We are starting to focus on Spain.

What are the dates for the Spain portion of the trip?

Not sure. KSC02 and I have been talking, but no dates yet.

Our thinking is we are going to Spain even if we miss Italy.

Once we get the wedding behind us, we will nail it down.

Rainy morning here so I've, just this morning, been searching flights, etc.

As we want to start off in Spain, it seems likely that we'll fly into Madrid around May 4 and out of Madrid around May 19. The fest in Italy is planning to finish on May 17 (Sunday) so I can get back to Madrid, to fly out on Tuesday (19th). I've spent the last 1 1/2 hours searching flights and programs. What a pain in the behind!

At any rate, that's my present, general, plan.

What are others doing about this, thus far? Anything?

PURPLE needs to chime in here on our behalf because I know for certain that the Italian dates as they stand are right on the edge of her not being able to attend (tax filing deadlines) and if the Spain portion goes one way or the other she's out completely. Not sure which way.

FWIW.

KSC02, we still have Palacios on our radar, right?

W+A is correct. We have been discussing this, off and on. Neither of us has spent time in Spain so it's of more interest this trip. I WAS thinking of renting a car and meandering my way South to the coast and then follow it around to Italy over the 2 weeks. Nothing definate, though, just yet.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
KSC02, we still have Palacios on our radar, right?

If I restricted my trip to just one wine producer in Spain, and we WILL stop at a couple anyway, it'd be Alvaro Palacios. To miss that would be unforgiveable!

Certainly, the feedback thus far, has been most people focusing on tripping to Italy and far fewer showing interest in the Pre Game in Spain. And this is fine. There are no expectations of some large group 'hooking up' in Europe to tromp around tethered to one another. We'll plan a couple of evenings to get together and celebrate it all. And then everyone takes their own way, to enjoy.

The Italy portion is solid for now. May 14-17. We're working on scoping out a few venues. Jochems did some great up-front work on this. DoktaP is there now and double checking some things. Longboarder will be in the area late Summer. I'm thinking that is the time we'll be firming up the plans, lay out the information gathered to everyone, and then it's likely going to be done under a 'If you're going, we'll see you there' flexibility. Too many people involved to tighten it more than that. The basics (firm dates for the event(s), venue, possible accomodations, etc)will be buttoned up. The rest will be allowed to take its' course.

I wouldn't bother trying to book your flights until December or January, as the flight schedules for next May won't be available until then.

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
I wouldn't bother trying to book your flights until December or January, as the flight schedules for next May won't be available until then.

Then why have all the airlines been quoting these all morning to me? They're all 'subject to change'?
Most flight routes are pretty standard these day, no? It's the PRICES I'm trying to get lock down on.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

And this is fine.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:
Then why have all the airlines been quoting these all morning to me? They're all 'subject to change'?
Most flight routes are pretty standard these day, no? It's the PRICES I'm trying to get lock down on.

Yup, subject to change. Or bankruptcy. One or the other.

KSC,

I'm definitely interested in Spain. Probably more so than Italy. However, it's all about the dates picked. If they work for me, I'll make it. If not, so be it. I'll be out. Which is fine.

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:
KSC,
I'm definitely interested in Spain. Probably more so than Italy. However, it's all about the dates picked. If they work for me, I'll make it. If not, so be it. I'll be out. Which is fine.

Though I'm just beginning to pursue getting the trip, for us, structured, we're presently shooting for May 4-19.FWIW.

Then we would be out. We absolutely can't leave before May 15th. That's a major tax deadline for PURPLE.

ahhhh. Understood. So you're looking at Tuscany at the beginning of the trip (May 14-17). Not sure if we can do that. Let me check this out.

Yep, that's pretty much the scenario for us. Since the Italian shinding is the 14th through the 17th our only hope would be to fly into Florence if she could manage to sneak out 1 day early and pretty much show up jet lagged. Not promising.

To tell you the truth, we're more interested in the Spanish leg ourselves (at least I am). As you know we're in Italy this October for 2 weeks so such a quick turn around would be more desirable to Spain for us. But hey, what happens, happens.

Just returned from our summer holiday in Tuscany. We made a brief visit to Montalcino last week. And I can can confirm, its still there

Dok will indeed be back on the 27th.

In general it would be wise to organise flights etc. well in advance. April/May is a popular period for visits to places like Firenze and Siena. For Europeans especially for a weekend trip. On the other hand.... current fuel prices and green-tax measures have almost entirely killed the cheap flight possibilities between many places in Europe!

BTW, I will not be joining the Spain part of the trip.

Please put me down as seriously interested/likely for the Italy part of this (both Teri & I)

Updated list of 'IN's' & 'TENTATIVE's':

May 14 - 17, 2009

IN
PH +1
KSC02 +1
Skoshy
w+a +1
Een +1
DoktaP +1
Longboarder
VT2IT +1
WIML
Purple
Sarbuze +1
bobbyc +1
Glenn +1
Lentini + 1
PlanoWino +1
Habu World Tour +1
Jochems +1
Steve8 + 1
Seaquam +1
tyee +1
Jcocktosten
MLV
KTF + 1
Eric White +1

TENTATIVE:
Asterixis +1
Futronic
indybob +1


Presently at 42 'IN'
and 5 'Tentative'

We're not holding a seperate listing for Spain. If you're interested in meeting in Spain, just let us know and we'll organize that off-line for now. That way the 'on-line' arrangements will focus on what the majority of this group are interested in.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric White:
Please put me down as seriously interested/likely for the Italy part of this (both Teri & I)

Excellent!

I am indeed back, and had a fabulous trip.

I'll post a blog sometime soon, but suffice it to say that this has the potential to be the
"vintage event of the decade". The food and wines are not to be beleived. I suggest that everyone lose 10 lbs before leaving and load up on your lipitor. This is not for the light eaters/drinkers.

It will be a challenge to find a venue and accommodations nearby one another, unless the event will be in a larger center such as Venice
(more seafood), or in Tuscany (more excellent boar and meat) in a city like Siena or Florence. Personally, the nicest places were outside the cities high atop the hills with amazing views of the Tuscan countryside.

More to come.

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
I am indeed back, and had a fabulous trip.

I'll post a blog sometime soon, but suffice it to say that this has the potential to be the
"vintage event of the decade". The food and wines are not to be beleived. I suggest that everyone lose 10 lbs before leaving and load up on your lipitor. This is not for the light eaters/drinkers.

It will be a challenge to find a venue and accommodations nearby one another, unless the event will be in a larger center such as Venice
(more seafood), or in Tuscany (more excellent boar and meat) in a city like Siena or Florence. Personally, the nicest places were outside the cities high atop the hills with amazing views of the Tuscan countryside.

More to come.

Glad you are back, and look forward to hearing ALL about it Dok.

I'm off to the airport soon, but will email soon after my Sunday return.