I hear ya ... I am getting so excited. But the closer we get the more nervous I get. I just keep thinking that we are all travelling solo (most of us for the first time), so really we are all doing it together. Talking on here and starting to get to know everyone has really help with keeping my nerves in check

So Tracey, tell us a bit more about yourself.

Hey ladies... (and welcome Tracey!!)

Shawna I totally agree with you... I am getting kinda nervous too but above and beyond that, I am getting super excited for the whole trip and even more so to meet all you ladies. After all this chatter online it sounds like we are all on the same page and going to get along really well!
I think I am most nervous about getting from the airport to our 1st hotel on my own. Shawna and Sheree- last I hear, you 2 were planning to meet at the airport and head to the hotel together is that still the plan? I don't get in until 2ish but maybe if you guys promise to keep an eye out for me when I finally get the hotel, that might make me feel a little better. Plus, it's always nice to know someone when you 1st get there. You think you can handle that?
Anyways... the countdown is really on now... just over a month and we will be in Italy!!!
Cheers,
-B-

Bree you have no worries ... I can't speak for Shez but as for myself I will make it my first mission in Italy to watch out for you at the hotel Though you might be making you first step of the Italy adventure a few hours after us, your first steps into the hotel will be with a warm welcome

I can't wait ... 34 days 'til we leave!
Shawna

Shawna- you are too sweet! The arrival in Rome is seriously one of the only parts of the trip I am REALLY super nervous about. That little message just really put my mind at ease so thank you I imagine you ladies, getting in so early will want to do a little exploring around the area so we will be sure to catch up at the meeting that night at 6pm (if not before!!!)
Is there anything that you are specifically nervous about? or just about the trip in general?
Thanks again Shawna...
Cheers,
-B-

Hey B ... What time do you arrive in Rome? For me it was my arrival in Rome as well, paired with getting from the airport to the hotel. This has minimized knowing that I won't be doing this last part all by myself. But aside from that there are two things that I am nervous about. First, small little things about our Italy trip - being bunked with someone I don't get along with, not having enough money, getting lost or seperated from the group, etc. These small things I am really trying to worry about as they are normal things about big trips to be concerned about. My only other anxiety is about my second trip where I wll be spending 2 nights by myself in Athens which I am spending in a hostel - my first time in a hostel. Overall though, I am excited about everything and I can't wait to actually meet everyone we've been talking to

Hi Ladies,
You may not remember me but I wrote on here ages ago and have since been travelling canada and europe for the past month and a bit. I've been doing it alone and have been meeting up with people. And like all of you, I was **** scared about doing it on my own, and it really is hard, but I feel so confident now that you will all feel so proud of yourselves after, so dont be afraid of doing it alone, its the best way! I just had 5 days in London with a group of friends from back in Australia and it drove me nuts!

About our tour, Im so excited for it, I think its going to be one of the highlights of my trip. Ive just seen all the photos from my friends contiki who went to most of the same places in Italy and it looks amazing - they all said they had the time of their lives!

I arrive a day earlier, so the 30th August and am staying at the XX Settembre Hotel. I do have a question though that may sound so stupid, but what time do we meet and where on the 31st? Im so confused about that part!

Also, after the tour is over, how many people are staying for extra nights? Im staying only the one and I fly out on the 12th. If anyone wants to share a room that night, let me know and we can try and organise that now!

Well Im stuck in Vienna alone on my 21st burhtday at the moment! Supposed to be in greece with my friends celebrating - instead my flights were delayed and I have missed them! But you now, these crappy things happen on overseas trips and you just have to suck it up and be thankful nothing bad has happened!

Hope everyone is getting excited, Europe is fantastic - I hated Athens but Venice was just so beautiful and London is my favourite city - Im in love!

Take care guys,
Amy xo

Hey Amy,

Wow that all sounds amazig, except the flight delays. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

There are 4 of us staying on after the tour ... 2 just for the 11th and 2 for the 11th and 12th. We have been trying to sort out our accomodations as 2 of us have reservations at 2 different hotels. One can't be cancelled but mine can. I have just been waiting for responses from everyone as to what they want to do before I go ahead and cancel mine. My thought is that, if the other hotel can't be cancelled then I should cancel mine and we should all find something close to the other one (which is by Vatican City) - whether that be another hotel or a hostel. What does everyone else think?

