I'm Goin' To Italy On Saturday...Any Helpful Hints ?

[Jeff '79]

I , personally have never been to Europe before, so helpful hints are much appreciated... We , my wife and two daughters, are going for 10 days, and will be on a Trafalger Tour.
Toronto to Rome, non-stop, and then on to , Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Pompei, and back to Rome.

Joe Cool recommended buying a one month international plan for our I-phones. Done deal....
I have a Discover card that does not charge the international percentage, so that's cool. Does Europe take Discover Card ? Should I take a boat load of cash, and exchange it for Euros over there ? Traveler's checks are lame....

Anyway, it ain't BR II , but it's something to do......

Helpful hints appreciated....

[DAB]

you likely get the best exchange rate if you charge stuffs. trading in cash or trav. checks for Euros gets a poorer exchange. handy to have some cash for small stuff.

watch your wallet and valuables. pay attention.

trav chex can be replaced if lost, not so for cash (dollars or euros).

make copy of trav chex and passport. leave with someone here.

watch your phone and data plans, make sure you are good to go for overseas.

comfy shoes.

[VatorMan]

I use my CC for almost everything over there. You get the current exchange rate and all my purchases and transactions are protected.

The area around the coliseum was a dump. Be prepared. If you are on a tour, I'm sure they will keep you out of harms way.

[kingpin]

Keep this guy away from your wife.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by kingpin

Keep this guy away from your wife.

Dude......C'mon......He can have her.....I'd take the buyout in a heart beat, and just trade up...err younger...

[kingpin]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Dude......C'mon......He can have her.....I'd take the buyout in a heart beat, and just trade up...err younger...

Maybe you're right.
Kinda like that movie with Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by kingpin

Maybe you're right.
Kinda like that movie with Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson.

ya

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Any Helpful Hints

One:
Have a GREAT time.

[lspencer534]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

I , personally have never been to Europe before, so helpful hints are much appreciated... We , my wife and two daughters, are going for 10 days, and will be on a Trafalger Tour.
Toronto to Rome, non-stop, and then on to , Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Pompei, and back to Rome.

Joe Cool recommended buying a one month international plan for our I-phones. Done deal....
I have a Discover card that does not charge the international percentage, so that's cool. Does Europe take Discover Card ? Should I take a boat load of cash, and exchange it for Euros over there ? Traveler's checks are lame....

Anyway, it ain't BR II , but it's something to do......

Helpful hints appreciated....

One-month international plan for your iPhone is good. As I recall it's just 50 cents/minute instead of $1/minute. Exchange your dollars for Euros over there--it's a bit cheaper--except the Euros you'll need for transportation and tips on your departing flight there. VISA and MasterCard are accepted there, you can leave your AmEx at home. Best to get MasterCard debit card tied to your checking/savings account. For $25 dollars you can expidite it, but it only takes 5-7 days through the application process for a debit card. Whatever card you take, be sure to notify that company you'll be Italy from x to x date.

Hotel/B&B reservations are widely non-refundable. If you take a laptop buy a case for it so the airport X-Rays don't harm it. A wide-spread scam there is the use of devices that copy your credit card information even while the card is in your wallet. See if you can come up with a metal case for your wallet.

Everyone travelling with you needs a passport. BTW, if you wear a necktie, beautiful 100% silk ones can be bought in Italy for $6 ($100+ here for the same tie).

[wwomanC6]

Northern Italy was hit with another deadly earthquake today, second one this year.

Know what to do in a disaster and where in the region to seek help. Ask the tour guide what to do and key phrases to remember in the local language!

Don't leave your safety solely in their hands, be prepared and know what your going to do.

The cruise ship that sank off the coast of Italy had a boat drill scheduled the next day. How many people died because they did not know what to do?

The only one really looking out for your family is YOU!



Have a great time! Take lots of pics!

[Rotorhead]

I usually make cue cards of the location I'm going to for the taxi drivers if I don't speak the local language.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

My dad still has family in Sicily. Termini Imerese to be specific.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by Thomas

My dad still has family in Sicily. Termini Imerese to be specific.

I'm not going to Sicily.....

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by wwomanC6

Northern Italy was hit with another deadly earthquake today, second one this year.

Know what to do in a disaster and where in the region to seek help. Ask the tour guide what to do and key phrases to remember in the local language!

Don't leave your safety solely in their hands, be prepared and know what your going to do.

The cruise ship that sank off the coast of Italy had a boat drill scheduled the next day. How many people died because they did not know what to do?

The only one really looking out for your family is YOU!



Have a great time! Take lots of pics!

That could make it really interesting......

[...Whitepower...]

Try the Italian food..

[Rob]

Hit Positano if you have time. Great city and wonderful people.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by lspencer534

One-month international plan for your iPhone is good. As I recall it's just 50 cents/minute instead of $1/minute. Exchange your dollars for Euros over there--it's a bit cheaper--except the Euros you'll need for transportation and tips on your departing flight there. VISA and MasterCard are accepted there, you can leave your AmEx at home. Best to get MasterCard debit card tied to your checking/savings account. For $25 dollars you can expidite it, but it only takes 5-7 days through the application process for a debit card. Whatever card you take, be sure to notify that company you'll be Italy from x to x date.

Hotel/B&B reservations are widely non-refundable. If you take a laptop buy a case for it so the airport X-Rays don't harm it. A wide-spread scam there is the use of devices that copy your credit card information even while the card is in your wallet. See if you can come up with a metal case for your wallet.

Everyone travelling with you needs a passport. BTW, if you wear a necktie, beautiful 100% silk ones can be bought in Italy for $6 ($100+ here for the same tie).

I have a Visa check card for business that is tied to my checking account. What is the benefit of using that ? My main goal is to beat the 3% international credit card surcharge.

[lspencer534]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

I have a Visa check card for business that is tied to my checking account. What is the benefit of using that ? My main goal is to beat the 3% international credit card surcharge.

MasterCard says they don't add the 3%. Don't know, but I'll find out when my daughter is there next week. Sorry--wish I knew more.

[DJ_Critterus]

I was raised in Naples. What do you want to know?

[BuckyThreadkiller]

Plan on taking 3 hours to eat dinner.

And enjoy it.

Keep one hand on your wallet at all times. We went with another couple and she lost her wallet on the subway in Rome and he got his picked at the train terminal in Naples.


Other than that, Italy was amazing. I'd go back in a heartbeat.