Yet another issue with Sicily Trip

[Cornell]

Anyway, what do you do with your luggage if you’re using a pod?

There is room for all of that.

 

[heathpack]

I flew Lufthansa to Germany last March. It was great, zero issues.

 

[Passepartout]

Lufthansa is a codeshare with United. I flew them business class Frankfurt to Denver on United reservation & Lufthansa iron. No issues. Both airlines share lounges.

 

[WinniWoman]

Lufthansa is a codeshare with United. I flew them business class Frankfurt to Denver on United reservation & Lufthansa iron. No issues. Both airlines share lounges.

We can’t use the Lufthansa lounge because we are peasants in economy. Can’t even pay to get in. They don’t allow it now.

 

[Passepartout]

We can’t use the Lufthansa lounge because we are peasants in economy. Can’t even pay to get in. They don’t allow it now.

I understand. We flew steerage pretty exclusively until we decided to spend the kids' inheritance. They don't need it.

 

[PigsDad]

Anyway, what do you do with your luggage if you’re using a pod? This is my thing: 6 hours to kill. 2 carryons and 2 small back paks, neck pillows, water bottles. I really don’t want to leave the terminal, but might have to. Plus I’m supposed to be a wheelchair customer. Don’t know how that will work with this layover.

Are your flights two different itineraries? If not, then the checked baggage should be checked through to your final destination and you don't need to deal with it for your layover.

Kurt

 

[WinniWoman]

I understand. We flew steerage pretty exclusively until we decided to spend the kids' inheritance. They don't need it.

I refuse to spend $8000 for 2 business class seats. Just not in my DNA.

 

[WinniWoman]

Are your flights two different itineraries? If not, then the checked baggage should be checked through to your final destination and you don't need to deal with it for your layover.

Kurt

Yes. We are checking one bag but will have 2 carryons and 2 back packs ( our personal items).

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Another rerun, same story different thread. It has nothing to do with the thread but it just another opportunity to be so shocked that people don't listen to the smartest person in the room.

It's a good thing that Scoop disdains Red Lobster. Otherwise, if Red Lobster had run an "all-you can-eat" special for egotists, Scoop could have taken down the operaton single-handedly.

 

[nerodog]

Has anyone here actually flown on Lufthansa? I was reading reviews on Trip Advisor and elsewhere and all I can say is it isn't pretty and that's a huge understatement!

Not much better for a few other airlines I checked. But their's seems to be the worst. I'm getting a sick feeling. If you have nothing better to do check it out. My worst nightmares on there and I can totally see that those things are common. Literally not one good review. No customer service. Delays, cancellations, lost luggage, old planes, horrible food, on steroids!

It's interesting because my neighbor- who gave me the luggage- went to Italy a year ago and loved it. She went with her daughter and boyfriend who handled everything. But it stuck with me when she said last year that coming home was a nightmare and she couldn't even talk about it it was so convoluted and bad. She said she tries not to think about it it was so bad and she wants to remember how lovely Italy was.I don't know what airline they flew on.I'll have to ask her. But she did not go to Sicily, just the mainland.

Hi.. I've fkown on Luftansa and it was fine. I flew into and out of Munich. I had stayed at the Hilton at the airport and the airline had airline staff come and find me to help with a wheelchair!!! All good.

 

[nerodog]

So just as I finally conceded to tolerate the horrible flight schedule we have for our October Sicily/Southern Italy trip, Mt Etna erupts and now come to find out there’s a major drought going on with restrictions in many communities, Agrigento being one of many of them. We aren’t staying there, but will be going there as part of our tour.

Our balance $ is due this upcoming week for this tour. Should we be concerned with this water issue?

I go back and forth on cancelling it, but I know that if we do we will never go.

Sicily Is Turning Away Tourists This Summer

Fodor's provides expert travel content worth exploring so you can dream up your next trip. The world is a weird and wonderful place—we want to show you around.

www.fodors.com

Hi Winnie..what tour company are you using ? Thx... I'm interested in a tour.

 

[WinniWoman]

Hi Winnie..what tour company are you using ? Thx... I'm interested in a tour.

We are using Odyssey Unlimited.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Thanks everyone for all your words of wisdom!

Yeah- there is a serious drought in Sicily- a lot of residents even posting about it. That said, I did call the tour company and they said if they ever thought the tour would be uncomfortable or unsafe for their clients it would be cancelled or at the very least the itinerary would be adjusted. Nothing going on much with Mt. Etna right now.

