1. Book Very Early. Airfares are up to Italy this year. Airlines allow only a small limited amount of seats to be sold at the lowest discounted prices. These seats are the first to go. Thus, if you want to increase your chances of securing the lowest priced inventory, book very early!

Popular hotels, villas and farmhouses in key cities, regions, towns and villages book up quickly, especially during the peak travel months, which are May, June, September and October. Now is the time to make your plans, particularly if you are planning to travel during these months.

If there are restaurants you have your heart set on dining at, be sure to contact them a few weeks ahead for reservations or call as soon as you arrive. Better yet, ask the concierge at your hotel to call and make your reservations for you.

2. Make Your Museum Reservations Ahead of Time. Tickets for the most popular museums and sites -- the Accademia and Uffizi Gallery in Florence, as well as the Vatican Museums in Rome and those that have special tours such as the "Secret Tour" at Venice's Ducale Palace -- are a must to book ahead. During high season, lines at these popular museums and sites can sometimes be as long as three to four hours. For the Vatican Museums, it is strongly suggested that you arrive around 7:30 A.M. to be one of the first in line.

A NOTE OF IMPORTANCE: DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours can reserve and confirm any of the major museums and sites in Italy prior to your arrival in Italy, making it convenient for you to walk up with your confirmation number, pay the entrance fee and walk right in without having to wait in any lines. This includes the Vatican Museums, which has just announced that it will be taking reservations this year.

3. Museums are Closed on Mondays. Keep in mind that generally the state-run museums are closed on Monday. (There are a number of privately-run museums that do remain open on Monday.) Also, many of the shops and small boutiques are closed on Monday. Some restaurants, particularly those in small towns and villages, are also closed on Monday. It is wise to call ahead first and plan accordingly.

4. Use Your Credit Card for Larger Purchases. To receive the most favorable rate of exchange, use your credit card as much as possible, particularly on large purchases or combined purchases you make in a shop.

The most widely accepted credit cards in Italy by restaurants and shops are MasterCard and Visa.

ATM machines are very common in Italy and are the easiest and best way to get cash (euros) when you need it most. The CIRRUS network is the most common international network in Italy. Before you leave for Italy, make sure that you check the daily withdrawal limit for your ATM card and ask whether you need a personal identification number (PIN). For Italy you will need a four-digit PIN, so if you currently have a six digit PIN, you will need to get a new one.

Don't forget that Italy has a very steep value added tax (known as the VAT tax) of 19 percent, which is totally refundable to you, for any individual purchases or combined purchases in a shop costing more than 155 euros (approximately $200). This tax is already built into all of the prices you are quoted. Look for shops that display tax-free refund insignia or ask them if they participate in the VAT tax refund. You will be given a form that you will need to present along with your good at the airport's Customs Office and you will be refunded this tax as you leave Italy.

5. Take the Train. There is no better way to travel and see Italy than the train, particularly between the major cities. Train travel is convenient and very affordable. Use the express trains that are fast and comfortable and depart and arrive right from the center of the town. If you plan to use the train often and are planning to travel throughout Italy, it is wise to purchase the Trenitalia Pass, which allows unlimited travel in Italy for up to 10 days. Purchase a first-class or second-class ticket with a confirmed seat.

6. Travel in the Fall. Next to spring, fall is my favorite time to travel to Italy. The weather is ideal and very pleasant. The crowds are gone and rates begin to drop in early to mid-October. It's a wonderful time to experience the harvest of grapes in the Tuscan countryside, to walk or enjoy a beautiful bike ride in the villages south of Siena.

7. A Pocketful of Change. In many of Italy's cathedrals, fragile paintings are kept in semi-obscurity, but you will often find a light box nearby. When you insert a coin or two, a light pops on to illuminate a painting, fresco or sculpture for a limited amount of time. Therefore, carrying a pocketful of coins is always a good idea.

8. Tipping. Tipping isn't a big extra in Italy the way it is in some destinations. Waiters in Italy are better paid and pride themselves in providing great service. Gratuities are not a large part of their income. However, leaving a few euros as a token of appreciation is always a polite gesture.

Before you leave a tip be sure to check on your bill for the words servizio incluso (service included) usually indicated on the menu or at the bottom of your bill. If it is indicated, don't leave a tip. To be sure, simply ask your waiter if the tip has been included.

9. Use Hotels Out of the Center of Town. Staying in the center of the large cities such as Florence, Milan, Rome and especially Venice will cost you a great deal more than staying in hotels just outside the city center or across the river. It may not be quite as convenient, but it's a great bargain. The key is to always have a short commute to the major attractions you want to visit.

10. Purchase Travel Insurance. If you decide to book a group escorted tour or even a custom designed tour, I strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance that protects you against unforeseen circumstances that may force you to have your trip interrupted or canceled, especially if you have been asked to pay large amounts up front and you have booked your trip many months ahead of time.

Most importantly, the joy of traveling to Italy is learning something new. Take a language class, sign up for a cooking course, visit a vineyard to tour the winery and taste the locally produced wines, stay at an agriturismo and observe the harvest. Enjoy Italy -- there's no other place quite like it on earth! Buon Viaggio e Buon Divertimento!

Peter D'Attoma is president of DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours. He has over 25 years of planning and designing independent, custom and escorted tours of Italy for individuals, groups and incentive. For more information, email Peter D'Attoma at peter@davincicustomtravel.com or call him at 330-633-2292.

Back to Travel Resources