Happy feet are the key to a good hike, especially a long, multi-day hike through the Tuscan countryside.

That’s why I’m bringing three pairs of giant, size 13 shoes with me, all Merrells. There’s the waterproof hikers, which I suspect will be my main shoes. There’s the trail runners, which I suspect will be my easy day shoes.

And there’s my fabulous Jungle Moc slip-ons, which I will wear for fancy dress occasions. Sandy loves them and thinks they are “molto alla moda,” as they say in Italian.

We are also bringing fancy wool socks, which are the other necessity for happy feet. Bomba ankle high socks, in multiple colors. When people see us wearing them with shorts, they will say, “Siete ovviamente americani.”

And they will be correct.