Going to Italy - suggestions???

[onlyme]

I've got plenty of time to plan, we're not going 'til July, but I want to get a jump start! We are going on a cycling tour of the Tuscan region -Arezzo, Cortona, and a bit of Umbria. We will be cycling an average of 35 miles per day (some more, some less). My understanding is that breakfast in Europe is basically a roll and coffee - so that is not going to fuel me for the day! We are on our own for lunch and dinner is not until 8pm or later - YIKES! I did let them know that I am allergic to dairy, but I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and eat pasta, tomato, bread, etc. Hopefully, by that time (over 8 months of candida/wheat/gluten-free diet) my body will be able to tolerate those things. I guess I should probably start adding those foods back in a month or two before we go so I can monitor reactions before we're on the trip! I do know we are going to an olive oil tasting - so, I'll be getting my good oils while we're there!

I am afraid to check our bags (don't want them to get lost between San Francisco and Florence, since we'll be changing planes two-to-three times), but with all the carry-on restrictions, I just don't know how to do it . . . like, how the heck am I going to pack all the sunscreen we're going to need when we can only bring 2 oz. bottles that will fit in a ziploc bag??? Okay, so that is off-topic.

Any suggestions on packable foods to bring from the U.S.? I plan to bring herbal teas (India Spice, peppermint, etc.), since I hear that finding decaf anything in Italy is near impossible. Hopefully I can find hot water for my teas! Most "energy bars" (Power Bars, Luna Bars, etc.) are garbage. I was looking at www.rawindulgence.com and thought that the Cashew & Agave Nectar and Spirulina & Cashew bars looked okay. I just know I have to keep my energy up for all that biking. I lose weight way too easy (lost over 10 pounds doing the vital cleanse, so I am under 100 pounds now) and can't seem to gain it back despite the fact that I am doing all the rebuilding stuff (protein shakes, kichadi, oils, nuts, wild fish, organic free-range meats, etc.). And I'm not even exercising hard right now (just yoga, ballet, and walking our dogs) . . . just wait 'til January when we start training for our trip!

I am really excited about this trip, but worried too as it is our first trip to Europe (I've only been outside the U.S. once, and that was over 10 years ago with a college class to Ecuador so everything was planned by the professor).

Any suggestions? I'd like to keep my packing to one carryon and no checked bags - that includes my bike helmet and clothes, so I can't be packing my whole kitchen!

Thanks!

[pepika8pipi]

Hi there!

My suggestion is this. Dont't worry much about Italy. Just go and you will be spending the most beautiful time of your life. I know this becouse I live in nearby country.You can eat nice bio and home made food in Tuscany villages and drink clean water too. And if you violete your drinks with ocasional glass of Chianti, so what.

Just enjoy.

Branko