The Coliseum in Rome, Italy
October is an excellent time to travel to Italy. The summer crowds have faded and the winter temperatures, especially in the Alps, have not yet kicked into freezing mode. And, with increased airline competition and Internet travel information, planning a trip to Italy is easier than ever.
Instructions
Trip Preparations
1. Apply for a passport early.
Apply for a passport if you haven't got one already. If you are planning on traveling to Italy in October, you should submit a passport application no later than early August to ensure it arrives on time without having to pay fees to expedite it. If you are traveling to Italy from outside the European Union, you will need a passport.
2. Buy a guidebook on Italy. Although there is lots of travel information on the Internet, a good guidebook is still a must for travel. There is still nothing like flipping through pages of information on activities and attractions and reviewing maps on the spot for reference. Lonely Planet Italy is recommended for budget and off-the-beaten-path travel. Frommer's Italy is a great choice if you want a more by-the-book type trip with slightly more information on the mid-range to upscale hotels and restaurants.
3. Create a budget. Decide how many nights you can spend in Italy and how much you can money you can afford to spend. As of 2010, you can expect to spend about $110 per day in Italy (based on double occupancy in a budget pensione and meals in cafes or take-away counters), according to Lonely Planet.
Planning a Trip to Italy
4. Venice, Italy
Make a list of attractions you would like to see and any special activities you would like to do. Decide which are must-dos and determine which areas you need to visit in order to see them. Italy is packed with attractions for history buffs like Rome and Pompeii, and amazing architecture and sculpture for the art fans in places like Florence. Venice is an attraction in its own right with its canal streets. Tuscany is famous for its vineyards and don't forget the dramatic scenery along the Amalfi Coast in the South.
5. Pick a couple of places to base yourself and then plan day trips to nearby attractions. For example, if you would like to visit the Tuscany region, Shakespeare's Verona and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you can visit all of them as day trips from Florence. The Alps are within easy reach of Venice. Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast could probably be made as a long day trip from Rome.
6. Check local tourism websites for festival calendars. Although there are no major holidays in Italy in October; it is grape harvesting season in a typical year. This means lots of wine and harvest festivals. Individual towns or regions may also celebrate a saint day or local holiday making for colorful festivities, but increased room rates. Here is a list of a few happenings in October, but visit regional tourism websites for more information.
Tuscany has many food and wine festivals in October.
http://www.festivals-of-tuscany.com/
Il Pigio is a wine stomping competition held in the Chianti region.
http://www.pigio.net/
Truffle World Market - There are many truffle fairs in Italy in October. This is one of the biggest ones.
http://www.fieradeltartufo.org/en/
If you're a chocolate lover, check out Eurochocolate in Perugia
http://www.eurochocolate.com/en/home.html
La Sagra del Tordo is a re-enactment of a medieval competition between the village neighborhoods of Montalcino that includes pageants, parades and an archery tournament.
http://www.montalcino-tuscany.it/sagra_del_tordo.htm
The Rome Film Festival attracts big name stars.
http://www.romacinemafest.org/romacinemafest/
Barcolana Regatta - Mediterranean boat races along with music, food and wine.
http://www.barcolana.it/
7. Purchase airline tickets. The Internet is a great place to search for deals on air travel. Search Internet travel sites as well as individual airline sites. Use the flexible date option to find the best rates. Rome is the obvious choice for arrival in Italy. However, in recent years Milan has been a center for cheap airfares. Alitalia is the national carrier and has departure points around the world.
8. Make reservations for hotels in the areas you have chosen. Try Internet travel search sites but extend your research beyond that. Use the hotel names you find on search sites and find their individual websites to look for specials. You may also want to email the hotel and ask for special rates for longer stays, paying with cash or off-season travel.
Italy is known for their budget pensiones. Some charge extra for things like showers and breakfast, so be sure to get a detailed list of charges before agreeing to stay. Many hostels also offer double rooms or family rooms. For a complete list of hostels in Italy visit hostelworld.com/countries/italyhostels.html.
If you are a wine aficionado, or just looking for a unique experience, think about helping with the grape harvest. Small farms and vineyards exchange labor for room and board. Try the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms at wwoof.it/ or join a tour.
9. Purchase rail passes or make car reservations. To take advantage of Eurail passes, you must buy them before you leave home. Eurail's Flexi-pass allows you to travel a certain amount of days within a given period of time, so that you can stop an enjoy an area without wasting travel days on your ticket.
10. Don't forget the fun research. Check out movies filmed in Italy from the library. Make homemade pizza together and have an Italian night.
Packing for Italy in October
11. Check airline restrictions for checked luggage before you pack.
Pack in layers. Italy spans over 10 degrees of latitude, so predicting weather, especially during a change of seasons like October, can be difficult. Dressing in layers will help keep you prepared for any sort of weather. If you are visiting the Alps you will need a warm jacket and don't forget your bathing suit for the southern beaches.
Average Low and High Temperatures in Italy in October according to weather.com:
Rome: 50/75F
Venice: 48/64F
Florence: 50/70F
Milan: 47/64F
Naples: 52/71F
Palermo: 64/73F
Trento (Italian Alps): 41/65
12. Pack good walking shoes. Whether you are planning a fast and furious tour of Rome or leisurely strolling through the villages and vineyards of Tuscany, comfortable shoes are key to happy travelers.
13. Check with your airline on luggage restrictions. Most airlines have regulations about the size and weight of your checked luggage. To avoid airport delays and overage charges, check your airline's website for individual rules. Weigh and measure your bags at home to be sure they are within any size or weight limits.
14. Change money and get travelers checks. Bring a few traveler's checks. Although traveler's checks are not the key currency they once were--ATMs on the Star and Plus networks are all over Italy--it is still wise to carry a few hundred dollars worth. Bring some cash in dollars and change some into Euros before you leave. There are plenty of places to change money at the airport; however they charge a hefty commission. Credit cards are widely accepted, although Italians tend to use cash for most transactions, according to recent statistics released by Banca d'Italia.
Tags: Italy October, Internet travel, would like, Although there, Amalfi Coast, Apply passport