I even asked them about- yes- I did- how they handle the toileting stops on the tour. Something we don't think about here in the USA and I didn't not know about how it is overseas. Being it's an issue with us older people. Plus with the water issues in Sicily...They said there is one on the bus but not recommended to use- ok- it's like that here also. Said they try stop every hour. My husband in particular gets worried with this. We try not to drink a lot of water or anything when out and about.

I also spoke with the travel agent. She did not really give me any assurances regarding the horrible flight we have. She said if we were to fly into Rome, for example we would then have to leave the terminal and go through everything again to get on another airline. She said maybe we could do a micro hotel in the Munich airport but didn't give me too many details regarding that and what that would entail.

She did say anything could happen with the flights we have and maybe a change would close that 6 hour layover a little bit. Of course, it could also go the other way and be even worse.

So Friday she is charging our credit card with the balance for the tour and finding out about what we need to pay for the hotel transfer from the Catania airport and will charge that also.

Meanwhile, we pretty much decided we will take two carry ons and 1 checked bag for the overage and toiletries. Lufthansa allows one free checked bag and 1 free carry on for each passenger, plus we will have our two small backpacks. But the tour company only allows one suitcase per client in terms of transfers, so we will have to transfer the extra carry on ourselves.

My husband's carry on is pretty worn so we are tossing it, but my neighbor said she has one we can borrow so I will check that out this weekend to make sure it will work for us.. She also gave us a suitcase that we can check in. It's not real big, but we should be ok with it. No sense on buying luggage as we don't plan on flying for vacations after this. She also gave us a plastic water bottle with a filter. My carry on I've had forever is still going strong.

I also got a head start and ordered a few thing on Amazon and Walmart like an air tag for the checked bag, travel pillows, some personal clothing incidentals. I am thinking of getting an inexpensive collapsible cane just in case I have a problem with my back or leg. We both need a just little bit more clothes as we are not fashionistas, but will buy inexpensive, plain, simple, casual things, and definitely will try to get the best sneakers we can. We usually buy inexpensive ones in Walmart or on Amazon, but I think we might have to get much better ones. I assume we will be in them for the entire trip.

So yes- we are going to still do this trip! As I have said before, the tour seems wonderful. It's just getting there that will be hell (and coming home). The drought and the volcano were just additional things that ramped up my anxiety. The flights are why I do not have that excited feeling like I've always had for our other vacations, most all of which we did independently. Our energy levels are ok, but not what they used to be, plus my back issue. My husband is low energy for the most part. I'm just very self aware of what we can handle physically (and mentally! LOL!)

So, that's it! It's now or never! Appreciate all your input!

@WinniWoman , I have been traveling a lot for work as of late and missed this thread, but I just wanted to tell you that I think its so awesome that you are planning this trip, I just turned 63 and I already feel myself slowing down. I used to be able to fly to our office in Walnut Creek CA and then zip over to our other plant in Phoenix, AZ and then head to the plant in Osage Iowa with no down time, Now I have to break these trips up into 2 or 3 separate trips.

I have not travelled to Europe recently ( in the last 15 years) but I do go to Japan a lot since my company is Japanese and that takes so much out of me and I'm always stressed because its a full on schedule from the moment I land. I finally told my boss, if you want me there I'm now flying in the day before so I can be alert for the meetings... It's stressful flying to other countries and I totally understand...

I hope you are able to find the solution that works best for you and do not listen to all the advice that is not helpful because that tends to stress me out more so when I ask for advice... Take good care and have a great time...



You have inspired me to plan a trip to Europe so that we can do this while we are both still walking.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

I don't wing things. It's just not in my DNA and I'm not changing at 68 years old. I wish I could be like that, but I am not. I am a planner and I like to know ahead of time what I am doing.

Sure, if I am someplace and have some free time I can maybe be a little spontaneous for a short while. But my overall trip has to be mapped out.

I agree that I should have checked flights before deciding on a tour, but I honestly did not realize it would be so hard. This is because I am not a worldly traveler. Silly me. Oh well, live and learn even if it is too late.

@WinniWoman , I so get that, I also do not WING THINGS, its also not in my DNA, I plan things obsessively to the 9th degree and I travel in the US non-stop for work and I go to Japan once a year for my company and I still plan these trips out so that I can get everthing accomplished and not have to fly out yet again...