My husband, myself and our two boys ages 11 and 15 are going to italy for the first time. We will be going on a tour. Any hints or help you can give would be great, what to bring, how to pack. I was also curious about bring a cell phone, do I need a converter or something to charge phones, ipods or even a hair dryer. What about trip insurance? What would be the best kind and how does that work? Anything we should know when traveling to italy? Thanks so much.

Pack half your clothes in your husband's suitcase and half of his clothes in your suitcase. Do the same things with the boys in case someone's luggage goes astray.

Your cell phone has to be quadband (or tri at least) to work in Europe.

Look at each appliance for the voltage markings (110 or 110-240). If your chargers and appliances are dual voltage (110-240v) then you will only need a plug adaptor, not a converter.

For insurance, www.insuremytrip.com

Things you need to know

Money: lots of discussions here on Fodors. Best way is to use ATMs in Italy to withdraw Euros from your bank account. Don't use travelers checks (ok to bring some in USD as emergency backup). Don't exchange USD cash - worst exchange rate and fees. Again, ok to bring some as backup.

Getting around: If you are on a tour, I assume transportation is taken care of.

Sites: get a guidebook or two and decide which sites interest you so you know your options for free days (if any).

Phones: You must have GSM phone. ATT uses GSM, Verizon does not, so your Verizon phone is useless in Italy. I won't go into details here, but there are lots of messages on Fodors about GSM phones, so do a search and you'll find lots of info.

Hair dryer - I've never been in any hotel in Europe that doesn't have a hair dryer. Save the space in your luggage. If you must, just buy a $10 one over there at a neighborhood store that is designed for use in Italy.

Be prepared to walk till your legs and ankles hurt (esp the 1st few days as you adjust). Uneven surfaces, lots of walking mean good walking shoes are a definite bonus. I have a pair of Merrells that are just great - and neutral color/styling enough that I can wear out to dinner.

Italy is a 1st world, modern, civilized country. There is nothing you can't get in Italy that you can find at home. Food, water, etc, etc. You also aren't the first non-Italian speaking visitors, nor the last. Learn a few phrases (hello, good morning, thank you, etc) and you'll get by just fine.

Thanks for all the great advice. Abotu the travel insurance, I noticed there are all different types. Which is recommended? I know some offer more than others, but realistically how much should I get. Thanks!

Hi tt,

>what to bring,

1/2 the amount of clothes and twice the amount of money

>how to pack.

Sparingly.

>...bring a cell phone,

Buy an international phone card unless you plan on yakking on the phone for hours everyday.


>do I need a converter or something to charge phones, ipods or even a hair dryer.

You have a battery operated hair dryer?

My Lady Wife brings a dual voltage travel hair dryer.

You will need a two-prong (cylindrical prongs) plug adapter.

What about trip insurance?

See www.insuremytrip.com

We have never bought any.

Learn the Italian for:

Hello, goodbye
Please, thank you
Yes, No

Enjoy your visit.

What insurance you buy is up to your own financial situation, risk (health, flight connections, need to be exactly in a specific place at a given time, etc, and risk tolerance level (adaptability, experience, etc)

I have a high risk tolerance (I go with the flow when problems happen) and do what I can to lower my risk exposure by taking non-stop flights, not planning to arrive in a foreign airport 1hr before my cruise departs for 2 weeks, etc. I also make sure I am aware of my backup options (alternate flights, airline, hotel, & other numbers to call, etc).

Like Ira, I don't buy trip insurance.

On a less practical level, bring binoculars for looking at church ceilings, distant scenery, etc.

I wouldn;t bother with a hair dryer - almost all hotels have them. And the less stuff you have to deal with the better - even if the tour is handling luggage.

I would be prepared (and prepare the kids) for a lot of early starts (I know teens can hate getting up at 6 am).

Also be prepared for a lot of stops for "shopping". Don't bother - unless it's something you really want - take the time to explore whatever town it is. Have a list of things you'd like to see at each of your stops.

