“All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go” Just a few more days now and I’ll be “leaving on a jet plane” although unlike John Denver’s lyrics, I do know when I’ll be back again. I will be landing in the Eternal City Thursday morning but there will be no sightseeing in Rome for this traveler because I will be catching the Leonardo Express train from inside the airport.
It’s a 31 minute ride to Rome’s main train station, the Termini, and from there I will be boarding a fast train to Milan. After arriving there it’s a one hour train ride to Varenna, and a short walk to the ferry which will take me across Lake Como to the beautiful resort town of Bellagio. Then I will have three days to enjoy once again the beauty and tranquility of Lake Como. I will keep my eye open for George Clooney too.
With that agenda I won’t have to worry about jet lag and trying to stay up because out of necessity I will have to stay up! I have found that going from the U.S. to Italy the best way to handle the jet lag is to stay up all day when you first arrive.
Flights from the U.S. typically arrive in Italy in the morning which really is about 3am U.S. time, so the best I can hope for is to be able to sleep on the plane, and then stay up all day until at least 8 or 9 in the evening Italy time. I’ll let you know how it works out.
margieinitaly 
I hope spend some time in Varenna as well. I actually preferred it to Bellagio. It seems older and more genuine. We stayed at the gorgeous Hotel Cipressi on the lake there. I did a couple of post Lake Como.
You are right about staying up all day on your day of arrival. The worst thing you can do is have a sleep in the middle of the day. I never get jet lag….ever. I always hit the ground running in whatever country I happen to be and take on that time, without thinking about what time it is at home. It works for me.
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Yes Debra
For sure I will be returning to lovely quiet Varenna. I stayed there for 5 nights at the Eremo Gaudio perched high in the hills. Awesome views! Hotel Cipressi looked do beautiful as well. The entire area is simply stunning!
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I am glad you are nearly out the door. I look forward to your travel tales and pictures and am ready for some more, NOW.
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Have a great trip. Say Hi to Sue from us, too.
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Soooooo jealous!!!
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Joe, you know I can’t go back to Italy without having a glass or two of wine for you!
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Wow – lucky you!!! And happy travels 🙂
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That’s the same advice I received when I went to Italy! It was a 12 hours flight to Rome from Philadelphia, PA. We left in the evening and arrived in the morning of the same day. A little freaky, if you ask me. Instead of crashing at the hotel, we were off and running with tours, etc. It definitely helped the jet lag and transition. Didn’t work so well coming back to the States, though! I crashed for days.
Following your journey through Italy makes me “home”sick…I want to go back! Wahhhh!!!
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You’re right Kat, coming back to the U.S.seems harder and one time it took me a week to get straightened around!
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Have a great time! I’ll be thinking of you and awaiting the photos on your return.
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