubt, ask the person charged with letting people on and off the boat.
Inter-island ferry services to Murano, Torcello, the Lido and other lagoon islands are usually provided on larger motonave (big inter-island vaporetti).

Etiquette

Vaporetti can get crowded, and visitors anxious about missing their stops tend to cluster near exits. If you’re standing near an exit, it is common practice to get off and let passengers behind you disembark before you get back on. Passengers with disabilities are first to embark or disembark, and offers of assistance are welcome. On smaller boats, leave luggage in designated areas or risk local ire.

Routes

From Piazzale Roma or the train station, vaporetto 1 zigzags up the Grand Canal to San Marco and onward to the Lido. If you’re not in a rush, it’s a great introduction to Venice. Vaporetto 17 carries vehicles from Tronchetto, near Piazzale Roma, to the Lido.
Frequency varies greatly according to line and time of day. Vaporetto 1 runs every 10 minutes throughout most of the day, while lines such as the 4.1 and 4.2 only run every 20 minutes. Night services can be as much as one hour apart. Some lines stop running by around 9pm, so check timetables.
Keep in mind that routes, route numbers and schedules can change, and not all routes go both ways. Here are the key vaporetto lines and major stops, subject to seasonal changes:
No 1 Runs Piazzale Roma–Ferrovia–Grand Canal (all stops)–Lido and back (runs 5am to 11.30pm, every 10 minutes from 7am to 10pm).
No 2 Circular line: runs San Zaccaria–Redentore–Zattere–Trochetto–Ferrovia–Rialto– Accademia–San Marco.
No 3/DM 'Diretto Murano' connects Piazzale Roma and the railway station to all five stops on Murano.
No 4.1 Circular line: runs Murano–Fondamente Nove–Ferrovia–Piazzale Roma–Redentore–San Zaccaria–Fondamente Nove–San Michele–Murano (6am to 10pm, every 20 minutes).
No 4.2 Circular line in reverse direction to No 4.1 (6.30am to 8.30pm, every 20 minutes).
No 5.1 & 5.2 Runs the same route, Lido–Fondamente Nove–Riva de Biasio–Ferrovia–Piazzale Roma–Zattere–San Zaccaria–Giardini–Lido, in opposite directions.
No 6 Circular line, limited stops, weekdays only: runs Piazzale Roma–Santa Marta–San Basilio–Zattere–Giardini–Sant’Elena–Lido.
No 8 Runs Giudecca–Zattere–Redentore–Giardini–Lido. May to early September only.
No 9 Runs Torcello–Burano and back (7am to 8.45pm, every 30 minutes).
No 11 A coordinated, hourly bus+vaporetto service from Lido to Pellestrina and Chioggia.
No 12 Runs Fondamente Nove–Murano–Mazzorbo–Burano–Torcello and back.
No 13 Runs Fondamente Nove–Murano–Vignole–Sant’Erasmo–Treporti and back.
No 16 Connects Fusina Terminal with Zattere.
No 17 Car ferry: runs Tronchetto–Lido and back.
No 18 Runs Murano–Sant’Erasmo–Lido and back (infrequent and summer only).
No 20 Runs San Zaccaria–San Servolo–San Lazzaro degli Armeni and back. In summer it also connects with the Lido.
N All-stops night circuit, including Giudecca, Grand Canal, San Marco, Piazzale Roma, and the train station (11.30pm to 4am, every 40 minutes).
NMU (Notturno Murano) Night service from Fondamente Nove to Murano (all stops).
NLN (Notturno Laguna Nord) Infrequent night service between Fondamente Nove, Murano, Burano, Torcello and Treporti.

Tickets

HelloVenezia is main reseller of public transport tickets, and you can purchase vaporetti tickets at their booths at most landing stations. Free timetables and route maps are also available at many of these ticket booths. Tickets and multiday passes can also be pre-purchased online through VèneziaUnica (www.veneziaunica.it).
If you're going to be using the vaporetto frequently (more than three trips per day), instead of spending €7 for every one-way ticket, it is advisable to consider a Tourist Travel Card – a pass for unlimited travel within a set period beginning when you first validate your ticket in the yellow machine located at vaporetto stops. Swipe your card every time you board, even if you have already validated it upon your initial ride. If you’re caught without a valid ticket, you’ll be required to pay an on-the-spot fine of €59. No exceptions.
People aged 14 to 29 holding a Rolling Venice card can get a three-day ticket for €20 at HelloVenezia/VèneziaUnica ticket outlets.

