Jim Oaks
Just some guy with a website
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TRS Banner 2010-2011
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- Joined
- Aug 2, 2000
- Messages
- 13,507
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- 8,736
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- Location
- Nocona, Texas
- Vehicle Year
- 1996 / 2021
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Type
- 4.0 V6
- Engine Size
- 4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 6-inches
- Tire Size
- 33x12.50x15
My girlfriends 16-year-old son had an opportunity to go to Italy with some of his waterpolo teammates to train and play against some Italian teams. My girlfriend (Laura) invited me to go with them several months ago, and suggested I get a Capital One Adventure card to earn miles to pay for my flight. I got the card and used it instead of my debit card when I made purchases, and then immediately paid off the card balance from my checking account so I wasn't getting charged any interest. Making purchases allowed me to earn reward miles that I could use for hotels, flights, etc. I was able to earn enough miles that I only had to pay around $100 out of pocket for my round-trip flight to Italy. When I booked my flight with American Airlines, I contacted Capital One, told them I just made a purchase with American Airlines using my Adventure Card, and then had them apply my reward miles and credit the money back to my account. Another advantage to the card is that they don't charge you any transaction fees for purchases made outside of the USA, so I used the card for most of my purchases in Italy. I know this sounds like an advertisement for Capital One, but I don't think the trip would have been possible if I hadn't earned those miles using the card and then paying it off instead of my debit card. And since I paid the card off as I went, I never got charged any interest. I'm already earning miles for a trip next year. Seeing how this helped me earn reward miles so I could afford to travel, I thought I would share the information with my friends here. If you want to know more about the card, check out the Capital One Adventure Card.
Around 9:00 am on June 14th we left for the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) airport to catch our flight to Philadelphia PA, where we switched planes and took an international flight to Venice, Italy. We arrived in Italy at 9:00 am on the 15th. Even though we arrived 24-hours later, we didn't travel a true 24-hours because Italy is 7-hours ahead of Texas. I actually watched the sun go down and then come back up on that flight.
This was the first time that I was served dinner and breakfast on a flight. They also provided us with a small pillow and a blanket so we could sleep, but I couldn't get comfortable to actually fall asleep.
Venice Italy:
Known for its winding canals and gondolas, Venice is a picturesque romantic architectural marvel. The ornate Renaissance Gothic style architecture throughout the city speaks for its rich fascinating history. The main tourist attractions include St. Marks Square, Rialto Bridge, Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark’s Basilica, Bridge of Sighs and Grand Canal. Art has also thrived in Venice for centuries and is home to many beautiful paintings and sculptures.
(The Rialto Bridge)
I fell in love with these wooden boats, and paid to have one transport us to another part of the island.
And how can you go to Venice and not take a Gondola ride??
Although I'm not Catholic, I enjoy checking out old cathedrals. I admire the architecture and the paintings you find inside. They are a piece of art in their own right.
Speaking of art....
I was looking forward to buying some street art in Italy. I found this guy that was selling his paintings, and purchased this one for $90.
I even had the artist hold it so I could get a photo of the artist with the painting.
The artist rolled the painting up in cardboard so it was protected when I took it home. I then went to the information center where I laid the painting down to pay for a map and walked out. When I realized that I no longer had the painting, I went back to the center but the painting was gone. The employee claimed they never saw it. I hope the new owner appreciates it.
The food in Venice didn't impress me. I ordered lasagna at a restaurant and I swear it tasted like Chef-Boy-R-Dee. Very disappointing.
Heading To Recco Italy:
We spent two days in Venice and then took a train to Milan, Italy.
(Milan Train Station)
From there we switched to a different train that took us to Genoa, where we got on the final train to Recco, Italy.
(Recco Italy Train Station)
My girlfriends son would be staying at a monastery with his teammates, and the parents were staying in one of two designated hotels. My girlfriend and I chose to rent a small apartment in a house that sat next to the Mediterranean Sea so we could have some privacy. We chose to split the cost to make it more affordable.
More to come.......
Around 9:00 am on June 14th we left for the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) airport to catch our flight to Philadelphia PA, where we switched planes and took an international flight to Venice, Italy. We arrived in Italy at 9:00 am on the 15th. Even though we arrived 24-hours later, we didn't travel a true 24-hours because Italy is 7-hours ahead of Texas. I actually watched the sun go down and then come back up on that flight.
Venice Italy:
(The Rialto Bridge)
I fell in love with these wooden boats, and paid to have one transport us to another part of the island.
And how can you go to Venice and not take a Gondola ride??
I was looking forward to buying some street art in Italy. I found this guy that was selling his paintings, and purchased this one for $90.
The food in Venice didn't impress me. I ordered lasagna at a restaurant and I swear it tasted like Chef-Boy-R-Dee. Very disappointing.
Heading To Recco Italy:
We spent two days in Venice and then took a train to Milan, Italy.
(Milan Train Station)
(Recco Italy Train Station)
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