Italian honeymoon in August - tips, tricks, suggestions please!

Best wishes on your marriage!

Pack light. Like very light. one 22" roller each and one day pack. Just wash out a few things every night or have laundry done along the way. I recommend linen and lightweight cotton tops and pants in light colors, white, natural or tan and a hat. Bring a light weight sarong for beaches picnics and as a cover up for entering churches if you have shorts or mini dress on.

Follow the Pickpocket/theft guidelines in this forum as well. Nothing ruins a holiday like theft.

Bring water shoes, cheap flat ones as most beaches have slippery sharp stones beneath the surface.

I recommend Herculaneum over Pompeii if you were considering those sites.

Look at driving in Italy suggestions on this forum esp. no go zones and speed limits with cameras...then a surprise ticket months later
Don't leave anything in the car. Try to get one with a real trunk not a hatchback ( more common).
You will see things in Italy as far as crazy and wild driving that will shock you...and I am a New Yorker!
Always have a paper road map...no matter what. It will be the best investment probably $15 or so.

The 1st trip to Italy our tour guide described driving there as more like moving about a dance floor than a military parade ground demonstration.
The 1st day I thought , THEY ARE SUICIDAL, then realized I saw no crashes. After that it was just being "in tune" with the local customs and exercising common sense. The only big city driving I did was from the Naples train station toward Sorrento and into Milan to return the car.

Do not speed, Know what all the "Do not... " signs look like, and just ignore all the cars with 4 rings in the grill or tri star on the hood zooming by.. enjoy the scenery.

A GPS has the advantage of not being dependent on having cell service.

Packing-- Pack nice clothes if how you look is important, just not a lot of them. Wash and reuse them! You will be leaving town after a few days so do not worry about having people stare at you because you are wearing the same 4 shirts.

Did 4 week trip with rolling carry on and small backpack , and packed less on the 2nd trip.

Congrats from me as well!

Packing: what you both can comfortably handle yourselves in-and-out of trains, up-and-down stairs (sometimes lots of stairs) and over all sorts of interesting (e.g. cobblestone) surfaces. My husband and I take 24" bags but we don't overload them, and do a combo of sink and self-serve laundromat washing. Works for us. Keep in mind that it will be very hot so lightweight, easy-care fabrics are a must, and you don't want to put more effort into wrestling with your bags than you HAVE to.

Resist the urge to overpack as no one there is going to notice or care in the least if you wear the same sink-washed shirt multiple times a week. Oh, and don't pack "outfits" with single tops that will only go with single bottoms: everything should mix-and-match as much as possible. Dark bottoms are best for hiding dirt/spills.

Two pairs of shoes: wear one and pack one. Both should be well broken in and able to be walked in all day.

If you do Pompeii from Sorrento, be there as soon as it opens in the morning so that you're out of there by the time it really heats up in the afternoon. Musts: sunscreen, hat, a water bottle and sensible shoes. Same goes for Herculaneum, if you do that one.

Driving: I'll leave the details to the experts as we don't drive in Italy but you're aware of "fun" things like ZTLs, traffic cameras and all?

Trains: easy-peasy! Have you ordered your tickets for Venice> Florence, or Naples> Rome? And do we need to chat about the local Circumvesuviana commuter train between Naples/Pompeii/Sorrento, validating tickets and so on?

As already mentioned, follow the published-to-death recommendations for keeping your valuables safe! Never stash a wallet a lot of cash and your credit cards in your pants pockets or (your bride) in a purse. Again, let us know if you haven't already read up on that stuff.

You need an international drivers license from AAA. (Take a passport photo and 20 bucks)
I used google maps to navigate while husband drove. (my intl cell service is free with T-Mobile) Italian drivers hug the center line, that was our only issue. Make sure you read up on ZTLs.
There are a gazillion packing lists online. If you are not staying in any apartments, use a laundry service around the halfway point.

For one thank you for replying to quickly and with such friendliness! Nice when you can go to a forum and get this kind of info and this kind of help!

I do know about the ZTL's and all that jazz. If anyone knows of any specific posts that they could link me to about driving rules, and what I might need etc would certainly be helpful.

I am going to get a map to go along with my google maps and the gps in the car. So I think I should be set on that!

Yes I have already purchased my train rides that are necessary. Do I still need to validate my tickets? I thought I could just tell them the PNR number when we get on the train? Is that not true?

I have not read up to much on valuables - like what to walk with where to keep it etc? I know there are a lot of theft worries and such so I have done some research but I never know what to believe!

Also forgot to note - one of the gifts we got at her shower was new luggage - we each got a 25 inch and 21 inch rolling suitcase. So Trying to decide between the 2 in which to bring!

1. Bring the 21 inch. When you travel by train you will love the ease of a smaller bag.

2. Have your bride look at travelfashiongirl.com - the site is wonderful for creating packing capsules - and you realize that you don't need "outfits", just lots of mix and match. Even if it is your honeymoon ! Though she can bring fun sundresses....you will be taking lots of photos !

