Passports – check.

Euros and no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards – check.

Flight, transfer, cruise and excursion reservations confirmed – check.

Rome plans and recommendations plotted on map and spreadsheet – check.

Camera with charged battery and spare memory cards – check.

Now it’s just a matter of finishing some office work, throwing some clothes in the suitcase and heading over to LAX on Wednesday.

Much planning has gone into what promises to be an epic trip … for us and for clients. I’m sure we will thoroughly enjoy living the dolce vita. But I’ll be on the clock, too – absorbing the vibe of small coastal towns and Rome itself, testing restaurant recommendations, trying out tours, and evaluating how small ship immersive cruising compares and contrasts with its larger cousin. First-hand experience that will help me better help our clients make choices fitting their preferences.

Soon it will be showtime as we emerge from a long flight into the Eternal City. I’d like to think that when in Rome we will do as the Romans do. But I know that would not be accurate. I know I will again be smitten by the magic of the place. But maybe we can insert a little more native perspective than the typical tourist.

Oh, we’ll again visit the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, but this time we will linger longer and settle in for dinner at a local enoteca a bit off the beaten path. On Friday, we’ll hit the Pantheon early in the morning when it is quieter and the rising sun puts on a show through its ancient skylight. At St. Peter’s, we’ll climb the dome for an amazing sight from what is by law Rome’s tallest structure. We also will try to fade into the scene as much as our few words of guidebook Italian will allow.

Equally exciting will be our cruise along the northwest Italian coast aboard the Azamara Journey. We visit picturesque Portofino, Cinque Terre, Lucca and Elba – alternating between packaged excursions and do-it-yourself roaming as we evaluate the difference ways to experience the local culture and stunning natural beauty.

Of course I will report the findings on this blog and other materials for our clients, but not until I return. Italy is sure to keep us very busy trying to absorb all she has to offer.