Cholula

Good suggestion, Belle and one we decided on when booking reservations last month. The extra 10,000 miles each were a bargain for us as we have a loooong flight from LAX/CDG. Unfortunately, the CDG/VCE connection is cattle car each way but it's a relatively short flight.
According to the AirFrance Forum...and, more importantly, O2K's great advice.... AF does a great job on FC.
We'll soon know.

obscure2k

Great News!! Dorlee and Leonard are a fantastic, funny and smart couple. They will be a great addition to our Venice-fest. Dorlee I am thrilled that you scored those J seats on Af. You will not be disappointed. You will sleep well, as those seats are quite fine and remember to wear your TR shoes. They will still fit at the end of the flight. I have lots of great restaurant recommendations within a 10 minute walk from Ai Mori. Looking forward to seeing the two of you again.

Canarsie

I completely agree. I enjoyed their company in South Florida, even if it was only for a short period of time...

Dovster

As is well-known on this board, O2K is the person to go to for great restaurant recommendations anywhere, but especially Venice.

I, on the other hand, am the resident junk food expert.

Much to the UIG's ever-lasting disgust, I can tell you where to find a McDonalds near the arena in Verona or a Burger King just a short walk from the Duomo in Milano.

More importantly, I can take you to wonderful little bars in Venice where you can get delicious prosciutto crudo on panini and pastry shops which help explain why I always leave Venice at least one kilo heavier than when I arrived.

The Holy of Holies, however, is not located in Venice. Instead, it is a few hours away by car in Lugano, Switzerland. It does not look like much from the outside, but once you walk in you are in bread-pastry-chocolate heaven.

monitor

Dovster, Find out if they're open on Monday. I'm looking for an activity for the Monday before the Verona outing on Tuesday, and this might just be the ticket, since it will be a lot cheaper (even with the rental car) than shopping expeditions in places like Murano. If it turns out to be a good idea, maybe some others will join us. Be assured that we would certainly bring back a representative sampling for you to enjoy dayold.

Dovster

Monitor, I don't have to find out -- I know. They are open on Mondays -- after all, this is Switzerland, not Italy.

In fact, many is the Monday morning I have spent eating salami panini and chocolate cake in Munger's washed down with some of their hot chocolate.
This is my ideal breakfast -- and adequately explains why the UIG does not turn to me for nutritional advice.

You might want to consider the following: Leave Venice late Sunday afternoon and drive to Lugano. I can recommend two or three very good restaurants in Lugano for you to eat dinner.

Monday morning, head to Munger's and then walk about 20 meters to Manor Department Store, where you can usually get cashmere sweaters at ridiculously low prices.

There is nothing else available in Lugano at low prices.

Then, spend the afternoon regretting your decision as Frannie wipes out your bank account at various jewelry and antique shops.

Monday evening, you might want to visit the casino at Campione d'Italia -- it is a 15 minute drive from Lugano and if the reconstruction has been completed it is now the largest casino in Europe. Just let me know beforehand and I will give you free entry tickets.

Depending on what time on Tuesday we will meet in Verona, either spend the night in Lugano or leave, after dinner, and take a hotel in Verona for the night.

Dorlee

Belle, I am so in the Italian mode already; reading the book you recommended, Italian language tapes in my car, maps spread out on my desk, and DL on speed dial. I've been to other parts of Italy, but never VCE.

I have the miles to spend for 1st, but unfortunately, none is available. Our route is PFN - ATL - CDG - VCE. I am told there is no wait list available for AF flights, so I will call regularly until July 28th, (when the reservation must be ticketed) to see if 1st opens up.

Dovster

Dorlee, quello č benissimo ma non capisco perchč state insistendo sopra portate Leonard a Venezia. Una vera vacanza italiana dovrebbe includere un romanzesco illecito. Lascilo prego sapere di tutti i cambiamenti nei programmi abbastanza presto per convincere il UIG per non presenziare alla riunione.

dedehans

naughty ragazzo, signor Dovster. tchtch..........que pensa, UIG?

Dorlee

Si possono fare fotografie?

I don't speak any Italian, but I think I get the idea

Just got off the phone with DL again, and I have been able to get one 1st class R.T. ticket for me, and one business class departure for Leonard with a 1st class return. Remember the Seinfeld episode where Jerry was in 1st with an attractive woman, and Elaine was stuck in coach?

The way Leonard snores, maybe it worked out for the best. Should I tell him ahead of time, or just act innocent when we check in, and blame DL for the mistake?

Punki

OK, you can put us on the "maybe" list. We were able to rearrange the trip we previously had planned for that weekend. Now I just need to figure out flights.

Dovster

Punki, you and Hunki have been listed as "possible" ever since you posted on July 3 that you might be coming. I guess I am a confirmed optimist.

I'm looking forward now to putting you both on the "Definite" list!

Punki

We are getting closer and closer. Checking out flights to LHR, CDG and ZHR (on an upgradeable UA flight) and then trying to figure out how to get to and from Venice, we don't much care how. I just can't resist so many very interesting Flyer Talkers all being in one place in an unknown to me (but legendary) city.

We will keep you posted when we become "absolutely cetain attendees"!!

Dovster

Punki, the easiest connections are from CDG, with some 19 flights per day (code shared AF/AZ).

After that, Zurich has two flights per day on Denim and a few more on Helvetic.

There is only one flight per day from LHR, and that is on British Midland.

monitor

Franny & I are really happy to hear that Punki & Hunki will be making an appearance at the Venice Do. The only preparation necessary for this (other than becoming fluent in Italian) is to sample a bottle of Cholula so that you know what everybody is talking about.

If I had lots of United miles, the first place I would go looking with them for this trip would be at LH, which has regular service to VCE ex FRA.