WorcesterPear

A vote from me for taking the Metro to Ponte Mammolo and going down the stairs at the terminal station/ shopping centre to catch the local Cotral bus to Tivoli. You get off the bus very close to the entrance for Villa D’Este We we spent about 3 hours exploring Villa D’Este which is magnificent but the gardens do involve ascending and descending sets of sometimes slippery steps between the various levels. But well worth it! After an excellent lunch we we took a local taxi to Villa Adriano but we were very rushed as we were afraid of missing the return bus which we wanted to catch back to Mammolo, so we didn’t do it justice. Husband says that means we have to make a return visit to Tivoli and start at Adriano next time! The local buses take a pleasant scenic route and are an experience in themselves, and everyone we met was really helpful in directing us to the appropriate bus stops.

For much of my professional career I travelled alone Internationally extensively by air and rail and managed on a cabin roller and a brief case. - a smart charcoal grey trouser suit and black high heeled boots plus lots of pretty silk shirts and scarves gets you through in most settings. In retirement we have enjoyed the luxury of leisure travel and on transatlantics and cruises from Southampton I have been guilty of up to three checked suitcases of clothes on a “ just in case “ basis. HOWEVER.... it was a real eye opener after our fabulous May 2022 Baltic cruise on Silhouette to find on our return that we had taken 2 large cases plus 2 carry ons and that we had more than a full case of clothes and shoes that we didn’t wear. We ate in Murano every evening in (clean) smart and stylish outfits on a mix and match basis and changed into fresh clothes every day for shore excursions and sent out laundry every 2 days. Most of the “just in case” clothes could have stayed in the case! With the uncertainties of baggage handling on international flights for the foreseeable future our September Reflection cruise we will be ba)ck to flying in with only the roller cabin bags and a personal bag each. We will be restricted to 10kg each in the roller cabin bags and I can easily lift that into the overhead bins without endangering anyone! I really hope that things improve at international airports in the future, but I think that at present prudence advises avoiding checked luggage if possible.