Travel Tips

When you go on a tour, you usually plan ahead…what am I going to see, what am I going to do, where are the best restaurants, what kind of local culture can I immerse myself in?  These are all valid questions.  What about the things you may have overlooked in all the excitement of planning ahead???

We at roadtotravel.com have thought of this for you so you can enjoy yourself on your vacation.  This will eliminate the possibilities of waking up in the middle of the night in your 5 star hotel in the middle of Italy screaming, “did I leave the stove on?” or “who is feeding the puppy?”.  These might be mild exaggerations, but have come true from time to time.  The following are some preparation points along with an attached packing checklist we have thought of for your use.  While each one may not pertain to you, they are generally applicable solutions to overlooked items of importance.  Please accept them as suggestions and not “law” as we have not thought of everything.  If you think you have something to add to these items, do not hesitate to add your suggestions to the comments on this article.

-          Newspaper…cancel your newspaper delivery for the duration of your trip or arrange with a neighbor to pick up your subscription from your property daily

-          Mail…arrange for a neighbor or a family member to pick up and hold your mail on a daily basis

-          Pets…ensure that your pets are going to be taken care of on your premises or that you have boarding arrangements for them for the duration of your trip or even a day longer in case of unforeseen delays

-          Lights…if you have a timer on your lights, ensure that you set it appropriately for both your outdoor and indoor lights.  We have found that sundown to 5:00am for outdoor lights and sundown to 10:30pm for indoor lights are generally used settings.  If you don’t have a timer and someone has access to your property, you may want them to manage the lights while you are away.

-          Thermostats…use your discretion and set your thermostat to a slightly less than comfortable temperature.  This will not harm your pets and will not be uncomfortable when you arrive home.  This will save you energy and money and will not take you long to re adjust your household temperature to a comfortable level.

-          Appliances…ensure that every appliance in the house is turned off.  Unplug any small appliances you can i.e. hair dryers, toaster ovens etc.

-          Food and perishables…dispose of any perishable food items in your fridge that will not last the duration of your trip.  Also, check for any expiration dates on food items i.e. milk, creams etc

-          If possible, have your neighbors either park your vehicle in a different spot on your driveway each evening.  If your car is stored in your garage, have your neighbors park their vehicle on your driveway each evening.  This will avoid any extra attention being paid to your property while no one is at home.

-          Other Administrative and Financial…have all of your bills been paid to date?  You don’t want any surprises when you get home.  Are all of your affairs at work in order…voicemail changed, email on out of office response(if applicable)

The Scavi Tour – Secrets Beneath the Vatican

We couldn’t even sell you this tour if we wanted to.  However, it would be a shame and almost irresponsible of us not to inform you that such a history and culture rich tour exists.  Most people visit the Vatican and stand in awe while inside the Sistine Chapel, not many travelers are aware of the Scavi Tour.  According to the Vatican website and their excavations office, it is a privilege to visit the Vatican Necropolis. 

The tour is full of centuries old artifacts and religious treasures showcased approximately 30 feet below the Vatican.  You will walk the “Street of the Dead” and view frescoes, mosaics and ancient graffiti as you step back in time through the labyrinth to the ultimate historical and religious treasure, the alter that Constantine built over what he believed to be the burial sight of St. Peter.  Based on the evidence given, you will have to make your own conclusions as to whether this is fact or circumstantial.

We can’t sell the tour through www.roadtoitaly.com, we can certainly inform you of the next steps in acquiring a ticket.  The Vatican does not deal with third party agents and not everyone is guaranteed to be accepted.  As I stated earlier, they see it as a privilege and only 250 visitors per day are permitted on the Scavi Tour so if you are interested, contact them as early as possible.

For more information on how to add this fascinating tour to your itinerary, you should search “Vatican Scavi Tour” and follow their very specific instructions on how to request a ticket.