Schengen ... VFS vs TLS

This morning I took my beloved to apply for French Schengen Visa in Manchester, after last weeks dismal failure with the VFS Italian lot.
Totally different ambience. Totally different receptionist's attitude to enquiries and totally willing to help as opposed to be obtuse and arrogant.

I had all the docs in a folder, clearly marked and ticked off from main list and a couple of extras which I thought would help.
All we have to do now is wait until her Passport is delivered home, hopefully with a Schengen Vignette in it.

I won't be able to book much else in advance until I am in possession of that Vignette, and what I already reserved is easily refunded or a pay at the property deal.
Needless to say, that if it doesn't work, my niece will have to get wed without us being present, as I will not go just by myself.

I am starting to feel disillusioned with Italian rules and dubious politics.
General elections in September due to the EU choice of prime minister resigning. And by all accounts, it seems that a Centre-right coalition is well on the way to bag the big prize, and if they get a large enough majority they can change some aspects of the Constitution without a Referendum...
There is some scary poo on the horizon.........

We are making a meal of it...
Going by car, Via Dunkerque, Leuven, Nierstein, Munchen, Trento and then Home town, just south of Rome.
I am immune to nagging so there is no need in investing in a set of ear plugs...
I will be driving.

At the moment I am printing the various bookings confirmations for the travel folder. So there is no need to panic at the time.

From my home town...........

If you have time take the train to Nettuno and spend a day at the beach.

When exactly will you be in Rome?

We plan to arrive home on the 12th and leave on the 20th.

Those are all things that you probably be able to see in two days at the most.
Queueing up at the Coliseum, The most important thing is , don't get taken in by fake centurions, tour guides, promises of jumping the queue. Bring a decently sized and full water bottle. normally there will be also a free water faucet to take advantage of in case one runs out. Don't buy ice cream or food too close to the attractions. If your wife wears a back pack, make her wear it at the front.. Just in case of roma pickpockets


A couple of other things you may enjoy looking over..

Caracalla Terme

Sistine Chapel

The Pantheon

Villa D'Este ,
situated at Tivoli, a lovely hilltop town not far from Rome. Easily reachable by train.
https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-times/roma-termini-to-tivoli

There are a couple of neat reasonably priced restaurants near by the site that make a real Carbonara.... Try the "Mezze Maniche"...

Allow at least 3/4 hours on the site, it is extensive and absolutely beautiful

Villa D'Este
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1025/

Whatever you do, don't miss this one.

Trust me.....
Several times I tried to get an appointment.
In the end, I barged in at the Manchester VFS office without one, with the result explained earlier.
Same story with renewing my Italian Passport a couple of years ago. 7 months for an appointment...... Luckily it was at the Liverpool Consulate for the biometrics, short train ride for me.

I did state that it is virtually impossible to have any appointments in all 3 , London, Manchester and Edinburgh VFS centres.
Flying directly to Italy would have been cheaper and not as tiresome for me as opposed to driving all the way.
I did drive, a few times, in the past, it is the constant nagging that drives me spare...