Si, it’s been a while since I shared any “new” TipZ…the fact is, not a lot has changed…but I thought it was a good time to share some “friendly reminders”!
With spring on our doorstep, if you’re planning (or thinking about planning) your 2024 Italy vacation, it’s definitely time to put those plans in place! (In fact, it’s almost past time for spring/summer…I suggest that you start thinking about fall/winter.)
As I have shared many times, there is NO OFF SEASON any more! I repeat, there is NO “OFF SEASON” – the reality is that there is SUPER HIGH (super busy and higher prices – Easter to October) and HIGH (less busy and lower prices) but the days of LOW or OFF Season, much less being spontaneous, are over (at least for the foreseeable future).
We here in Italy are bracing ourselves for another over-the-top year of tourism. In fact the level of tourism has matched pre-COVID numbers and promises to exceed any previous years. Now, don’t get me wrong, we want you to come! But we want you to be prepared and to have that fabulous “dolce vita experience” you’ve dreamed of!
It’s imperative that you do your pre-travel planning and preparation. I’m still amazed at how many travelers “crowd source” for info/referrals on social media. Why would you take advice/recommendations from people/sources you don’t know when there are actually seasoned and experienced experts? (Yes, like me.) Of course, you should expect to pay for expertise – isn’t that why you chose your doctor? CPA? Attorney? “You get what you pay for” is still true!
Honestly, I’m still astounded at how many travelers “show up” with little to no knowledge or understanding of “how things work” here and are frequently taken off guard or confused when it’s “not like home” or what they’re used to. It’s no mystery or secret – it just takes a little been of time and initiative to learn about your destination (from experts, please, not just “hearsay”!) My book is an excellent reference 🙂.
Lots of sites “promise” but the truth is, the pretty social media snapshots and sales/marketing hyperbole don’t always tell the tale of what’s really going on…or they don’t prepare you for the “just in case” situations…that’s when your “boots on the ground in the boot” and my travel partners are here for you!
Below you will find references and links to some of my previous TipZ/Posts and a few more “friendly reminders”…
⇒ Avoid over scheduling yourself: A common mistake – trying to do too much and underestimating how much time it will all take. I have to counsel/advise clients about this all the time… You simply cannot do it all – prioritize and enjoy what you do. When you allow for “wiggle room”, it allows for spontaneity and, if there’s a glitch, it won’t ruin your day or experience. Travel is travel and “stuff” happens.
⇒ Expectations vs. Reality: Those gorgeous glossy photos on social media depicting perfect weather, idyllic scenery, everyone toasting and enjoying an aperitivo…those are moments. Yes, you can have those moments but there’s also the reality of changing trains, realizing you over packed, unpredictable weather, crowds… the reality of travel!
(Along with this is expecting it to be like it was “the last time you were here” especially if it was years ago. Those days are the past and even though you may have been able to walk into the Uffizi ten years ago without a reservation…consider yourself fortunate and know that it’s a memory.)
⇒ Italy remains a top destination world wide – that means that there remains a very strong demand and the most well-known/famous destinations, museums/sites and even restaurants will be booked in advance and probably crowded.
What to do? Book early, avoid weekends, book the earliest entry or late afternoon/evening AND book with a tour guide/reputable tour company that will help you “skip the line” and expertly escort you through the highlights. (I can help with excellent referrals!)
⇒ Go LOCAL! The “best” and most authentic are not always on those “Top 10” lists! In fact, those tend to get overcrowded and can be over rated. Be willing to explore side streets and discover local gems. Source local experts, especially if they live here and can offer first hand (and timely!) suggestions. Their recommendations are invaluable – and please remember and respect that this is how they make their living. (Need recommendations? Contact me!)
⇒ Beware the Triple “S”: “Stairs, Smoking, Strikes” ⇐
All are a constant here in Italy…
♦ Stairs: A lot of stairs and very few elevators – “ascensore”- and that includes accommodations, train stations, museums/sites, and just getting around in the cities… Be prepared and when I say a lot, I mean “A LOT”!
(Also be prepared for uneven sidewalks/passages and remember, when it says “hill town”…it means hills!)
♦ Smoking: Although smoking is not allowed indoors in Italy, Italians (and Europeans) still smoke. Employees/shop owners can often be seen having a smoke outside on their breaks. And, if you sit on the patio of an outdoor cafe, there will be ashtrays and smokers.
♦ Strikes: “Sciopero”! is the one Italian word you don’t want to see often. It’s a well-known fact that transportation strikes (air, rail, taxi, etc.) happen in Italy. But they are also happening in other countries (e.g., Great Britain, Germany, France) so interruptions can happen.
Typically they are announced in advance although it might be on a Monday and if you’re traveling that week… what to do? Stay informed. Allow some wiggle room in your schedule (arrival/departure). And know your options.
Here, The Local Italy is a very reliable source of updates but stay in contact with your airline(s) and accommodations as well.
I’ve been traveling here for decades and planned small group tours for five years. I have helped couples, families, friends and solos plan their Italy trip of a lifetime for almost five years (check out their testimonials In Their Own Words).
Plan and Prepare: Travel TipZ You’ll Thank Me For!
Everything from packing, pets, passports to jet lag, sightseeing and safety!
⇓ CLICK HERE ⇓
https://www.postcardzfromvictoria.com/tipz/
Boots on the Ground in the Boot! Italy Specific TipZ
Here is a LINK to My Italy Travel TipZ Page – here you’ll find links to blog posts about everything from Taking a Taxi, Tipping in Italy and High Speed Train Travel…and more!
Link to my book and more!
⇓ CLICK HERE ⇓
https://www.postcardzfromvictoria.com/tipz/italy-travel-tipz/
