I bought a Travelpro, think it was 22" X 16" X 9". I think it was Xtreme model. It seemed to have a lot of plastic, lightweight material, not much metal. It seems like it has more capacity than my old 10-lb rollaboard.

Here's a link to my Florence photos....(okay now, if you're one of those people who likes to go checking out the other photos/albums a person has online, I'll just warn you that they've all only recently been thrown on-line, and only partially, a work still in progress, so no flames please....).

http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePh...1&sort_order=0

I'd love to add others' photos to this, since I mainly took scenery shots and didn't get many "people" shots of our group.

If...no, WHEN...we return to Florence next year, I'd vote for this same time of year...seems like an ideal time to catch great weather and while somewhat crowded, not near as bad as what I imagine summer to be.

I'd highly recommend either the bike ride or chianti vineyard walk that we did (the bike ride for the more active, the chianti ride for the more, or uh, less bike-y people...both tours do lunch at the same VERY COOL restaurant, the same vineyard, etc.). See www.ibikeitaly.com for details. Just my $00.02...

The photos that Skye 1 posted are fabulous! That guy is the Lance Armstrong of FlyerTalk. I can't believe he and the Radiocycles rode to Fiesole from Florence......it is uphill all the way. Leonard and I took the bus and enjoyed a drink and some pizza at the Bar Blue which has a lovely view of Florence in the distance.

Dedehans came to our rescue and helped us change hotels after one night at the Orto. KLC andMs Everywhere had a spacious room, bath, and balcony, but we had a view of a wall and a bathroom that barely held one person. We moved to the Palazzo Magnani Feroni and had a beautiful suite. The hotel staff is so accomodating, and when I get some time I will figure out how to post photos. The little party they hosted for our group had a glorious rooftop setting, and the manager told us some of the history about the palazzo.

We really had perfect weather for walking and only had a few sprinkles one day. I have a friend who lives in Florence, and she drove us to Siena for the day. The Duomo there is famous for it's mosaic floors, and the frescoes in the Piccolomini Library are as brilliant as the day they were painted. The library had been sealed for years, and no smoke from the candles, humidity etc. dimmed their luster. Do not miss it if you are ever in Siena. We had lunch in a cafe on the Campo, and strolled the streets of this gem of a town.

The FT dinner at 4 Leoni was really special. Our waiter was the happiest guy and took photos of our group. Congratulations to Dedehans for orchestrating the venue and the menu!

On our return DL flight, the IFE wasn't working. The OBL appologized profusely, and gave us $200 DL dollars each for our inconvenience. I would rather have the $200 than watch Lemony Snickets ;)

Some FT gossip
 

One morning Skye 1 joined Dedehans, Leonard and me for breakfast at the Palazzo Magnani Feroni. In talking about some computer problems, Dedehans let it slip that she has a "computer boy". I am very jealous, and said that I want to get a "pool boy", until Leonard reminded me that we don't have a pool ;)

Dorlee, sshhhh about my computer boy!!!! ;) True, he is nice eyecandy but he has learned about my FT habits and I would rather hate for him to read this.........
He is coming to fix my browser wars next week.....

dedehans and Dorlee, how funny you are!! :) Thanks for a good afternoon chuckle, reading about "pool boy" and "computer boy." All I have is "Marco Boy" and he'll be married in another month :(

More Florence gossip
 

Come to think of it.....Dedehans also has "Palazzo Magnani Feroni Boy" better known as Aaron, the G.M. of the hotel. Talk about eye candy!! :cool: I seem to remember a vase of beautiful flowers in her room which came from him ;)

Dorlee, I had no idea you were such a gossip. ;)

Glad to hear that you all had a wonderful time. Hopefully, if you go back next year, we will be free to join in the fun. Hunki, the art major, is dying to go to Florence.

OBTW, have you thought any more about Tel Aviv? I am, maybe, 1/4 of the way through "The Source" and am even more excited than ever about walking on the ground where man developed civilization, over 9,000 years B.C.E.

I just love travel to new places. :)

I seem to remember dedehans getting the most fabulous room at Hotel Ai Mori--I mean everyone got a bottle of Prosecco, right? On the other hand, dedehans did have to put up with a rowdy group of FT'rs just outside of her gorgeous room.

True, I had a fabulous room at the Ai Mori and throughly enjoyed our after dinner group gathering in my "parlour"....and a little more necessary prosecco... :) But that room was probably helped by you, O2K, through your " Marcoboy" :D ?

Of course, let's not forget Dedehans' friend, Bill, who set up the awesome bike trip for us....Dede's "Bike Boy" ....

Aaaahhh...................So many boys, so little time.....
Hey, Skye1, will you be my "hike Boy?" ;)

Photos of Florence Do
 

I hope I did this right....I don't know why I find it so difficult :confused:

http://dorlee.photosite.com/Album2/

Dorlee Good job. Pictures were just wonderful. I am envious. Would love to have been a part of that lovely, convivial group. Leonard looks great..just so great seeing some of my great buddies from VCE (De De, Ms Everywhere, KLC). Nice memories, everyone.
Miss and love you all--if anyone is planning on being in VCE mid-June please let me know. Ms Everywhere...are you there?

Dorlee...thanks for posting these. I wanna' go back NOW!!!!
(serious Florence withdrawal going on here)