Anybody interested in a DU trip?

[CTyankee]

It would be nice to go someplace with a group of dedicated progressives. I want to go to Italy and it would be cool to have a bunch of DUers with me!

[demjuli]

1. Would love to travel with a group of DU'ers...

especially to Italy. When are you thinking of going?

[CTyankee]

2. Probably in the fall, maybe mid October

I went to Sicily in December and the weather was a downer. I want to go to Rome, Florence, Sienna and Assisi, in particular. Probably a week. I don't have to go to all of those places at one time either. My Sicily trip was 13 days, which I thought was just too long.

Where do you live?

[demjuli]

3. Next fall sounds good...

I'd be up for any of those places--particularly Rome or Florence--and would also like to limit it to one week. I went to Rome, Florence and Sienna in the summer of 1985, as a college student, and haven't had the chance to go back.

I live in Minneapolis..a good place to escape in the winter.

[CTyankee]

4. Sorry, can't do winter, anyway you don't want to go there then

if warmer Sicily wasn't great then you don't want Italy then either.

I am taking the second semester of a class in Italian at my local community college. The language class was very helpful for me when I got to Sicily because so few people there spoke English. I think Italy is different, from what I have heard.

Where to you want to go back in Italy? I haven't been on the mainland so I am open to ideas for travel.

[demjuli]

5. When I was there I liked Rome better than Florence

which surprised me because I had recently taken a Renaissance art history course in college and thought Florence would be the highlight of my trip. I did enjoy Florence too, though.

I only spent a couple of days in each place, so I'm by no means an expert on either. For a one week trip, I would probably go to either Rome or Florence. Siena is (at least in my memory) an easy day trip from Florence. I'm not sure where Assisi is in relation to either Rome or Florence. If I went to Rome, I'd go to Pompeii for a day --something I regret not doing when I was there before.

What types of things are you interested in doing/seeing when you travel?

[CTyankee]

6. Elderhostel has an 8 day trip to Florence that looks interesting

I really didn't like the 13 days in Sicily. Too long. I am too American I guess to like putting on clothes that haven't been washed (except for underwear of course)for 4 or 5 times of wear.

The 8 day Florence Elderhostel trip has a Trinity University professor giving you the art history. I am thinking that might be the best deal. These are trips available in early October.

What does everybody think?

[demjuli]

7. I don't think I'm qualified to take an Elderhostel trip

..the website says it's for people 55 and up. I'm sure that would be a great trip, though--traveling with an art historian would be the right way to see Florence and would give focus to the trip.

I've travelled twice to Paris with a company called go today (www.go-today.com). They also travel to Florence, Rome and other points in Italy. Their trips can be quite economical, and I've been very pleased with their service and the quality of the hotels I've booked through them.

[Maraya1969]

8. I would LOVE to go and my mother is a travel agent for a million years

She only books a few bulk cruises now for her senior groups but she know a LOT. I spent so many years not traveling because of panic disorder and fear of flying and now I want to go but it is hard to find people to go with!

I always mention my mom because she has literally traveled the world and is one to talk to about going places. I'm not selling her, (they made shit anyway, most go into the business just for the benefits).

Anyway, PM me if you want. I can see what is going on.

I am taking a trip by myself to Key Largo to swim with the Dolphins and snorkel in a few months. I am forcing myself to do it because I have only snorkeled a few times but I absolutely love it. And I've swam with Dolphins before and recommend it if you are going to a place that is good to them. The place I am going to has the Dolphins in a lagoon and they are not forced to do anything they don't want to do. But they seem to love human interaction as much as we love Dolphin interaction.

This post may be a bit fuzzy. My sleeping pills have kicked in and I should be in bed.

[AnnInLa]

9. Would love to "do" Tuscany

Just recently retired, and am ready to go anywhere!

Caveat....I smoke. Alot.