Italy 2006, Planning Blog
--Andrew McGarrell
August 2005-- I booked my next trip to Italy 11 months in advance. I had the American Airlines miles (not many from flying) to go to Europe in Business Class, and knew that I should try to book the award travel as it became available. The AA.com Web site shows award availability on their own flights; availability to Rome goes away quickly. There is pretty good availability to London, so I decided to do that and include a London stopover. I could also get travel between London and Rome on British Airways as part of the award; I was looking into options for paid travel for that segment if award travel didn't come through.
When I reached the magic number of days before the return trip, I called to reserve. I booked myself on the day flight to London, so I hope it won't be too late for me to get into town on the Heathrow Express. I'll have four nights in London, then go on to Rome. My return flight is a couple of days before the ideal date; this will be on American from Rome to Chicago, then Kansas City.
So, with plenty of advance time, I'm thinking of what to do. I'm hoping to have Hilton points to stay at the Paddington in London (attached to the station, fun for my interest in transportation). I have vague thoughts for the time in London, maybe a day trip to Oxford. In Italy, much will depend on whether other family will be there at the same time; for myself, I may just have a short car rental and mostly stay around the house. One possible trip outside Umbria would be to Ferrara and Bologna.
November 2005-- Still only occasionally thinking about this trip, but I've reached one step: I reached the required Hilton Hhonors points for four nights at any hotel, in large part thanks to multiple donations to walks for cancer research. I promptly made my booking at the London Paddington.
April 2006-- I haven't added to this blog in some time. I've dealt with buying a house, and my cat's illness, plus busy times at work. Plans are coming into place. My mother and a young family friend will be in Umbertide, leaving a week before I do. It looks like I'll spend two nights in Rome, with the chance to get together with some Slow Travelers, before going to Umbria. I'll rent a car for eight days, staying mostly in Umbria. When the others leave, I'll spend a few nights in Bologna, with a day trip to Ferrara. I'm considering spending the night before my return flight in Orvieto instead of Rome.