Italy is a popular vacation destination for families because it offers something of interest for everyone. The land of gelato welcomes children in general and, more specifically, has sights and foods that most kids love. Whether your family is visiting monuments or relaxing in the Italian sun, here are some ideas on how to organize your vacation for fun and savings, too.
1. Rent an Apartment or Villa
For less than the cost of a hotel room you can rent a comparably comfortable and well-located apartment or villa in Italy. You will get more room for people to spread out and keep out of each other's way. You won't have adjust your schedule to hotel restaurant hours and maid service, either. You will have to make your own beds and settle for a weekly change of towels.
You can save on restaurant costs by eating 'at home' in your villa or apartment. We suggest having breakfast and dinner at home and dine in a nice restaurant for lunch. For your home meals, elaborate preparation isn't necessary, you will find excellent pre-prepared selections in supermarkets, small grocery stores, snack bars, pizzerias and "tavola caldas," cafeteria-style restaurants. Shopping for your food in Italian grocery stores and open air markets is a super cultural experience for the whole family, too.
2. Get the Best from Restaurants
The fixed-price menu of the day, often called the tourist menu, offers a full meal with savings over a' la carte. Menus are always posted outside the restaurant door so you can browse the price and selection. To choose your restaurant, use Michelin's Red Guide (restaurant guide) that profiles even moderately priced establishments. Few American tourists carry the Red guide, so the restaurants don't become mobbed with consequent price increases.
When ordering, request the house wine and tap water "aqua naturale." The tap water in Italy is drinkable.
A $15 plate of pasta for a small (or not very hungry) child may be hard to swallow, so ask for a half-portion or an extra plate to split big portions. Italians love children and waiters are usually happy to indulge their appetites. And when the children finish, promise them an ice cream at snack bar around the corner where you can also get an after dinner drink and enjoy people watching at a fraction of the restaurant price for coffee and dessert.
You can spend $20 for a coke on Piazza San Marco in Venice or on the Via Veneto in Rome and find the people-watching worth every bit of it. Or, if refreshment and budget prevail, wander a few piazzas removed from these famous spots and order your coke or, better yet, a typical Italian beverage made with flavored syrups and fizzy water.
Tip Wait for the waiter to collect your signed credit receipt from the table. Don't just sign it, get up and walk away because in most Italian restaurants, your credit card number is printed IN FULL on the ticket -- an easy way for someone to cruise by the unoccupied table and snag your receipt and obtain your credit card number.
3. Laundry
Stay in an apartment with a washing machine to do your own, but don't expect a clothes dryer, so allow enough time for clothes to air dry. If you're at a hotel, don't pay for the expensive hotel's laundry service; instead, find a local laundromat and people-watch while you wash. Always bring a travel laundry line and, whenever you spend more than one night in one spot, hand wash easy-care clothes.
4. Exchanging Currency
Buy your local currency at ATM machines, called Bancomats, using your debit or ATM card. The exchange rate will be the most favorable and the transaction fees the lowest. Save on transaction fees by withdrawing larger amounts each time. Don't use your credit card for withdrawing local currency -- big fees. Before traveling, check with your bank on the fees they charge for overseas transactions; a few have exorbitant charges.
Tip Make sure your PIN code is only four numbers; that's all Italian machines will take.
5. Telephone Calls
Buy local phone cards for making calls which is cheaper than investing in a rental phone, or bringing one from the States. They are a terrific value for calling back home, too.
Check in at home and reconfirm future reservations by stopping in an internet point where you can surf and pay by the hour at, usually, a very reasonable rate.
6. Strike a Bargain
In Italy, many stores now have fixed prices "prezzi fissi" which you'll often see on a little sign near the cash register. The days of negotiating the price of everything are gone. But, if you're buying directly from the proprietor and are selecting multiples of something, or investing in high ticket items such as antiques or jewelry, you can politely ask if there is anything that can be done to help you with your decision, like, ahem, a discount. Then you must pay in cash! Don't dicker over the price and then pull out your plastic. It is understood that the discount depends on saving on the credit card transaction fee and, possibly, discreetly keeping this cash sale off the books.
7. Museums & Monuments
Research free days at museums and, thinking of the children, consider smaller museums for shorter attention spans.
Reserve your tickets for popular spots ahead of time; the fee is worth it. Nothing dampens a visit to a popular site like standing in line for an hour and a half in the blazing sun. For any attraction, find an up-to-date schedule; even call ahead; hours change. Please remember that you are in Italy where punctuality is sometimes sacrificed for more important things, so be prepared to wait a few minutes for something to open. Adjust to "dolce vita" time.
