Helpful Travel Information

• Your first trip to Italy?

  Well, if you're timid, you might consider an organized group tour such as those offered by the following (both have been recommended in the past by PIE members):
  • Perillo Tours, 577 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Woodcliff Lake, N.J. 07675. 1-800-431-1515
  • Donna Franca Tours, 470 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Ma. 02215. 1-800-225-6290.

  If this is your one-and-only trip to Europe, try to extend your trip a week or so after the group tour to explore in depth the areas you liked best, particularly the area where you would like to research your family. You will, of course, have done your research preparation on PIE!

• So, your first step?

  Get all the free information you can. Write to the Italian Tourist Bureau at one of the addresses listed below, tell them your destination, how you prefer to travel (organized tour, train, rental car), type of accommodations you seek.

  Italian Government Tourist Office:

• Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10020. (212) 245-4822.
• 500 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1046, Chicago, Il. 60611. (312) 644-0990.
• 12400 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 550, Los Angeles, Ca. 90025. (310) 820-0098.

• Travel for the impecunious?

  Why not. Call all of the airlines below and ask for their best rates. Ask the operator when the rates are likely to drop e.g. some airlines may offer extremely low rates for winter; however, they might announce the rates in August with a final purchase date of September 30. The next year they may hold off until October to even think about lowering rates! Late Fall through early Spring is probably the least expensive time to go to any destination in Europe.
  • Alitalia 1-800-237-0517
  • American 1-800-433-7300
  • Continental 1-800-231-0856
  • Delta 1-800-241-4141
  • Lufthansa 1-800-645-3880
  • Swissair 1-800-221-4750
  • TWA 1-800-892-4141
  • United 1-800-538-2929

  Call the major car rental companies and ask for their European rates. A Ford Fiesta or equivalent is usually the lowest category car (with standard shift). To avoid steep CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) charges, use your American Express or Gold MasterCard to book a rental. Check your bank card issuer for information. The good news for a lot of people is that European car companies are increasing their stock of automatic cars in the lower categories. If you're bringing a laptop, check that the car has a lighter to use or recharge it on the road (this is the latest European car economizing).

  • Avis 1-800-331-1084
  • Budget 1-800-527-0700
  • Europe by Car 1-800-203-1516
  • Hertz 1-800-654-3131
  • National 1-800-328-4567
  • Renault Eurodrive 1-800-221-1052

  If you are planning to buy a car this year -- as well as go to Europe -- look into programs offered by Volvo, Saab, Mercedes, etc. Savings can be thousands! including the savings versus renting that size car, combined with the discount afforded by the program. You order the car from your local dealer (usually three months are needed) and pick it up in Europe. Get the car to a drop-off point before you return and it will be delivered to the dealer with his regular shipments. Note: These are not so-called "gray market" cars. See your dealer.

• Travel Agents:

  A good travel agent is a lifesaver -- a bad one? Yes, there are bad ones and there are also good ones who might be bad for you. Particularly if they tell you the only hotels they could find in Milan are on the opposite side of the city from where you wanted to be (probably because those are the hotels in Milan where they get the best commission). Or if they tell you that the $298 round trip you just saw advertised is not available or is only one-way! (Both have happened to the Editor.) Don't expect an agent to go to extraordinary means to make arrangements for you if you are taking the cheap flights! They do need to make a living. If the hotel is in the wrong place, too big, too small, too expensive, etc. Just book your own. There are many categories to choose from: Luxury hotels, pensions, farm houses (agriturismo), convents, house swaps, timeshares, etc.

• Helpful websites for travelers:

  • Fodor's guides (Ed. Note: Unable to do anything at this site. Probably incomplete at this time.)
  • Verona -- book opera tickets
  • Milan -- LaScala tour
  • Taking pictures? Kodak's Website
  • Would you like to visit an Italian winery?

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