Wander off the beaten path! Major cities are popular for good reason, but there are so many worthwhile destinations!​​ It’s all about the experience! Head out, explore, and embrace the culture! Don’t over plan! The best moments always happen when you allow room for surprises!​ Travel to another country open to experiencing other cultures. Embrace local customs and foods—they are different from your home!

La Bella Figura, the traditional Italian fashion plate has gone casual! Shorts and sneaks are acceptable during the day and at sidewalk trattorias & pizzerias, but generally in the evening at a ristorante, you’ll probably want to raise it up a notch Churches require modest attire. That means no shorts and please cover your shoulders! Gentlemen remove your hats (Sistine Chapel and Scavi as well)! Best rule of thumb: PACK LIGHT! Less is best, especially for trains and rental cars! Most hotels offer laundry service (plan ahead on weekends)

One of the joys of travel to Italy is staying in charming boutique style hotels. "Location, location, location,..." As a rule, Italians aren’t fans of air conditioning! Many establishments don’t turn ON their units until mid-May and turn OFF the central system by early or mid-October Frequently buildings from prior centuries may not have reliable in-room air conditioning or controls Italian elevators can be tiny. Do not pile on! Wall-mount hair dryers are universal Use your hotel safe for passports and extra cash, and keep a shot of your passports on your phone Tip at your own discretion. We generally suggest: 7€/hour for guides and drivers 2-3€/bag for porters 5-7€/person per day to the staff & housekeeping (leave the cash tip directly with a reception at checkout) For taxi drivers, round up!

There is no best time to book a flight. But normally 3-6 months in advance is about right Your US passport MUST be valid 180 days beyond your return date We highly recommend Global Entry (GOES): you’ll speed thru TSA security and skip the passport line when re-entering the US! Be sure to enter your Airline FFB and GOES numbers in advance! Budget at least 2-3 hours between connecting flights! (More at Newark!) We recommend 2.5-3 hours for international flight check-in (less for internal or intra-European flights) Boarding Passes are best accessed on your airline app 1 checked bag is free in coach on your transatlantic leg. Intra-European flights often charge for luggage, with size and weight restrictions posted (in kilos!) on airline websites. TRAVEL LIGHT! Set your watch to the destination time BEFORE leaving! It’ll help you acclimatize to the new time zone! Coming home, travelers must go through US Immigration & Customs at the first entry point (US gateway). Check the Department of Agriculture’s website for restrictions on importing that leg of prosciutto! Stay hydrated, stretch occasionally and sleep as much as you can on those long flights.

The Euro (€) is Italy’s currency and generally trades around 1.25/ US $. Always have some cash in hand and remember to break large bills every chance you get! ATM Machines (Bancomat) are frequently found in the cities. Alert your bank & credit card issuers in advance and always carry more than one ATM card! Always have cash handy and remember to break large bills every chance you get! Most stores and restaurants require cash (Euros) for small purchases. Not all museums accept credit cards. Public lavatories often charge 0.50€-1€, so please carry some change with you!

Electricity in Italy is 220V: use plug adapters with 2 slender round (“snakebite”) prongs Most electronics are rated “INPUT 100-240V/50-60Hz” and may be plugged in with a simple plug adapter If your item has a motor (e.g. hair dryer) or is not rated “INPUT 100-240V 50-60Hz,” you will need a transformer or voltage converter. Be careful! USB cables are useful for charging devices in the car Always alert your cell provider in advance that you will be traveling and ask about their international plans You can quickly burn through your data allowance, so go easy on the downloads! Texting/WhatsApp are usually the most cost-effective mode of communication Use WiFi whenever possible!

Masks are mandatory in many places, including on your flight. Please comply Social Distancing includes elevators, hotel lobbies, restaurants, and bars Follow CDC and local health guidelines Please bring proof of vaccination!

Wander off the beaten path! Major cities are popular for good reason, but there are so many worthwhile destinations!​​ It’s all about the experience! Head out, explore, and embrace the culture! Don’t over plan! The best moments always happen when you allow room for surprises!​ Travel to another country open to experiencing other cultures. Embrace local customs and foods—they are different from your home!

La Bella Figura, the traditional Italian fashion plate has gone casual! Shorts and sneaks are acceptable during the day and at sidewalk trattorias & pizzerias, but generally in the evening at a ristorante, you’ll probably want to raise it up a notch Churches require modest attire. That means no shorts and please cover your shoulders! Gentlemen remove your hats (Sistine Chapel and Scavi as well)! Best rule of thumb: PACK LIGHT! Less is best, especially for trains and rental cars! Most hotels offer laundry service (plan ahead on weekends)

One of the joys of travel to Italy is staying in charming boutique style hotels. "Location, location, location,..." As a rule, Italians aren’t fans of air conditioning! Many establishments don’t turn ON their units until mid-May and turn OFF the central system by early or mid-October Frequently buildings from prior centuries may not have reliable in-room air conditioning or controls Italian elevators can be tiny. Do not pile on! Wall-mount hair dryers are universal Use your hotel safe for passports and extra cash, and keep a shot of your passports on your phone Tip at your own discretion. We generally suggest: 7€/hour for guides and drivers 2-3€/bag for porters 5-7€/person per day to the staff & housekeeping (leave the cash tip directly with a reception at checkout) For taxi drivers, round up!

There is no best time to book a flight. But normally 3-6 months in advance is about right Your US passport MUST be valid 180 days beyond your return date We highly recommend Global Entry (GOES): you’ll speed thru TSA security and skip the passport line when re-entering the US! Be sure to enter your Airline FFB and GOES numbers in advance! Budget at least 2-3 hours between connecting flights! (More at Newark!) We recommend 2.5-3 hours for international flight check-in (less for internal or intra-European flights) Boarding Passes are best accessed on your airline app 1 checked bag is free in coach on your transatlantic leg. Intra-European flights often charge for luggage, with size and weight restrictions posted (in kilos!) on airline websites. TRAVEL LIGHT! Set your watch to the destination time BEFORE leaving! It’ll help you acclimatize to the new time zone! Coming home, travelers must go through US Immigration & Customs at the first entry point (US gateway). Check the Department of Agriculture’s website for restrictions on importing that leg of prosciutto! Stay hydrated, stretch occasionally and sleep as much as you can on those long flights.

The Euro (€) is Italy’s currency and generally trades around 1.25/ US $. Always have some cash in hand and remember to break large bills every chance you get! ATM Machines (Bancomat) are frequently found in the cities. Alert your bank & credit card issuers in advance and always carry more than one ATM card! Always have cash handy and remember to break large bills every chance you get! Most stores and restaurants require cash (Euros) for small purchases. Not all museums accept credit cards. Public lavatories often charge 0.50€-1€, so please carry some change with you!

Electricity in Italy is 220V: use plug adapters with 2 slender round (“snakebite”) prongs Most electronics are rated “INPUT 100-240V/50-60Hz” and may be plugged in with a simple plug adapter If your item has a motor (e.g. hair dryer) or is not rated “INPUT 100-240V 50-60Hz,” you will need a transformer or voltage converter. Be careful! USB cables are useful for charging devices in the car Always alert your cell provider in advance that you will be traveling and ask about their international plans You can quickly burn through your data allowance, so go easy on the downloads! Texting/WhatsApp are usually the most cost-effective mode of communication Use WiFi whenever possible!

Masks are mandatory in many places, including on your flight. Please comply Social Distancing includes elevators, hotel lobbies, restaurants, and bars Follow CDC and local health guidelines Please bring proof of vaccination!