<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Dear Listmembers, I just returned from my travels in Italy and Switzerland. Warm thanks to all who provided suggestions. I'd like to underscore a few and make a few other observations. Here are several I'd like to emphasize: *Don't count on the airlines coming through with GF food, even if you ordered it. (I know, this has been said before.) Northwest Airlines and KLM deserve about a C-, in my book. In two "GF" meals, I received mostly GF food along with crackers! In another "GF" meal on KLM, I received a sandwich! When I pointed this out to the flight attendant, she was apologetic and found me some fruit, but then she asked me "What is gluten?" I will be writing the airlines to suggest that they beef up the training for their flight attendants and cooks. Some of the meals I didn't receive until I asked for them specifically. Anyway, be prepared with your own provisions, or be prepared to wait it out. *Do beware of pickpockets. We were approached by 3 girls (ages approx. 9-12) in the piazza only 100 yards from the Duomo (main cathedral) in Florence in broad daylight. They put a big piece of cardboard with writing on it on top of my traveling partner's hands and then were beginning to rifle through her purse, but we were prepared for this and shouted "get away!" They left and then proceeded to approach others immediately. *The gluten-free biscuits produced by Schaer are indeed good! As suggested, I found them in the Farmacia (drug store), although on the bottom shelf gathering dust! (The freshness date on the bottom of the box was ok, however.) They were a life saver at breakfast, where the only food provided was, you guessed it, rolls. I plan to find some in the States. Read the package carefully, however. The first package I picked up (Fette Tostate) had wheat as an ingredient. The one I bought (Fette biscottate) is clearly labeled gluten-free. *As others suggested, risotto was a good meal, as was the "Capri Salad" or "Insalate Caprese" - which had tomatoes, mozarella cheese, and basil. I ate that at several meals. *General travel tips: Next time, I will take a travel vest with lots of pockets and/or pants or shorts with lots of pockets. Shorts were commonly worn, although people were not permitted into the St. Peter's or the Sistine Chapel (at the Vatican) with shorts or bare shoulders. Come prepared. Credit cards were not as readily accepted in Italy as in Switzerland. Most places only wanted to take them for large purchases. Lines were long: 1.5 - 2 hours to get into the Uffizi Gallery (even late afternoon) and 1 hour to see the "real" David in the Accademia in Florence. The trip was wonderful, and staying GF was not stressful (once out of the airplanes). If you have the chance to go, do it and enjoy! I can't wait to return. Pre-trip reading: "Under the Tuscan Sun" - currently at the bookstores. I forgot the author; my copy is already lent out. Again, thanks to all for the extremely helpful suggestions. Hal Grotevant St. Paul, Minnesota USA +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Harold D. Grotevant [log in to unmask] Prof. of Family Social Science (612) 624-3756 Univ. of Minnesota, 1985 Buford Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108 http://fsos.che.umn.edu/hgrotevant/grotevant.html