@gouf78…ordered my purse from Amazon for $45. The mini classic…just the size I want.(basically 9 x 10 x 2) The color I want is backordered until next month, but that’s OK. Taking my Bagallini back for a TJ Maxx Credit. I’m sure I’ll be able to find something 
Thanks for the info! I know I will feel safer carrying it around with the locked zipper. I won’t feel so vulnerable, and I love the fact that it can’t be slashed.
I think you will like that bag - at least I like mine! The inside pockets are a big help in keeping from burying important stuff at the bottom - like, sad to say - reading glasses. I have several Travelon and Pacsafe bags. It seems each year they come out with a new model that answers my latest wishlist feature. I’ve always like them. I’ve looked at the Bagallinis also, love the styles, but I’ve gone with the slash proof and locking zipper features of the Travelon and Pacsafe. Just a note, I always keep my bag on my lap, especially in restaurants. Doesn’t matter how expensive the restaurant or where I am. I just make it a habit so I don’t have to re-think my actions. Paranoid perhaps, but better safe than well, you know…
@Momofadult I’m glad you like yours! Even though I will be wearing a waist wallet (with pouch at the back), I still don’t want the inconvenience of having anything in my bag stolen. I’ll have my camera, phone and probably sometimes tickets to things, and some Euros during the day. I think it will actually make me relax more. I will probably bring it around my waist when I sit and put it in my lap.
Ok, so the vacation request was approved. Made H request 2 weeks off so I can play around with dates and book this trip! For some reason I’m so nervous at pressing buy! I want to make the best possible decision and not make a mistake on this. Silly I know.
Right now airfare for November is around $1200 from Michigan. I’m wondering if you think this is the time to buy airfare or should I wait a bit. I see the flights and they are ok and I do not see a non-stop from Detroit to Rome so I will have to connect.
I would rather connect somewhere in the states, than in Europe. We are in Indiana, and are flying JFK to Venice nonstop on that leg. I think the $1,200 is very reasonable, and I’d consider going ahead and purchasing the extra legroom. I did on the way over, as I want to sleep the best I can at night. Didn’t buy it on the way back.
Thanks so much conmama.
This is where Expedia can lay it all out for you. The page I saw with a sample November date even notes how long the layover is. I don’t know if this page will come through with the detail. http://www.expedia.com/Flights-Search?trip=roundtrip&leg1=from:DTW,to:FCO,departure:11/11/2015TANYT&leg2=from:FCO,to:DTW,departure:11/18/2015TANYT&passengers=children:0,adults:2,seniors:0,infantinlap:N&mode=search
And I’m guessing you already checked there.
But, this is also where a good travel agent can help. They often know of charters needing to fill a flight.
I hate pressing “buy” also. Sometimes, even when booking a flight for myself, I have Hubby hold my hand - and check that I haven’t done anything stupid. I think I view him as a talisman! I agree with the extra legroom, airlines are getting stingier and stingier with Economy class. Well worth the extra.
I always try to book non-stop which is generally possible from ORD, lucky me. Just wondering if you considered looking at options from Cleveland or Chicago or Toronto - I don’t know where in Michigan you are and totally understand if you don’t want or don’t have time to drive to those locations. I don’t know that there is a good way to beat the connection game. I think I’d prefer to connect in Europe - if anything goes wrong on the connection, at least I’m already in Europe. Options for train connections if the air goes totally bust and frequently in the US, there is only one flight a day from a given airport to a European city whereas there may be more departures for flights within Europe. But, this is just me. We need those crystal balls to plan fully.
Very exciting!
I hate pressing “buy”, too. I check and recheck about 4 times. Once I do, I just feel this giddy feeling and want to jump up and down in happiness that it’s really going to happen. There is a relief in having air/hotel booked…then you can relax and start researching tours and restaurants!
You have a point Momofadult about one stop in Europe. However…there is one snag, however if you check your bags you don’t need to worry about this. Carryon luggage and weight. We are doing carryon for the first time. Even though our bags are within the size limit, they are not within the european airlines weight limit. I can fly over nonstop Delta with an overweight carryon (per european restrictions). On the way back I’m checking it, that’s fine.
However, if you stop over in Europe and change planes, you would then have to check your bag to your final destination…which totally messes up the reason to carry it on.
Very good point about the weight limits in Europe. I travel, even for 2 weeks, with a very lightweight small bag after specifically designing a coordinating wardrobe and shoes for journeys. A couple pairs of pants to pack, a skirt or simple dark dress and 4 or so shirts that can be dressed up or down, plus what I wear - always including the heaviest shoes. Everything is dark and either hand washable with overnight or 24 hour drip dry. I always include nice looking black jeans when the weather is not hot. Those really hide the effects of almost daily wear. Cosmetics and toiletries and Ipad and phone and book and whatever else goes in one of my Pacsafe or Travelon bags - the larger, but not largest size. Much of that is left in the hotel when I arrive. I also don’t tend to buy much to bring home, so I’m not concerned about having extra room for the return.
My carry-on is so small it almost always fits under my seat. I’ve purposely learned to use a size smaller than allowed - but now I read that airlines want to change that, too. I’ve also noticed when I’ve looked at carry-ons at stores in Europe that they have started stocking many small bags like mine in the last couple years. When I started out using this one, it was one of the few I saw. Is the world shrinking - or just the airlines???
I do have to admit that when traveling in the US by car, it’s somewhat of a relief just to take everything I think I might possibly use!
