Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks
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2012-08-08 12:39 PM |
Veteran 395 Henderson,NV | Subject: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks My wife , cousin and I will be traveling to Italy and staying in Rome, Tuscany, and Venice. My first real trip to Europe, and I have a bunch of questions, but the big one right now for globe hopping BTers is how do you handle getting cash? Is it as easy as going to an ATM once a week? Thanks ! |
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2012-08-08 1:13 PM in reply to: #4353159 |
Champion 15211 Southern Chicago Suburbs, IL | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks kenb - 2012-08-08 12:39 PM My wife , cousin and I will be traveling to Italy and staying in Rome, Tuscany, and Venice. My first real trip to Europe, and I have a bunch of questions, but the big one right now for globe hopping BTers is how do you handle getting cash? Is it as easy as going to an ATM once a week? Thanks ! ATM has a better transfer rate than going to a currency exchange. |
2012-08-08 1:13 PM in reply to: #4353159 |
Champion 15211 Southern Chicago Suburbs, IL | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks And that is what we did when we went a few years ago is just hit an ATM. |
2012-08-08 1:37 PM in reply to: #4353159 |
Veteran 395 Henderson,NV | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks Thanks, I am really looking forward to the trip, any insights for a first time traveler? |
2012-08-08 1:46 PM in reply to: #4353159 |
Expert 692 Boca Raton, FL | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks Where are you going in Tuscany? I spent 2 weeks in Italy in September 2011..did Venice, Florence, Tuscany (Pienza was home base, but saw Sienna, Orvietto, Montepulciano, Montellcino, Bagno Vigno) then off to Positano/Sorrento/Capri. I love iTaly! So, to answer your question.use a credit card whenever possible., Make sure they don't charge you international fees (Capital one was awesome for this..so you really just paid the actual cost for everything) I changed dollars to Euros when I got there at the airport or train stations and used cash when they didn't accept credit card. But really i used my credit card the most..especially since i was able to accumulate points during my trip and then redeem them when I got home (I did almost my entire trip in cc points) FYi- fodors.com was a really helpful site when planning my trip. so jealous and excited for you! I did all the plannig for my trip so if you have any questions..feel free to ask |
2012-08-08 2:23 PM in reply to: #4353314 |
Expert 1207 Parker, Co | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks We just got back from Italy - the surprising thing was that we were expecting to use credit cards mostlybut cash seemed to be king at a lot of places - cards were not accepted. So make sure you have enough with you - as an example both entry fees to Pompei and Herculaneum were cash only and that caught a lot of people out. |
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2012-08-08 2:24 PM in reply to: #4353314 |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks Yes, ATM will be a cinch. I would also recommend checking if your credit card charges an international service fee. If it does, I HIGHLY recommend a Capital One credit card. There's still time if you figure this out now. That is a great card for traveling. For Italy, I would recommend a small dictionary/phrase book. I was there in 2001 (pre-airport security, pre-Euro!) and we didn't run into as much English as in other European countries. I was surprised. Pack light. Getting around Italy can be tiresome with small cars, crowded streets, cobblestones, etc. No need for a huge suitcase. Pack light layers and neutrals so you can mix/match. We often do laundry on longer trips, although if you plan on this plan for blowing a few hours doing it. Do you have a travel guidebook? If not, I recommend Rick Steves. He has a whole volume on Italy and also explains a LOT of good tips about packing/traveling. I love to talk about traveling, ask away and I will post if I think of anything else good. There's lots to say depending on what you need to know. Edited by BikerGrrrl 2012-08-08 2:25 PM |
2012-08-08 2:26 PM in reply to: #4353408 |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks Also, for Italy in particular, bring really good walking shoes. I recommend your running sneakers or another kind of really supportive shoe. Yeah, it looks dorky but you will thank me. I've tried to go to Europe in only stylish shoes and I always regret it. Oh, and eat gelato EVERY day! |
2012-08-08 2:44 PM in reply to: #4353419 |
Expert 692 Boca Raton, FL | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks BikerGrrrl - 2012-08-08 3:26 PM Also, for Italy in particular, bring really good walking shoes. I recommend your running sneakers or another kind of really supportive shoe. Yeah, it looks dorky but you will thank me. I've tried to go to Europe in only stylish shoes and I always regret it. Oh, and eat gelato EVERY day!
