While one expects that things will be different than what you’re used to when traveling to a foreign country, there were a few particular things that I normally take for granted and missed while away:
1. Street signs – Most of the streets in Italy have signs that range from limited to non-existent. Even when driving on the expressway, one is loathe to find signs indicating mileage to your next destination. There are the occasional small signs on the driver’s side of the car with letters about 2” high, which makes challenging reading when you’re going past them at about 75-80 miles per hour. In the cities, forget about it. There may be a small sign on the side of a building at corners, but you quickly realize that even though you walk down the same street, it goes by a different name on the each block.
2. Washcloths – We stayed in 3 different places in Italy and Ireland and none of them had washcloths. I did like getting fresh towels every day, though, as un-eco-friendly as that might be – and the bath towels were nice and large!
3. Cream for my coffee. Let’s face it – a cup of “Americano” coffee just isn’t the same – it’s watered-down espresso, which doesn’t make for a rich aromatic brew. Add to that the fact that the milk they use to put in coffee (I guess they use all their cream for making cheese!) seems to be more like skim milk than whole milk, thus watering the coffee down more. Stick with espresso!
4. Accurate maps – You will find that what may look like a straight street on a map does, in fact, curve. There are also small side streets that they just don’t bother putting on the map, so forget about counting the blocks.
And last, but not least,
5. Toilet seats – While our hotels certainly had decent commodes, I found that many public restrooms, particularly the rest stops along the highway, did not have toilet seats. Guys may not care so much, but for us gals, toilet seats are more than a mere luxury; they’re a necessity. No more needs to be said on this subject!
1. Street signs – Most of the streets in Italy have signs that range from limited to non-existent. Even when driving on the expressway, one is loathe to find signs indicating mileage to your next destination. There are the occasional small signs on the driver’s side of the car with letters about 2” high, which makes challenging reading when you’re going past them at about 75-80 miles per hour. In the cities, forget about it. There may be a small sign on the side of a building at corners, but you quickly realize that even though you walk down the same street, it goes by a different name on the each block.
2. Washcloths – We stayed in 3 different places in Italy and Ireland and none of them had washcloths. I did like getting fresh towels every day, though, as un-eco-friendly as that might be – and the bath towels were nice and large!
3. Cream for my coffee. Let’s face it – a cup of “Americano” coffee just isn’t the same – it’s watered-down espresso, which doesn’t make for a rich aromatic brew. Add to that the fact that the milk they use to put in coffee (I guess they use all their cream for making cheese!) seems to be more like skim milk than whole milk, thus watering the coffee down more. Stick with espresso!
4. Accurate maps – You will find that what may look like a straight street on a map does, in fact, curve. There are also small side streets that they just don’t bother putting on the map, so forget about counting the blocks.
And last, but not least,
5. Toilet seats – While our hotels certainly had decent commodes, I found that many public restrooms, particularly the rest stops along the highway, did not have toilet seats. Guys may not care so much, but for us gals, toilet seats are more than a mere luxury; they’re a necessity. No more needs to be said on this subject!
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