So we've received a few questions about requirements and restrictions for travel to Italy... As of now there are no longer any Vaccine requirements or Testing necessary to travel to Italy. The only thing you absolutely need is a passport valid for 6 months after your scheduled return flight. (by Italian law).
We always suggest you look for your passport now, so that you know where it is and double-check the expiration date. We have had guests who got down to the day before their departure, thought they knew where their passport was, and then couldn't find it. And we've had guests that had to renew their passports, and waited till the last minute to do so... (it can take months). And we also had a guest who at one point couldn't find their passport, so she reported it lost or stolen... and then found the passport, tried to use it and got turned away at the airport in Italy. They put her on a plane back to the US within an hour of her arrival in Italy!
As Americans, we tend to be more casual about our "passports" and not take them as seriously as they do in other countries... You'll want to make sure it's all in order...
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| your international vacation is likely to include 20 hours in the air, thru 6 time zones... best to prepare! |
And while a valid passport is the only thing you absolutely need, we've included some of our best tips that will help you have a much more enjoyable flight experience.
Our Best Tips for a good flight experience:
- Don't make assumptions on baggage; baggage allowances change all the time. Confirm your "checked baggage" allowance with your airline. You'll find your allowances on the airline's website. Know how many pieces and how much can they weigh... they'll usually look the other way on a pound or two over the limit, but if it's more than that, they'll often hit you with a hefty surcharge. (each way).
- Carry-on luggage: Ever since the airlines started selling basic economy tickets that sometimes do not include checked luggage, they've gotten really strict about both size & weight limits for carry-on luggage... Just like checked luggage, how many pieces of carry-on, and of what size & weight, are usually dependent on the specific category of ticket you purchased... not all tix qualify for a full size carry-on. Again, we suggest you check with your airline. If it's over-sized or overweight, they might make you check it at the gate... and again they likely charge you a hefty surcharge.
- Arrive early: airlines suggest you arrive a minimum of 3 hours before your scheduled departure time... It can sometimes take up to an hour and half to check in, deposit your luggage, get thru security and get to your gate... and international flights typically start boarding one hour before departure. With a quick snack & a celebratory glass of Prosecco, and that last bathroom stop, you could easily chew up 3 hours.
- Remember the TSA rules about fluids in your carry-ons; it's the same for all airlines - fluids can be in containers no larger 3.4 ounces and they need to be in a quart-sized ziplock bag. You're supposedly allowed as many 3.4 oz bottles as will fit in the quart size bag. (typically around 6-9)But we've also heard guests say they've been told 3. It's not a big deal if they confiscate a $2 bottle of shampoo, but people can get upset when they confiscate a $120 bottle of perfume. And also, I'm sure we don't need to mention: put anypocket knives & corkscrews in your checked luggage. (they'll confiscate both).
- Board as early as possible: as airlines have cut down on checked baggage allowances, overhead storage space is now always at a premium. Getting on the plane as early as they allow you to will help insure you can find overhead space near your seat. If you can't find space directly above your seat, try for space in front of your seat, not behind it... When the plane lands and people start to get off, trying to get to overhead bins behind your seat is very difficult.
- Opt for comfort: In the old days, every seat on an international flight had a blanket & pillow... not so much these days, don't count on it... dress appropriately, or bring your own blanket if you need one, and as we've mentioned in previous posts a neck pillow can help prevent that annoying head flop that tends to wake you every 10 minutes.
- Charge: remember to bring a charging cord for your phone or tablet.
- 6 hour time difference: Once you’re on the airplane, you may as well pretend you’re already in your new time zone: you'll be going thru 6 time zones! (don't under-estimate the effects of this). This way, you can get a head start on beating that jet lag, and we believe mind-over-matter has a little something to do with it. Starting to go to bed an hour or two earlier for a few weeks before your departure will help your internal clock adjust to the time change.
- Stretch your legs: your flight time is likely to be at least 8-9 hours. Add on boarding and de-planing and you're likely close to 10 hours in the seat... people who don't exercise their legs can get DVT (deep-vein thrombosis). Try to get out of your seat at least once every two hours and walk around, and even rotating your feet and ankles regularly while you're in your seat can help prevent these blood clots. Frequent long-haul flyers know that compression socks can also help prevent swelling & blood pooling in your calves. (we always use them).
- Moisturize: air cabins can be dry - consider a light moisturizer or face mist for your face and lips
- Disinfect: Most airlines hand you a disinfectant wipe when you board; ask for an extra one... or you may want to consider bringing a few extra ones with you to wipe down your arm rests, table tray, entertainment screen, etc. and also consider bringing a tiny travel size bottle of hand sanitizer.
- Hydrate: Staying well hydrated will help offset the effects of jet lag... while they give out water during the flights, many airlines have started giving out the small 8 oz bottles versus the 16oz bottles... we always opt to buy a large bottle near the gate before boarding so that we have all we want.
- Sleep: everyone's excited when they're leaving for vacation and it's tempting to drink wine & watch movies all night on the plane, but if you don't want to lose a day of your vacation feeling like crap, try to get at least 5 hours sleep... Bringing along a chamomile tea bag or some melatonin will help with this... or if you need something stronger, bring an over the counter sleep aid... or for even more help; talk to your doctor about a prescription sleep aid like Ambien. (Always speak to your doctor before you take any prescription or over the counter medications to help you sleep).
