Oh! CRAP!!

Double Crap!! That was me last night as I was finally going through all of our travel documents. Lemme 'splain.

Some backstory: Joe's mom and dad are travel gods. They have friends and contacts all over the world. And when we decided we were going to do a land package, instead of a cruise, Joe called his dad, who, of course, says, "yeah, I know a guy." (What makes this even more perfect is that Wally is from New York, so you have add in the accent, the eyebrow/head shrug and the pants hitch.) Can you picture it? It's real. So Wally puts us in touch with Roberto, an Italian friend who is married to an American; they live in Southern California. Roberto runs one of the largest tour operations in Italy (he KNOWS guys!) and is more than happy to help out Wally's son and daughter-in-law. (It's good to know the travel gods.)

After weeks of research and surfing the web, I set up a call with Roberto and simply tell him what we think we'd like to do during our time in Italia. Within days, he sends me an e-mail with a very organized plan (I like this guy already), complete with transfers, recommendations, and options. It's fantastic! and Joe and I begin to gear up our excitement about the trip. We confirm our choices with Roberto (including our hotel in Florence, which I separately booked online) and he turns us over to his operations manager, Nicoletta, un gioiella (a jewel). Nicoletta sends us our transfers and tour confirmations (along with the names of our driver, Walter and our personal guide, Gloria), train tickets, hotel vouchers, everything! All of which I put in an envelope and set aside until I get a chance to go through everything...hey! I've been busy.

Well last night I had my chance. I laid out our vacation day by day to look for any blanks and make sure everything was in order. It was at that moment when...OH! CRAP!! I couldn't find my separately made Florence hotel reservation/confirmation. Great. Well, at least I caught it last night and not standing in the hotel lobby on the appointed day. So I'm writing a very contrite, hopeful e-mail to La Residenza, pleading with them to locate my previously made reservation and confirm that we're in good shape. Imagine my conversation with Joe: "Um, honey. I can't find our confirmation for the hotel in Florence...we're going to have to stay at the Hotel Merde...you won't mind too much, will you, muffin?"

Turns out...all was well. The staff at La Residenza, Luciano to be precise, e-mailed me that we, in fact, had a reservation and they were awaiting our arrival to their beautiful city. They'd even make arrangements for reservations at the Accademia (the David) and the Uffizi (fabulous renaissance art museum) for us at no charge (I'm soooo taking them up on that).

But back to Roberto/Nicoletta. I have to say to all the things I've read about Italy: how beautiful it is, how good the food is, how spectacular the ruins are, how wonderful the art is, how fabulous the gelato is and how expensive the leather is, I'd like to add how wonderful the people are. We had a couple of changes that needed to be made, and Nicoletta took care of us in a flash. She also answered one of my questions, with, "as you like, you are the chief." I immediately told Joe I had proof that it wasn't just me who thought that. I have people around the world who think so, too. He was nonplussed.

So now everything is in order. And more than seeing the breathtaking scenery, gorging on tasty pasta and gelato, standing in awe at the Colosseum and in Pompeii, tearing up as I take in amazing paintings and sculpture and getting a noseful of buttery soft leather, I am anticipating a Grinch moment. You know the one. At the end, when his heart grows three times its size? I think that's how I'll feel meeting and interacting with people, who, like Roberto and Nicoletta, are proud of their beautiful country and rich heritage, are truly gracious and immensely helpful, and who are ready to share their easy style with open arms and welcoming words.

Non possiamo aspettare! (We can't wait!)
Ciao.