Traveling Italy – First Part
A Three-Part Odyssey by Chelsea Weiss - July 12, 2005
 Traveling to Italy with your parents requires a certain kind of mental and physical preparation that cannot be explained in any of Rick Steve's travel guides. Shortly after finals ended this past spring, my parents graciously invited me to meet them halfway through their whirlwind tour of Italy. Though I have traveled Europe with my parents before, this trip proved to be the most revealing of Italian culture as we traveled at breakneck speeds in a rented Smart Car through Umbria and Tuscany.
The most nerve-wracking aspect of the trip, traveling alone from Boston to Amsterdam and Amsterdam to Rome, established my new found appreciation for independence. Traveling through airport security in the United States and abroad can vary in its level of aggravation, as random security checks and wasting two hours before an international flight contribute to travel anxiety. I suggest purchasing a brightly colored cover for your passport. They are often made of sturdy leather and cost about $20. Holding your passport throughout the barrage of airport security can cut down on the time it takes to get to your terminal. In my trusty leather covering case, I managed to keep track of my boarding pass, a few dollars and essential passport neatly in my grasp through security. The bright red case was easy to find in my nearly bottomless carry-on.
Seven hours on a plane will generate restlessness in even the most sedated passenger. Some flights will show a video that suggests Zen-like stretches that will keep the blood flowing. Every hour or so, out of pure boredom, I stretched in my seat, demonstrating what the video had shown me, careful not to elbow the sleeping passenger to my left. I later found I was less achy when I dragged my overstuffed carry-on through the Amsterdam airport.
Aircrafts for international flights offer a bevy of bathrooms that can be found all over the plane. I suggest eyeing the farthest lavatory from your seat to maximize your walk on the plane as well as guarantee some conversation with those in line. Though I fully support all airplane regulations, I found the bathrooms in first class to be far more spacious and with better scented soap.
- Other articles from foreign visitors to Italy:
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