How To Plan Your Dream Italian Escape

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Italy is a beautiful European country best known for its impressive historical landmarks. When you first think about Italy, you likely picture the Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. However, the nation has much more to offer, including vibrant seaside towns, a long stretch of Mediterranean coastline, and mountain landscapes.

As a result, planning a trip to Italy takes time and effort. Luckily, we’re here to help. Whether planning a long weekend or a two-week-long adventure, we’ll tell you everything you need to plan your dream Italian escape, including where to go, when, and how to get there.

Decide How Long You Want To Travel

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For example, if you only have three days to spend in Italy, you must remember that traveling between cities can take some time. Therefore, you’ll most likely choose one location and stay there. On the other hand, if you have two weeks, you have enough time to visit two or three places. Ultimately, the length of your trip to Italy will depend on your preference, the amount of time you have available, and your budget.

Set Your Budget

Setting a budget is crucial in planning the perfect Italy itinerary. Creating a budget isn’t the easiest of things to do, but it’s vital if you’re going to have a fun and successful trip. Without a budget, you’ll overspend, miss out on attractions, and, quite frankly, waste money.

To create your Italy vacation budget, you must determine how much you can spend on essentials like transportation, accommodation, mouth-watering Italian food, and activities. We recommend thinking about what’s important to you so you have enough money to spend on the things you love. Once you have your budget, you can start choosing your destination.

Choose Your Destination

Choosing your destination in Italy is the most entertaining part of planning. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy looking at places to visit in another country? However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. There are so many beautiful places to explore in Italy that narrowing the options down is difficult.

You should start by considering what kind of experience you’re seeking. For instance, big cities like Rome and Florence are perfect if you love history and culture. Conversely, if you dream of an Italian seaside escape, you should focus your trip around the Amalfi Coast. When choosing your destination, don’t forget how much time you have in Italy and your budget.

The Best Places To Visit in Italy

To inspire you, let us share some of Italy’s best places to visit. Italy has exciting cities, charming seaside towns, and countryside villages, so you’re spoiled for choice. History buffs should consider visiting large cities such as Rome, Florence, and Milan. These three destinations are bursting at the seams with historic landmarks, unique cultures, and big-city atmospheres.

Meanwhile, places like Positano, Cinque Terre, and Amalfi are perfect if you’d prefer to base yourself by the sea. These places are home to vibrant Italian villages, amazing coastal views, and beautiful beaches. On the flip side, if you want to experience fine wine, rolling hills, and medieval towns, Tuscany and towns like Cortona and Montepulciano are top choices.

Get Your Travel Documents in Order

At this stage of your planning, it’s a good idea to check your passport’s validity and determine whether you require a visa. You should always check these two things before booking any flights or places to stay because you don’t want to be denied entry when you arrive.

Luckily, citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand can enter and stay in Italy for up to 90 days without a visa within a 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for six months when you arrive. If your passport isn’t valid, renew it as soon as possible so you don’t risk ruining your trip when it doesn’t come.

Find the Best Time To Travel

Generally, there isn’t a wrong time to visit Italy, but there may be one time of year that suits you better than another. For example, if you want to experience Milan’s Christmas markets, you must visit from November to December. Alternatively, if you’re going to sunbathe on the beach in Positano, visit in the summer when it’s hotter.

Here is a rundown of the different seasons in Italy so you know what to expect:

Summer – June to August: This is peak tourist season and when you can expect the best weather, especially along the Amalfi Coast.
Fall/Autumn – September to November: Temperatures remain hot, and attractions are busy until October when the weather starts to cool. November is usually quite wet with sunny spells.
Winter – December to February: Between December and February, you can expect cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and Christmas-themed attractions.
Spring – March to May: In Spring, wildflowers bloom in the countryside, and temperatures increase again.

Find the Best Flights

Finding the best flights to Italy isn’t too tricky, but there are a few tricks to finding a good deal.

Firstly, we recommend using flight comparison websites like Skyscanner to compare prices. On Skyscanner, you can use search parameters to filter for flights that suit your specific needs. You can filter for direct flights, the lowest prices, and particular airports.

One of the best ways to save money is to book in advance. Prices tend to increase closer to the travel date, so book as soon as possible. You can also save money by flying with a budget airline and traveling without checked luggage.

Book Transportation in Advance

Once you’ve booked your flights, you can start to think about the other forms of transportation you might need to book ahead of time. Booking transportation in advance is an easy way to save money, avoid any hassle when you land in Italy, and keep your trip running smoothly.

The last thing you want to do is be stuck without a way to reach your next destination because you didn’t book transport in advance. Transportation you should consider booking includes airport transfers, buses from one city to the next, and a hire car if you’re going on a road trip. Omio is a helpful tool for finding and booking transport.

Purchase Your Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, when planning your dream Italian escape, you must also consider the more tedious aspects of travel. This includes buying travel insurance. Hopefully, you won’t have to use travel insurance during your trip, but you must take it out anyway.

Travel insurance provides financial cover for many situations and eventualities you might encounter traveling abroad. This can include medical expenses for treatment and medical repatriation should you need to be returned home. We recommend using Safety Wing to take out your travel insurance. This insurance provider offers simple, flexible, and affordable insurance for international travel. It also provides 24/7 support and cover for more than 200 adventure activities.

Research Accommodation Options

Researching accommodation options for a vacation is an entertaining part of the planning process. There’s something special about finding somewhere cozy to stay. When it comes to accommodation in Italy, you have thousands of options. Therefore, do your research before choosing somewhere to stay.

Start by looking at the place you’re visiting. Identify the main attractions, where most people enjoy staying, and the perks each area offers. Then, using your budget as a guide, use a platform like Booking.com to find a suitable place to stay. On Booking.com, you can use the filters to search for specific things you want. This includes balconies, 5-star hotels, studio apartments, and hot tubs. The earlier you book your accommodation, the better.

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Book Attractions, Tours, and Activities Ahead of Time

If there are specific things you want to see and do in Italy, consider booking them in advance. More often than not, you won’t have a problem accessing the things you want to do. However, it’s also not uncommon for attractions and tours to be fully booked quickly, especially during peak tourist season.

For example, if you don’t book tickets for the Colosseum in advance, you could be left standing in long queues just to reach the entrance. Get Your Guide is a fantastic platform for booking attractions, tours, and activities. If you know your plans, don’t mess about; get things booked to avoid disappointment.

Pack the Essentials

The final part of your planning is to pack everything you need for your trip. What you need will depend on where you’re going and the time of year you travel. Consider the weather during your visit and what you might need for specific locations.

If it’s hot, you’ll want to pack light clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. If it’s cooler, you must pack warmer clothes, extra layers, and a jacket. You might also need to pack extras like flip-flops when visiting a beach destination or hiking boots when visiting the mountains. Don’t forget to pack essential things like your travel documents, travel insurance, and any medicines you require.