Few Tips For Your Trip To Italy

Here are a few steps to follow to organize a trip to Italy without resorting to travel agencies.

1) Choose the destination and type the place to visit. This is the first and most important thing to do: If you choose a city of art you will spend days walking to see monuments and museums; if you choose a place along the coast then you will prefer to lay down on a beach; finally, if you choose a spa then the holiday will have a different twist.

2) Decide how you will reach the place. By rental car, train or plane.

· By car: check the website viamichelin.it. Inserting the point of departure and arrival, the site will search for you the best route to destination. You can customize your search by entering the type of fuel (gasoline or diesel) you will fill up the tank of your car with; by asking for the shortest or cheapest way to destination, by avoiding or preferring highways, ... The site will also give you the cost of toll roads and fuel. It's a great way to get information for all motorists.

· By train: check the Italian railways website (Trenitalia). If you want to travel by train, you can book and purchase your tickets in advance on their website. You can also make reservation for your seats. You can also find some interesting deals such as discounts from 30 to 15%. If you need information about the arrival or departure track or you need to check European trains, then try the German railways site (Die Bahn). You can book tickets directly online by paying with your credit card and avoiding the line.  

· By plane: check volagratis.it. Enter the departure and arrival locations, the time and number of passengers and the site will give you a list of available and cheapest flights and fares. For bookings, however, go directly to the airline's site and buy your tickets with your credit card. Remember, the sooner you make a reservation the better discounts will be available.

Now that you know how to get to destination, you need to find a place to stay.

3) Find a place to sleep. Also in this case check websites such as expedia.it or venere.com. You can get a list of hotels sorted by price; refine your search by picking the one as close as possible to the place where you will be hanging. Use these engines to draw up a list of hotels that look perfect for your needs, but don't book with them. Go directly to the hotel site if available. Often by paying directly and in advance you can find discounted rooms up to 80% compared to standard fare!

4) Other things to check. Search the internet for local transportation fares; how much is the daily, weekly or monthly pass to buses, metro or light trains lines. You may find discount cards to travel into town. Later, you might want to decide what you want to see and do: museums, monuments, landscapes. Check the cities', town’s, region’s websites for special discounts to places to visit. Same thing to find places to eat good and cheap. You can look for local restaurants at ilmangione.it. Here you can review restaurants where you have been and read other people’s comments about restaurants where you want to go. There is also a space to search for restaurants by location, type of cuisine, time and prices. Download a map of the city and place dots and marks with a pen by the places to see: you will be able to move faster and not to miss your favorite places. Remember, asking locals is the best way to find places and restaurants, especially if you manage to speak some words of Italian. If you do not speak any words or you are too shy to try, use a pen and a piece of paper with the name of the restaurant and say the magic words, “non caro, ma buono” (not expensive but good) and voila’ you have your information.