3. You will love driving in Italy, but do watch your speed. No matter how careful you are, you can be on camera and get a ticket in the mail 6-8 months after you get back home. But the freedom of the car is wonderful. You did it right by combining trains and car.

4. Florence - plan a late afternoon picnic at the Boboli Gardens and the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo followed by an evening stroll along the Arno. Then go to the Golden View Bar for terrace drinks. And enjoy rooftop sunsets at the Grand Hotel Minerva, La Rinascente, or La Terrazza Bar - the sunset here is glorious !

With regard to "...not read up to much on valuables - like what to walk with where to keep it etc...". Use a money belt. There have been many threads on the forum with info about various options. Just do a search and you'll come up with more info than you ever imagined.

Personally I think the best way to "hide" a money belt when wearing it once you get to Italy is this: (1) Put everything that goes in the money belt (including passport, extra credit and ATM card, currency, and emergency info) in a double zip lock freezer bag to protect against moisture from perspiration. (2) Wear it on the small of the back. (3) Tuck the bottom half or two thirds into the top of the undies. (4) Wear a shirt / blouse that is not "see through". Not a pickpocket in the world can get to it without you knowing it.

Carry your day money and one credit card in an easy to access but a secure zippered shirt / blouse pocket.

For big stuff (guide books, maps, water bottles, ponchos, sweaters, and such) carry them in your day bag. Just don't use it for valuables.

Let us know if you need info about protecting your valuables going through airport security. That's a whole other system.

Forgot something. When you zero in on what you are really going to take, pack 1/2 of your stuff in her bag and 1/2 of her stuff in your bag. That way if one of the bags is gate checked (and it sometimes happens regardless of bag size) and goes on it's own honeymoon, you will each have at least 1/2 of your stuff so you can get by until it finds you. The same applies to any checked bags.

I like this page for Italian road signs.
http://italyexplained.com/driving-road-signs-italy/

Again thanks everyone for the info!

Does anyone have any recommendations when it comes to food? And also when it comes to cash vs credit?

Thanks!

I will chime in! :) Best wishes and enjoy your trip!

Definitely go for the 21" roller and not the 25" which always means checking the darn bag! Those plus a small personal day bag will be perfect for a summertime trip..just wash stuff along the way.

This link will be helpful for your future wife, BRA STASH with double strap..other website sell it too. I attach it to ONE bra strap and tuck it into the side of my bra like a holster style, I never feel it...when I need cash or the 1 cc that I keep in there, I reach in and it is still attached to my bra so no one can run off with it!

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/rfid-blocking-ladies-personal-stash/1043810857?skuId=43810857&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_luggage_&adpos=1o4&creative=43742656789&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&product_id=43810857&gclid=CjwKEAjw6e_IBRDvorfv2Ku79jMSJAAuiv9YniFzg1-0jh5djdljdwi-dfohCi51c0KbXus-7mmBERoC7r3w_wcB

Call the 800 numbers on the back of each credit card and each ATM card you have. Ask what extra fees you will pay if you use the card in Europe and what exchange rate they use. You may hear about a flat fee or a percentage-based surcharge. You may be lucky and have one or more cards that do not assess extra fees and use an exchange rate that is extremely close to the interbank rate. You can search for earlier threads on this topic; it seems to come up at least every 7 to 10 days.

Choose the payment method that will result in the lowest fees. If all of your cards have significant fees, you may wish to apply for a new card from an institution that is kinder to its customers. It's a good idea for the two of you together to carry two ATM cards and at least two credit cards. Occasionally a card gets compromised or lost.

You may well run into situations where credit cards are not accepted, even aside from the obvious things like pay-to-use toilets, so you'll definitely be using some cash. I also tip in cash since I've had no luck getting restaurant servers to include my planned tip in the credit-card authorization. Otherwise, my preference is always to charge wherever possible since I have no-extra-fee cards that earn airline miles and I do not like walkimg around with a bunch of cash.

Congrats on your upcoming wedding and Best Wishes.

Try to remember to take time for yourselves because this is your honeymoon. The sites will still be there and you can return. italy will seduce you and you will probably want to return.it seduced me from 1980 onwards.

IMHO, your itinerary is rather ambitious. Since you are traveling around a lot you will have less time in each place. traveling from city to city generally cuts off at least 1/2 day. I would definitely drop a day from Sorrento and add it to Roma. I would probably reduce or drop Follonico and add those days to Florence, Venice, and Roma.

The Italians have a saying, "Il dolce far' niente." It means the sweetness of doing nothing and Italy should be slowly enjoyed and not become a marathon. You can always return.

Your open jaw flight or multi-city flight plan is a most cogent strategy and we frequently use it.

Buon viaggio,

Going on our honeymoon in October. Would love to know where you are staying in Sorrento and Tuscany.

Have a great time!

I appreciate the thoughtful suggestions RB. However I will not be changing the itinerary at all.

First off we did not want to go to Rome at all. The only reason we are is because our flight goes out of Rome. I specifically put at least 3 nights in each location so that we can have the 2 days to explore and do what we want.

