Italy is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. As home to the picturesque Cinque Terre, culture-saturated Rome and the wines of Tuscany, Italy attracts nearly 40 million tourists per year. As a result, there are numerous options available when it comes to touring Italy. Whether you want to see art and history or eat pizza and gelato, a well-planned trip to Italy can fulfill your desires. Follow the steps below and you'll soon be living "la dolce vita" (the sweet life).
Choose which Italian cities you would like to visit, and decide whether you will be traveling independently or as part of a tour group. See www.italiantourism.com/discover.html for suggested itineraries.
Decide how you would like to get around.You can rent a car, take the train, bus or airplane, or combine a variety of methods. If you are part of a tour, your transportation should already be taken care of.
Reserve your accommodations. You have a choice of pensions (guest houses), hotels and hostels. Many of the smaller pensions may not have websites, so it is worth checking in a guidebook such as "Let's Go: Italy" for recommendations.
Ensure that your bank card can be used in Italy to withdraw Euros. It is a good idea to change some money over to Euros prior to leaving on your trip. Contact your bank to arrange.
Pack for all weather. Layers are best--it can be very hot in Italy during the summer, but the weather can change depending on where you are in the country. You must have shoulders covered and skirts or pants covering the knees to enter most museums.
Book museum passes in advance. This can be done online before you go, and will often save you waiting in line on the day of your visit.