I hate pressing “buy” also. Sometimes, even when booking a flight for myself, I have Hubby hold my hand - and check that I haven’t done anything stupid. - Ditto. And when he does the initial planning, he has me look over his shoulder. It’s good to have a second set of eyes.
Wow…I am very impressed. This will be the first time that I’ve traveled carryon. I’m going for 10 days and am taking quite a bit more clothing than you…about 15 pieces in my suitcase.(since it’s summer I can get away with this because clothes are so lighweight…couldn’t if it were another season) I did a trial run with many other things I’m taking and it came to 23 lbs…in a 20 inch carryon! I rolled my clothes!!! What a neat trick, there is no way I could have put all my clothes in that suitcase the way I usually do.
I’m used to traveling in the states with a 30" 50 lb bag…and a carryon duffle bag, too! I will still have a personal item bag…but this is quite the change for me. I know I should take less clothing…but i will see how I do this time and let you know what I think when I get back. But it was just amazing to me what I could getin that bag by rolling my clothes. I also had 2 pairs of sandals, bathing suit, cover up, underwear, hat, curling iron, pjs, purse, etc. It wasn’t even bulging yet, but was full.
I’m taking the Rick Steves “don’t tell Rick” bag as my carryon when we fly back home and checking this bag. Our first time to Europe, so I plan on buying stuff!
One business trip to Boston with a large suitcase, back when they didn’t have wheels and you had to get across the airport, take a bus to the subway stop (or some such hassle,) ended forever any desire I have to travel with everything (except via car that’s a family joke.) And that was in the days before laptop gear. 20" on a flight is it, for me. Plus maybe one shoulder thing. Eg, my walking shoes are both comfy and dressy enough for dinner, if we’re going dressy. Especially with summer clothes things can be washed out and will dry fast.
QMP’s Latin teacher had an eponymous “ideal vacation,” on which he took nothing, bought clothing abroad, gave it away or threw it out, and returned with nothing.
One of my German profs in college had a friend who traveled with two suits–wearing one and sending the other to the hotel dry cleaning service as needed.
At the opposite end of the spectrum: My spouse looked at my packing once and asked, “When is Admiral Peary leaving for the Pole?” But there was that one time at Termini in Rome (described in a post of mine upthread), when heavy packing did come in handy.
Back specifically about Rome:
Piazza Navona is extremely touristy, but it is interesting in the evenings. There are a large number of artists selling their work, and also people selling light-up toys and flying gizmos. Tre Scalini serves dinners, has (or had) nice waiters who seem to enjoy catering to the tourist crowd, and has good gelato (though not the best in Rome). One of the “talking statues” is located in Piazza Navona. These are very interesting to see. The statues carried on dialogs with each other about political issues, via postings by citizens who wanted to remain anonymous. There is also a beautiful fountain by Bernini.
Another item, the Bocca della Verity, is on most of the bus tours, and it is interesting to see. The Bocca is supposed to function as a lie detector–the idea being that one inserts one’s hand into the mouth, and the mouth will bite the hand of anyone who is lying (not bite it off, as wikipedia claims–at least not in the version I have heard). Spoiler: The explanation I heard was that there was often a priest sitting in the church on the opposite side of the Bocca, and the priest held a small rod to strike the hand of anyone he heard lying.
Three other places that are touristy, but nonetheless enjoyable:
The cafe at the Capitoline museum–on a covered roof, with a good view of Rome, and the food is fine.
Ciao Bella, an air-conditioned, enclosed sidewalk restaurant on the Via Veneto. The first time we were there, they offered us complimentary champagne–sadly, not repeated on a return visit.
Hard Rock Cafe Rome (don’t laugh)–food is Hard Rock Cafe type, but you can buy colorful gladiator teddy bears. (Please, no cross-talk with the Bag a Week decluttering thread, also on CC.)
Bocca della Verity was also in movie Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
If you go into the attached church, make sure you have your shoulders covered. This is the only place we saw someone handing out disposable shoulder coverings and insisting on proper attire before entering.
Ok trip is booked! Thrilled and terrified all at the same time. Now I need to go back and read all the great advice and get a touring plan together.
I know it wasn’t just directed at me gosmom but I had to chuckle. We are going in November so I’m thinking covering my shoulders won’t be an issue lol!
and no knees or cleavage showing either 
Deb, your thread got me seriously thinking of going back to Rome, so thanks for sharing.
Congrats deb922! I suggest to go to Tripadvisors as they are a wealth of information, as is the Rick Steves Forums. There are less posters on that forum, but the feel of that forum is a bit friendler. At least you won’t have to deal with the “shorts/no shorts” issue. Will you be in Rome the whole time? Where did you finally decide to stay?
We go in the middle of September, and I have been researching tons. Besides the normal Rome highlights, we are doing the EatingItalyTour. On the link below, click the “Rome Food Tours” at the top left, then Travestere Twilight Tours. This gets very high rating on TripAdvisors. We are also doing the Romus Domane tour…doesn’t take too long and looks pretty cool. Also got good review on TA.
Aaah, the memories of Rome. Having grown up in Rome, it’s surreal for me to ask touristic questions at a place I used to know well. But since my parents retired and left two decades ago, I know there have been a lot of changes so I welcome others’ insights. So yes, thank you for starting this thread. I’m bringing my kids over for their first time and aside from the usual tourist areas, I’d like to show them my old neighborhood and my high school and hope to meet some childhood friends still around. I am especially excited for this trip!