We are going to Italy for our honeymoon in November. We would like to fly into Venice, travel by train to Florence, then travel to Rome by train, and then fly home out of Rome.

Is a travel website like Expedia or Travelocity the best way to book my airfare and hotel? Or should I go through a travel agency? Any tips would be appreciated!

Just my own opinion: I would book directly with the airline. I always use Alitalia; you can fly into Venice and home from Rome. I would book directly with the hotels and, since you will be there in November, book your own tickets when you arrive or use American Express or a local agency for the train tickets.

I used the American Airlines webite. Their fares were $400 per tickets less than shown on Expedia, Travelocity, or through a discount travel agent.

I check the booking sites like Expedia, other sites like Kayak, and always compare with the airline's web site. Whomever offers the lowest fare (with a reasonable itinerary), wins. For one trip to Europe (Denver to Paris connecting in Chicago), I found a fare for United on Expedia that was hundreds of dollars less than United's web site or other travel booking sites. For another trip to Europe via Delta, Delta's web site showed the lowest fare by a good margin. Check several sites, and check often.

I agree with luv2cthings. I always compare various travel websites (travelocity, orbitz, expedia, etc) with the airline websites and whichever is lowest and has the best itinerary wins. I have booked lots of Europe trips online and I honestly don't think that there is a best way. We are going to Rome in a few weeks and booked directly through American because the flights were cheaper. Last year we flew to Nuremburg and the flights were about $300 more on the Northwest website than on Expedia, where I ended up buying them. It pays to shop around and do some research.

Good luck!
Tracy

Hi y,

www.kayak.com

www.1800flyeurope.com

If prices are similar I prefer to research on Expedia but buy directly from the airline I decide to fly. I feel more in control without a middleman, so to speak.