We found out the hard way on our last Italian trip that gas stations were often closed on Sundays (or was it Mondays??)
I resolved to plan future trips to avoid travel days that are less than optimal: air flights, car rentals, gas stations, etc. However my notes from a year ago are not accessible at this time and my memory fails me, any pointers? Tentatively planning flights from USA and back from Rome on Wednesdays but that can change.
Thanks so much.
Check schedules of attractions, transport, etc. in advance and plan accordingly.
Gas stations in Italy don't really close. Except for the very small ones, you can still refuel at any time using the self service pump. When they are "closed" (as you say), they are just totally unattended but you can still refuel. Therefore on Sunday, lunch time (1-3:30), and nights, you need to use the automatic payment machine to insert money or credit/debit cards (chip and pin only) because there will be no cashier either. Just insert the money (or credit card) in the payment kiosk, push the number of the pump you want to use, and refuel. I have refueled on Sunday and during "closing" times twice this month, including just before returning my rental in Florence (it was lunch time break).
Sunday may not be a good day to take trips for other reasons, not so much for fear of being stranded without fuel. Buses are on a limited schedule, some shops are closed, some museums may be closed, and of course some popular spots (like Cinque Terre or San Gimignano) may be more crowded. Also most car rental agencies, except for airports, may be closed on Sat afternoon and all day Sunday.
Wednesday's and Tuesday's may be better for air travel, compared to weekends.
Some museums close on Moday. You just need to check the opening hours online and plan accordingly.
Yes Roberto, it's coming back to me now. It was a Sunday when we attempted refueling at a self-serve pump and had difficulties, with no one to ask for help. (You're right, not 'closed' at all, just unattended) That one experience may be the only time we'll ever encounter problems but it still it's very good to know when attendants definitely won't be around (lunchtime, who knew?)
I don't like arriving at a new place on Sunday or even Saturday evening. The reason is because I stay at apartments and finding a grocery open Saturday night or Sunday is difficult. So I can't do what I normally do when arriving at a new place, which is go to the market to buy milk, yogurt, fruit, something for breakfast and snacks.
I seem to recall our first trip over in '08, we were flying from Venice to London. I was first looking at flying into London Sunday, but when I checked the flights out Sat night (with Brit Air) they were half the price compared to Sun - with two people, it was a couple hundred bucks. Mind you, we arrived at Gatwick at midnight and spent about $100 more to stay at the airport Sofitel than we would have if we'd stayed the extra night in Venice...lol. I didn't think about that when I was trying to save money on the airplane tix. ;) We came out slightly ahead, but I would have rather spent the extra evening in Venice (had I known how much I was going to love it).
Some shops close on Monday morning but open in the afternoon. Some close early on Saturday, but this is rare in the tourist centers. I usually make Monday mornings my transportation day for long distances.
Weekends in England I've run into Tube and rail line closures due to "engineering" work. That can make travel take longer and be more complicated. I don't like to arrive in London Heathrow during morning rush especially if taking the Tube or Heathrow Connect. Luggage and crowded trains are not a good combination.
I avoid Sunday for train travel between hotel locations. In case a train isn't running, there's a greater chance on other days that the next one will be sooner. Museums close on Mondays, but check specific ones that interest you. Some museums are closed on other days instead of Mondays.
Personally, I prefer to leave the USA on a Friday or Saturday and return on a Thursday or Friday. That gives me the entire weekend to get back to Pacific NW internal time clock before returning to work on Monday.
I think this is a trick question.
Q: Which are the worst travel days?
A: The ones when you are not travelling.
