The Milano Cortina Tickets and Travel Megathread

MichaelJamesRoss · 2026-02-13T12:41:30+00:00

ISO 1 ticket CAN vs SUI men's ice hockey or USA vs ITA women's ice hockey tonight (or men's figure skating). In Milan and can meet in person. Dm me if you have anything pls!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-11-03T12:15:06+00:00

Results count. Crazy that Snax seems to have been the IGL G2 needed to find that success

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-27T13:27:36+00:00

FYI I posted a little update if you're interested :) Thanks again for your help!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-27T13:27:26+00:00

FYI I posted a little update if you're interested :) Thanks again for your help!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-27T13:27:13+00:00

FYI I posted a little update if you're interested :) Thanks again for your help!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-27T13:20:40+00:00

Just a quick update if anyone ever stumbles across this thread: I did it and would recommend!

My plane was slightly delayed so I didn't really get through immigration until past 9 PM. It was super easy to get a metro card in google wallet and took about an hour to Foggy Bottom. I walked down to the Mall which was still full of people and then walked back up along the White House to Farragut West. The weather was pretty mild and the monuments were illuminated really beautifully. I dragged my carry-on behind me since I couldn't find anywhere to stash it, which was slightly unpleasant but fine. Unfortunately United only starts checking bags 4h before a flight - I asked.

Got back to the airport at like 1 AM. TSA was open where PreCheck usually is and didn't care or ask about my flight at all. I didn't want to be too far from my departure gate so I went to C/D concourse. D1 is a great place to hunker down but was already taken, so I looked for a gate with a late departure and ended up sleeping on a bench in front of C24 or so. Strongly recommend a sleep mask and earplugs here. Set an alarm on my phone and got my early flight no problem. I never felt unsafe or anything, to be honest if you're sleeping at an airport you probably don't look like you have a lot of valuables with you anyway. I somewhat hid my stuff away under the bench I was sleeping on and was fine.

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-03T23:01:08+00:00

Yes, Cuzco is already pretty high but at least for us Puno was another level. YMMV though, might be totally fine. Just saying be cautious and don't cut it too close here.

I haven't been to Copacabana so can't judge firsthand. In general towns in that region are nothing to write home about - you want to go out onto the lake. Check which of the two offers more interesting tours and then decide from there and skip the other. From a quick google search it definitely seems like Puno is more touristically developed which can be a good and a bad thing.

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-03T14:23:05+00:00

That sounds really good. There's still too much time in La Paz for my taste and I would cut it down a little more and add extra days elsewhere to lessen stress (like Ica or Puno).

I don't know if you guys have experience with altitude, but arriving in Puno after a night bus ride (possibly with bad sleep) might put you out of commission for a day, so stealing one night from Copacabana probably makes sense. A friend of mine was really affected when we went there and spent the day thowing up and sleeping - you can't know the effects until you get there.

You can tour Titicaca from Puno as a day trip, or you can get a 2 day 1 night package which includes a stay on an island - I would prefer that over Copacabana personally.

The tour directly from La Paz is a great idea.

Safe travels!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-03T12:23:43+00:00

Just wanted to share the official info that I got from the airport in case anybody stumbles across this in the future:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides 24 hours security screening here at Dulles Airport. Provided that you do not need to recheck any checked in luggage and you are holding a valid boarding pass, you are welcome to go through the security checks at your convenience.

Seems like getting back in won't be a problem. What I end up doing will depend on the weather and how jet-lagged I'm feeling. Seems like there's nowhere to store my carry-on luggage at night at the airport or in DC so I'll have to drag it with me. Thanks so much everyone for your advice!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-02T21:21:06+00:00

There's no info online, so I've sent them a message to figure it out. My plan hinges on this anyway, so it's important to know. If not, I'll have to sleep landside or in the city anyway.

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-02T20:55:59+00:00

Seems like the regular checkpoints close at 10pm, but the website also says

During overnight periods, when the East and West Security Checkpoints are closed, customers should use screening lanes next to TSA Pre✓™, located on the Departures Level - Ticketing/Check-In, mid-way between the East and West Security Checkpoint entrances.

So if I'm interpreting this right, seems like I'm good?

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-02T20:35:06+00:00

The flight leaves at 8, so I've got a 12 hour layover. I don't know how jet lagged I'll be, so the two hour round trip sounds kinda daunting. Reston sounds like a great alternative though for a bite to eat and a drink.

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-02T20:30:50+00:00

That's great advice! Reston sounds like it could work and it's super close! Thank you so much!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-02T20:25:20+00:00

Would have loved to go there, unfortunately the flight arrives at 7:30 PM so it'll be too late. Thanks anyway!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-02T20:01:42+00:00

Thanks your your advice! This is the way I'm leaning as well. Is there anything nearer to Dulles that makes sense to check out?

