Been everywhere in Europe but…Well that changed on May 2nd when Elle and I landed in London for a quick stop over before heading to Rome.
Months ago, I’d taken on the travel agent task of getting us to and through Italy. As someone that has planned for and moved military personnel and the fact that I was born to be a project manager…My wife gladly let me do my thing.
Situation – Travel to the one place in Europe I’ve never been, and my wife loves.
Mission – CAT – Cultural Awareness Training via elements of regional based Food, Wine and more Wine, Locals, and History.
Execution – Commander’s intent - create cultural awareness and lifetime experiences with and through indigenous populace.
Sustainment - Logistical support for movement via United, British Airways, National Rail - UK, TrainItalia, and taxis. Lodging logistical support – AirBnB and select boutique hotels. Priority 1 – eat, drink, and stay local
Command and Control – T-Mobile International Plan for cellular and internet comms, Tablets for internet, WhatsApp, AirBnB messaging.
Rule #1 Plan the Plan. Then change it to maximize training, rest days, and interaction with the local populace.
Annex A Movement Report – includes notes about tours and side trips.
Denver to London Heathrow – direct flight
London Heathrow to Bath – train – walked to hotel.
Bath 3 days. Pubs & The Elder – our real reason for going to Bath near the Cotswalds. The owner Mike Robinson has a show on the outdoor channel called Farming The Wild
Bath to London Heathrow – train
Rome - 3 days.
London to Rome – direct flight – taxi to AirBnB
Lodging across the street from the Colosseum– toured Vatican, Jewish Ghetto, Food Tour Trastevere, Rural vineyards – avg 12K steps a day.
Castiglione – 3 days.
Rome to Amalfi Coast – Train to Salerno – taxi to AirBnB
Lodging 1.2km from Amalfi – Lemon Path, Food Tour, avg 14K steps - vertical
Florence – 3 days.
Castiglione – Florence by bus back to Salerno and train via Milan – taxi to AirBnB
Lodging in a quiet district .5km walk to everything. Doge palace, Uffizi museum -Bistecca Florentine 1.5 kilo steak!!!!! 12K steps a day.
Levanto 3 days.
Florence to Cinque Terra – specifically Levanto by train
Lodging 200 meters above the beach. Hike down, taxi up. I did run up once to prove how crippled I could be two days later LOL avg 10k steps per day.
Venice 3 days.
Levanto to Venice by train via Milan. Water taxi to AirBnB.
Lodging near the Arsenale where they built up to 400 ships a year during the heyday of Venice. Dodge’s place and St Mark’s Basilica. Food tour starting in the oldest part of Venice at its first church and fish market.
Venice to London via water bus to Marco Polo AP then flight
London to Denver
Denver – still getting up at Zero Dark Thirty LOL
Great trip – can’t wait to set up another training mission to Florence for sure and explore other parts of the beautiful country. May is a good time. Buy mosquito repellant as they don’t have screens in the windows. It had been rainy….