Why I love airports and some things I've learned about traveling!
Italian edition. Part 1 is Free! Join my paid "Extras" subscribers to see the subsequent travel info.
This post is about getting to Italy and everything I learned along the way, including what clothes I brought for an Italian spring! Up next I’ll share the travel guide of hotels, restaurants and bakeries I enjoyed during my travels beyond the tours. Those guides will go out to my paid “Extras” subscribers next week, so sign up if you haven’t already!
Until then, here is some stuff I find super helpful …
I’ve always loved airports! Not because I’m insane, but because I LOVE traveling, and airports get me to places far, far away. They aren’t always glamorous (some are, like Paris, where I buy macarons from Ladurée on my way home) or comfortable (the only exception is if you can get into the Delta Sky Club, which happens when I travel with friends who have memberships). I’ve stood in forever lines, had my flights delayed and/or cancelled, had bags needlessly searched or lost from one airport to the next, and I’ve sat on the floor eating meh food I paid way too much for. I don’t care, I still love it. I know I’ll be somewhere special soon enough and it’s all part of the journey. Attitude is part of what I have learned about travel. That and what to pack (more below).
I’ve always longed to travel and once my boys were grown and out of the house, I started to do it more, in my way, to suit my interests. I want to EAT, see ART and EXPLORE places I’ve never seen. Since my husband, Graham, doesn’t share my love of travel (he prefers to stay home with the poodles), I’ve gone with my friends. Jen (the Chicken Lady if you’ve seen my show) and I have been to Thailand and Paris (you can see my recommendations here, here, and here), along with countless domestic trips from NYC to California.
I have gone to Venice twice, in as many years, with my dearest friend, Stephen. He knows that city better than anyone, making him the perfect companion. Traveling with someone who knows the secrets of a city is such a gift. We’re headed back in November this year and this time I convinced Graham to come! Yay!
My latest travel adventure was with my mom. She’d been to Paris twenty-some years ago, but that was the first and last trip abroad she’d ever done, until Italy. Traveling with her was both spectacular and an added layer of responsibility. I became keenly aware of how most people see airports once I was navigating them with an anxious traveler. She quickly got over it and now she, too, loves an airport, because it means she gets to spend two weeks exploring Italy with me!
Want To Come To Italy With Me?
I have TWO Culinary Tours coming up in the Spring of 2026, designed by Via Rosa! We will eat, cook & bake together, explore art/architecture, do a little Italian shopping and eat some more. You will meet incredible people from Italy and make new friends along the way. These trips are truly incredible and inspire me to want to see the entire country! These trips are SOLD OUT but I hope to add more trips, so learn more and sign up for the WAITLISTS here:
I always get questions about where to buy certain items, so I’ve linked everything below for you and also created this shop so you can browse everything together! *denotes affiliate links.
How To Enjoy Airports And A Long Flight!
Airports: They aren’t all created equal. I may love an airport, but I don’t like long lines. You can avoid unpleasant lines with CLEAR (most but not all domestic airports have it) or Global Entry/TSA Pre-check or fly first class (not something I spend my money on, but it sure looks more comfortable). If you travel often, these modes of entry can really improve the experience and are worth the investment.
Airline: I fly Delta (not sponsored) whenever possible, because MSP is a hub and I have a rewards account with them. They generally have high marks for on-time arrivals and customer service. Having said that, things can go wrong and there are a few things I learned on my last trip that changed the way I travel. Through a comedy of errors, I got rerouted on my way to Rome and ended up losing my bags. I was traveling for a month, so I checked a bag (more on that below).
Keep an eye on your luggage: All’s well that ends well, and I did get it back after a few days in Rome, but I had to spend time on the phone with luggage handlers in 3 different countries. The main lesson learned is AIR TAGS* are essential, put them on EVERYTHING and, print the luggage receipt when you check the bag, it just makes tracking easier.
Make The Flight More Comfortable
Upgrade to a bigger seat if you have airline points or want to spend your money that way. As a woman of a certain age, it is nice to have the leg room to stretch out a bit. Aisle seats have become necessary for me, so I can get up and move around a little and use the bathroom without waking up my neighbors 300 times. International flights are often overnight, so getting rest on the way there is highly recommended for jet lag.
If you do sit in Comfort Plus or First Class, they provided a little “sleep kit” with an eye mask and headphones. They’re not awesome quality, pretty much what you’d expect from a free collection of disposable airline gifts, so I bring my own.
I recommend an eye mask* (this is also a huge help if your Hotel/Airbnb doesn’t have blackout curtains) and noise-canceling headphones* (GAME CHANGER, since the flight can be noisy). I also swear by a cute pair of compression socks* if you embark on any long flight.
I am usually chilly on a flight, so I pack a pashmina*, which acts as a blanket for the flight, and a scarf for chilly evenings at your destination. A neck pillow* is helpful, especially if you do get an aisle or middle seat. The only drawback is having to carry them around during the rest of your travels, so go with something that is light and compact. My backpack* is made for travel safety, so I didn’t have to worry about my belongings. We NEVER felt unsafe but it’s an added insurance. It was the perfect size to carry everything I needed for the day without feeling weighed down. If you are traveling with your laptop, this is the backpack* I recommend for the flights.
Discount Flights Are Not Always Worth It!
