6 mos to Passport Expiration date&#59; is this true?

Probably be all right. It is a guideline as opposed to a hard and fast rule. Some countries are comfortable with three months beyond your return date. Just trying to prevent people from having a passport expire while in the country if their departure is delayed by illness or an accident.

Someone asked this question just 3 days ago (!); apparently, they also deleted the thread, but never fear: From the US Dept of State website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1146.html#entry_requirements "ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: Italy is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen Fact sheet. " I think you're fine; you're even within the 6-month frame - Bonus!

Anecdotal, but it might make you feel a bit better: I entered Schengen through Germany in October, then through France a couple of weeks later. November was a separate trip with entry through Spain. I returned to the U. S. right before Thanksgiving. My passport expired the first week of December. The only comment was some ribbing from the U. S. crowd about how I was cutting it a bit close. I've also been let back in with a passport dead by nearly a month (dumb me). Other than digging through my wallet for a couple of somethings with my name on it, it was uneventual and took place right at immigration (no walk to a back room). 'Should' doesn't really get my attention. 'Must' or 'shall' might. I'd press on.

Thanks so much. NOW I can book my trip! Grazie!

I just spoke with United Airlines and the requirement (at least to Italy) is only that your passport is valid for the duration of your stay and valid when you re enter the US.

Two year old thread.