Tips For Planning You Next Italian Adventure
Italy may not be a large country, but there is so much to do and see that it is impossible to discover all in one or two weeks. This is perhaps "stating the obvious", but you should narrow down your interest and places to visit prior to making any plans, and then gather as much travel information as you can. The following are some travel tips that are applicable to the whole country, and that will make your vacation less stressful and more fun.
First Things to Consider in Planning Your Trip
FIRST STEP - GET A GOOD MAP AND MARK OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AND DO
Even if you are a 'let's just go and worry about everything later' kind of traveler, there are probably some things you want to think about and/or take care of before you leave home and head for Italy.
- Basic Travel Information for Italy
- When to Visit Italy
- January Travel In Italy
- February Travel in Italy
- March Travel in Italy
- June Travel in Italy
- Traveling to Italy in July
- December Travel in Italy
Second Step - Plan your Transportation
GETTING TO AND GETTING AROUND IN ITALY
Once you know what you want to see, you need to understand how to get there and how much it will cost. This is where you can either save a lot, or end up with lots of hidden cost. Check out each section below and then make you decisions.
- Flying to Italy - Planning your vacation to Italy, tips on selecting your airline tickets.
- Driving In Italy - Driving is an option but if you are only visiting the major cities public transportation is better.
- Travel by Train in Italy - How to use the train while in Italy.
- Using Buses in Italy - Tips on using buses in Italy.
- Travel by Boat in Italy - Tips on using boat services in Italy
Next - figure out where to Stay and Eating|Drinking
This phase of planning is fairly easy with all the online booking sites, but there are plenty of pitfalls as well. A good deal on a hotel might seem a great choice, but does it really save you money? If the hotel is 2 miles out of town how will you get to and from? Remember that time lost can also be a big expense during travel.
Fourth Step - Set Your Budget
Italy is still a reasonable county to travel in for cost. But you must know how and where to spend your money. The main tourist areas - like Roma, Florence, and Venice - are 300% more expensive than anywhere else. A good rule to follow is that, if it is listed in a popular guidebook, it is already over priced and likely over crowded. This does not mean you should not visit that place, but there are always alternatives. Check out some of our local tips in the guide sections.
Final Step - Start Booking
There are things to book ahead of time and things you can adjust and book even a couple of days prior or day of travel. I always propose a flexible travel plan, in case you might want to stay somewhere for 2 to 3 days but weather, crowds, and lack of interest may make you wish to cut your time short. If you prep enough you can make adjustments along the way and get the most out of your tip.