Ready for your holiday in Italy?

At the end of the week it's that time again: the first Dutch school region (South) has a holiday and from that moment on many compatriots will travel to Italy again. Are you ready for your holiday in Italy?

Holiday preparations

The most important holiday preparations naturally consist of booking the accommodation and the journey there. If you did that a long time ago, you have been enjoying the holiday anticipation for a long time. But knowing at the very end that you are going to Italy after all can be a lot of fun.

Italy of course has many faces. You delve into centuries-old history in places like Rome, Florence and Pompeii, and enjoy the local cuisine in Piedmont, Tuscany, Bologna or Puglia. You can go to the cities, to the sea or to the mountains. Popular places are the northern Italian lakes, Tuscany and the Cinque Terre.

Think in advance which Italy you want to discover and tailor your destinations accordingly, possibly during a wonderful tour. For example, plan your trip to Italy with Voyage Privé to find suitable, luxurious accommodation at every location you visit.

If you haven't booked anything yet, you'll have to rely on the last minutes. The choice may be less, but you can also get some nice deals. For example, we once booked a stay in an Airbnb in Italy only during the first Monday of the school holidays, where we arrived the following Wednesday. We received an interesting discount from the host.

You can also sometimes get great offers through tour operators and at Italian campsites. You have to do some research, but there are still plenty of beautiful things available for reasonable prices.

Car or other form of transportation

This can also apply to airline tickets, although your choice is even more limited if you want to get out cheaply. By plane is a useful option if you are going camping or heading to the south of Italy, for example to Sicily, Naples or Apulia. Or of course if you hate traveling by car.

Would you rather travel by car? Then it is important to get into the car well prepared. You can choose from different routes, the most important of which run through Switzerland and Austria. You need a vignette for both countries. Arrange this before you leave so you don't have to stop along the way to buy one. You can now also purchase a digital vignette for Switzerland.

The train is also an option, but not really cheap, especially if you are traveling with a family. Moreover, you have to transfer several times. If it really needs to be cheap, take a look at the current offers from FlixBus. For a few bucks you can travel to Milan or Turin, for a few bucks more to Rome. Of course, you spend a long time on the bus with little comfort, but what if that doesn't matter to you?

Which route do you choose?

We prefer to travel by car, as do the majority of people visiting Italy from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. You can drive through Switzerland and Austria via different routes. Which route you choose depends on your destination in Italy, but also on your own preferences and any expected crowds.

At the time of writing, we are experiencing flooding in Switzerland and northern Italy, which is expected to put additional pressure on the main route through Switzerland's Gotthard Tunnel. If you have the time, consider taking a scenic route via one of the passes. That's actually so beautiful and so much fun.

This summer we will drive via the Great St. Bernard Pass, the westernmost route through Switzerland. You will then arrive in the smallest Italian region, Valle d'Aosta, from where you can continue towards Turin, Genoa or Milan.

Toll roads

Italy has several toll roads. No problem, just join the queue and pay with cash, your credit card or your debit card.

Would you rather skip the lines in high season altogether? Then purchase a toll badge before departure. This badge is digital and linked to your license plate. This means you don't have to stop to pay, because that payment is automatically registered as soon as you pass the toll gate.

If you want, you can also avoid the toll roads. But keep in mind that it will take hours longer before you reach your destination.

Overnight place

Before you get to Italy, you might want to spend the night somewhere, depending on where you're traveling from. There are plenty of options in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and also in Northern Italy itself, if you travel even further south.

There are relatively cheap motels located directly along the tourist routes and also some nicer hotels or B&Bs a little further from the routes. We have a number of recommendations this page listed for you. Of course, it is also possible to spend the night at a campsite along the way, for example if you travel with a camper or caravan.

For your overnight stay, it is advisable to choose a location that is halfway along your travel route, so that you do not have to travel as many kilometers the next day. It is advisable to book in advance, especially if you are traveling with a larger group.

Return trip

You could book the same overnight stay for the return journey, but also a different one that is exactly half the distance to be covered for the return journey. However, many, including us, also choose to travel back in one go. This of course saves you time, money and it matters less what time you arrive when you drive home again.

Always beware of fatigue, which can strike when it gets late. You could also let it depend on the crowds and how the return journey goes whether you arrange another overnight stay or continue heating if 'you smell the stable'.

Practical tips

A few more practical tips before you leave for Italy. For example, don't forget to take a travel plug with you. The sockets may vary in Italy. Your flat plugs usually fit into the sockets, but round plugs do not always. That's why it's smart to travel prepared, so that you can use all your devices during your trip. You can't go wrong with a world plug adapter.

It is always useful to speak a word of Italian. They don't have to be beautiful sentences, but there are a few simple expressions that will make your time in Italy just a little easier. You probably already know the basics if you visit Italy often. But how do you ask for the bill or where the toilet is? These are some useful expressions:

• Do you speak English? – Parli inglese?
• Do you have a table available for 4 people? – Avete un tavolo per quattro persone?
• Where is the restroom? – Dov'è il bagno?
• I have reserved in name… – Ho una prenotazione a nome di…
• The bill please - Il conto per favore
• How much does this cost? – How much?

If it will be a while before you travel to Italy, you can also quickly gain some very useful knowledge through our Holiday Italian course.

Don't forget to write down Italy's emergency numbers. In principle, 112 is also the general emergency number there, but you will then be transferred to the local police. Depending on where you are, they don't always speak excellent English. That is why it is sometimes more convenient to call directly the service you need. Therefore, write down the following numbers or save them in your phone:

• General emergency number: 112
• Police: 113
• Fire Department: 115
• Ambulances: 118

Are you going to Italy by car? Don't forget to bring a warning triangle and safety vest. This is mandatory. Here you will find a complete packing list.

It is also always smart to check the local traffic rules, because they may differ slightly from the rules you are used to. More information can be found at the ANWB.