Smart tips for using your smart phone overseas

I’ll admit upfront that I impulsively (and stupidly) bought a smart phone that I cannot use in Europe. So even though I love my Droid here at home, I don’t have to worry about racking up big bills with it when I travel. For those with shiny new iPhones or Blackberries, though, international charges can be a very unpleasant surprise.

A recent article in the New York Times describes the hazards of unfettered roaming (a bill for a $1,000 waiting for you when you get home?!) and outlines some great ways to limit your exposure. Some of the strategies are simple (turn off the data roaming option, or sign up for a data roaming plan) and some require a little more technological know-how (replace the SIM card or use VOIP instead), but any traveler should be able to pick up some good ideas from this article.

And if it all leaves you more confused than before, just ask your travel agent to rent you an international cell phone for you to use while you’re away. Rates are reasonable, and it couldn’t be easier!

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Ann's Italian Adventure Day 7 - Rome A chill chan

Ann's Italian Adventure Day 7 - Rome
A chill change of pace in Rome - the kids flew home and Ann began the second half of her trip. Beginning with a few more hours exploring the city center independently. It was a warm, sunny weekend so the city was crowded. Because Thursday was Liberation Day in Italy - a public holiday - lots of people spent a long weekend in Rome.

👉Top Tip: look up the public holidays of the country you're visiting so you can prepare accordingly for the crowds!

Ann wisely made reservations at @armandoalpantheon, which has been super popular since Stanley Tucci highlighted it on his series. The meal lived up to the expectations, and the cacio e pepe was delicious!

Ann also moved across the river to the Melia Gran Agrippina, a resort-style property near the Vatican. It could not feel more diferent than the Savoy. Lushly landscaped grounds, with an outdoor pool. Large modern room with views of Castel Sant Angelo!

This evening Ann did a sunset food tour in the Trastevere neighborhood, through Eating Europe. Their guide Luca told them all about Roman cuisine, and took them to great little family-owned places that they never would have found on their own. They sampled everything from fried artichokes to porchetta, suppli and gelato, at a total of seven different stops, washed down with lots of Prosecco, wine and beer!

Ann's Italian Adventure: Day 6 - Is it easy to tak

Ann's Italian Adventure: Day 6 - Is it easy to take a daytrip from Rome to Naples?

Absolutely! In one hour Ann was meeting up with our local driver, Fabrizio, in Naples and enjoying a custom tour designed around their interests.

First, they took the kids to visit the little village of Marzanello, where Everett’s great grandfather was born.

Then on to a buffalo mozzarella producer. Seeing how the cheese is made and enjoying a tasting. After cheese there's wine up the slopes of Vesuvius at a local winery. Which included a lovely lunch and sampling the famous Lacryma Christi wines!

To finish out the day back in Naples, our local driver Fabrizio gave Ann a great orientation to the city. He brought them to some amazing viewpoints, and dropped them off in the Centro Storico to wander through the narrow streets!

All this and they were back in Rome in time for dinner!

Ann's Italian Adventure Day 5 - Rome Hidden Gems!

Ann's Italian Adventure Day 5 - Rome Hidden Gems!
Once you’ve done the “must see” spots in Rome (which Ann knocked off yesterday) you have more freedom to see some hidden gems.

Today was all about smaller museums and amazing food, starting with the Doria Pamphilj Gallery and its breathtaking hall of mirrors!

After a decadent lunch at Roscioli, Ann switched things up with a more modern museum - the Boncompagni Ludovisi - featuring fashion and jewelry from the 1930s through the 1950s. It was such a cool departure from all the ancient Roman history!

Round out the day with an easy stroll through Piazza del Popolo and the Borghese Gardens to check out the water clock.

Dinner tonight was an absolute highlight! A Chef’s Table tasting menu at @marzapaneroma restaurant, with course after course of inventive dishes, prepared right in front of you! An absolute must-try for any foodies!

#travelagentlife #dayin10photos #traveladvisor

Ann's Italian Adventure Day 4 - Rome's Highlights

Ann's Italian Adventure Day 4 - Rome's Highlights
To maxize a short stay in Rome you can do a “Rome in a Day” tour.

🇮🇹 Ann's small-group walking tour kicked off at Piazza Navona, where they met their guide, Francesco, who explained the history of the city, and how Rome is like a lasagna, built in layers upon layers.

A tour like this lets you scratch the surface of all the major highlights like the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, The Colosseum, and The Vatican Museums.

🏛Francesco pointed out buildings (like this Roman chamber of commerce) where you can clearly see the layers, from what was the ancient street level up to now!

🏛At the Colosseum, Francesco told stories about the emperors and the gladiators and how the Romans’ love for blood sport caused the extinction of some wild animals they captured for these battles (wiping out lions from Northern Africa, for example).

⛪After the Colosseum, it was a short bus over to the Vatican Museums. They had a quick tour of a few of the galleries and museums.

☔Traveling in April means potentially crazy weather - including this hail storm - but it didn’t put a damper on the day!

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