quote:

Originally posted by SPWAMike0317:
...make sure all travelers passports are valid for more than 6 months after your planned return date. If not, renew now...

And enough blank pages.

https://www.thetravel.com/amer...y-to-most-countries/

We'll all have brand new passports in hand by them, so plenty of pages

Left home, made the 25 min drive to the airport, bags checked, and through security. At our gate just over an hour after we left home.

TSA was a breeze, didn't have to unload our bags, shoes stayed on, and through a traditional metal detector instead of the body scanner.

Got here early expecting security to take longer, have a lot of time to kill until boarding for the 10hr flight to Munich.

Feels lopsided without a folder in my pocket & my P320 on my hip.

Great start, enjoy the trip, take lots of pictures and post often!

quote:

Feels lopsided without a folder in my pocket & my P320 on my hip.

Better than walking through the international terminal gates already pressed for time and realizing you have your P365 in your pocket. The wife said she was going to Barcelona with or without me

I took a taxi back to the place I paid to park and back, about 40 minutes. I had about 20 minutes to get through security and to my gate. Thankfully people were sympathetic and let me jump ahead to the front. I ran all the way to the gate, not a short trip in ATL. The gate agent said I had about 30 seconds to spare before they closed the gate doors. I leave it at home now when going to the airport


Enjoy Italy

We just got back from Rome. A couple of easy side tours you might find interesting are the Capuchin crypt located at Via Via Vittorio Veneto 27. https://romesite.com/capuchin-crypt.html

You should also check out The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) visitor center which has exact marble replicas of the original Christus and the Twelve Apostles by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. The center is located at Via di Settebagni 376. They used marble from the Carrara quarries that Michelangelo used. Compared to the crowds at the normal tourist sites, this is very quiet and the marble statutes are exquisite (they also have a free drinking fountain and bathrooms). https://youtu.be/QyaLJv5WjRs?si=pj0K51X2g9T7xS_j

Have a great time. To me the Vatican and Pompeii were my favorite Italy attractions.

I'm headed to Germany this week. But I'm coming home via London Heathrow. It's very unclear as to whether I need an ETA to transit the airport. But I think I will have to collect my luggage, clear customs and recheck the bag. So I'm going to go ahead and get it.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
I'm headed to Germany this week. But I'm coming home via London Heathrow. It's very unclear as to whether I need an ETA to transit the airport. But I think I will have to collect my luggage, clear customs and recheck the bag. So I'm going to go ahead and get it.

From what I've read, if you're transiting customs, you definitely do need an ETA.
We did our anyway, even though we're just changing planes. Got approvals for the first few before I finished for the 5 of us.

Our trip is IAH/MUC/FCO then FCO/LHR/IAH
90 min in MUC
4.5hr in LHR

I just applied. It said it could three days. Approved in 30 seconds.

I shouldn't need to transit customs. But who knows if BA will code my luggage from Berlin to Phoenix via LHR? Both flights are BA, but I booked them separately.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
I just applied. It said it could three days. Approved in 30 seconds.

I shouldn't need to transit customs. But who knows if BA will code my luggage from Berlin to Phoenix via LHR? Both flights are BA, but I booked them separately.

I did the ETA questionnaire & it came back as 50/50.
Only $20/person, better to have & not need than the other way around. Especially with 3 kids in tow.

I was in Monaco last week and the heat wave was oppressive. Almost as hot as Houston, but I'm not crazy enough to go hiking at peak afternoon heat in Houston and there are no hills in Houston. Our hosts liked leisurely late lunches overlooking the marina so we were hiking back uphill at peak heat

The entire country is only 0.8 square miles and bordered by France and Italy. The weather would be nearly identical to Genoa, Italy. Rome would be 5+ degrees warmer.

Most businesses had underwhelming AC but it was better than nothing. For example, the hotel lobby was 2 or 3 degrees too hot but fortunately my actual hotel room's AC was stout.

We've been watching the weather & Rome has been averaging temperatures within a few degrees of Houston, but much less humidity.

Monaco, I'm jealous.
Though, I'd rather be there when there's 22,000 horsepower running the streets together.

It's July, its going to be hot pretty much anywhere. They sell gelato there, it's good. Have fun

When it's blazing hot, instead of gelato which can be a bit heavy with the dairy, treat yourself to a Granita. Similar to a sorbet, but simpler, think Italian/Sician chipped/shaved ice and flavoring. Choose a flavor, any citrus or fruit flavoring is refreshing.

If you're craving a coffee or need a boost but the heat is on, get yourself a Caffe Shakerato, Italian iced coffee served in a cocktail glass; think a refreshing cold brew. Some cafe's will have a slushy machine, if they do that's for a Crema di Caffè , its espresso, sugar & cream churned into a super smooth slushy better than whatever Starbucks puts out.

Could be worse on the ETA, we did them and then our eurostar got cancelled too late to find a reasonable way to get to London, due to the heat. Sounds like we will do Berlin for the 4th.

And, we're currently stuck in Munich.

Landed, after one of the bumpiest flights I've ever taken. Rain storms affecting a lot of Europe causing widespread delays & cancelations.
Currently have a replacement flight in 24 hours :-/

All part of the grand adventure! Can’t wait to hear about your trip. It’s been forever since I’ve been to Rome.

Got put on a flight tomorrow, in a hotel outside Munich for the night. Guess we can officially say we've visited Germany now.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Got put on a flight tomorrow, in a hotel outside Munich for the night. Guess we can officially say we've visited Germany now.

Unexpected layovers = opportunity for positive surprises, be adaptable & enjoy, it'll all add up to the tapestry of your vacation.

Some good tips:

Layover in Munich: Your Guide to Quick and Memorable Adventures