As for what time we meet and where ... I am not sure of the yet as I have not received my travel docs yet. But I can't wait.

wow... so much has gone on in my absence... you all are making me hyped!! Amy.. happy 21st! not fun you spent it alone but the fun you're up for over the next few mths will make up for it! And welcome tracy! looks like our tour bus will be dominated by aussies and canadians so far!

i have my travel docs but im away from home at the mo.. i'll get back to you all with more info about where we're staying in sorrento, what they suggest about when to visit the museums etc when i can.

accommodation is definitely something i have to sort soon.. im staying an extra 2 nights in rome afterwards and would love to book with someone. personally id be looking hostel type of accommodation just cause im on a budget, but that will be made much better by sharing with friends rather than complete strangers! so the more we can get together the better a place we could stay for less and not share with strangers. over the next week im going to look into some nice places and can let you guys know unless someone finds something sooner!

and bre, im all up for catching up before our tour meeting! i dont see myself venturing out too far that afternoon anyway, it'd be more fun to all catch up and get to know each other. i plan to take my mobile so if anyone else does we should figure out how best to exchange numbers beforehand and go from there.

cant wait! i fly out 3 weeks today yippee!

I am feeling so much better now!!! You ladies seem so nice that I am not as nervous lol. I'm curious, are you guys bringing backpacks or suitcases and for the extra nights are you staying in budget hotels or hostels?

Hey Tracy,

Are you staying on an extra night (Sept 11) as well?

Hi Shawna,

I'm actually staying 2 extra nights then flying to Athens for my next tour.

Ive been backpacking and so far its been pretty good! Really handy with trains and stairs but it does get annoying too! That's just what Ive found!

Hey…

Shawna- I arrive at 1:55pm Rome time (if all goes as planned.) I will be looking out for you and Sheree when I get to the hotel. As for your other worries... I am totally with you on the getting lost, not bringing enough $$, etc. but I think we will all look out for eachother. It is so nice to know that we are all nervous and we are all in the same boat so hopefully we will have eachother’s back.

Amy- sounds like you are really on a whirlwind trip… and happy birthday! Sounds like you are going to be the seasoned traveller in the group. I think we have a pre-departure meeting on the 31st at 6pm at whatever the hotel is that we start at.

Sheree- I am 100% in for sharing a room with you and Shawna!! Also, it sounds like Tracy is staying 2 more nights too… maybe she wants to stay with us, making it 4 of us staying together. Let me know what you find. I promise I am good for the money and you have my word that I won’t back out if you book it. I have only stayed in a couple hostels in my life… as long as it’s not one of those 16 bed rooms, I’m good with it. I am not bringing a phone with me because the roaming charges are just too much but maybe you can send me a message on facebook and give me the # so I will have something if I get lost, I can call you from a pay phone or something.

Tracy- I am bringing a suitcase because that is what I have. I figure for the 2 weeks I am going to be away that I won’t have to be lugging it much further then from the bus to the hotel room and the room to the bus.

Well, I’m off for now… but the countdown REALLY is on now… just over a month ladies!!!

Cheers,
Breanne

Hey all,
I am really glad that we are all talking like this it really helps to sort everything out. I know I have said it before but it had to be said again

Tracy - I am bringing a suitcase because its what I have but also because I have a bad shoulder from an accident a few years ago and I really couldn't carry a back pack that much.

Ok so the xtra night situation. I want to make sure I have this right ... please anyone correct me if I am wrong. Anne-Marie, Amy and myself are staying for the 11th while Shez, Bree, and Tracey are staying the 11th and 12th. And if I remember the posts right Anne has a hotel booked near Vatican city and can't cancel it. I am cancelling mine tomorrow morning. Did I get that all right?

I am up for staying in a hostel and I as well am good for the money if a reservation is made.

Does everyone want to see the David? If I remember right ... Shez, Bree and myself have all agreed we want to go ... anyone else?

Shez hope your hand is mending and Amy hope you had a fun birthday

Shawna... all sounds right to me! Go ahead and cancel your reservation and we can work out somewhere that we can all stay together.

And yes, I would love to see David!! We should probably get on booking things soon eh? I'm still kinda confused as to what day we should book them for, etc. But yes, I am 100% in!

Cheers,
-B-