there is also a lovely antiques district in Florence, any guide book can tell you where it is located. i found it inspirational to just roam the back streets of the city and the smaller markets.

Don't forget intervac.com - one of the best sites. I've done this 8 or 9 times all over Europe and it has been great.

Piles of pointe shoes and ballet slippers, NUskin, hairpins, band aids, blister blocker - daughter is a ballet dancer

All these are good ideas and I like to be prepared but most important is just to go with the flow. I've survived lost luggage in Valencia, a sick child in Florence, and two flat tires in Ravello. ...

I've done it a number of times and it has always been great. I leave a complete dossier for my guests, which includes important phone numbers, how to work the appliances including instruction manu...

Copy of my travel documents.

Most nights, I do all of the above. Otherwise how do you get anything done if you work full time.