YES! I wore Keene's Best shoe for my trip! My friend on the other hand opted for stylish shoes. She was in pain every day. i warned her too..some people just don't listen And drink lots of wine..no hangover |
2012-08-08 2:49 PM in reply to: #4353159 |
Extreme Veteran 1260 Miami | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks ATM's are your best and more economical bet to get cash. Avoid using credit cards if all possible at restaurants and similar places, you will actually find that some stablishments dont accept them. In Venice make sure that you take the Vaporetto, avoid overpriced water taxis. I think you can find their routes online and you can lear them. I know the region pretty well so any other questions that you may have just shoot away. |
2012-08-08 3:17 PM in reply to: #4353472 |
Expert 692 Boca Raton, FL | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks Cuetoy - 2012-08-08 3:49 PM ATM's are your best and more economical bet to get cash. Avoid using credit cards if all possible at restaurants and similar places, you will actually find that some stablishments dont accept them. Strange, I really did not have any issues using my credit cards at all. Maybe a couple places on my whole trip but usually everyone took the credit card. |
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2012-08-08 3:25 PM in reply to: #4353547 |
Extreme Veteran 1260 Miami | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks piperfl - 2012-08-08 4:17 PM Cuetoy - 2012-08-08 3:49 PM ATM's are your best and more economical bet to get cash. Avoid using credit cards if all possible at restaurants and similar places, you will actually find that some stablishments dont accept them. Strange, I really did not have any issues using my credit cards at all. Maybe a couple places on my whole trip but usually everyone took the credit card. For the most part you wont have an issue, besides saving money on possible credit card fees, some places will give you a price break ( tax cheating is a national sport) on your purchases. Thats why my recomendation to use mostly cash if possible. If you visit smaller towns, and the not so touristic areas, then you will find more places where plastic won't be accepted but your experience is more the norm now. 10 years ago it was entirely different |
2012-08-08 6:30 PM in reply to: #4353159 |
Veteran 303 | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks I have always notified my bank of the destinations and time frames of when I'll be travelling abroad so they don't freak out when there are suddenly charges from far away. In Italy, I got some cash at the airport exchange to have immediate cash on hand and then other than that used credit cards and ATMs. Depending on where you are, you'll want some cash, in Tuscany there are nice little markets and things that will probably only run off cash and I always like to have change and things on hand for parking (if you're driving). I did use a lot of italian in Italy, although not so much in Tuscany as that area is pretty well-traveled with English-speakers. When I was up north, though, many people didn't speak a word and I had to attempt to communicate which usually ended up being rather humorous and frustrating at the same time. Have fun, Italy in the fall is beautiful! |
2012-08-08 9:44 PM in reply to: #4353159 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks I did my Europe hop pre-Euro...I would have been LOST without my ATM card! Of course, I almost DID lose my ATM card...forgot it the ATM machine in Germany...THAT was a fun time...long story short, got it back but lost a whole day of vacation over that! So, MY advice would be to have either a few emergency travelers checks just in case something DOES go wonky with your ATM card. I had NO other way to get money over there and really....if I hadn't gotten my card back I would have been in BIG trouble. Option B would be to use a credit card that you can get a cash advance via ATM as your backup. Of course, American Dollars are good just about everywhere. I guess all I'm saying is don't put all your eggs in one basket... I used my credit card whenever possible and did warn the company I would be traveling. I did find a lot of places that wanted/preferred cash (or gave a discount for cash), but I used the credit card a lot too. Oh, and have at least a decent idea of the exchange rate. Not as big a deal with Euros...but I had some funny moments at ATMs in new countries when I would take out, say, 50 whoshamawhatles only to find out that was like, $2. :D |
2012-08-09 11:58 AM in reply to: #4353159 |
Veteran 395 Henderson,NV | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks Great advice, thank you everyone, We are staying in apartments in three different cities during vacation, as opposed to hotels, so that will be a new experience too |
2012-08-09 5:05 PM in reply to: #4353159 |
Veteran 312 Southern Pines, NC | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks Also, be sure and tell your wife that many of the streets (especially in Rome) are cobblestone so even at night she probably won't want to wear heals. I went last winter. You are not expected to tip (in restaurants). They charge a per person "fee" instead. We did find that at some restaurants (especially Rome) when the waiter heard us speaking English they would tell us that there was no tip included - even when we saw the service fee written on the ticket. |
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2012-08-10 9:38 AM in reply to: #4353159 |
Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks Good for you! I have just returned from France yesterday with my son (our very first International European trip). The ATM is your best bet, as noted above. If you wish to do currency exchange prior, then do not use the ones in the airport due to a little extra charge. I went to the one and only currency exchange near where I live - an M& I Bank. The additional fee was something like 10 bucks that was included within the 250 - 300 Euros I exchanged. The AirFrance AirBus flights both heading out and returning were great - I especially enjoyed selecting your own movies/music/game and watching the airplane's webcam during take-off and landing since I didn't have a window seat. |
2012-08-10 3:14 PM in reply to: #4353159 |
Elite 3277 Minnetonka | Subject: RE: Traveling to Italy in October for 2 weeks I've been to Venice a few times, My wife and I got engaged there. In Venice, you can't get lost. Ditch the guide book and wander. The best restaurants are the one's packed with locals... Also, if you plan to visit churches and places of worship, the ladies need to have their shoulders covered. Take just one moment to stop and look at the history around you. Divinci, Michaelangelo etc.. Walked those very streets.... |