Booking a holiday in Italy

[tuscanhills]

With a view to consolidating some of the information already posted here, but also available on other sites, I have put this thread together for anyone looking to book a trip to Italy. Feel free to contribute questions, points of clarity etc...

Booking flights
Airlines & destinations
There are a wide number of airlines flying to Italy; there are the budget lines that have made Italy much more accessible, as well as the global carriers. You should note that whilst the global carriers tend to have more route stability, budget airlines will follow the market an open & close routes as demand comes and goes, so it's worthwhile not relying on just one route as it may not be there forever!

For a comprehensive list of budget airlines What Budget is a very useful resrouce; allowing you to search carriers by departure point or arrival point.
A list of airports with links to their websites can be found here but note that it opens up a number of pop-ups; a list has also been compiled in this thread. Another very good website - albeit slow is TheAirDB: Home - this maps out airports all over the world as well as most of the to and from flights.

Searching for cheap flights
I'd love to be able to give a single point of access for anyone wanting to find cheap flights, but this just doesn't exist! What this post will try to do is to offer a range of sites that you might to use as your first port of call when looking for the best deal. So, in no particular order (and with no guarantees!) the following are offered:

• SkyScanner offers a multi-optioned search and especially good for budget flights
• TravelSupermarket.com includes many budget airlines and flight brokers too giving it the greatest range.
• also Sidestep, Foundem (which is fast)but also the more well known ones like Travelocity & Expedia.

Please note that some of these sites are going to mark up a price, so be warned!

Changing destinations
It's useful to know that if your holiday plans change, so can your booking. Whilst this often attracts an 'admin fee' it's worth taking this cost into account. There have been separate occasions when I have found it cheaper to book a new flight (and let the previous one go un-used) than to pay the 'admin charge'. That said, sometimes, in the hight of the season, the admin fee is miniscule compared to the flight costs. Some airlines are better than others and we have also found that certain airlines are happy to do this free-of-charge; this was out experience with BA, but I'm sure others can be flexible too.

Strikes
Stikes come and go & there's often rumour upon rumor of strikes, limited stikes and all-out walk-outs; it all adds up to a pain if you're planning to travel though so it's recommended that you keep on top of the rumour mill by visiting one of the following:
SkyNetBlogs
Stikes
Ministry of Transport.

There have also been a few general tips for future reference when travelling in 'strike season':

1. If using a hire car - always hand the car back AFTER you have booked in for your flight - Its so much easier to tell the car hire people you are keeping the car for an extra day than hiring a new one.
2. If travelling on budget airlines forget about using the telephone numbers they give you to change your booking - you won't get through. Have a contact in the UK to get on the net and change your booking on line - they need to have your booking reference, log in and password
3. Make sure your phone is fully charged and 'topped up' if pre-pay

Booking car hire
Sites
As with flights, the range and number of car hire opportunites are quite bewildering! Each site offers a range of attraction to get you to book with them: convenience; airline tie-in; low initial cost; single, all in cost etc... and this makes comparing them a killer.

As with flights, there are a number of sites that offer a consolidation service:

• SkyCars offer a single price that's all inclusive with no hidden extras over a range of airports & city centre locations
• TravelSupermarket.com again gives a good range.
• also Sidestep, Holiday Autos, Foundem (which is fast) but also the more well known ones like Travelocity & Expedia.

Costs
Costs vary but there are a number of considerations:[list][*]Airport pick up charges; these seem less common, but are still worth checking for. They may not be added to the cost & can come as a surprise[*]One way rentals charges; again, if you plan to drive from Alghero to Vicenza, then you are likely to incur a charge for that. Round trips (Alghero collection, Alghero return) will not attract such a charge.

Some locations (Sicily) also can attract additional charges.

Additional costs to look out for
There are a number of additional costs that could arrive unexpectedly on your credit card statement. Some charges are clear when you're booking on line, but others are contained in the form you sign when picking up the car, so make sure you're clear on what you're agreeing to:

• Costs for punctures
• Dents, dinks and scrapes
• Not filling the tank up with fuel prior to drop-off
• Airport collection fee
• Payment via credit card surcharge

Travel Insurance
E111
For Brits wishing to travel, the E111 is key.

You should note that whilst most people still refer to the E111, it has been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC. It does exactly the same thing though and entitles British holidaymakers to free or reduced-cost medical care in Italy. The form is available free of charge from your local post office and can be downloaded from the internet at EHIC and health advice for travellers : Department of Health - Policy and guidance.

It is also worth noting that, rather than being able to have a family E111, each family member needs their own.

