DeltaDawn Details #9 3/6/2012
17. This one is an "oh my"...The public restrooms in Italy do not provide toilet paper so we should bring along the little packaged kleenex just in case we find ourselves in that situation! You can also put a partially used roll of toilet paper in a baggie and use that. The roll can be smashed where it is mostly flat...woo hoo!
18. The winery scheduled for our Tuscan lunch has been moved to: Castello di Vicchiomaggio. Our favorite wasn't available for us on this day. Here is the web site: http://www.vicchiomaggio.it/eng/index.html Lunch, Wine and tour of the vineyard....excited! PS: Remember "half the clothes you think and twice the money!" 
Only 4 Days til The Best of Italy !!! Geta packin...
DeltaDawn Details #8 3/4/2012
15. Don't forget your neck or travel pillow for the long flight to Rome.
16. This reminder, you must be at the airport 2 hours early! (5:00 A.M. if DFW)
DeltaDawn Details #7 3/4/2012
13. Talked with AT&T about cell phone. With most current plans, it will cost $1.39 per minute to make calls from Italy and .50 cents per text message. You can add an "international/travel plan" that drops the cost to $1.19 per minute and you can also buy 50 text messages for about $10.00. The main thing is to make sure your "Data roaming" is turned off! (Data roaming is the connection that allows your phone can get on the internet). If not turned off, your phone will be seeking service where ever you are and the roaming charges could/will be expensive! The AT&T man recommended you use WI-fi connections that most hotels and some restaurants have. WI-fi should be free at most places. In case of emergency, you can turn on Data Roaming, use the internet, then turn it off after use. Check with your cell phone service provider for your options.
For Android phones: Go to Settings >> Wireless and network >> Mobile networks >> Data roaming (make sure unchecked!)
For Iphones: Go to Settings >> General >> Network >> Data Roaming (make sure the Data roaming button is off!)
14. To speak with a SkyMiles representative, call 800-323-2323. Connie used this contact phone number to arrange for credit for SkyMiles by giving the Delta representative the flight numbers and her SkyMiles account number. Save your boarding passes from your flights until you see that the miles have been credited to your account.
Link to SkyMiles contact page: >>
https://www.delta.com/help/contact_us/skymiles/index.jsp
DeltaDawn Details #6 3/1/2012
11. Our flight to Rome is 9 hours 30 minutes. Make sure you pack some snacks in your carry on bag. Peanut butter crackers, and the like make great easy snacks. Even though we will be fed on the flight, experienced travelers always take a little extra!
12. Shoes, shoes, shoes...make sure you have good walking shoes. A good pair of comfortale tennis shoes or Rockports are a must. Hey, being stylish is not the wise thing. We have lots to see and lots to do...hurting feet is not good.
Also, you may want to pick up a pair of ear plugs...if you are a light sleeper it will help drown out the onboard noise.
DeltaDawn Details #5 2/29/2012
9. Took care of my Euros! Turns out that my bank, Chase, was 9 cents cheaper than Travelex and cheaper than American Express. For the Euros I exchanged, I saved $107.00 by going to my bank instead of travelex. I did not get the card with the euros loaded on it, but I have a great neck pouch that will protect my euros!!! Chase bank was $1.42 for one Euro; Bank of America was $1.41 for one Euro. You can exchange them back for dollars when you return if you have any left.
10. Reminder: Be sure to call your bank and alert them you will be using your card in Italy . Phone number is on the back of the card. Also, talked with Chase today and they suggested that I put the Toll free International number on the back of the card in my phone in the event I needed to call them for any reason while abroad! You can also put the number in your suitcase.
DeltaDawn Details #4 2/27/2012
7. Common Sense, but worth mentioning...make sure you make arrangements for transportation to and from the airport. Parking your car at DFW is $19.00 per day, that's $171.00 for 9 days! There are remote parking places such as The Parking Spot; they will shuttle you to the airport. They are less, but not cheap. They charge $10.42 per day for uncovered parking. Our recommendation is to have a friend or family member take you and pick you up.
8. You should have received a final accounting letter in the mail from TSA by now. If you have not you may want to contact TSA.
http://www.tsatours.com/contact-us/
DeltaDawn Details #3 2/25/2012
5. Looks like the cold weather is holding it's own in Italy darn it! Ladies may want to grab some cuddle duds and guys maybe a pair of thermals??? We will keep you posted on the weather as we get closer.
http://www.deltadawntravels.com/weather_in_italy <<link to check weather
6. Looks like the Euro is creeping up too! It’s at $1.34 today. You might want to get those before it goes up to $1.40!!!
http://www.deltadawntravels.com/currency_converter <<link to currency converter.
Have a great weekend, 14 days and counting!
DeltaDawn Details #2 2/23/2012
3. Reminder: You should contact your cell phone carrier about international plans ASAP. You may consider going into the cell phone store and have them show you what to do on your phone. Don’t wait til the last minute!
4. For your reading pleasure on the website, we have attached notes on Venice and Florence from Malin Jansson, our tour guide in 2007 and our tour guide again this year in Florence.
DeltaDawn Details #1 2/22/2012
1. Join Delta SkyMiles - It takes just minutes
https://www.delta.com/skymilesenrollment/landing.action
2. Contact your bank to let them know your debit/credit card will be in Italy!
See phone number on the back of your card.