While normally I am a big fan of public transportation, and opt for trains, planes, and buses while on vacation, our trek to Italy and Croatia required covering a lot of ground to remote locations.  A car was a necessity.

Although the driving was left in the hands of the guys, we’ve covered enough ground that I can make a few observations (albeit from the passenger’s seat) about driving in Italy.

• People drive fast on the Autostrada.  Really, really, fast!
• Tailgating seems not only permissible, but encouraged.  Even when you’re going fast on the Autostrada.  Leaving any discernible gap between the car ahead of you is an invitation for someone to pass.
• You need a navigator or two to read the map and watch for directional signs.  When you blowing by them at speeds of 100+ kph, you need some extra eyes reading them.
• All roads lead to Rome – or so it seemed – as no matter where you are there is a sign pointing you toward Rome.
• In rural areas, you’ll find lots of narrow roads, frequently on the side of a mountain, and frequently containing lots of switchbacks.  People still drive fast.
• When you are driving along the steep side of a mountain, you probably won’t find any guardrails or warning reflectors.
• On these narrow winding roads, drivers will pass on a curve.  And sometimes that driver is in a large bus or truck.
• In the small, picturesque hill towns, the roads are very narrow and rarely go straight.  People drive on them, even though there is very little room on either side of the car.  We did this once, and in error.  The photo shows the street, a term used loosely, that we drove down.  Most of the time we parked and walked.
• Don’t expect drivers to stop for you in a cross walk. You’re going to need to dash across the street.

The stereotype of aggressive Italian drivers has some roots of truth, but these observations are not meant to be demeaning.  We soon found ourselves conforming to many of these driving habits as well.

If you’re staying in one of the larger cities like Rome, Florence, or Milan, you’ll probably have no need for a car.  If you want to take a day trip, you can rent one for a day or two.  But, if you’re going to explore the beautiful rural areas of the country, like Tuscany or Umbria, you’ll need to have a car.

Have you driven in Italy?

Photo credit:  personal collection

I frequently get asked questions about locating the best fares, how much tickets cost, and related fare questions.  When it comes to these type of questions, I’m in the same boat as everyone else.  I have to price out the best fares that I can find, balance that against the cost of a standby pass (and the attendant risks of not getting on a flight), and make the best decision that I can.

Today’s questions comes from Joan, who asks:

Q.  How much would a flight to Italy be?  Before I go ahead, is there any pointers you might have?  Please point me in the right direction.  Thank you very much.

A.  First of all, I want to make it very clear that I don’t claim to be a guru of the air fare wars.  I am just as frustrated as everyone else with the nutty way of pricing that the airlines seem to have.  I may work in the industry, but that’s not to say I agree with the pricing model.  I want to know the full cost of a ticket, including all the taxes and special fees.  Don’t tempt me with superficially low fees, and then make me feel like I’ve been conned when I get to the part where I pay the bill.

I’m a fan of two sites that I use for every booking decision that I make – Kayak and Fare Compare.  While they may not work for everyone, and I have lots of friends who swear by other options, these are the ones that work for me.  I used Fare Compare and Kayak to watch prices for a trip to Italy last spring, and I also used my standard price checking process to make sure that I got the best deal.

For my trip to Italy this year (that’s where I am now), I used points to travel First/Business Class, which is an entirely different process.

The best advice that I can give is to do your homework, try to be as flexible as you can, and not lose sleep over $100.  I would never let the fact that I could have gotten a cheaper air fare ruin a wonderful vacation in Italy.

Buongiorno!

Another iPhone app to take a look at, and this one has potential when traveling and when at home – Locavore.

It’s designed to keep you in the loop on how to eat locally – that is, what foods are in season and locally available – and will help you locate the nearest farmers market for a shopping trip.  You’ll even find a few cooking, recipes,  and menu tips courtesy of Epicurean.

While traveling, one of the healthiest and most budget conscious ways to eat is by shopping at a local market.  This little app can help make it a little easier while you’re on the go.  And with mapping ability, the app will detect where you are, choose a market that’s the closest, give you directions, and you won’t get lost either!

Using it at home will make you a healthier and more social conscious cook as well.

Available from iTunes for $2.99, or direct download for your iPhone app store.  You’ll more than recoup the cost of the app with your savings from one meal.

NOTE:  Currently only covers U.S. locations,

Photo credit:  Apple

With only three sleeps before I head off to Italy, much of my time this week has been spent reading up on all sorts of wonderful things about Italy, and doing some research about Croatia.