Tourist Travel Card Passes

The ACTV vaporetto Travel Cards allow for unlimited travel on vaporetti and Lido buses within the following time blocks:
24 hours €20
48 hours €30
72 hours €40
1 week €60

Vaporetto dell'Arte

New in 2012, the Vaporetto dell’Arte provides a luxurious hop-on, hop-off ride down the Grand Canal. Unlike the public vaporetti, which can be jam-packed, the Vaporetto dell’Arte offers seating in plush red armchairs complete with seat-back monitors screening multilingual information about the attractions en route. Most people don’t bother with these, as the view out the windows is far more arresting.

To get the best value from the service, buy the ticket in conjunction with your Tourist Travel Card, when the +ARTE add-on will only set you back €10. What’s more, the ticket will then be valid for the same length of time as your Tourist Travel Card.

Waiting for Your Ship to Come In

Vaporetto stops can be confusing, so check the signs at the landing dock to make sure you’re at the right stop for the direction you want. At major stops like Ferrovia, Piazzale Roma, San Marco and Zattere, there are often two separate docks for the same vaporetto line, heading in opposite directions.
The cluster of stops near Piazza San Marco is especially tricky. If your boat doesn’t stop right in front of Piazza San Marco, don’t panic: it will probably stop at San Zaccaria, just past the Palazzo Ducale.

Gondola

A gondola ride offers a view of Venice that is anything but pedestrian. Official daytime rates are €80 for 30 minutes (it's €100 for 35 minutes from 7pm to 8am), not including songs or tips. Additional time is charged in 20-minute increments (day/night €40/50). You may negotiate a price break in overcast weather or around noon. Agree on a price, time limit and singing in advance to avoid unexpected surcharges.
Gondolas cluster at stazi (stops) along the Grand Canal, at the Ferrovia stop at the Venezia Santa Lucia station, the Rialto and near major monuments (such as I Frari, Ponte dei Sospiri and Accademia), but you can also book a pick-up by calling Ente Gondola.
You can book a cheaper, non-exclusive gondola ride at a designated time with Tu.Ri.Ve, either online, through a number of travel agencies or at the tourist office. These rides all depart from the waterside in front of the Palazzina Selva Pavilion. In summer rides depart at 11am, 3pm and 5.15pm; in winter at 3pm only. Boats carry a maximum of six people.
Non-profit organisation Gondolas 4 All, supported by the Gondoliers Association, is raising funds to create a new wheelchair-accessible dock at Piazzale Roma. Once up and running the service will be bookable online or by phone.

Cheap Thrills on the Grand Canal: Traghetti

A traghetto is the gondola service locals use to cross the Grand Canal between its widely spaced bridges. Traghetti rides cost just €2 for non-residents and typically operate from 9am to 6pm, although some routes finish by noon. For major traghetto crossings, consult the main map section, though note that service can be spotty at times at all crossings.

Water Taxi

Licensed water taxis are a costly way to get around Venice, though they may prove handy when you’re late for the opera or have lots of luggage. Fares can be metered or negotiated in advance. Official rates start at €15 plus €2 per minute, €6 extra if they’re called to your hotel. There's a €10 surcharge for night trips (10pm to 6am), a €5 surcharge for additional luggage (above five pieces) and a €10 surcharge for each extra passenger above the first five. Even if you’re in a hurry, don’t encourage your taxi driver to speed through Venice – this kicks up motoschiaffi (motorboat wakes) that expose Venice’s ancient foundations to degradation and rot. Make sure your water taxi has the yellow strip with the licence number displayed. Illegal water taxis can be an issue on the Isola del Tronchetto, where there is no taxi stand. If you're arriving here and want a taxi, prebook a pick-up.

Private Water Taxis

Private water taxis are available for hire at Marco Polo Airport. These can be booked at the Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia or Veneziataxi desks, or directly at the dock. Private taxis cost from €110 for up to four passengers and all their luggage. Extra passengers (up to a limit of 12 or 16) carry a small surcharge. Note: all taxis are metered and you should never be quoted a per-person fare.
If you don't have a large group, there is also the option of a shared Venice Shuttle. This is a shared water taxi and costs from €25 per person with a €6 surcharge for night-time arrivals. Seats should be booked online at www.venicelink.com. Boats seat a maximum of eight people and accommodate up to 10 bags. Those opting for a shared taxi should be aware that the service can wait for some time to fill up and has set drop-off points in Venice; only private transfers will take you directly to your hotel.

Hiring a Boat

Aspiring sea captains can take on the lagoon (not the Grand Canal or canals in the historic centre) in a rented boat from Brussa. You can hire a 7m boat (including fuel) that can carry up to six people for an hour (€42.70) or a day (€195.20), or make arrangements for longer periods. You don’t need a licence, but you will be taken on a test run to see if you can manoeuvre and park; be sure to ask them to point out the four boat-petrol stations around Venice on a map.

