Michael,

Perhaps I was overly pessimistic in predicting catastrophes in our trip to Italy, but look at what has happened so far–
1. Alitalia sends email saying that Sicily’s main airport at Catania has closed for repairs, and that we must fly to Palermo instead.
(This adds to our itinerary.a 3 hour bus ride across Sicily.)
2. The Aliscafi we had been counting on to Stromboli Island doesn’t run often enough for us to get there on time, so we had to cancel and rebook 2 albergos in the Eolian islands.
3. British Air 218 left on time from Denver last night, but with odd lavatory smells infesting the cabin. As we entered Nebraska airspace, the captain goes on the PA with, “Unfortunately for health reasons we are returning to Denver because one of the toilets is overflowing.

I’m writing this from our hotel in Denver while we wait for a  new BA  flight. Of course we spent about an hour talking on the phone to Alitalia, making new reservations with them to Florence, and warning Albergo Ca’d’Andrean in Manarola that there is only a slim chance of making it there for our first night.

Travel is so invigorating and broadening!

–rakkity