Has anyone done Italy and do you have any recommendations or a fabulous travel agent that you just love?

quote:

Originally posted by D in St Pete:
Guh. My computer at work to the rest of the world was broken today! Be sure you call the post office nearest you that will do passports to find out their procedure; mine had an appointment list, and I called in September for a December appointment (the earliest they had available).

Once all the paperwork was done, however, it was only 6 weeks until I got my passport.

I was able to get our forms through the BMV but it took 12 weeks to get our passports. Definitely a lengthy wait but I think that there is a way to do a "rush" application although it's a lot more money.

Guh. My computer at work to the rest of the world was broken today! Be sure you call the post office nearest you that will do passports to find out their procedure; mine had an appointment list, and I called in September for a December appointment (the earliest they had available).

Once all the paperwork was done, however, it was only 6 weeks until I got my passport.

quote:

Originally posted by MaryJo:
None of us have ever had a passport. I didn't realize it was such a process to get one. I guess I had better get busy!! Thanks for the info. I think I am going to contact Parillo. They seem to have a great reputation.

Mary Jo,
Getting a passport didn't used to be such a process. However, new regulations went into effect requiring all US Citizens carry passports to travel in the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean) when they used to be able to travel with just a birth certificate. It has created a major backlog at the passport agencies.

The Post Office has all of the information and you can apply for your passport there. www. travel.state.gov is the Department of State web site and you can read the instructions and download forms there too.

Dawn

None of us have ever had a passport. I didn't realize it was such a process to get one. I guess I had better get busy!! Thanks for the info. I think I am going to contact Parillo. They seem to have a great reputation.

quote:

Originally posted by susanrows:
Mary Jo, does everyone in your family have a current passport? If not, you may want to get that taken care of very soon. Because you now need a passport to travel to Mexico and the Carribbean, the passport offices are back-logged for 10 weeks or more. And if you're applying for minor children, both parents have to apply in person.

This, from the woman narrowly avoiding ulcers by renewing two passports and trying desperately to make an appointment for DS's passport.

If both parents are not able to go, you can sign an affidavit and have it notarized. (There is a form online that you print, fill out and sign. You can find it at www.travel.state.gov)That's how we did it for our son so that we didn't both have to take time off work.

Dawn

Mary Jo, does everyone in your family have a current passport? If not, you may want to get that taken care of very soon. Because you now need a passport to travel to Mexico and the Carribbean, the passport offices are back-logged for 10 weeks or more. And if you're applying for minor children, both parents have to apply in person.

This, from the woman narrowly avoiding ulcers by renewing two passports and trying desperately to make an appointment for DS's passport.

My sister and bil are going to Italy for 10 days in May/June, I'll check with her, I know they have been doing a lot of research.

Jill

My family is from Palermo and I would love to see Sicily because of that, but the rest of the family want to see Rome and Tuscany. I really just want someone reliable to make all of our arrangements for us so that we can make the most of it all.

My mom and her family are from Italy and I've been many, many times. Unfortunately, I stay with family so I can't give you recommendations for hotels other than a small place we stayed at in Rome called Hotel Canada (a Best Western property).

I've spent most of my time in Venice and along the Amalfi Coast with minimal time spent in Rome and Naples.

Which part of Italy are you planning on going to?

If I go again, I would really like to the lake region in the Northern part of the country.

I've only been to Northern Italy, and I did it on my own, not through a travel agent. I LOVED Tuscanny and would love to spend more time in that area in general.

PS. I think Brie knows a lot about Italy and maybe even lived there.

Dawn

A friend of mine was stationed there for almost three years, and he RAVES about everything. I'll drop him a line and see what and where he enjoyed. I believe my grandmother went with a tour group there, too, so I'll ask her as well!


(No matter how well-traveled I feel sometimes, the furthest I've gone is Canada and Mexico...)

edited to add: Regarding the flying, here are some sites:
U.S. State Department
Traveling Abroad Tips
(Pay attention to #7. When we were evacuating people from Lebanon several months back, we knew exactly where some of them were BECAUSE they had left detailed itineraries and contact information.
Travel Warnings (updated as necessary, so bookmark it)
Italy Fact Sheet (don't let it scare you, they're generally "worst-case" scenarios)

Thanks Sheri!! I have been so afraid to fly since 911. I have trouble going from one state to another, let alone out of the country.

As you know, my daughter is going to college this year and she said "mom, please, this vacation could we go to Italy?"

I have given this a lot of thought and realized that not only am I setting a bad example for my kids by letting fear prevent me from visiting a country that I have always dreamed of going to. I am also keeping my kids from enjoying these special places, which is kind of selfish.

I am willing to do whatever I need to do to get my body on a plane. I just want to make sure that the trip that is planned is perfect and the places we stay are wonderful.

Let me know if you have any good info for me. MJ

I don't know how soon you need information, but my mother is going to Italy on June 5 for several weeks so I could pass on some information after she returns. She won't be able to help you with a travel agent, and she may not be able to help you with a lot of the standard tourist places since she is going with a friend to visit the friend's family. They do plan to do some touristing while there, but it isn't a trip primarily for touristing.

P.S. I have a fabulous travel agent that I love but I think she only does cruises. I'll check her website and find out.