Monorail

Designed by the architect Francesco Cocco, Venice’s wheelchair-accessible People Mover monorail now connects the car parks on Tronchetto with the Stazione Maritima and Piazzale Roma. Purchase tickets from the vending machines near the station.

Day of the Party

When we first started planning our vow renewal we had plans to renew our vows in a ceremony in the Catholic Church.  Actually it would have been an actual wedding since the Church does not recognize our civil marriage.  My husband has been working on an annulment from his first marriage for a couple of years and we were pretty sure it would be completed by the time of our trip.  Long story short a few weeks ago he stopped the process.  Not because he didn't want the annulment anymore but because of how the Church was handling the entire process. 

We were married by a preacher 25 years ago and I have always been content with that even though I was raised Catholic.  Yes I not only went to a Catholic grade school but also a Catholic High School.  However (and this is nothing against Catholics) I am a Christian first and foremost.  I believe in God and I believe he is my savior.  I believe God intended for us to be married and be together. I 100% believe our marriage is valid in the eyes of God.

With that said I just wanted to let everyone know that we will not be doing any type of ceremony.  I have scheduled a golf outing for that day (Monday May 30th).  I will be emailing everyone again next week to get a final head count of those interested.  The price for the golf outing is 45 Euro per person.  This includes transportation to and from the course, green fees, and equipment rental.  If you are not interested in the golf outing we will be making a day trip to Tramore to see our good friend Bobby. 

Several people have asked about dress code for the party.  Please do not pack anything special just for the party.  If you want to pack a nice pair of slacks for a nice dinner in Italy - go ahead.  But please don't pack something just for the party Monday night.  It will be very casual.  The only thing we are interested in is celebrating our 25 years of marriage with our family and friends. 

I want to thank everyone for joining us on this trip.  I truly believe it will be a trip of a lifetime.  I feel very blessed to have everyone along and super excited you guys will be sharing this special milestone with us. 

Questions

I have had a few questions from different people so I thought I would share the answers:

Q -Is alcohol free on international flights? 

A- Very few airlines offer free alcohol anymore.  Years ago all international flights offered free alcohol but a lot has changed.  Here is a list from if you are curious.  For those flying Air Canada it looks like you are the lottery winner.  :)

http://maphappy.org/2012/07/wine-the-ultimate-list-of-airlines-that-serve-free-alcohol/

Q - It seems that it could rain a lot in Ireland.  What do I need to stay dry? 

A - The rain in Ireland is mostly just a mist or drizzle.  Just bring a travel umbrella and you will be fine. 

Q - Will I have access to laundry facilities if I want to pack light?

A - You will have access to laundry facilities the last night in Dublin and the entire time in Venice.  Be sure to bring a couple laundry pods.  You can buy detergent but it is just easier to have a couple pods available.

Q - How will I get from the airport to the Hotel?

A - For those arriving on Saturday May 28th I have scheduled the Hotel shuttle.  We have 5 people arriving at 7:18am and 12 people arriving at 7:50am.  The shuttle departs the airport on the half hour every hour, however it only can accommodate 8 people per trip.  The shuttle bus for this group will be at 8:30am.  So we will have 8 people on that shuttle.  However that still leaves 9 people.  They have scheduled 5 on the 9:30am shuttle.  We are renting a car and will take as many people as we can but some will have to wait for the 9:30am shuttle.  We can decide who when we get there.

The two arriving at 8:40am will join those riding the 9:30am shuttle bus. 

We have 10 people arriving at 9:45am.  We will meet that group when they arrive.  8 of the 10 will ride the 10:30am shuttle bus and 2 will come in our car. 

The Hotel is about 20 minutes from the airport.

Now for those arriving Sunday - We will pick up the 2 arriving at 5:15am.  The last 4 of the group will be arriving at 10:40am.  I will coordinate bus travel to Waterford.  We will pick them up in Waterford. 

Hotel shuttle pickup location at the airport

Q - What time is check-in at the Hotel?

A - Check-in is at 2pm.  The person I am working with at the Hotel told me she let them know to have our rooms ready ASAP.  If your room is not ready and you want to head into Dublin you can always leave your luggage with the Hotel. 

Q - Should I buy Euro ahead of time?

A - I would not purchase Euro ahead of time.  We always pick up our first Euro at the airport ATM.  What I would do is make sure you have debit cards for 2 different bank accounts.  There are plenty of ATMs in both Ireland and Italy.  However if you only have one account from which to withdraw funds you could be in trouble.  There are multiple things that can happen:  card eaten by ATM, bank network down, daily withdraw limit of $400 US per day, cash advance fees if you use a credit card, etc.  We always split our money into two separate accounts.  Actually 3 - but 2 is sufficient.  I use Teacher's Credit Union and he uses Honor Credit Union and Navy Federal Credit Union. 

Q  - What is the max size for my personal item such as a purse or laptop bag?

