Last Minute Tips

Trung -

We could perhaps be more responsive to your request if you told us where you are going - Italy is a big place and to be helpful our info back to you should be specific.

Well, I will flying into Milan. I'll be in Milan for one night then taking the train to Florence. I believe I'll be there for 4 nights and then off to Rome for 3 nights. Naples 1 night. My friends are renting a car for 2 nights and those 2 nights we are playing it by ear. But We'll be driving up the coast to Venice and I believe we'll be in Venice 1 or 2 nights. I just want to know if there is anything I should know before I go or something I should do before I leave. I have all my bills paid for. I'll be in Italy roughly 2 weeks. And I'm only bringing like 4 days worth of clothes. Photocopies are made of all my important documents. I got comfy shoes to walk in. Theyre slip ons so they wont be a hassle through security. I'm like half packed my pack only weighs I think between 20- 25lbs. I have the Eurail pass for 5 days so train travel is covered. Hotels and hostels are reserved and paid for. But for some reason I just feel as if something isnt quite done yet.

Be sure to let your bank and credit card company know you will be in Italy. Have fun.

When should I let the banks know? Should I call like the day before I leave?

You can call now and just tell them the dates you will be there.

Call your banks now!
be sure any gels or liquids you plan to bring as carry on are in a 1 qt. zip lock bag. No exceptions.

Hang out in Venice in the evening, when all the cruise ship people have gone-- stroll the city, take a gondola ride, listen to the bands in St. Marks square.

I hope you have your Rick Steve's phrase book!

Nope, I have a Berlitz phrase book. Couldnt find Rick Steves' phrase book in any store around me. I would have to buy it online. But I've been learing Italian from a language lesson I have on my iPod and I know more Italian than my friend who studied it for 2 years and spent a semester abroad in Florence.

And and I was wondering, is linen a good material to have to wear in Italy? I have several linen blended shirts but I heard they wrinkle very easily.

Depends on the linen. I have a black Royal Robbins travel dress that I dearly love. It looks a little nicer when pressed, but still looks fine after being washed, shaken well and line dried. Try yours out...wash and hang to see how they do.

a few quick tips -- if possible, make sure your ATM and credit card PINs are only 4 numbers. Lore has it that ATMs in Europe only accept 4 numbers. Bring cards from 2 different companies so that if one doesn't work the other might. If you're bringing your cell phone sign up for your carrier's international plan if it discounts international roaming. You can cancel it when you get back home, but meantime you'll save a lot more than the $5 or so it costs for the month you're on the plan. Use your moneybelt for passport, credit cards, larger amounts of cash.

BTW, what program did you use on your Ipod to learn Italian?

The program I'm using on the iPod is called... Italian Travel Pack. I think. My friend got it from Barnes and Noble for like $10. It comes with a small phrase book. Its one of those ones that says the word in English then says it a couple times in Italian and pauses so you can say it outloud. It has basic phrases and words. Things you hear, how to ask for things. I like its its decent. I can understand a bit a hold up conversation. But only if they speak really slow. But knowing how to speak a bit of Spanish helps.

If you are driving to Venice park in Mestre.You can park across the street from the RR Station and its a 10 minute trip into Venice.

Any more last minute tips? I have 2 days left.

from what I have been reading, take bug spray! the mosquitos are horrible especially in Venice I guess.

Yeah, I heard something about that. I have some spray that they were selling in travel sizes at the check out line in Target for 99 cents.