Still, I did get intrigued by a number of other topics, though. . . .

Eyeflare – 9 airport rip offs, and although I don’t agree with all of them (Duty Free can be a bargain, if you know you’re prices), there’s some good tips here.

The Edinburgh Guide – I don’t often think of tanning in Scotland, but Andy tells us the best spots in Edinburgh to work on a tan.

Intelligent Travel – Island hopping in Vermont?  I didn’t know that Vermont had islands till I read this article.

Tripso – Airports may not be known for their fine dining, but at some you can get a really decent meal.

Travel Views – How do you define value when it comes to choosing a restaurant and meal.  A good discussion of what is becoming a pretty big travel expense.

The South Florida Traveler – I love bags, and this BuiltNY Laptop Porter looks like it good be a good choice.  Attractive, lightweight, and perfect for travel.

Los Angeles Times – What does Mexico need to do to win back travelers?

In a perfect world, service industry employees would be paid what they’re worth, rather than having these front line customer service envoys paid minimum wage and sent to grovel for tips.  Unfortunately, that day has not arrived. Until it does, we have to recognize those that do their job in ways large and small, and who rely on travelers for tips to augment their salaries.

Here are some tipping guidelines that you’re likely to come into when you’re traveling:

Restaurants – 15% of bill for good service, 20% for fabulous service or for accommodating special requests.  If you are using a discount coupon, remember to tip on the amount of the bill pre-discount.  With large groups, and in some restaurants, a service charge is already added.  There is no need for an additional tip in those cases.  What to do when there’s really bad service?  First off, recognize that a problem in the kitchen is one that the server has inherited, and try to distinguish between bad service and something that you don’t care for.  I try to talk to the manager BEFORE the meal has completely gone sideways, and many times they are able to help get things back on track.  In very extreme situations, I have not tipped and discussed with the manager why I made that choice.  By the time it gets to that point, the restaurant is clearly not interested in keeping my business, and I really don’t care either.

Room service – Most times a service charge is added on, but if you’re not certain, ask at the time you place your order.  With most service charges in the 18% range, and often a delivery charge on top of that, I rarely feel the need to offer any more.  If extra service has been extended, however, you can add a couple of dollars (in cash) inside the portfolio when you sign for it.

Hotel concierge:   Generally speaking, basic concierge service do not require a tip for things like getting a map or directions, asking what’s in the neighborhood, or for simple dinner reservations.  For more detailed assistance, like planning a surprise party, securing hard to come by reservations, or tickets to a sold out show, a tip should be in the $5-25 range, dependent on difficulty of service.  Concierge tips are generally extended at the end of the stay, but I’ve never had anyone turn down a tip offered at the time of service.

Bellman – Many people take care of their own bags these days, but if you use the services of a bellman or valet, the recommended tip is $1-2 per bag.  When calling a cab, $1 is appropriate.  If a bellman moves you to the front of a long line to get you a cab straight away, $5 is good.

Car valet – This tip is extended when your car is brought to you, not when you are dropping it off.  The range seems to be $2-5 dollars, depending on the type of hotel or restaurant, the type of car you want cared for, and if any special service has been extended.

Housekeeper – This is one tip that is often overlooked, and can be one of the most important people to recognize.  These often hidden workers are the unsung heroes of the hotel.  They’ll keep your room sparkling clean, add in some extra coffee or bath gel, or just see to it that your stay is a little extra special.  $3-5 per night is a good range.  You’ll likely have multiple housekeepers over the course of a stay, so I prefer to leave the cash daily, along with a note saying thank you.  It feels like a direct expression of my appreciation to someone who may not get a lot of appreciation.  Alternatively, you can leave money in an envelope for the entire stay, and ask the hotel manager to see that it is distributed among the housekeepers that took care of you.

Hotel Salons, Spas, and other Hotel facilities – The general rule is 10-20%, although you should always check the price list to see if a gratuity is included in the cost of service.  If it’s not listed, ask the receptions when booking an appointment.

All these tips can add up, so consider them when making travel plans.

Photo credit:  Mike Schmid @flickr

If you’re getting ready to leave on a vacation that’s longer than a weekend, and especially if you’ll be traveling internationally, it’s easy to forget to take care of some of the basics.  In addition to making sure you’ve got all your reservations and packing in order, you also need to make sure that you’re leaving your home and precious memories safe, as well as keeping your finances in order.

