Having returned to Leeds from Canada with very little time to turn round and head off to Italy, I collected my friend Suzy from Manchester airport and we travelled together on the North sea ferry to Zeebrugge. This is the first time I have travelled with someone else and though it reduces my space for luggage it is nice to have the company and we had a lovely journey.
We took a different route to the one I normally do to avoid Switzerland and the questions she would be asked at the border as an Australian without a permit. So we headed accross to Austria and eventually to Italy, with just one slight detour as we lost our sense of direction.
We arrived in Peschiera on lake Garda at approximately 10pm having got off the ferry that morning at 08.30am. Not too bad really as we stopped en route for refreshments.
Straight into work as we did the country briefing for the Italy rep team.
They are a mixed bunch this year, with many different nationalities and ways of working so I have fun just keeping them ticking over in a friendly manner.
My experienced team are people I would choose to return so this makes life a bit easier and with my Italian friends I am managing to have a nice life this year.
So back in Italy with the good food,good wine and good people! Lots of work, but getting around the country on a regular basis so not stuck in the office all the time!! Things are looking good.
My first tour was pretty local to all the resorts on Lake Garda and mostly sorting the computer set ups out for the teams.
Then second week I headed off to Taormina in Sicily. I got a flight from Bergamo to Catania where a typical Sicilian driver took me at 150miles an hour in the central lane of a 2 lane motorway to the resort.
Here I met our agents and helped put together information for our guests on the local area, trips available and a welcome pack to be given on arrival. They were lovely people and treated me to a lovely lunch on the seaside. That evening I went for dinner and then a drink with Jaqui, a friend and colleague of mine. She was there doing more contracts for next year.
In the bar I was passed a note by 2 Sicilian boys telling us we were beautiful women and they would like to be our friends. I still have it as it was so funny they were about 25 years old I suspect and it was good for my ego.
Next day I finished off the paperwork with the agents and then again travelled at 150miles an hour to the airport with just 5 minutes left to check in. True Sicilian urgency, leave it to the last minute and then drive at breakneck speeds.
I then flew to Rome to meet my friend Rachel who has done the job nearly as long as me and we have lots in common. She likes the quieter job we have in Rome for the summer as she does our busiest Italian ski resort in the winter. This meant we could have a nice evening meal together and catch up on the gossip having done very quickly what work we had to do.
I stayed in her apt which is literally a "converted" garage i.e a lick of paint and the floor has been tiled. It is actually quite nice, but still very recognisable as a garage.
Next day I got the train, first class of course, to Florence and met our new rep Alex (cute) and our rep from Montecatini, Bev. She got the train to Florence to join us at the Station, which is where we stayed and worked as it was a bank holiday and not a good idea to venture into the city.
Then onto another train to Milan, change train and on to Bergamo. Collect the car and drive to Bellagio on Lake Como. There had been a landslide so had to go the long way round so eventually arrived at 11.15. This is where Suzy is working, the girl I travelled out with. so a chance to catch up and have a chat. However pretty tired and had to tell her we could catch up more the next day. Slept like a baby that night!!!
Met up with the lake Como team the next day and went through the work they had done so far. All new to the lake for Inghams and so had lots of questions. Drove then to Stresa Lake Maggiore and felt like I was going home. The warm welcome I get there is always delightful and it never feels like work. The team are good and so pretty much this was just a delivery drop and chance to say hello. Back home that evening and into the office to up date everyone. A big trip, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Chance to stay local for a while then, with an overnight stop done by Liz and Keith on their way to Corfu. When we had a lovely meal and chance to catch up. It is always lovely to see them and it is with an element of jealousy when I say goodbye as they head to Greece. I had some fantastic years there myself.
They had brought a Garmin SAT NAV that Paddy had managed to purchase for me and so with this all set up I got sorted for my next trip.
South to Bolsena, just north of Rome.
I have managed to get to new places this year and stayed in nice hotels where the staff have spoilt me. Wine with dinner at each stop becomes hard work!!!.
The Lake is beautifull and our rep Galina worked there last year so is really knowledgeable. She was delighted to have the visit and so it made it a true pleasure for me to be there. She has not had the chance before to get feedback on her work and so I went to her welcome meeting and was delighted to be able to say how good it was. As I sat down to listen 6 of the guests were previous guests of mine when I looked after Lake Orta and were lovely to me saying how they remembered me and how good they thought I was. It was quite funny really as I could remeber things about there holidays with me and this impressed them imensely considering how many guests I have looked after over the years. It is funny how many I remember, but that is because I always loved repping.
That evening I went for a walk after dinner, just to absorb the atmoshere and I was not disappointed it was delightful.
Lake Bolsena
I utilised the opportunity again on this trip to stay with my friend Rachel in Rome and we went to the cinema this time to see step up 2 a street dance movie and again had a lovely meal together. Next stop then was Pescasseroli, south of Rome and so easy to find using the SAT NAV. This is a true contrast in the mountains with lovely walks and beautiful countryside. I saw a beautiful red fox on my way there and the usual array of animals in the fields.
Again our rep here has done 3 years and was pleased to be able to show someone the work he has done, so made me feel very welcome. He has even gone out and labelled some of the walks as the Italians are not particularly good at this and his guests were singing his praises to me at dinner that evening. It is always good to see someone doing well.
Back to Rome and this time chance to go to the beach for a couple of hours and do some shopping. This was great to get a break for myself too.
Off to Ttrasimeno the next day to see our Dutch rep, Cor. That is his name not me reacting to what he is like!! Now he is one of the ones that tell you how good he is!! not sure why you are visiting and has nothing to prove his supposed success. No reports sent in yet, late with accounts and just too busy for it all. I made a little bit of headway, but know I will need to return to get him up to speed. Not as nice as the other stops on my trip, but ideal location for visiting many places of interest in Italy.
Then back to Garda and plan the next route around Italy.
Ok I will try and post this one and if successfull will do more!