Team Marco Polo arrives at Marco Polo

Team members Gabi and Siena arrive at Marco Polo airport in Venice. A quick bus to Piazzale Rome to catch the Vaporetto to the hotel, and, Venice, here we come!

Marco would have been so proud!

Marco would have been so proud!

Pack like a rockstar!

The rule at Team Marco Polo is only one bag when you’re on the road. No problem for the producers, but for the Team, who pride themselves on looking good (they’re the ones in front of the camera, after all), this task can be a real challenge. But here’s Gabi’s trick for packing light. Buy the Jurassic Park size Ziplock bags (most grocery stores have them in the US), and use a vacuum to suck the air out.

Use your vacuum cleaner to suck the air out!

Use your vacuum cleaner to suck the air out!

Use the wand on the vacuum

Use the wand on the vacuum

The bag collapses into a clothes pancake!

The bag collapses into a clothes pancake!

Voila! You're ready to pack for France!

Voila! You’re ready to pack for France!

GO THERE! Team Marco Polo 2014 summer trip!

We’re packing the backpacks, charging the iPhones, downloading the music, and getting ready for Team Marco Polo’s annual summer trip, this time from Venice to Barcelona by way of Provence, France. Team members Gabi and Siena will be travelling and giving commentary, while producer Bill oversees the logistics.

From la Serenissima to Las Ramblas, we’ll dodge the doges and catch the Catalonians in our never ending effort to learn about the world through the eyes of young Americans.

Here’s our itinerary:

Venice to Barcelona

Venice to Barcelona