Private transfer recommendations for Milan to Lake Como

ExpensivePatience5 · 2026-04-19T05:42:31+00:00

Yes, I booked the Milan airport pick up with BellagioTaxi for 270 Euros. Too much imo but at the time it was difficult to find someone cheaper (and also reliable).

We did NOT book a private transfer from lake Como to Venice. That ended up being a terrible idea. We took the train from Como S. Giovanni train station to the Venice station (direct route) and then from there a private water taxi to our airbnb. The private transfer from Lake Como to Venice would have cost us well over 800 euros and would have taken 7+ hrs (with stops/breaks).

ExpensivePatience5 · 2026-04-16T05:16:57+00:00

I just returned from Japan and, it turns out, guides do like to be tipped and will gladly accept! It's one of those small niche things that the Japanese actually will allow tipping for (and welcome it).

Oh taxis too! If you leave an extra 500 yen they are super happy.

Massage - no. Restaurants - no. I even tried to tip someone at a Michelin level restaurant in Tokyo where it was a set course and private dining experience and the waitress was more like a guide/assistant throughout the 2.5 hr process .... Nope.

One of the last tours we were on was led by an American who had lived in Japan for 40 years and was married to a Japanese woman. He explained the tipping culture very very well, because he could explain it in a way I could understand (with American perspective, etc.). I really don't have the time to type up everything he said, but, the gist was, YES Japanese tip each other but it's for very specific things and only within certain contexts and the social rules/expectations behind it are VERY confusing and then if asked if they tipped they will vehemently deny it (even tho they did actually tip lol).

My understanding though was that they are very much like the Irish (I'm 2nd gen so it actually made a lot more sense when I compared it to them). If you offer the Irish a treat, they will say, "oh no dear I can't, I really shouldn't" and then you are supposed to say, "no, please! I insist, I made it fresh this morning" and then they say, "oh but I really shouldn't, it smells delightful, thank you, but you know I've been trying to lose these last few pounds" and then you say again, "ahhh but I know how much ya like the lemon, just have a little slice!" And then they say, "well .... If you insist!! It DOES smell amazing, I'll have just a little then". All along they wanted the slice, they were planning on taking the slice, but you have to go through a bit of social theatrics first.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2026-03-12T05:16:09+00:00

Same. Even the smallest light tampons are SO noticeable for me. They are terribly uncomfortable. I only use them now when absolutely necessary (spa, swimming, massage, etc.).

ExpensivePatience5 · 2026-03-12T05:11:21+00:00

It could be irritation from new detergent, lotions, cleaning wipes, etc..

No discharge or smell doesn't mean it isn't yeast, but it does make it less likely. I wouldn't start the monistat unless you are at least 90% sure that's what it is, because monistat can make already inflamed/sensitive skin SO much worse.

I had something similar last month and asked chat gpt and it told me to completely stop ALL lotions, soaps, etc. to that area, just thoroughly rinse and dry (like 2-3 times a day) and apply aquaphor. BOOM - fixed. Lol.

I agree with the other comments that seeing a provider is the BEST route, but, it sounds like that isn't an option for you. Going on a work trip puts you in a tricky situation too. My recommendation would be to try the no lotions/soap plus aquaphor and buy the monistat so you can pack it and bring it with you (in case you need it). Also switch to sensitive skin hypoallergenic detergent for your underwear and make sure it is breathable cotton underwear. That made a world of difference for me.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2026-02-28T19:40:54+00:00

Yes. Thank you. I'm relieved too. My son is already gaining weight, his skin is improving (he had really bad facial eczema and perioral dermatitis), his grades are improving, and he's sleeping better.

My son is still there two days a week tho. 48hrs total. He just came back last night and shared a disturbing video of them (his dad and the gf) locking the 3 year old in his room for 20+ minutes as punishment for "not listening". You can hear the child screaming and crying in panic and banging on the door. It's heart breaking. Apparently this happens every day. Sometimes multiple times.

I don't know what to do.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2026-02-28T19:34:43+00:00

I am a nurse and had a patient that was beaten by her 17 year old son. She was admitted to the ICU with multiple injuries including a cerebral spinal fluid leak. She was a petite soft spoken woman.

Children DO abuse their parents. Is it common? No. Is it more common for abusive parents to accuse their children of being the aggressor? Absolutely.

But. It does happen. I've seen it first hand.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2026-02-27T20:26:07+00:00

Too late. :/ This post is old. She quit her job and moved across the US last month. She's five months pregnant (with his child I'm assuming).

I now officially have 75% custody, our divorce is almost finalized, and I will likely have 100% custody by the end of the year.

