Preface
There are numerous books and websites covering general travel and tourism in Italy, and we will not rehash that information here. Instead, we'll answer a few of our clients common questions and add in some of our personal opinions and experiences. While you will obviously be a tourist in Italy, we much prefer to focus on many of the non-touristy aspects of travel. Whenever possible, do as the locals do. **This is, of course, the collective opinion of the Inns en Route staff.**
The vast majority of inns and hotels on this site (unless you are in a big city) are small and intimate, located in historical buildings. Many have been in the same family for generations - as grand homes, businesses, farms, cottages - now converted into accommodations. Our hoteliers are, by far, your best source for local knowledge. Let them know that you are interested in some of the non-touristy activites of the area. Ask them about the local foods, and where the locals dine. We find that if you show some interest in their hotel and the local surroundings, you will be rewarded with some wonderful experiences.
Where Should I Go (& Itineraries)?
Most of our clients already know the areas they would like to visit. We're more than happy to recommend hotels in those areas, as well as some other areas near by which might be worth exploring. If you don't know where you would like to go, but have some activities in mind, special interests, or special requests, give us a call or send us an email and we'd be happy to make some recommendations. We're also happy to make an itinerary for you, however we usually ask for a 50 Euro deposit as these require quite a bit of work (which is refunded if you reserve your itinerary).
How Long Should I Go For?
We favour the longer and slower flavour of travel - it affords you the ability to explore at your own pace. But if you have just 5 to 7 days and want to see 5 to 7 cities it is do-able—just be prepared to always be on the move. We recommend one day per small town and up to four days for a city. For general touring, a circular route is a great idea – starting and ending at the airport. Keep in mind that during summer, it can get uncomfortably hot. If you're heading out during hot times, remember that you'll need a number of breaks per day.
When Should I Go?
Italy is a year-round destination, but is particularly attractive in Spring and Fall. Winter sports are great in January, February and often March and the beaches are wonderful in the summer months, right through to September. The major cities can get crowded (and very hot) in July and August especially if there are special events taking place. If you are interested in wine and olive oils, September and October are excellent months to explore the harvest.You can check current conditions and historical weather information at the
weather channel.
Getting Around
We recommend renting a car through Auto-Europe: we like their flexibility, extensive network of agents and professional service. Italy has an excellent road system connecting major centres. However, if you plan to visit mostly cities it would be better to take a train and be a pedestrian on arrival as traffic and parking can be impossible. Consider taking a train or bus between the cities. Eurostar is Italy's premier train service between major cities and is highly recommended, however you must make prior seat reservations. Intercity and the Intercity Plus trains are fast trains that run the length of Italy, stopping at the large cities. First and second class service is available. First class coaches offer slightly better seats and are generally less populated. Again, seat reservations are compulsory but the fee is included in the ticket price. Diretto and interregionali (Direct and Inter-Regional Trains) are the local trains, the interregionali being the faster of the two types. They are inexpensive and usually reliable--but seats can be hard to find on major routes, especially in August or holiday periods. Consider travelling first class as they are less crowded. If you drive, we recommend that you rent a GPS device - they can be lifesavers at times. If you do decide to drive in the major cities, we suggest parking outside the city centre and taking a taxi or walking to your hotel (especially any hotels that are located in the "old" part of a town or city). Get a good map before you leave. We recommend the Michelin map guidebook (link below).
Mobile / Cell Phones
As anti-holiday as mobile phones can be, we do recommend taking one. Roaming rates can be expensive, so you may find that renting a phone before you leave or purchasing a SIM chip for your unlocked phone to be more economical. Airports usually have kiosks which sell SIM cards and prepaid time. If you don’t find a kiosk at the airport, then look for phone shops at shopping centres. You might wish to buy an unlocked phone and SIM chip before leaving home--this way you can leave your mobile phone number with family and friends in case of emergency. Check with
Telestial: SIM chips are available for specific countries or you might want to get an international SIM chip which functions in many different countries and has no expiry date.
Travel Insurance
We always use credit cards which offer travel insurance to reserve our flights and hotels. If you don't have a card which offers this, we recommend you purchase travel insurance. If you do cancel your reservation and incur a penalty from the hotel, you should be able to claim compensation for this. Remember that some insurance companies require insurance to be purchased at the time of making your travel arrangements.