Public Restroom Survival Kit

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Relief !

Last Minute Details

What's on your last minute list?

• Alert credit card companies and banks (if you will be using your ATM card to get cash) that you will be using the cards in Italy
• Make a list of numbers to call if credit cards are lost/stolen
• Send itinerary and flight info to family, put a copy in your checked luggage as well as carry on
• Send a link to this blog to family and friends
• Add international calling to cell phone plan
• Check the long-range forecast (www.weather.com) and make sure you have appropriate clothing
• Check the camera batteries; put the camera manual in your bag and pack extra batteries or a battery charger
• Update voice mail and e-mail auto-reply message
• Charge device batteries (pda, iPod, mobile phone) and spares
• E-mail critical documents to your webmail account
• Remove unnecessary cards from wallet (library, video rental, punch cards, extra credit cards)

Household stuff:

• Set heat and water heater at minimum
• Set lights on timers
• Turn off coffee pots or other appliances with automatic turn on
• Turn off ice maker
• Get rid of perishables in refrigerator
• Water plants
• Empty trash and clean kitchen
• Lock all windows and doors
• Power-off computer and other sensitive electronic equipment

Arrival in Italy

Our first flight is scheduled to land at Rome's international airport, known by both its location (Fiumicino) as well as its name (Leonardo da Vinci), but usually referred to as Roma Fiumicino.

If our flight is on time, we will have more than two hours between flights (we are scheduled to arrive at 7:25 AM, and depart for Pisa at 9:50 AM).

After leaving the plane, we will take a tram ride from the satellite gates (seen in the foreground of the picture above) to the main building (like you do in the Orlando and Tampa airports) and wait on line to go through Passport Control.

After clearing Passport Control, we'll follow signs that say either "transiti" (transfers) or "passeggeri in transito" (passengers in transit) and walk from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1, from which our next flight will depart.

Most of the walk is through an airport shopping mall.  The airport shopping guide can be found here:  http://www.romeairportshoppingallery.com/index.php?lng=2

For those who will be looking to get Euros, along the way we will pass by eight ATM machines (called "Bancomat" in Italian).  Look for this sign to identify them:

 For those who like maps, you can download PDF files of the airport maps here:  http://www.adr.it/portal/portal/adr/Fiumicino/Servizi/Mappa_Terminal_FCO

Medications in Carry On Luggage

Two conversations this morning led me to check the Transportation Security Administration web site to confirm the regulations regarding prescription medications in carry on luggage.

As it turns out, medications do not need to be in their original packaging.  They do not even need to be labeled.  The following is copied directly from the TSA site (link provided below), but the highlighting is mine.

All medications in any form or type (for instance, pills, injectables, or homeopathic) and associated supplies (syringes, Sharps disposal container, pre-loaded syringes, jet injectors, pens, infusers, etc.) are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. Atropens, an auto-injection system that can help treat many emergency conditions (low heart rate, breathing problems, and excess saliva related to insecticide, nerve gas or mushroom poisoning) are also allowed.

We do not require that your medications be labeled.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) migraine inhalers and CO2 refills.

Medications in daily dosage containers are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened.

TSA Website link:  http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm#4

I Want Door #4 Monty!

Do you remember the end of "Let's Make A Deal" when Monty Hall would ask the contestants in the big deal if they wanted Door #1, Door #2, or Door #3?

Well, we want Door #4, because at Newark Liberty International Airport, Door #4, Terminal B, upper level (departures) is the door nearest to the Alitalia check in desks.

As you enter Door #4, just ahead and slightly to your right will be the Alitalia check in area.

You'll see a sign (in green, above) that says ROMA - that's us!

After checking your luggage (be sure it is tagged through to Pisa - PSA), head down to the gates.   Our flight will most likely leave from the B1 pod (gates 40 - 47).

There's a Champps Americana and a Java Moon Cafe down near the gates, see you there!



One Week from Today!

It's time to get serious now!  So what goes in your carry-on?

I carry everything I couldn't live without, in case my luggage doesn't arrive (this has actually never happened to me, and I travel a lot, but you never know ...), and everything I need to be comfortable and entertained on the flight, including:

• Medications
• Snacks
• Books, crossword puzzles, knitting
• A complete change of clothes
• Makeup, toothbrush and toothpaste
• Noise cancelling headphones
• Electronics (Ipod, cell phone, Kindle, camera)
• Cash, credit cards and passport
• Travel blanket & pillow, airplane slippers (I make myself at home)

Christmas Shopping?

If you'll be looking for unique Italian gifts to bring home, one place to check out (even if you're not looking for gifts) is the pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella. 

Known for centuries as the place to go in Florence for perfumes, lotions and herbal remedies, the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is still going strong. 

You can read all about the Farmaceutica and see some of their products on their web site here: http://www.smnovella.it/en/home.asp?idc=286

Smithsonian Magazine wrote about it here:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/heaven-scent.html?c=y&page=1

The New York Times covered it here:  http://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/26/travel/shopper-s-world-florentine-potions-for-sale.html?sec=travel&pagewanted=1