Private insurance
Again, I won't aim to offer any advice on this as the market changes very quickly and new offers come & go all the time. The following advice comes from MoneySavingExpert.com, a UK based site offering a lot of sensible tips on financial matters that are focussed on offering the consumer, simple, no-nonsense advice.
If you are looking for advice on 'the best deal', I'd suggest your starting point is the same website (MoneySavingExpert.com) as it is constantly updated as new deals come along.
In general, however, there are two types of travel insurance policy, and both can be good value in the right circumstances:

• Annual multi-trip travel insurance - This covers all trips during a year for a one-off fee, within a set maximum number of days away (usually between 30 and 60). Trips are mostly defined as business or travel overseas (even a day trip), or more than two consecutive nights away in the UK at prepaid accommodation starting the moment you leave until the moment you return.
• Single trip travel insurance - This has been given a bad name due to over-expensive travel agents’ policies. Actually, do it right (see below) and it can be good value, just a few pounds for a week away.

Driving
Planning a route
As routes are personal, it's a bit pointless offering advise on how to drive from "my house" but there are a wide number of route-planning websites out there that will help plan an intinerary:

Ferries
From the UK, you’ve got to get the car across the Channel, and the fastest way to do that is the Eurotunnel. The car-carrying train runs up to 90 crossings a day between Folkestone and Calais; journey time is 35 mins. One-way crossings cost from £49 (price as at April-07) for a car and up to nine passengers, with prices creeping higher as allocations are snapped up. Bookings are taken up to a year in advance at Eurotunnel . You are advised to check in 30 minutes in advance, but by using the automated self-check-in lanes, you can make it onto a train within seconds.
Eurotunnel doesn’t always have the cheapest Channel crossings. Before booking, check car ferry prices at CheapFerry.com

Taking your car via MotorRail
It is possible to take you car to Italy via rail & Seat 61 has some tips.

Rail Travel
Planning a route
Travelling to Italy means an overnight jouney — but that’s no bad thing. Sleeper-train travel combines old-fashioned romance with 21st-century timesaving. Not only do you avoid the miserable airport experience, you also arrive bright and early in the centre of a city with what amounts to an extra day’s holiday. (This assumes, of course, that you can sleep on trains. Top tip: pack earplugs.) The best place to pick up European overnight services is Paris. Take Eurostar over in the morning, drop your bags at left luggage, then head off for lunch and some sightseeing before hopping on board the evening sleeper.
From Paris Bercy, the high-speed Artesia runs overnight services into Rome (14 hr), and Venice and Turin (13 hr). Prem’s fares are also available 90 days in advance, making it possible to get to Venice in a six-berth couchette for just £19 each way (prices correct @ April-07). Rome, Florence and Parma start at £26 (prices correct @ April-07). Note: there are no left-luggage facilities at Bercy station. Stash your bags at Gare du Nord instead.

For more detail, there is only really one site you will need for any information on rail travel Seat 61 but consider the Italian national rail site and it's also good to be aware that it's possible to book in line using TrainLine.com who allow you to make reservations etc in Italy:
- go to their "International" page, then to "Italy and Beyond"
- type in train details and hit "seat reservation only" - this should give the cost of the seat reservation and includes any supplements.
- You can then buy the reservation on-line.

Please note that whilst most websites show prices, they don't always show real-time availability. It is important to telephone to check when tickets will go on sale and make a booking as soon as possible after that date.

Thanks to the following for their posts & experiences that I plundered when compiling this: annec, alan haynes, Cassini, johnsm13, Marinaw, Martin Lewis, Sancho the Fat, Stephi, The Times Online, Turtle

[tuscanhills]

More details on finding accommodation to follow....

[elliven]

I remember the days when you could get motorail all the way from Calais to Rome - Ah Bliss!. On a more down to earth the directions given to you by the car hire people at Ciampino may well be rubbish, walk towards the exit and the roundabout with police check point and turn left for 300 metres and car park 8 is on your right. There is a silver minibus to do the same job but it seems a bit vague about wheren to stop and has no distinctive markings!

[tuscanhills]

..a new site I've found that my be of use for those with flexible travel plans -> Map showing flights to and from Italy

[Sally Donaldson]

It's an excellent map David but needs updated. There are more than two flights from London City to Italy. Air One offers 13 routes but for millionaires these days!!! (When the London - Rome route started in February, I paid just £30 inclusive of taxes one way!!!)

[maimai]

Really useful thread and links thanks. Think the map just shows direct flights as with air one you normally have to change in rome or milan for the other destinations listed. But shows other european country links too which is good.
Thanks.

[tuscanhills]

Originally Posted by maimai

Really useful thread and links thanks. Think the map just shows direct flights as with air one you normally have to change in rome or milan for the other destinations listed. But shows other european country links too which is good.
Thanks.

You#re right, there are 1,000's of permutations if one considers indirect flights...the aim was to offer just direct flights as I can't be bothered sitting in an airport twidling my thumbs!

[traveller2007]

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