Some sights are best seen with a guide who can whisk you past lines and bring history and art alive, for example, the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the catacombs in Rome, and the Uffizi in Florence.
Enjoy your travels in Italy with your family. When in doubt, have a gelato or a glass of wine and stop doing anything, just relax and let Italy come to you.
Pat Byrne is the president of Excellent Europe (http://www.ExcellentEurope.com) a company that selects exceptional vacation rentals in Italy with families in mind. She is also the author of the Kids Europe Italy Discovery Journal (http://www.KidsEurope.com) a resource book, journal, and guide just for kids traveling in Italy that has over 500 ideas for free and fun activities in Italy.
If your vacation time is coming up and you are... Read More
Real estate in Gatlinburg is thriving. While the 2000 census... Read More
Two visits to Budapest. Two apartments, walking distance from downtown.... Read More
The DeLaunay House, located 185 N. Pioneer in Ashland is... Read More
Motels became prominent in the United States after the advent... Read More
There are a few patterns to consider when looking for... Read More
Condo hotels, also known as condotels, are a relatively new... Read More
Considering a romantic or family Costa Rica vacation? You're choosing... Read More
Bahamas vacation villas are the way to go if you... Read More
Rooms for rent! No, not the kind where you are... Read More
Car rental insurance has to be one of the most... Read More
Turning your dream to Reality?Buying in the CaribbeanBuying a home... Read More
More than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year.... Read More
Going away on a vacation brings numerous benefits. It refreshes... Read More
Vacation packages are a great way for travelers to book... Read More
The southern English county of Hampshire is only two hours... Read More
RV rental vacations aren't cheap, but they do contain loads... Read More
As beautiful and modern as Cozumel is, visitors must remember... Read More
Are you thinking of travelling Abroad?You will surely want to... Read More
Cambodia is a land on the mend. From 1977 through... Read More
Aquitaine with its 5 departments; Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques.Weather:... Read More
Enjoy your own luxurious lifestyle in our beautifully furnished, air... Read More
Lodging Hotels in Davenport, FLThere are numerous choices for lodging... Read More
Cairns Rainforest Retreat is ideally located for your unique rainforest... Read More
Miraflores is the turistic district of Lima. The main hotels... Read More
Following the horrendous events on Boxing Day 2005 The Maldives... Read More
How many of you have seen the classic Chevy Chase... Read More
We are planning a family trip for just a few... Read More
Families have flocked to Hilton Head, South Carolina as long... Read More
Seasoned travelers often tire of the standard routine of airplane,... Read More
Five Affordable World Travel Destinations Locations That Offer... Read More
Hilton Head Island's mild climate, slow pace, and beautifully forested... Read More
When it comes to shopping for something on-line, we tend... Read More
Orlando is calling to you and your family to come... Read More
If you're planning a visit to Australia, then you'll be... Read More
If you are thinking about renting a condo in the... Read More
Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach... Read More
Destinations such as Aruba, Cancun, St. Thomas, and Bahamas have... Read More
The Bahamas serve as the perfect relaxation destination. With pristine... Read More
Everybody knows someone who has been on one and an... Read More
As a family, we have been visiting Orlando since 1998,... Read More
The county of Dorset on England's south coast is a... Read More
The rental market and Vacation Home sale market is unsustainable.... Read More
Traveling with children will be a memorable event ? the... Read More
Visiting the best Orlando timeshare resorts: a report on my... Read More
What is a villa? Come to Orlando, Florida to find... Read More
Today, we as travelers have a ton of options to... Read More
If you're dreaming of a unique vacation experience, but don't... Read More
A chalet is a traditional Swiss style house with a... Read More
Rooms for rent! No, not the kind where you are... Read More
Motels became prominent in the United States after the advent... Read More
Bahamas vacation resorts are great places to look into if... Read More
RV rental vacations aren't cheap, but they do contain loads... Read More
Cheap vacations can still be relaxing, fun and whatever else... Read More
The main difference between North and South Lake Tahoe is... Read More
Aphrodite's Hot SpotEuropean Road Trip AdventuresCyprus. Yes, it is a... Read More
It has been said that in real estate there are... Read More
You've thought and dreamed about it for months, planning each... Read More
Plan your next vacation where most people call paradise...the Bahamas... Read More
Vacation Home Exchange V Renting Trade and save, or do... Read More
Holiday time is around the corner and its time to... Read More
Real Estate in an area like Punta Cana is hot... Read More
What is the meaning of a "dream vacation"? What is... Read More
As our wedding anniversary looms near... and this one will... Read More
Timeshare presentations are tricky animals. They can either be an... Read More
Before finding the answer to this dilemma, let's take an... Read More
Vacation Rental |