A - It depends on the Airline.  Here are the sizes based off the airlines people will be flying:

United = 9 X 17 X 10
Aer Lingus = 10 X 13 X 8
Air Canada = 6 X 13 X 17
WestJet = 16 X 6 X 13
Ryan Air = 13 X 8 X 8
Norwegian Air = just said small handbag or laptop case
American = allows a carry on and personal item.  Personal item must be smaller than carry on.  Carry on size must be no larger than 22 X 14 X 9

Q - How close are the apartments in Venice?

A - The farthest one apartment is from a another is about 1.2 Kilometers.  That is about 3 quarters of a mile.  You won't even realize it is that far since there is so much to see while you are walking.  Venice is not very large at all. 

I hope this helps :)

Items I bring back from Ireland or Italy

I have found a few things in Ireland that I love to bring back every time I go.  One is actually an English item that you can get in Ireland.  I pick it up when I am in England too.  Heather's Nanny who is from England turned me onto it.  It is OXO gravy cubes.  I love them.  They make so many things better.  I used them in the Shepard's pie I made for the meet and greet.  Don't judge me on the amount of OXO I bring home.  ;)  I like to bring spices back too if I find something that looks good that we can't get here in the US. 

I know you can buy Irish tea here but I love to bring back a couple boxes.  Their tea to me is milder and I prefer it so much over Lipton.

CHOCOLATE - Cadbury that is.  You cannot come home without a variety.  I love the twirls, flakes, buttons, -- ok I love it all.  Something about Cadbury chocolate from England and Ireland.  I am getting excited just thinking about it. 

I also love to get the re-usable bags from the grocery stores.  I love using something different here than anyone else.

A couple of great souvenir ideas that won't break the suitcase weight limits are:  Christmas ornaments, magnets, key chains, and of course my favorite - a nice piece of jewelry.  I usually treat myself to one nice piece of jewelry in each country I visit.  It is very practical and a great way to remember a trip. 

In Venice you will get caught up in the carnival masks and glassware.  Ask yourself - do I really wants this and where will I put it.  I have a didgeridoo from Australia in my dining room because of a impulse splurge.  However the three water color prints in my bathroom were by a local artist and I am so glad I bought them.  I have a watercolor from Peru in my bedroom and again - it takes me back to the trip every time I see it.  And it was easy to roll up and put in my suitcase. 

Now for all those Harley riders - you of course will need to visit a Harley Shop in Ireland and Venice. 

I save a lot of my receipts from trips and then put together a scrap book.  It is a fun way to look back and remember the trip. 

Is a Dublin Pass worth it?

Almost every large city offers a pass that saves you money if you plan to see several sites.

Dublin:
https://www.dublinpass.com/?aid=172&gclid=CIPqzs2wh8wCFQ2QaQod7X8LIQ

Sightseeing Made Easy

With The Dublin Pass you don't have to queue to buy tickets, or stand in line to get into the attraction. The pass acts as your ticket into over 25 attractions, sights and museums included. You'll save the hassle of carrying around cash for tickets and allows you to easily budget for your sightseeing when in Dublin. You'll also be able to use the pass to enjoy over 20 exclusive and additional special offers, from restaurant discounts and food trails to pub crawls and gift stores.

 Where can it be used?

The Dublin Pass™ can be used in a wide range of cultural and historic attractions in Dublin, including:

- Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

- Guinness Storehouse

- Dublinia

- Old Jameson Distillery

- National Wax Museum Plus

- Christchurch Cathedral

- St Patrick's Cathedral

- Dublin Zoo

- Croke Park Stadium Tour

- Malahide Castle

 

How does it work?

The Dublin Pass™ works through a scan and barcode system and will become activated the first time of use at an attraction or on the Aircoach transfer. It is always recommended that you activate the pass first thing in the morning to get the most out of your pass usage as the pass works on consecutive calendar days. 

The pass is valid for the duration of your pass; 1, 2, 3 or 5 days – so it’s the perfect option for a range of holidays, whether it’s a short city break or a longer vacation. The Dublin Pass also comes with a free guidebook, packed full of useful information, top tips and details on where to use your pass and how to make the most out of it.

When you visit an attraction simply skip the lines and show your Dublin Pass and head straight inside. No queuing or ticket buying...leaving you more time to explore the fabulous city of Dublin!

 

 

 

7 weeks away

Yep - that's right - most of us will be flying out seven weeks from today.  Time flies so it will be here before you know it.

Just a reminder - Meet & Greet tomorrow at 6:00pm.  Beer, wine, soda, water, and Bellini will be provided.  And thank you again to our wonderful and gracious hosts Rick (aka Riddler) and Stephanie. 

Here are just a few photos of what to expect:

Ireland

Venice