gotta love the airlines....

So I booked my flight, leaving Oct 14, coming back Nov 2, for $579 a couple days ago. Today, that same exact flight is $817. Thank god I had the guts to book it when i did. Of course, with all the insanity with airlines, it's likely to go down again, but I doubt it'll go below $579, so I feel like I won the lottery I bit. PONTE VECCHIO HERE I COME!!!!!!!! :D

So now i'm starting the initial research, making up the actual itinerary, etc. 18 days may sound like a long time, but when you want to see the whole damn country, it's pretty difficult! This is what I'm thinking initially:

Arrive 7pm Florence

2 nights Florence

3 nights Bologna

1 night Parma (b/c it's silly to do a day trip from Bologna and then have to go back to get the train to Cinque Terre there anyway)

3 nights Cinque Terre

8 nights Tuscany probably near Siena/Central tuscany area in an agriturismo with car

get rid of the car and spend last night in Florence b/c the flight back leaves at 9:30am and I'd rather not try to navigate the roads at 6am!

It's Really Gonna Happen!!!!

When you find airfare from LA to Florence for $579 on a good airline at fairly convenient times, you take it. So, I took it. ITALY HERE I COME!!

Now the fun begins. Last time, I kinda had to work out the itinerary before booking flight, since I was flying open jaw. This time I have more flexibility - and 18 glorious nights to decide how to spend.

WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!