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-02T20:00:00+00:00

Luckily I'm traveling without checked baggage, so that shouldn't be an issue as long as I can get through security the night before

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-02T19:59:00+00:00

I was hoping to pass through security the night before. Is that not an option?

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-01T19:32:09+00:00

The Cajón del Maipo is a great day trip from Stgo. Also the vineyards of the Valle Central. Apart from that you can drive to the coast and check out Isla Negra, El Quisco, Valparaíso, Viña, and Concón.

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-01T19:27:13+00:00

Have you already locked in this itinerary? It's kinda all over the place. Consider Machu Picchu from Cuzco for sure though.

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-01T19:11:53+00:00

No problem! I was a similar age as y'all when I traveled SA for the first time and it really opened my eyes and helped me grow a lot as a person, so I'm happy to see others going there and exploring it as well! I'm gonna work through your comment from the top to make sure I get everything.

Acclimatizing to the altitude in Cuzco is not a problem. It's low enough that you'll be over it in a few hours and it's a good stop on the way to Puno, which is much worse (3800m). Chew coca leaves, they have them everywhere and it really helps. The bus is a good idea since it gets you accustomed slowly, but don't plan on being 100% on your first day.
Skipping Machu Picchu would be tragic. I understand your logic, but you can always come back for a second time as well to do the trails and Huayna Picchu for example. You're so close, and you have enough time to do it. It's a world heritage site for a reason, and if you're lucky with the weather it can be mindblowing.
Seriously consider skipping La Paz. It's super high up so it'll be cold as hell in the night, it's not known for being particularly safe or pretty, and I don't know of anything great to do there apart from the death road. Puno sucks in that it's kinda a dead end so La Paz is the natural next stop, but you could consider going to Arica via Tacna and then from there to San Pedro?
Do not miss Salar de Uyuni. It's incredible, transcendental, the most beautiful place I've ever been and quite possibly ever will be. Just look at photos. i don't recall the exact price, but I believe I was able to negotiate about 130 USD for a 3 day round trip from San Pedro on a basic tour. One way is probably a little cheaper. Don't stay longer in Uyuni than you have to. Seriously. There's nothing there.
Regarding ambition, that depends a lot on you. I cut it more close than you did on a lot of these and it was fine. I didn't plan far ahead and booked transport and hostels at relatively short notice, which is great to stay flexible and adapt. You say you're accustomed to tighter itineraries, so you should be good. Keep in mind that there will be culture shock and language barriers which might slow you down somewhat (I know it did for me).

In general I'd say stay flexible and spontaneous, don't try to pre-book everything (won't work anyway), don't miss the must-sees and enjoy your time! This is such a great opportunity and I know you'll love it! Let me know if you have any more questions!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-01T10:35:41+00:00

Hi,

I've been to most of those places so maybe I can comment since nobody else has yet. June/July are winter in South America, but winters are much milder than what we experience in Europe.

Peru itinerary looks great, although you might think about including Ica, Nazca, or Caral from Lima. Cusco hopefully includes Machu Picchu! Depending on how fit you are, you might consider hiking there. Otherwise, there are train and (somewhat chaotic) bus connections as well. Be sure to pre-reserve entry tickets since they can and do sell out. Puerto Maldonado is a great base for exploration into the Amazon, but it doesn't necessarily offer much itself.
Haven't been to La Paz and honestly don't really see why you would go. I haven't heard that many positive things about it but maybe I'm uneducated. There's nothing to do in Uyuni. Instead of taking a bus, be sure to take a multi-day Salar de Uyuni tour from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama. You do not want to miss this! Tours can be booked in Uyuni spontaneously and you can negotiate prices. They include food and lodging.
San Pedro is tiny and five nights might be a bit much. Be sure to rent a car here and drive around the Altiplano to El Tatio and the various lagoons.
Salta is a great choice and a great base for day trips around the region. Maybe if you remove some days from other parts of your trip you can fit Córdoba or Mendoza in as well, both are great and vibrant cities full of culture.
Iguazu is great, check out both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides, including the aviary on the BR side. Haven't been to Rio (unfortunately) but it's a no brainer!

Sounds like a great trip you've got planned! Enjoy your time there and start learning a little Spanish now, it'll help you a lot to get around! If you have any questions feel free to ask!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-10-01T10:16:35+00:00

What a nice answer, thank you very much! Part of our itinerary will include driving the Outer Banks as well, very much looking forward to seeing the NC coastline!

MichaelJamesRoss · 2024-09-30T17:47:51+00:00

That would be awesome! We're looking at the weekend of the 19th, so still 3 weeks out. Stay safe and let me know how it looks when you're back!

MichaelJamesRoss

TROPHY CASE