Hi, I am attending a week-long music workshop in Tuscany this September, and will be traveling with my instruments. But, after the workshop is over, I want to travel light for another 3 weeks, to Siena, Florence, Venice, the Cinque Terre and points between. My instruments are valuable and a little bulky, as well as my passion and semi-profession. Does anybody know how and where to go about shipping my instruments home? I worry for their safety, of course! Thanks!
Alice, from Texas.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23666 posts
Use one of the express services - UPS, Fedex, etc. It could be expensive but all of those services provide constant tracking of the package. You can go on their web site and get a price quote.
Posted by
Washington, DC
893 posts
Find a Mailboxes Etc. (they seem to exist there and a simple Google search found it) and they work with FedEx to ship items. Did that this past June with valuables and it worked great. However, be prepared to play a hefty price. Our simple box (granted it was a bit heavy) cost round $350 to ship.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Maryam is correct, there are Mail Boxes Etc offices in Italy (at least in Rome) and they work with FedEx or UPS (I forget which). For an instrument, with insurance, expect to pay a HUGE amount. Hundreds, if not over a thousand dollars if they are "bulky." You may also need to show some kind of proof that the instrument is yours and not purchased oversees, otherwise the US might charge a duty on it. And if you do ship it, send it somewhere that will have a person to sign for it and keep it safe. Another option, depending on your schedule, is to try and store it somewhere and pick it up before you leave Italy. Perhaps with a hotel, or someone with the workshop. That would mean backtracking, but would save you a lot of money.
Posted by
OP
Fort Worth, TX, USA
5 posts
Thanks. These are helpful comments. I haven't succeeded in getting a quote yet, but there are plenty of offices from which to ship. Seems Mailboxes Etc. is a UPS affiliate. The idea of storing the instruments is a good one - perhaps at the villa where the workshop is to be held.