Here’s a good to-do list to start you off, and then add any specifics that you think of:

1. Stop the mail.  You can do this online, and then pick it up at your local post office upon your return.  I recommend stopping the mail even if you have someone house sitting.
2. Stop the paper.  Most paper services can handle your request online or by phone, allowing you to specify a start and stop date.
3. Unplug what you can.  Hair dryers, microwaves, and other things that won’t be in use while you’re gone can be unplugged both as a safety precaution and for energy conservation.  Unless, of course, you have someone house sitting who will use those things.
4. Put lights on timers.  I do this even if someone is going to be house sitting as I think it helps make the house look active and lived in.
5. Put your valuables away – in a home safe, safety deposit box, or somewhere for safe keeping.  Don’t leave anything out that could be a temptation.
6. Keep regular services like lawn care, housekeeping services.  It’s another routine that has been in and out of your house, keeping it from looking deserted.
7. Call your credit card companies.  You should check with them to see if they charge a conversion fee for foreign transactions and use that to decide which credit card(s) you will use while traveling.  Advise them that you’ll be traveling internationally, so they don’t register your internationally transactions as fraud.
8. Check with your bank to find out if there are compatible ATM’s where you’ll be traveling.  For example, my primary bank does not have a network banking system in Italy.  My secondary debit card works there just fine.
9. Email yourself a copy of your passport and itinerary, using an email that is web accessible.  For extra security, email the same information to a trusted friend.
10. Arrange for house sitters.  It’s great if you can get someone to live in while you’re gone, but at the minimum try to have someone checking on your place on alternate days.  Have your sitters clean up any debris or flyers left on the porch, any sales papers left behind, put out and pick up the garbage,  Make sure the lights are on, shades adjusted, and in general that the house looks occupied.
11. Plan for your pets.  I have two cats, so this is always a concern for me if I’ll be gone longer than a couple days.  If you have live-in house sitters, they can take care of your pets, but if not, make sure that who ever comes in is a pet friendly sitter.  You’re pets need food, water, and play time while you’re gone.  Also, be sure to leave veterinary information in case there’s a pet emergency while you’re traveling.
12. Make sure a trusted friend has a key to your house.  Hopefully nothing will happen, but you want someone to be able to check on things – just in case.  I once was traveling while a fairly serious earthquake occurred at home.  Since no one had a key, there wasn’t a way for me to call and check to make sure everything was okay.  It was, but it would have put my mind at ease to have been able to make a call.

How about you?  Do you have any special tips that makes taking an extended vacation safe and easy at home, as well as on the road.

Photo credit:  personal collection

How much do I love my iPhone apps?  Enough to try out most every iPhone travel app that comes along!

Check out Family Car Games, created by a family of four to help your family pass the time with instructions for 100 different games.  You can play the games in the car, on a long flight, or while waiting at the airport.  Or waiting anywhere for that matter.

I downloaded the app ($1.99) to check it out.  And hey – I like games, too!  There seemed to be a nice variety, hitting on a number of different themes, from words games to story telling to singing.  I recognized the names of some (so there are so classic car games here), but there were lots of titles that I didn’t recognize.  They claim that no additional equipment is needed, but I’d recommend a notepad and pen as many of them involve counting or keeping track.

You can select a game by various searches (name, degree of difficulty) or at random (a shaker/spinner much like is on Urban Spoon), and you have the ability to bookmark your favorites so you can play them again and again.  Each game is tagged with a degree of difficulty to help you choose age appropriate activity.

It looks like a lot of fun, and next time I’m spending time with a youngster, I’ll give it a more thorough testing out.  For $1.99, though, you can’t go wrong!

Download via iTunes or directly from your iPhone or iTouch.

Photo credit:  Family Car Games

World in Focus – Travel photography contest open to professionals and amateurs.  Maybe you could win that grand prize – a 10 day safari in Tanzania.

AAA Travel Views – I found myself nodding in agreement as the author explained that he wasn’t a typical Branson visitor, but he made an exception for Paul Revere & the Raiders.  Since they were a band from my teen years, I can relate.

Intelligent Travel – It’s winter down under, and Vivid Sydney is a cultural extravaganza designed to turn the city into a canvas of light and sound.

The Amsterdam Guide – When’s the best time to visit Amsterdam?  Any time!  And here’s why.

Blisstree – Coq au Vin is a classic French dish that many people fall in love with when they have it in Paris.  Here’s how you can recreate it at home – and it’s not that difficult.

My Melange – A tantalizing review of Tazza d’Oro in Rome reminds me that it’s only 18 days till I leave for Italy.

The New York City Traveler – A tour New York’s famous Zabar’s, a great spot to pick up treats for a picnic.  I haven’t been there for quite some time, but this took me back.