Also - even though it is a tour do your own research on what YOU want to see/do - either as an optional tour - or in your free time - or instead of something the group is doing.

Make sure you have maps of each of the towns with you - and figure out where your hotels are in advance. So when you have free time you're ready to do what you want - even if it's only to go look at a cute piazza and sit in a cafe with a drink or gelato.

nyt, I agree with you (!) - when you're given an hour or two to shop, wander around away from your group a bit. You and your spouse can sit for a glass of wine or caffe away from the group while your kids eat ice cream or look around for Italian kids. If it's a hill town there will be some great views, so look for them. You'll also find shops that aren't so tourist-focused and you may find interesting things there - most towns of any size will have a housewares store with GREAT things you won't find easily at home, like beautifully designed kitchen items, table linens, tools.

Obviously keep your bearings so you don't get left behind or cause a problem!

A good thing to take to Italy with you is an understanding thatm, like everywhere, it is a package deal: you want the lovely, relaxed atmosphere and appreciation for life? Then you must also welcome and accept the occasional laissez faire attitude. They're just not in the typical American rush. (If you're from a small town or resort area, or maybe from the south, you'll get this right away.)

You'll be in the midst of some of the world's friendliest and potentially charming people - when you go into a shop or cafe, etc, say Buon giorno (good morning or good day) or Buona sera (good evening). Smile. it will be appreciated. Per favore or piacere are "please" and most important, Grazie is "thank you." (Grah - tsee - ay)

Try new things, and whenever possible eat at restaurants where the menu is in Italian! You can find great little menu translators online. And take your time, whenever the tour operators aren't in charge.

Buon viaggio!

Based on our first trip to Italy last summer, travelling with a 13 year old boy..

1) Pack light. Although you are going with a tour, you'll be better dragging around less.
22 x 14 x 9 suitcase is the perfect size, with an expansion zipper for the way home.
2) Cell phone. It sounds like the immediate family is with you. Do you need a phone? We didn't.
3) We purchased an adapter/converter kit at KMart. Now we have one. Not very expensive and doesn't take up room.
4) Make sure everyone has the chargers they need, ipod, psp, palm pilot etc. Our ipod charger died on the first night and we bought a replacement. However there is not a Best Buy on every corner so it took us awhile to find one. But life goes on with ear buds - truly.
5) Insurance - If it makes you feel better, then purchase it. Italy for us was a big expense planned way in advance, so we bought it. It was under $200 for 3 people as I recollect.
6) Rooms always had a hair dryer, never an iron though. No one should have to iron on vacation.
7) The Marling Menu-Master is ideal to learn the foods, sauces etc. It's a small book.
8) Don't wear new shoes. Break them in ahead of time. You will walk and walk and walk and walk...
9) The kids will have enough of history at some point. It's okay to have McDonalds and watch a PPV movie one night.
10) Learn to say that you have 4 in your dinner party, how much wine you want to order.
11) Increase your atm daily amount, tell your bank and credit card company your traveling
12) Set up a yahoo/hotmail account and email yourself copies of important documents like tickets, card cards and passport. If you lose something, you'll be able to get important information.

ENJOY! I'm jealous.

Just relax....

Just want to thank everyone for the great advice I was given about my Italy trip. We returned home last night and had an awesome time with no problems at all. Everything went so smoothly and everything I was worried about didn't even come to be. We were with a tour and went from Venice to Sorrento and it was magnificent every step of the way. Every city was better than the previous one. If anyone has any questions, just let me know and maybe I can help. I already would like to go back! One thing I could not figure out, why do you have to purchase water at a meal. It is not complimentary as it is in the US. Is there a water shortage, or is it just to make money.

'One thing I could not figure out, why do you have to purchase water at a meal.'

If you ask for water at a meal they will assume you want bottled mineral water.

If you don't want mineral water, you should ask for 'acqua dal rubinetto' (- tap water).

Steve