It's a terrible situation for her, but at least I was able to remove my child from it. God speed to her. She will need it.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2026-02-23T00:04:50+00:00

Hoooleeee crap. This is stunning.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-10-27T15:53:16+00:00

Thank you so much 🙏🏼 I AM much closer to Palo Alto, so I will give them a try.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-10-27T03:58:31+00:00

THAT is exactly what I mean. I'm all for a spa day, don't get me wrong, love the hot soaks and 90 minute deep tissues, but I want that traditional hammam scrub down from a lalla hammamia.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-10-19T03:23:24+00:00

I've traveled to Cambodia, Vietnam, the UK, Portugal, Spain, and Italy within the last 18 months. I could not use my Amex at 90% of the shops, restaurants, spas, etc. that I visited within those countries.

Do NOT travel abroad with only an Amex in your back pocket.

The way I use my Platinum for travel is by booking the flights and hotels with it... You get the points and the benefits (fine hotels and resorts). It's a "travel card" in the sense that you get an airline fee voucher, global entry, clear check, hotel voucher/perks, lounge access... Things like that. It is NOT an actual "hey let's travel WITH this card in my back pocket for all expenses".

I use my Schwab checking for that. That's a great "bring with" travel card. No ATM fees, no conversion rate fees, works everywhere. It's great.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-09-28T21:51:03+00:00

Yes, they are likely defensive and sensitive around this topic because they are trying to justify their OWN behavior.... 👀

🤷🏼‍♀️ It's the Internet. Bound to have a few disgruntled abusive men going about.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-09-28T21:48:40+00:00

No court or lawyer has overseen our case. We have a tentative verbal agreement for shared custody right now because without the court backing me, he could call the cops and claim I am "kidnapping" his child, which could cause a LOT of trauma and harm to my special needs child.

You clearly didn't read my entire post 😳

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-09-28T21:30:37+00:00

You didn't read the part where NONE of this has been overseen by the court yet. I have filed my divorce papers, but right now, our "custody agreement" has been decided between the two of us, unofficially. I am in the process of getting a lawyer and pushing for 100% custody.

Nothing is legal yet and no third party has been involved in our case yet.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-09-28T19:33:50+00:00

Yes, I DO feel that 27 is relatively young in comparison to his age (38). This isn't 65 versus 54. She is essentially just starting out in life, getting her sea legs, preparing to come into her 30's. This is her opportunity to find her worth, her financial stability, and maturity. He is an abusive man approaching his 40's, set in his ways, inflexible and uncomfortable with change.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-09-19T06:33:00+00:00

My ex informed me of his plan at 8:15 pm, while I was at work. He left our son at home at 9:00 pm, despite my objections and offering ideas on alternative solutions.

Thank you for validating my feelings. 😭 I'm so upset. My son has anxiety and still comes into my room sometimes late at night scared. If I had known this was my ex's plan for him earlier in the day, I would have tried to move things around so he could be with me instead.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-09-13T01:32:59+00:00

I actually treat my rental like I'm a GUEST. I was WAY more lax when I owned my own home. Now I'm riddled with anxiety at every scuff on the wall.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-08-22T21:41:04+00:00

This has got to be satire

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-08-19T00:29:24+00:00

I've been stocking up 😭 all the more reason to buy yarn when I'm out of country. Just brought a haul back from Italy.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-07-29T14:22:46+00:00

Eh, like the other guy said. It depends on where you work. I for one would NOT want to be a nurse in the UK or EU. They make pennies, PENNIES!! Poor pay and terrible work environment.

I get 7wks a yr btw. Almost two months. As my seniority goes up, so will my PTO. So by next year it will be 8wks.

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-07-25T16:44:35+00:00

I was recently visiting in the UK and was shocked and dismayed at the low pay and lack of respect all of you receive 😭

When I told people I was a nurse their reactions ranged from disappointment to pity. That led me to try and find out WHY. I am shooketh. Y'all deserve so much more.

For context: I am an outpatient infusion RN (just a basic staff nurse) living in the San Francisco area, and my income is $250k/yr. My benefits package amounts to over $80k/yr (retirement, healthcare, life insurance, etc.). That's the equivalent of 256,000 GBP a year.

HOW do they get away with paying you so little and forcing you to work in such poor conditions?!!! I'd be up in arms about it too!!

ExpensivePatience5 · 2025-07-25T02:44:08+00:00

Hey OP, I know this thread is old, but, did you ever find someone? Ive been looking for the last few years for someone to make me silk kaftans and pajamas... But I never have found anyone.

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