Well, BeadStylers, I am taking leave of you for just a little over a week. Tomorrow, I will be traveling to Italy with my alma mater’s wind symphony, a world-famous pianist, and a number of other alums and school staff. We will be touring Venice, Verona, Florence, and Rome both to see the sights and to perform at local venues (the symphony will be giving a total of four concerts). I am just tagging along as a tourist, so I’m hoping to get a chance to shop for some Venetian glass beads! Has anyone been to Italy before? Any bead-shopping suggestions or tips?