I finally did it and booked it. Anyone else going?

My friend and I are going! This will be my first time to Italy. I'm very excited. Have you been before?

This will be my first time too. It is actually going to be my first time doing any major travelling. And the funniest thing is ... I have decided to do it alone. Where are you guys from?

I am booked on this trip and also travelling solo. I am from the Toronto area. I am so excited, I can't wait to get there. I would love to know more about who I'm going to be travelling with.

I am from Vancouver and I can't believe that I am finally travelling. I love the idea of getting to know those we are travelling with. So ... that being said ... I am Shawna and i am 28. I finally graduated last year from Simon Fraser University. I am doing the Simply Italy tour with an extra day at the end in Rome and then I will be off for 2 days in Athens and then the Greek Island Hopping Tour.

I'm also going to be 28 by that time. I have wanted to go to Italy my whole life. I work in HR and am currently on contract with a municipality. I am not staying on after though I wanted to, my sister in law is due to give birth around the time we get back. I am a little jealous that you are doing the Greek Islands, they are definitely one of my next trips, I've heard they are beautiful.

I have been wanting this for as long as I can remember. I think it all started when my mom showed me her pictures from her backpacking trip through Europe when she was 21 (her favorites were Italy and Greece). But unfortunately timing was never right for me ... ha nor was finances.
I am currently working with kids (aged 3- 18) with Autism. I work in their home and help them build cognitive and soical skills. I have recently been given a promotion and am now responsible for drafting programing to be approved by a behaviour consultant.
Wow an aunt, congrats . I think that is definitely more important than a trip. I will give you an update on how the trip goes.

Hey...
Sounds like this trip is going to be a bunch of Canadian girls... I just booked this tour today... I can't wait!!
I'm 25, from Toronto, travelling solo and I also work with kids. I work at a pediatric rehab centre focusing on Brain Injury Rehab. It's a great job but I am looking forward to a couple of weeks away!
Anyways, looking forward to meeting you ladies.
Breanne

Well that is because Canadian Girls Rult That job sounds awesome, tough but rewarding ... yes?

Hey Shawna...

You are right... Canadian Girls RULE!!

Yes, the job has it's share of ups and downs but overall it's very rewarding! You must feel the same way with your job! I am looking forward to having the 2 weeks off to come to Italy though

Sounds like we will have lots in common and I am glad to hear that there are other solo travellers!! When are you flying in to Rome?

Breanne

You're right. There are definitely ups and downs but they always seem to balance out as you see a new skill develop.

I am also glad to see other solo travellers and travellers around my age. Since I booked a lot of people have been warning me that the majority of people are going to be between 18 and 21. I think I fly into Rome via Toronto sometime in the morning (I'm thinking about 8:15ish local time but I will have to find the details and confirm that for you). How about you? I would find it so funny if we all, or even a couple of us, ended up on the same flight

Shawna

Hey Shawna,
I am also glad to see that there some others around our age. From what I hear, these Italy ones are mostly Canadians and Australians! It's bound to be a great time.
Funny (or not so funny) story about my flights, I didn't book them with Contiki and the travel agent messed up and booked me on a flight arriving a day early. They are trying to fix it but I may be spending the night of the 30th at a random hotel in Rome. Oh well.. it's all about the adventure I guess! I am also staying in Rome for 2 days after. The flight is through Skyservice and it was less then half the price of any of the other airlines and it's direct to Rome which is nice I am going to try to find out which hotel we are staying at in Rome with Contiki and then try to get a room for the night in a hotel close by.
Keep me updated on any other plans, etc.
(Only 105 days and counting!!)
Cheers,
Breanne

Hello Ladies,

It's nice to know that someone else is also counting down the days until our trip. I have to agree that Candadian Girls do rule. I am flying via Dusseldorf on the way there, arriving in Rome around 1:35pm and through Munich on the way back.

As mentioned aunthood is what I will be coming home to possibly as my sister-in-law's due date has just been moved up to the 14th, I've already put in my request for her to wait.

I am trying not to think about the trip too much but after reading some of these posts I think that I would like to have a list of things I want to see in each city. I also don't think I am going to stick around for all the items they have planned. The demos and contiki owned stores I can miss to have some extra time in Florence and Venice.

What are you girls thinking?


Ciao,
Jenny

Hey Jenny...
Glad to see there are a few of us who are already posting on a regular basis. I am already super excited (and a little nervous) for this trip. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's all about the adventure! I think I got my flights worked out so I will be arriving at 1:55pm on the 31st. Skyservice is the way to go... direct both ways for just over $1000 with taxes in, etc. Did you pay for a transfer through Contiki or how are you getting to the hotel? I think I am going to take the train... EEK!
I totally feel for you about the due dates... I wanted to go on a later tour but my sister is due on Thanksgiving weekend and I REALLY didn't want to be away for it so I chose this departure!
I also have TONS I want to see in each city... I am staying in Rome for an extra 2 nights after the tour so at least I feel like I will have lots of time there! As for Florence and Venice... I feel like there is too much to do!! What in particular are you looking forward to in those cities? Maybe if a couple of us are on the same page we can just organize our own "tours" in some of the cities! Let me know.. I'm seriously up for pretty much anything!!
I am planning on picking up a phrase book just so I don't feel totally out of touch with the language.
Cheers,
-B-

Hey Ladies,

So, I wasn't that far off. I will be arriving in Rome 11 am local time, and I have no idea how I am going to get to the hotel. Strangely enough I hadn't thought about that one too much.

I also have tons I want to see but I don't even know where to start. I am starting to sift through tour books to figure some of that out. And Bree you won't be the only one trying to learn some of the language, I have a course on tape that I am trying to learn from. Everyone is trying to encourage me to also speak to my neighbour who is Italian ... scary thought considering I can't even remember most of the words I have been learning.

Shawna