We have bought our airline tickets for the Europe trip this fall ...
Portland to ORD, change to Scandinavian to Stockholm, change to Lufthansa to Munich. There we'll stay three nights about 20 miles southwest of Munich, in a tiny lakeside town where I spent a week on a student tour in 1968. I've been waiting 45 years to go back.
Then we'll fly to Venice for two nights; train to Siena for five days of sightseeing and mingling with the locals in the hill towns; then train to Rome for two nights. Mrs. Pilawt needs her Trevi Fountain fix.
The cheapest flights back to Portland from Rome are via Dublin on Aer Lingus. It doesn't cost any more to split it up and book a separate flight from Rome to Dublin, then DUB-ORD-PDX; so we'll take advantage of that and spend a couple of nights in Dublin.
This must really be happening. Just got the phone call from the bank inquiring about "suspicious activity" on our credit card!
When you get to Europe, don't nap. Get out and walk. As Rick Steves says, "Jet lag hates bright light, sunshine and exercise."
That sounds like a fun trip!
I have another question for you all: How do you minimize jet lag?
So you think the local police has forgotten all about you ?
Enjoy ! One of the great places on earth.
That sounds like a fun trip!
I have another question for you all: How do you minimize jet lag?
It was fascinating when I was there in 1968; it must really be something now.
Thanks for all the great info and suggestions.
Wow! Thanks everyone! Lots of good info here!
I forgot to mention that Tom wants to go to Normandy.
Another question...is one airline any better than another as far as leg room is concerned?
I'd love to stay longer, but it's hard to leave the farm for that long.
Awww.
It probably helps that you're a "smooth talker".
Beth, thanks for the heads-up.
I looked at his luggage and couldn't find one that is big enough for all my stuff. 
I could use some packing tips on what not to take.
We've learned the hard way. Our days of traveling with steamer trunks are over.
Thanks for the links and information.
Beth, thanks for the heads-up.
That sounds like a fun trip!
I have another question for you all: How do you minimize jet lag?
My general rule for packing is that you can use most things more than once with one exception, underwear.Beth, thanks for the heads-up.
Another true story. The crew chief and I were flying on an airline to go to the delivery of our new airplane. They told us it would take three or four days. I brought a 21" carry-on. He had two huge suitcases that he had to check. I didn't even know what to say. He told me he wanted to make sure he had clothes for every possibility.Guys just don't seem to need to bring as much stuff as girls...
(True story: one of our female VPs showed up at a 4 day corporate meeting with 3 - 30+ inch suitcases. She said one bag was full of shoes. Only shoes. For a 4 day meeting, which included arrival and departure day.)
Diana, tell Tom he must find some lightweight nylon overalls rather than those cotton ones. That alone will cut down significantly on the packing problems.
Thank you Wayne, for your perspective. He would wear his Big Macs to Europe if he knew I wouldn't mind. That man loves his Big Macs!
Another true story. The crew chief and I were flying on an airline to go to the delivery of our new airplane. They told us it would take three or four days. I brought a 21" carry-on. He had two huge suitcases that he had to check. I didn't even know what to say. He told me he wanted to make sure he had clothes for every possibility.
).
Tell him.... (on second thought, never mind
Likewise. I can pack in 30 minutes to an hour, a bit longer if I need to find some little-used foreign power adaptor that I need that has gotten buried in a drawer somewhere.