Sorrento got 4 nights because we want to use the time to relax on the coast and enjoy the end of the trip.

Follonico might be the biggest must stay there is. Out in the country to ourselves at a very small B&B, I could not think of a better idea for a honeymoon!

Thanks again everyone for all the help and info it is super appreciated! Also thanks for all the congrats on our upcoming wedding!

I did have another questions just about language barrier? How is it over there? My fiance speaks Portuguese and has a somewhat decent understand when people speak to her in Italian. She certainly knows more then me|!

I did have another questions just about language barrier? How is it over there?

No worries. Neither my wife nor I speak any Italian. We did a little studying of common phrases before we left, but we really didn't need to. We did stop at a small store in Greve to ask a question. We asked the two older ladies if they spoke English and they replied "no". However, one went scurrying to the back and came back with a teenage girl who was fluent.

Even the most modest attempts at using Italian phrases is met with appreciation (and sometimes bemusement). The first night we were in Italy, we ate at a local favorite spot, La Cantina in Greve. Everyone else was local. Alessandro, the owner, was very kind and we had a wonderful visit where he taught us some simple phrases (e.g. grazie mille).

Marco, our server at breakfast at Castillo di Verrazzano (our agriturismo), loved practicing his English with us while teaching us more Italian. We were the only guests the entire week so we had plenty of opportunity, often hitting the road a little late in exchange for getting to know better a kind and gentle man.

Our triumphant moment was a shopping trip to the COOP, their smaller version of Ralph's or Kroger. We did our entire shopping, including weighing and tagging produce as well as checking out without a single word of English being spoken!

Also forgot to note - one of the gifts we got at her shower was new
luggage - we each got a 25 inch and 21 inch rolling suitcase. So
Trying to decide between the 2 in which to bring!

I'd suggest the 21" too as 25" is really big and it would be really easy to pack it to an uncomfortable weight. We don't mind checking bags ( we check our 24" as they're fuller/heavier coming home) but if you intend to go carryon-only, be cautious to look at any weight restrictions for the airlines you're flying? Some of them have maximum weights for carryons so while your 21" could pass the size test, it could flunk the weight. Also be cautious not to stuff it so full that it could flunk the max. depth size. Oh, and wheels count in the overall size limit too.

I have not read up to much on valuables - like what to walk with where
to keep it etc? I know there are a lot of theft worries and such so I
have done some research but I never know what to believe!

Unfortunately pickpockets aren't an urban myth in Italy so you'll want to keep the goodies out of their (very light) fingers. Methods are many and none of them are wrong as long as they work. Neither the Hubster or myself can tolerate moneybelts so we use a combo of small pouches pinned right under our waistbands for daily cash and credit card (easy for us to get at but no one else) and a Pacsafe bag with locking openings for larger items like passports. Travelon makes a version too. A regular shoulder bag can work too as long as you secure the zippers with, oh, say twist ties or something which makes it enough of a chore to get into that other fingers will leave it alone. The bulk of our cash and extra cards stay in the room safe unless we're changing cities/countries.

Divide the goodies between you so that not ALL of it is in one place. Never hang a bag off the back of a chair or set it down by your feet while eating/drinking/resting.

Yes, you should always have a nice bit of cash on you as you'll run across restaurants and shops which don't take credit. This is especially true for smaller purchases.

I did have another questions just about language barrier? How is it
over there? My fiance speaks Portuguese and has a somewhat decent
understand when people speak to her in Italian. She certainly knows
more then me

Not a worry. I'm unfamiliar with Follonico but your other cities are well used to tourists, and most in the hospitality industry speak excellent to passable English. Do learn how to be polite with a few friendly words/phrases (please, thank you, good day, good evening, etc) and carry a small phrase book for restaurant menus which may have you baffled. Useful words at the train stations are ticket (biglietto), platform (binario), departures (partenze), and arrivals (arrivi), among others.

Congratulations!

About the car: you will need an international driving permit (AAA, about $20) and your state license. Do you drive a manual transmission? Easier to find than an automatic.

Pack very light and buy some accessories from your travels, can change a look and make great souvenirs.

August is hot! Plan on the lightest-weight fabrics. Seersucker or very light cotton are good choices. If you plan to visit churches, take something that will cover shoulders and knees. A short-sleeved, light cotton shirt will keep you cooler than a tank top, anyway.

Gotta go get that permit got it! Is that something I get right then or does it get mailed to me and take time?

Also I already booked a car and it is stick no issue there.

Thanks again yall!

Gotta go get that permit got it! Is that something I get right then or does it get mailed to me and take time?
You get it while you wait. It took about 20 minutes. They take your photo and attach it to the IDP.

I forgot to say congratulations to you and best wishes to your future bride! My wife and I were on a high school trip in 1966. We fell in love on the trip and halfway through we shared our first kiss in Florence. In December 2015, almost 50 years later, we shared another kiss standing on the Ponte Vecchio. Life is good! I hope your marriage is as happy and long lasting as ours has been.