Departing Again

We are setting off on our first transcontinental journey since the pandemic started. With the pandemic still ongoing, it feels like a small miracle that we get to go. We are so grateful for our vaccines and the ability to get COVID tested and travel, especially when so many have not yet gotten the chance to access a vaccine.

Below is our Itinerary as it stands right now. This is going to be a trip where being flexible is a must. With evolving COVID restrictions we may need to make changes to our itinerary as we go. We also may find a place we love, and may want to stay longer. We are so excited to visit some new regions that neither of us has been to before like Puglia and Basicalata and to return to some old favorites like Orvieto, where we look forward to seeing old friends.

September 5-6 Rome, Lazio

September 7-8 Matera, Basilicata

September 9-11 Ostuni, Puglia

September 12-13 Sorrento, Campania

September 14 Naples, Campania

September 15 Rome, Lazio

September 16-17 Talamone, Toscana

September 18-20 Orvieto, Umbria

September 21 Montepulciano, Toscana

September 22 Radda in Chianti, Toscana

September 23 Florence, Toscana

September 24 Bologna, Emilia Romagna

September 25 Mykonos

September 26-27 Milos

September 28-29 Athens

We have each packed everything we will need for the 25 days we will be gone into a backpack. Sara’s is about 35 L and Colin’s is about 40 L but he compresses it down. You can see in the photo below taken in the Delta Lounge at the Seattle airport that these bags are quite small. This is our usual approach as it allows us to carry our luggage on all our flights and more easily maneuver from where we park or get off of the train or ferry to our lodgings. We never check luggage as it only leads to delays and potential headaches. We have found that if you really think about what you have actually used on past trips you find you can pack less and still have more than you need.