Advice on traveling to Italy

I am planning a vacation to Italy later this year. I need some advice on my planning and hope you can help me out. I am concentrating mostly northern Italy (Florence, Venice, Milan, Pisa, etc) with Rome as well.

What is the best time to go to northern Italy, weather-wise and shopping-wise? I want to avoid tourist peak seasons if I can help it, don't want to be ripped off by hotels. I checked online and saw that some hotels in Venice for example charge 50% more during Sept than during July.

I know that Italy practically shuts down for a month during summer (is it July or August?).

Any advice on getting around while in Italy? I am leaning on the car rental option for full flexibility. How are the roads in Italy? Are they easy to get around? I heard that Italians are very aggressive drivers.

Any other tip you can share with me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

My advice,

Double check the bill before you pay...you'll save a bundle.

 

Sorry if some of this is obvious, but since you asked, here's my .02...

1) Be sure to check out some of the Rick Steves literature. Go to the bookstore and skim his Italy book for 2004 and see if you like his writing style and the way he presents his information. I like his stuff a lot and he's real good about solid, practical advice about these things you're asking about. Also, his website is good too - ricksteves.com - He has his own bulletin board where you can post specific questions. He advises you on where to stay and what to watch out for as well as where the tourist traps are.

2) When you're looking for specific places to stay, also check out www.tripadvisor.com; I use it religiously when I travel abroad

3) go to groups.google.com. It's a web version of the old Usenet newsgroups. Go to rec.travel.europe and post some questions there.

There's so much information out there, you'll be inundated with advice.


Good luck, and have fun.

 

Frommer's is a great resource. Also, I'd try to get a GPS in your car. Otherwise you'll spend a lot of time lost.......at least I did. Have fun!

 

I wouldn't go to Venice until October. It can be brutally hot (and smelly) even in late Sept.

A hotel there worth checking out is the Europa & Regina, which I believe is now in the Westin group. It isn't supposed to be in the absolutely top class (like Danieli or Gritti Palace), but the location is superb and I found it equivilant for a lot less.