Tips for planning your own trip…
“I gasp for air if I don’t get to breathe Italian air once a year.”
– AUDREY HEPBURN
After my first trip to Italy with the small group tour company, I knew I had to find a way to return. Taking two consecutive weeks off of work is difficult for me, so I usually have about 10 days to work with when planning a vacation. When you figure it takes a day to get there and a day to get back, I’m left with about eight days to plan out. So if you’re like me, and can’t take one big, long vacation, my advice is don’t try to do it all in one trip. You’ll spend too much valuable time traveling between destinations, that you’ll miss out on quality experiences. Focus on one or two main locations, you can always come back and see those other places on your bucket list!
The first thing I do is I decide when I want to go. Summers in Italy can be very hot and crowded. I live in Florida so the last thing I want to do is go somewhere just as hot (and where air conditioning is not necessarily available) and fight crowds of people (I would drive to Disney World if that was my objective). The “shoulder seasons” in Italy are delightful as the weather is usually still very pleasant and the crowds have thinned out somewhat. April/May and September/October are the months I tend to plan my trips. Airfare can be less expensive during these months, and accommodations in popular tourist destinations have more availability and can be less expensive as well. If you dare venture beyond the typical touristy locations, accommodations can be VERY affordable.
Once I have decided on a broad timeframe for my trip, I start researching activities I want to do once I’m there. This will help me decide how many nights I want to stay in each place. Once I have a list of things I want to do or see, I start researching accommodations. You can certainly book AirBnb’s in Italy, and I have done so several times, but it’s really nice to stay at a small, family run hotel or bed and breakfast. I start watching airfare on Google flights or Skyscanner and when a good price pops up, I jump on it. I have never booked a flight where the price later went down. If you see a reasonable price and the dates work for you, just book it. Once I have my airfare in place, I book the accommodations, looking for “free cancellation” reservations when at all possible. I check Booking.com, Hotels.com, and then I go to TripAdvisor to look for reviews. I also look to see if the hotel has a website where I can book directly, or if there isn’t an online booking option, I email the hotel directly and inquire about a reservation. I also ask if they offer any discounts for paying in cash and I often get a 10-15% discount. The reservation is typically held with a credit card.
With your airline and hotel reservations set, you can now start thinking about what activities you want to do and how you’re going to get there. Are you comfortable renting a car and driving? Will public transportation get you where you want to go? Are you going to hire a driver to take you around? There are lots of options and depending on where you are going, some make more sense than others. For example, renting a car to drive through Tuscany is a great option since many of the little hilltop towns are not connected by train, and public transportation may not be a very efficient option. If you’re going to the Amalfi Coast, it’s probably best to use the trains, buses, and ferries to get around, and maybe just rent a car for a day. If you’re visiting Rome and Florence, there is no need whatsoever to rent a car. An aside about rental cars in Italy: my personal experience renting a car in Italy has been very good. I’ve used Enterprise car rental in several different locations. If you are from the United States, you need to get an International Driving Permit for about $25 from your local AAA office prior to going on your trip. This is a translation of your American driver’s license so you can legally drive in another country whose native language is not English. You must have this with you when driving your rental car. You will also need to present your passport and a credit card to rent a car. I also suggest the extra insurance! Familiarize yourself with Italian road signs before going on your trip. If you can drive a stick shift, you will save some money on the rental since manual transmission cars are still very popular in Italy and they charge more for automatic cars.
When planning your activities, do your research. There are some things that you can’t just walk up, buy a ticket that day, and see. For example, if you want to go to the Vatican Museum and see the Sistine Chapel, it is best to plan this far in advance. The line to buy tickets the day of can be VERY long and you don’t want to waste your precious time standing in line. This is an instance where booking a tour through Viator or Get Your Guide will be well worth the money, because after all, your time is money. Another example is visiting “The Last Supper” in Milan. Tickets will sell out and you must plan to see this well in advance. Links to my favorite tours are here:
So now that I’ve shared the basic process that I use to plan my trips, here are my main tips:
Check flights on Google flights or Skyscanner. Book early as prices rarely go down
Book accommodations directly with the hotel when possible, and ask for a cash discount
If renting a car in Italy, be sure to get an International Driver’s Permit from AAA in the United States before you go
If relying on public transportation, look up train and bus schedules prior to your visit
Research your activities and plan accordingly. Book early if there is something you consider a must-see. Many popular tourist attractions sell out in advance or have long lines to purchase tickets on site.
My DIY itineraries are great for clients who like to plan their own trips. They will save you hours of research but can be modified to your personal taste. Send me a message if I can be of assistance to you in your travel planning! I’m happy to help.
Buon viaggio!
~Melissa
