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MommyD
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My sister is taking my Mom to Europe next year (I offered to hide in her suitcase but she said no--she might get coal in her stocking!). I'm thinking that we should get her travel stuff for Christmas. I'm looking for book recommendations, especially books about all the Catholic places in Italy and Rome. It has been 14 years since I traveled overseas so I don't remember much. Any clothing or baggage suggestions would be great. Thanks!
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mary theresa
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How fun!
You could compile a travel kit of sorts with things like a new toiletry bag, travel alarm clock, a sleep mask, Febreez or some other clothes freshener, a pretty journal or notebook to record the trip (if she likes that kind of thing), and something like this waist wallet. (This was invaluable for me when I was in Italy. I kept everything important in here and never got anything stolen. Ppl in my group had everything from passports to debit cards to cash stolen.) I like this alot better than the around the neck pouches which are a little more awkward to get money out of when you need it.
Really comfortable walking shoes are important too. For clothing I loved having really versatile, go-with-anything pieces that were wrinkle-free and yet dressy/classy too, so I didn't scream "tourist". Dark colors were good -- stained less and lasted longer without a wash  . When I was in Italy the Italians wore jeans and black alot. NO khakis, cargo pants, etc.  I don't know what it is like now, though.
I hope this helps! I'm trying to remember things I would have wanted over there too . . . I'll post later if I think of anything else.
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Mary Theresa
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stefoodie
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mary theresa wrote:
| How fun!When I was in Italy the Italians wore jeans and black alot. NO khakis, cargo pants, etc. I don't know what it is like now, though. |
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Still the same.
Specifically for Rome, I'd get her a laminated walking map, with the Top 10 Gelato Places marked. Just so they don't miss any!
PS There's one near the Vatican!!
PPS If I find it, I'll send you my list. There were 3 main things I had marked on my laminated map: The churches were already marked so I added
Book/Paper stores
Gelato
Clean restrooms in bars/cafes
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stef
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Dec 09 2009 at 9:57am | IP Logged
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More on the restrooms...
One of my goals if we had gone back to Italy was to write a mini book of "The Cleanest Restrooms in Europe"... Alas! It wasn't meant to be.
I'd give your mom a Moleskine Rome Citybook!
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stef
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Matilda
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Mary Theresa's ideas are all great. I'm sure you can find lots of travel books about the areas of Italy she might be going to. Someone gave me a this book after I returned and while there were some questionable details, I remember thinking that I wish had known some of the interesting tidbits before I went. I might have had the opportunity to look for some of the more notable and historical details.
One more practical suggestion... a prepaid international cell phone (if she already has a cell phone, she might look into the cost of calling internationally).
Or maybe Traveling With the Saints in Italy: Contemporary Pilgrimages on Ancient Paths or A Catholic's Guide to Rome: Discovering the Soul of the Eternal City.
Along those same lines, maybe a book that talks about the art she might stumble upon while she is there. I remember walking into a random Church and seeing a Caravaggio just casually hanging in one of the side alcoves. Maybe something like City Secrets: Rome.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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Matilda
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Stef,
We were cross posting... I KNOW THAT GELATO SHOP!!! The one near the Vatican! At least, it might be the same one if it was around oh say 16 years ago! 
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11, 10, 9 & 5) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Dec 09 2009 at 10:35am | IP Logged
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Definitely the waist wallet!!!! (I have lived in Italy twice. Wonderful place. Zillions of pickpockets.)
Comfortable walking shoes, for sure. Italy has miles and miles of uneven cobblestone streets and it can be very painful to be on your feet all day.
Bios of Italian saints? (Francis, Catherine of Siena, Clare, Pio, Gianna Beretta Molla...choose by itinerary?)
Other ideas: Italian phrase book, travel towel, plug adapters and a transformer (if she uses a blow-dryer, for ex.; she probably has a dual-voltage camera battery charger that only needs a plug adapter), SAN disks for her camera, a black travel shrug or jacket (the loose, comfy kind, like Chico's sells) that she can wad up into a ball and then wear into St. Peter's, a tiny address book with everyone's addresses written in it - for postcards - or premade address labels, tiny travel umbrella, travel-size toiletries for airport security...
Can you tell I'm a travel writer?
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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JodieLyn
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On the baggage, check with the airlines for dimensions and such.. that way her bags will go through without any hitches.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Tami
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How about videos that she can enjoy now, to familiarize herself with the area and particular places she'll want to visit? Or some language tapes/cd's so she can start practicing her Italian now?
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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lilac hill
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A Travel clothesline. Ours held up to all but my husband's jeans.
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Viv
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mary theresa
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| Posted: Dec 10 2009 at 3:00pm | IP Logged
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Matilda wrote:
Stef,
I KNOW THAT GELATO SHOP!!! The one near the Vatican! |
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Ooo, me too.  That was the one I went to the most when I was there. Aww, thinking of it makes me Rome-sick! 
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Mary Theresa
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Topic: My Mom is going to Europe; gift ??
