How to Plan your First Trip to Italy
My recent trip to Italy was an amazing experience, so I thought it will be a good idea to write a post on how to plan your first visit to this incredible country.
Over the years, Italy has managed to maintain its ranking among the world’s most popular travel destinations. It’s an undeniably a beautiful destination full of amazing sites, mouth-watering dishes and tantalizing drinkings for both tourists and residents. So there is no doubt that a visit to this part of the continent will make it to your most treasured lifetime memories. Due to the overwhelming expectations most individuals place on their trip to Italy, it’s always advisable to have a travel plan in place, to ensure you maximize the opportunity.
Here are some essential tips on how to plan for your first trip to Italy.
Places To Visit And Things To see
Like most amazing travel getaways, there are so many cities to see and activities to indulge in Italy. With that in mind, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the list of all the nice places you want to visit. It even gets more complicated when you know you can’t see them all and have no choice but to narrow down your list.
It’s therefore advisable to list places according to their importance and number of features, so you get to start with the most popular ones first. That way, if you run out of time/ resources, you wouldn’t have much to lose. For example, places like Rome, Venice, and Florence should be at the top of the list. They also have exquisite and unique attractions at your disposal.
Ensure, however, to invest in advance, tickets as the most popular places is normally in high demand. You don’t want to waste most of your travel time queuing. You can also choose to avoid the traffic of best-known places for some time and head to the Islands and lakes for some fun-filled activities.
Your Accommodation; Lodges And Hotels
No matter how much busy you think you will be during your trip, you will need a comfortable and safe place to rest at the end of the day. You, however, don’t have to sweat over this as there are several accommodation places situated strategically all over the primary tourist attraction sites. From hotels, villas, luxury rooms to apartments, you can never run short of incredible picks. Ensure you make timely reservations ahead of your travel date at https://www.interhome.co.uk/italy/ and save yourself from last-minute queues.
Perfect Timing: The Best Time To Visit Italy
Yes, you can visit Italy anytime you want and at whatever season of the year. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t the best time to maximize your trip. High-peak might have many attributes of endless fun, but there are also several advantages of choosing to travel during the off-peak period. Whichever theme you choose, one thing is always for sure, there are always special events and festivals to celebrate throughout the year.
For instance, if you choose to go with summer, you can be sure to be part of one of the busiest time of any Italian tourist. You will have to get used moving through the crowd as well as enjoying the full benefits of the bright summer sunshine, the gorgeously beautiful white sandy beaches, the tantalizing summer festivals and of course the exotic summer cuisines.
For Spring, there is the soothing cool weather with a balance of beautiful sunny days. You, however, won’t have to spend a lot on accommodation and other expenses as the prices tend to be a bit lower. And of course, the crowd would have slightly decreased.
When it comes to winter, expect a lot of sports activities. So if you’re into winter-sports, this might be the ideal time to schedule your flight. You will enjoy skiing in the mountains and some free space along the coasts. There are also several discounts on, accommodation, so you get to spend much less.
During autumn, be prepared to have lots of fun, that too at very low places. After all, it’s the off-peak season and tourists who choose this time of the year enjoy the most. You can wander through the cities as much as you want without the fear of getting sunburns. This is also the best time to take your best camera shots as the colors are simply beautiful.
Finding Your Way Around Italy; Your Transportation Plans
The good thing about Italy is that you don’t have to worry about your transportation to various destinations. Since most cities have airports, you can easily connect to whichever place you want. Also, the local public transportation system in place is incredibly efficient. So you can trust to conveniently use buses and trains to commute.
If you’re operating on a tight budget, consider using trains as they are much cheaper but reliable. But if your budget allows, you can also opt for car rentals, which are also easily accessible and equally reliable. You just have to endure to get accustomed to the driving requirements over there. Also, consult with your travel agency if you need to book your car ahead of your specific travel day.
Be Informed; What You Should Know Before You Travel
Every country has its unique way of doing things. So before you pack your bags and board that flight, there are a few things you should inform yourself about Italy. For instance, if you’re planning on carrying your electronic gadgets with you, it’s important that you know Italy’s voltage stands at 220. So you might have to invest in power adapters to avoid losses.
Secondly, ensure to have some loose change at hand. Yes, most places do accept credit cards, but sometimes they do fail. And also there are those that don’t accept. So ensure you know how to withdraw some cash from the Italian beforehand.
Additionally, learn some Italian table manners essentials. Some drinks cannot be served before or after meals. And the coffee you’re used to might be totally different. Keep an open mind.
Whether you have only a few days, weeks or months to spend in Italy, it’s always good to plan for that visit. This will help you put your finances in order, make vital bookings and also give you the confidence you need to kickstart your getaway in style. Remember, you might have to make a few adjustments on schedule so leave some room for flexibility. Italy has been around even before you were born and it will continue to exist in the centuries to come, so maximize on the time you have now and leave the rest for tomorrow.