Since I usually have a future trip or two planned, I tend to keep all of my favorite travel items together in a bin in my closet for easy access when I go to pack my suitcase.  I’m a big fan of carry on only (COO) travel, for several reasons:  I don’t have to worry about the airline losing my luggage and then having to waste a day or 2 of my vacation hunting down and replacing items; I don’t have to pay to check my bag; I don’t have to haul a large suitcase down cobblestone streets in a foreign country; I don’t have to spend valuable vacation hours packing and unpacking a giant suitcase, mulling over which of my 27 outfits I should wear.  How do I fit everything for a 10 day trip to Italy in a carry on suitcase, you might ask?  It’s easy with a little bit of planning ahead and organization.  

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy.”

– GIUSEPPE VERDI

The first trip to Italy I planned myself was to Rome and the Amalfi Coast.  Rome is a bustling, vibrant city teeming with historical sites that is worthy of a trip all by itself.  The Rome Fiumicino airport is a popular gateway to Italy when coming from the United States, and the only Italian destination that has a direct flight to Florida (Miami International Airport).  Several of my itineraries start and end here since it’s often the least expensive option for me to travel to Italy.

“I gasp for air if I don’t get to breathe Italian air once a year.”

– AUDREY HEPBURN

After my first trip to Italy with the small group tour company, I knew I had to find a way to return.  Taking two consecutive weeks off of work is difficult for me, so I usually have about 10 days to work with when planning a vacation.  When you figure it takes a day to get there and a day to get back, I’m left with about eight days to plan out.  So if you’re like me, and can’t take one big, long vacation, my advice is don’t try to do it all in one trip.  You’ll spend too much valuable time traveling between destinations, that you’ll miss out on quality experiences.  Focus on one or two main locations, you can always come back and see those other places on your bucket list!

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

When I was a child, many of our family vacations were camping trips.  I grew up in New England and every summer we would take our travel trailer to Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, or upstate New York to camp for a week or two, often with my aunts, uncles and cousins.  I’m sure at the time, my brothers and I would groan about the long drive (this was back in the day when books and a walkman were the only entertainment we had).  Our camping menu consisted of the usual hot dogs and beans and S’mores for dessert.