When booking a flight, be careful of cheaper air packages, sometimes they hide costs and by the time you get your seat, luggage, and snacks/food arranged, it’s not always that much cheaper than the main airlines that have more customer service. My mom thought she was being fiscally clever by booking each leg of the trip separately, packing only a carryon bag* to avoid checking charges and foregoing the airline’s food. Here is how she felt about her decision in the end:
“The airline wasn’t my issue. It was the carryon luggage that took me down and the fact that I didn’t bundle my flights. I ended up taking a last minute first-class upgrade on the way to Rome after I literally tripped over my bags in the airport and went crashing down. The upgrade included a checked bag, 2 meals and more leg room. I thought I was saving money by not bundling my flights and not checking my bags. Next time…I will bundle and check a HUGE bag so I can pack my travel purchases. I don’t care where those bags end up on the planet as long as I don’t have to drag them around with me! Short answer…no…I didn’t save!” —Lorraine Neal (Zoë’s mom)
Another reason to check your luggage is you often have to climb onto a plane when you are hopping from one small town to the next. A carryon bag* feels much heavier when carrying it up stairs, but if you’re just going for a week it is all you may need!
Book An Extra Day Before Your Tour Starts
When I was traveling with my mom, it was lovely to have a couple of days to settle in before the tour started. We acclimated to the new time zone and weren’t stressed when our flights were delayed or when my luggage was temporarily lost.
Airport Transfers
Especially if you’re unfamiliar with the city, it is helpful to arrange a car service to pick you up at the airport. They will meet you right at baggage claim and have a sign with your name on it, so you don’t have to hunt for transportation while also hauling your luggage. It can be more expensive, but the peace of mind may be worth it. Your hotel or Airbnb host can often arrange for the car service. Some countries don’t have Uber or the like, so find out if that’s even an option. Researching your airport transportation before heading out is a real stress saver.
Because my flight was super delayed, I was so relieved that I had prearranged a car to pick my mom up at baggage claim and get her settled at the hotel. It gave us both comfort!
Public Transportation: Most European cities have great public transportation from the airport, so it is an excellent option, especially if you are traveling light.
Packing
As I mentioned, I brought a large-ish bag*. Not huge because there are restrictions (size and weight) on flights within Italy (be sure to check the airline if you have to fly within Europe). I was traveling for a month and needed clothes that would work in several situations. I packed a few dresses, skirts and pants, several tops and a blazer. I had a raincoat that I never wore, but if I hadn’t had it I probably would have needed to buy one in Italy. Here are some of the outfits I traveled with:
The tours in Italy are casual, but I did bring a few dresses. They are easy to layer up and I could get a little more “dinner-party” worthy when the occasion called for it.
Silk dress* – super light and easy to pack. Also a dress you can wash in the sink and it will be dry the next day.
Linen Shirt* – I brought a few in different colors. Perfect for layering in cool weather and light enough for hot weather.
Jean Jacket – This was the perfect weight and style for most of the days out and about. Layers over a dress or linen shirt, in this case, both!
Necklace – most of my necklaces are made by my MOM. You can find her work on her Etsy shop. When she drops a new collection they sell out quickly, so get signed up for notifications.
Glasses – Other than my mom’s necklaces the other accessory I travel with is glasses, several pairs. ;)
Vest* - I love a vest, maybe a throwback to my obsession with Annie Hall. Also a great way to add extra layers in the morning under my blazer.
Linen Shirt* – I brought a few in different colors. Perfect for layering in cool weather and light enough for hot weather.
Linen Pants* – These were so comfy and went with all the tops I brought. I admit to using a steamer on the linen when it got really wrinkled. All the hotels came with steamers and not irons. I loved that.
Cotton Button Down* – classic, never leave home without one or two.
Satin Skirt* – I brought three of these skirts. Much like the dress, they are nearly weightless and can be dressed up or down. I don’t wear shorts so skirts are my go to.
Sandals* – I grew up with hippies wearing Birkenstocks and never, ever thought I would own a pair. Then I found this fun silver pair and I went for it. GREAT travel shoe because they are super comfy for a day of walking when it’s hot and slip on and off easily so I wore them around the hotel.
Blazer* - I researched best blazer to travel with. I own lots of blazers but wanted one that was lightweight, wouldn’t need constant ironing and fit well. I found it and as you can see, I got my money’s worth!
Another vest, this one plaid*, which I layered under my blazer and wore with both the skirts and jeans.
Boyfriend striped shirt* - I like a long shirt that I can tuck into jeans or tie at my waist.
Jeans – they were a gamble because of the heat and weight, but I ended up wearing them many times. The jeans I picked had some elastic to make them comfy and they kept their shape well.
Extras
European Adapters* – have a few in your bag, in case the hotel doesn’t provide and you need to plug in your stuff.
Phone battery packs and chargers – The days are packed with things to take photos of, so the battery on your phone will be maxed. Having an extra battery pack is an essential.
Rain gear* – I brought an umbrella and raincoat on a recent trip to Venice and used them daily. Never needed them in Sicily or Puglia. I’d say it’s safer to bring them just in case. My rain coat is light weight and fashionable enough to wear over anything, day or night.
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In spite of the low prices (and we're all trying to save money) the low-cost European airlines can really zing you with luggage fees and some do everything they can to force you to check your bag, even if it fits in the metal thingy at the airport. (Someone told me employees get a bonus if they make people check their bags but I don't know if that's true.) Either way, checking a bag at the airport is going to be extremely expensive.
So I always pay for a checked bag, whether I'm planning on checking one or not. It's often as low as 10 euros if you do with when buying your ticket, but can go up to 100 euros or more if you do it at the airport.
a day in Venice??! did you see Jeff Bezos LOL?