Traveling Mamas – Exploring a city that I’ve not been to — Sedona, Arizona.  Lots of great suggestions on how to enjoy the beautiful outdoors of this area.

When your planning a vacation or business trip, where do you go for your travel research?  This blog, I hope!  But where else do you start looking for the information you’ll need to make decisions about things to do and see?

One often overlooked FREE source of travel information is the Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Often related to tourism bureaus, boards, and commissions, CVB’s are a good resource for information on larger cities.  Larger is a matter of interpretation these days, as more and more small cities have set out to bring tourism to their communities.

CVB’s are trying to “sell” their community, but not any particular business within the community, so they are often seen as an unbiased source of information.  I’m not sure that I’d go so far as to call them unbiased; I’d like to think of it more as neutral.  They’re dishing out information, rather than commenting upon it.

What can a CVB provide you with?  Most anything you can think of.  Since their objective is to bring tourism to their area, they try to show conventions and travel groups the myriad things to do and see in the area.

Some of this will have to do with meeting space, of course, but every CVB hopes that an attendee will come in early, stay a few days after, and maybe even bring family and friends along.  And they know that it’s not all business all the time, so they’re sure to provide information about all the things the city has to offer.  You’ll likely find hotel and restaurant information, transportation and airport information, and most likely a list of attractions and events, all useful data for your planning.

Many CVB’s have a website, and a basic search should help you find it.  You can view and download information from the site, or often request that information be mailed out to you (usually at NO CHARGE).  The effectiveness of the website is usually directly related to the tourism budget of the city, so be patient with some of the smaller cities.

Don’t pass up this FREE resource when you make your travel plans!

Photo credit: SXC

I love my iPhone Apps!  And I regularly download, try out, and occasionally delete those apps while in search of those that will make my life easier.  Every few days it seems like there’s a new app out, just begging for me to give it a try.  I rarely download an application that I have to pay for unless I’ve first had the opportunity to give it a try.  There are too many “cute” apps that don’t really do a thing for me.

Here’s my list of the Top 10 application that I think are of use to travelers (listed in no particular order):

1. The Weather Channel – Check the weather at home, where you’re traveling, or where you happen to be at any given time.  Useful for planning what to pack, how to plan your vacation schedule, and all sorts of practical things.
2. Urbanspoon – Shake up your eating choices – literally – with this fun to use restaurant finder.  The app will hone in on your current location, giving you a variety of dining choices.  Pre-set your choices, or just let random selections come up.  Shake the iPhone and a new selection comes up.  I use this one a lot – even at home.
3. Currency – Converts dollars to pounds to Euros to Kunas and a whole lot more.  An excellent resource for international travel and money decisions.
4. AAA Discounts – A recent download frame, I now use this one all the time, whether at home or on the road.  The app zeroes in on your current location, then lists businesses in the area that offer AAA discounts.  No need to carry around the AAA guidebook, or look everything up on your computer before leaving home.  It’s right at your finger tips on your iPhone.  (NOTE:  I hear there is also a Blackberry version.)
5. Open Table – The online restaurant reservation site goes mobile, and it’s just as easy to use.  View available reservation times at restaurants around the country, and make your reservation right from your phone.
6. Seattle Metro – This is the Seattle bus schedule and service, and is a handy reference guide when I’m popping around town.  Find the local bus schedule, subway map/service schedule, or train schedule of the city or area where you’ll be visiting.  You won’t need to stand in front of a map wondering where to go because you’ll have the info at your fingertips.  (NOTE:  Some of these are FREE, other are available for around 99 cents.
7. Facebook – Keep in touch with your social media crowd, sharing your messages and photos.  This app lets you update and comment while on the run.
8. Skype – The great online phone and messaging service for your phone.  Now you don’t need a computer and/or headset, just make the calls from your phone for FREE or nearly free.
9. Flight Tracker – If you spend your travel time transiting airports, you know how important it is to know the status of your flight.  Learn about a timely delay and make changes on the fly.  Alerting you to a key delay will more than return purchase price investment, and business travelers will find themselves using it regularly.
10. Twitterific – There are other Twitter apps out there, but this is the one that I prefer.  Easy to use, and easy to send those 140 character messages to people.  Great to use at a conference to get people together, or let them know where the action is.  Not all travelers will be as enamored with this app as I am, but twitterers will want to give it a try.

What’s your favorite travel app?  Let me know if I missed a must-have!

Photo credit: William Hook @flickr