Hallo and Ciao

Just the one Saturday away on this particular trip. Bill had already committed to teaching visually impaired children when David and Karen got in touch with dates for their 20th anniversary Tuscan adventure. Bill asked multiple times if I'd still blog, so I'll at least try. I have about 10 minutes before breakfast is served, so let's review yesterday's travel. On the plus side, the upgrade to business class was surprisingly cheap when I was purchasing tickets. Or maybe it just seemed cheap because tickets were not? So I got a decent amount of sleep on the flight for a change. I will note that the fold flat beds seem to be designed for someone closer to 5'8" or shorter. I was certainly at the limit of being able to fit, with my feet partially on the foot rest beyond the bed - considerably more narrow than the rest of the already-only-seat-width bed. On the down side, the plane's prior trip had been diverted for a medical emergency and the delay meant there was no chance I'd make my connection. Bonus feature of business class: access to the airline lounge which is an order of magnitude better than the one I can get into with Priority Pass. It even has a shower, which turned out to be exactly what I needed to endure an unplanned 6 hour layover.

My final flight was also delayed, so I didn't check in to the hotel until close to midnight. I got a room with a balcony because that was the next size up from the single that I wasn't sure would fit both me and the suitcase at the same time. Staff are super friendly, the room is nice and clean, and it's a 20 minute walk to the attractions, but it's not a hotel I would have booked when traveling with Bill because this is the view:

Fortunately, I learned to sleep with earplugs in many years ago so I'm good with paying less than half the cost of staying 10 minutes away. And breakfast is included. Time to get breakfast and head out!