This thread made me smile. What great stories, scary and otherwise. On our trip to Santorini I watched people ride those donkeys up that steep path. (We took the easy way, the funicular.) It looked like a riot to me -- maybe a little uncomfortable and stinky, but extremely memorable. Denise, I didn't recall about your hot air balloon ride in Tuscany. Sounds heavenly! A balloon ride somewhere -- all the better if it's Tuscany -- is still on my life list. And Sue, good to have your wise counsel on airline matters on this board.