What a way to start our adventure.
We flew American Airlines (AA) to Dallas
. Only problem was
we had to repack our bags as one was overweight. Flight was OK. The plane was
completely full and of course with typical AA minimal service but we got there
and as we had a 12 hr stopover booked into an airport hotel and at least rested
for a while.
At 3 pm we went back to the airport for our 5 pm flight,
checked in and went through security. Checked the departure board for the gate
but no flight to Madrid was listed. Eventually, we found out the flight was
delayed 3 hrs.
Went to the AA counter and explained that we had connections
in Madrid and Rome and after lots of discussion, someone told us they would
change the connections in the system so we would catch them. Gave us a nice
printout of the new connecting flights.
Arrived in Madrid, gain flying with AA and minimal service
although the crew were great, and waited for 3 hrs to fly to Rome. In Rome
after standing for 75min at the belt with other passengers from the same Iberia
flight, we all decided our luggage was not going to arrive
.
As this has happened to us previously we knew the drill, except in Rome all the
baggage is handled by different private contractors. Reported the bags were
missing to the right company, filled out the forms only to be told the
contractor could not check where the bags was and when it would arrive. So be
it – we could only hope!! Luckily Sue is very cautious and had packed lots of
essentials in our carry on.
We then went to the Alitalia counter to get our boarding
passes to Naples assuming the connection change by AA was OK. Of course, we
forgot this is Alatalia – as we non-shows for the original flight they had
cancelled our tickets and told us we would have to buy new tickets at the FULL
PRICE – 350 Euro each, that is $1,000 for 2 tickets for a 1 hr flight. They had
seats but would not give us a discount. After much discussion and waving of
arms, we decided they would prefer to fly with empty seats rather than get some
money for those available
. The lad said they had to follow the rules which must
be a first for Italy.
No wonder Alitalia continues to be on the verge of
bankruptcy.
Instead of flying we caught the train from the station to
Rome Central and then the fast train to Naples, the whole trip taking less than
2 hrs and not expensive and arriving in the centre of the city. Considering
security, waiting for baggage and transport form the airport to a hotel it was
probably quicker than the plane.
We get to our Hotel only to find that there has been a
problem with our booking and as there was a Tourism Convention in Naples, they
had no vacancies. Now Naples in probably not the ideal place to bed down in the
streets so we eventually found a hotel, Hotel Orientele where the night
manager, to whom we are forever gratetful, did some shuffling and found us a
room. Remember this is now midnight.
A few pointers for the unwary:
If you have multiple connections always pack essentials in
your carryon
Don't rely on partner airlines to communicate with each
other, eg, AA and Iberia could not. And for non-partners just forget it.
If possible avoid Alitalia as they are totally
unsympathetic, terrible attitude and incredibly arrogant. They may not be
around too long anyway.
And finally, if it is possible, stay calm no matter how
frustrating it is, there is little else you can do as it is really out of your
control. If you can laugh that is even better.
So the first day was an experience but we knew it was going
to get much better.
Our Trip Begins – Or Does It!!
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Lahaina, Hawaii, United States
Other Entries
-
1Soon on Our Way
Mar 2310 days priorLahaina, United Statesphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 3 -
2Our Trip Begins – Or Does It!!
Apr 02Lahaina, United Statesphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 7 -
3Our Four Days on the Isle of Capri
Apr 053 days laterIsland of Capri, Italyphoto_camera36videocam 4comment 4 -
4First Few Days in Positano
Apr 108 days laterPositano, Italyphoto_camera27videocam 0comment 0 -
5The Coast, Amalfi and Further Afield
Apr 1311 days laterPositano, Italyphoto_camera63videocam 4comment 2 -
6Praiano and Back to Ravello
Apr 1614 days laterPositano, Italyphoto_camera34videocam 1comment 6 -
7Deanna and More of the Amalfi Coast
Apr 2119 days laterPositano, Italyphoto_camera48videocam 1comment 4 -
8Our Last Week on the Amalfi Coast
Apr 2422 days laterPositano, Italyphoto_camera26videocam 0comment 6 -
9Bologna, Towers, Porticos and Food
May 0129 days laterBologna, Italyphoto_camera37videocam 1comment 1 -
10Florence, Botticelli and Crowds
May 0230 days laterFlorence, Italyphoto_camera14videocam 1comment 5 -
11Verona – Beautiful Buildings, Shops and More
May 0432 days laterVerona, Italyphoto_camera54videocam 0comment 6 -
12Milano - – It Grows on You.
May 0735 days laterMilan, Italyphoto_camera57videocam 1comment 1 -
13Further Afield from Milano – Bergamo
May 1240 days laterMilan, Italyphoto_camera19videocam 1comment 0 -
14Lake Como
May 1644 days laterMilan, Italyphoto_camera45videocam 1comment 4 -
15Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino
May 1846 days laterMilan, Italyphoto_camera16videocam 1comment 0 -
16More about Milan
May 1947 days laterMilan, Italyphoto_camera45videocam 2comment 0 -
17Milan – Final Impressions
May 2351 days laterMilan, Italyphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 3 -
18Lake Maggiore – Stresa and Surrounds
May 2856 days laterStresa, Italyphoto_camera38videocam 2comment 0 -
19Areas Surrounding Lake Maggiore
Jun 0160 days laterGeneva, Switzerlandphoto_camera24videocam 0comment 1 -
20Geneva and Other Places Nearby
Jun 0261 days laterGeneva, Switzerlandphoto_camera42videocam 0comment 3 -
21Nice and Côte d'Azur
Jun 0665 days laterNice, Francephoto_camera21videocam 2comment 0
Comments

2023-11-28
Nancy Phelps
2013-04-08
WOW! Some adventure in travel ! You had your challenges for sure. Glad you made it with your talent of creativity and good humor. An adventure for sure!
Have fun! I will be following your fun from Maui !
Hugs Nancy
Rick Chester
2013-04-08
What a nightmare! But you handled it very well. Great advice but you must have a lot more patience than I. Hope all's well otherwise.
Cheers, Rick and Lynda
Gavin
2013-04-08
Ah, the romance of flying, the thrill of being a jetsetter. I'd forgotten !
Jannette Knowley
2013-04-09
Oh I am ROTF. I can see Sue with arms a flailing and Renze as cool as a cucumber but boiling inside. Sounds like you two have done this many times before. Good luck with the travels. We all miss you terribly. We look forward to the next set of photos and great travel details. Angels on your day.
nafisa
2013-04-09
sounds familiar and with traveling around Europe, my experience is that trains are so much more efficient and quicker (no security checks or wait times) and best of all their destinations take you to the centre of the next city , not some airport a mortgage worth of taxi fares away!!!! love and safe travels to you both....xxx
Diane Seals
2013-04-09
The start of your travels sounds dreadful but in seeing all the beautiful photos and reading your blog it appears those problems will fade quickly! We will be following your travels closely so keep the pictures coming. Have a lovely rest of your trip!
David Bell
2013-04-09
Despite all, you are having a great trip. We also had lost luggage in Italy, but fortunately it turned up (never explained) after two hours. Alitalia again. We agree that they are the pits. Thanks for the photos. You are getting the best out of Capri. Enjoy.