Contemplating an Italian vacation (in the range of two weeks or so) in the next year or two, for a family group of about 5-6 people. Google turns up several websites dedicated to renting apartments/houses, but I'd love to hear some personal recommendations. Is Air BNB the best? Vrbo.com? Perhaps there's no real difference between them. [more inside]
posted by PussKillian around Italy at 6:48 PM - 6 answers

My brother left for Rome, Italy on Monday to do a summer job for a lab there and we (his friends and family) still haven't had any contact from him. I'm worried that something might have happened to him and his wife and kids are worried sick. Is there any good routes to trying to find him in case he's been in an accident? I don't have the name of the lab he's working for or I'd just call them :(
posted by Ikazuchi around Rome, Italy at 4:19 PM - 20 answers

Wife and I are going to Italy in a couple of weeks. It's our first trip there, and one we wanted to do for a long time. Friends that have been there are telling us all the places to see in Rome, Venice, Florence etc. Thing is, other than being in Rome the first & last night, we aren't going to any of those places, and don't really want to! We're planning to get off the beaten path as much as we can. Is this a good/bad idea? I'm having doubts now.. [more inside]
posted by dukes909 around Italy at 6:28 AM - 38 answers

Previous AMF questions have discussed walking into various mobile providers in Italy and just buying a SIM card. Glancing around internet currently suggests that SIM card sales are (more?) heavily regulated in Italy than previously, even to the point of not offering them for sale to someone showing a passport. Curious if any current Italy residents, expats, or students can provide info for the following: US unlocked GSM smartphone owner heading to Italy for 10 days and would like to have reasonable phone and text options to call/text back to states to check on house and pets with housesitter. Data a plus but absolutely not necessary. Any advice to smooth the process of buying a SIM card in Italy would be greatly appreciated.
posted by teg4rvn around Italy at 10:51 AM - 9 answers

Four of us are coming in on different flights and terminals throughout a single morning - what landmark in the Fiumicino airport can we all meet by?
posted by jander03 around Rome, Italy at 11:18 PM - 11 answers

I am ready to pull my hair out planning a Month long trip in August for my 14 year old daughter and I. I have plans and lodging set for 3 of the 4 weeks. I am looking in the Tuscany area of Florence, but do not want to stay in Florence. I want a small town, charm and comfortable. [more inside]
posted by snztt99 around Florence, Italy at 7:10 PM - 10 answers

Yay! Our 15 year old nephew Sam is coming to visit us in Italy for three weeks during the school holidays. From Australia. Via Dubai, it's a 22 hour flight. Although he has to disembark and changes flights in Dubai, there is a relatively short hour and a half layover. He has only travelled internationally once before to Vietnam, and then not on his own. He is a great guy, however I want to ensure that he finds the whole experience as easy as possible. Any hints? Dubai is a wonderfully eclectic airport which will be an eye opener. As someone reasonably blasè about international travel and airport transfers, I am hoping to mine the hind mind for special hints that might help Sam in negotiating the flights, transfer and the clearing of customs and arrival in Rome? Thanks!
posted by Flashduck around Rome, Italy at 3:26 AM - 21 answers

In The Fruit Hunters by Adam Gollner, he mentions "Bologna's Garden of Lost Fruit" as a fruit-focused tourist destination (p. 35). Googling for this name only brings up a Google Books snippet of the book, and trying to translate it to Italian doesn't seem to give anything useful either. What is this place called in Italian, and where can I find it?
posted by Yiggs around Bologna, Italy at 4:22 AM - 4 answers

I am planning a trip to Italy this summer. I will have several days within Rome, and am looking forward to exploring the nooks and crannies of the city. I've read that I should only carry enough money for each day, in case of being mugged -- works for me. Regarding ID, would it be a good idea to leave my passport in our rented apartment, and carry my driver's license and/or a photocopy of my passport within the city? These seem like less dire things to lose while travelling.
posted by bullitt 5 around Rome, Italy at 8:38 AM - 26 answers

Seeking ideas for a graduation gift that we could buy in Italy for a fashion design major. [more inside]
posted by mediated self around Italy at 8:22 PM - 3 answers

For a variety of reasons, the second half of August is turning into a better time for us to take a vacation than October, as we had originally planned. We are hoping to go to Venice. We're OK with heat and humidity. Is there some other dealbreaker I'm not aware of? [more inside]
posted by elizeh around Venice, Italy at 6:16 AM - 10 answers

Hubs and I are contemplating a trip to Venice in October--acqua alta season. What kind of gear would we want to manage the high waters? Like: Would we want to bring full-on rubber boots, or will we be able to get by with regular waterproof shoes? [more inside]
posted by elizeh around Venice, Italy at 1:59 PM - 7 answers

Traveling to Italy, have questions. [more inside]
posted by outfielder around Italy at 4:22 PM - 35 answers

I need help planning a trip to Italy this summer/2013 with my daughter for her 14th birthday (golden). Would like to see parts of the south and North. I am a bit nervous about traveling alone. Looking for tips on two week itinery, lodging, family oriented plans. I would like to start in the south as my mother's family is from Montefaconi, Rome, and then north. I have considered a week long tour in the south and then traveling Rome and northern on our own. Would consider a homebase in the north for 4-5days but where to stay??
posted by snztt99 around Italy at 7:54 PM - 12 answers

Traveling to the Amalfi Coast in Italy in March with my girlfriend and her family (6 total people). Need some help. [more inside]
posted by scooterdman around Italy at 9:50 AM - 7 answers

Please hope me plan the perfect week in Lake Como, Italy! [more inside]
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet around Lake of Como, Italy at 11:06 AM - 4 answers

Traveling to Italy for eight days starting the evening of 12/25/2012. We'll be in Rome, Venice and Milan. Please tell me "must-sees" or "must-dos" while I am there with my husband and 8 year-old son.
posted by jen14221 around Italy at 1:57 PM - 14 answers

Italy travelfilter: The girlfriend and I are headed to Italy for a late in the year vacation and need help! We've done a lot of the major cities before and are looking for something more rural, but that makes planning a challenge, given our complete lack of experience with the Italian countryside. Help greatly appreciated! [more inside]
posted by slide around Italy at 12:14 PM - 4 answers

Is there a small town, possibly a spa town like Merano or Wiesbaden, between Verona and Venice? That's not too expensive? And I don't need to hire a car for?
posted by Busoni around Venice, Italy at 9:46 AM - 4 answers

Going to Turin for a couple of days in September... probably. What should we see and where should we stay? Or should we go somewhere else close other than Turin? This will be after Venice and Florence and before Milan.
posted by smackfu around Torino, Italy at 6:16 PM - 9 answers