Getting Ready

We have been planning this trip for so long that it is hard to comprehend that we are 3 weeks and 2 days away.  So now that we are close I have picked out all my outfits mentally that I plan to wear.  I just started wearing one outfit a day that I plan to pack to make sure I am 100% comfortable and feel good wearing it.  I have already ruled out a skirt and a maxi dress by doing this.  I would rather wear something twice than feel crappy or uncomfortable in something I only wear once. 

I also go to my "trip" laundry basket and look at everything twice to make sure I really NEED to bring it.  I started with 8 maxi dresses and forced myself down to 4.  I had 4 skirts and forced myself down to 2.  You would think after all these trips I would be more disciplined.  I know I will be much happier taking 6 outfits I love than 15 outfits and only loving a few. 

Now for shoes.  I broke down and bought myself a pair of Tieks.  I found them on a travel blog.  It took me quite a while to give up that much money for a pair of flats but I do have to say they are unbelievable comfortable and great for walking.  I will definitely take mine with me. 

http://tieks.com/ 

In fact I am saving up for a red pair.  I bought the taupe to begin with because they are so neutral.  In addition to the Tieks I will wear a pair of boots on the plane and take a very light pair of wedge sandals and a pair of flip flops.  The Tieks are so comfortable I could workout in them if I needed. 

Most the places we are staying at should have hair dryers but I always take one just in case.  I have been in rented apartments before when the hair dryer quit working so now I am always nervous.  This is the hairdryer that I have.  It works great and can be used with both 110 and 220 volts.  It folds for easy packing.  It has a little dial on the handle to change to the correct voltage.

http://www.amazon.com/Conair-Voltage-Folding-Handle-Dryer/dp/B00006IV22/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1462384456&sr=8-1&keywords=dual+voltage+hair+dryer 

I ended up getting a full size flat iron for the trip.  With the humidity in Ireland I really need the power.  I have been using it to make sure I love it and I have to say especially for the price - I really like it.

http://www.amazon.com/Remington-S5500-Digital-Ceramic-Straightener/dp/B003S516XO?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

As you can tell I am an Amazon freak.  I love Prime!!

I am bringing a portable blue tooth speaker so have your play lists ready!!  I figured we could use it on the bus or at the pub Sunday or Monday evening.


I have the food setup for both Sunday night May 29th and Monday night May 30th.  Sunday night will just be a light fair of sandwiches, cocktail sausages, and chicken pieces. Geraldine is actually making the food for Sunday evening.  She and her husband Pat own the pub - the Glen Bar.  Then Monday night will be catered.  I already gave everyone the menu for that night.  Guinness Irish stew with mashed potatoes, BBQ ribs, Cold Buffet Turkey and Ham(home cooked), choice of salads, and home made Breads. Dessert will be Sherry Triffle, pavlova, and cupcakes. And of course we will have a cake. 

Under 4 weeks

We are under four weeks and I am getting really excited.  However we need to say a few more prayers.  The dollar against the Euro is going the wrong way.  As of today one Euro costs 1.1534 cents.  This is the lowest the dollar has been against the Euro in 6 months.  So please pray pray pray!!

If anyone is on Instagram natgeotravel is in Ireland right now and posting the Dingle Peninsula.  So much fun to see.  It is making me even more excited for the trip.

I won't be posting as much in the next couple of weeks.  I am very busy at work and also will have company in town for a few days starting Thursday.  As we get close I will start posting the check lists again to make sure we are all ready in a little over 600 hours. 

I have followed up with all the accommodations and they are ready and expecting all of us.  I do have one thing to ask.  Venice charges a daily tourist tax that I am not able to pay up front.  They collect cash at the time we check into the apartments.  So please have 6 Euro per person ready.  The cost is 2 Euro a night per person per night. 

I currently have only 5 people interested in golf on Monday May 30th.  If anyone changes their mind please let me know. 

Oh - pray for nice weather too!!  :)

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.