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Italy is consistently in the top five luxury travel destinations for American Express Vacation clients. Italy is full of history, beginning with the ancient Roman Empire, to the rise of the Vatican, to the Italian renaissance. Traveling to Italy requires certain tips to make your luxury travel vacation.

Hotel Tips

Though traveling to Italy is quite safe. However, it’s advisable and useful to gather some basic Italy travel tips. There are hundreds of small luxury hotels of the world and the cities of Italy have plenty to choose from. Some Italian hotels, and nearly all hotels in Rome, have at least one staff member who speaks English. Search out this person to ask for additional tips, such as great dining spots, local sights, public transportation and shopping areas. Staying in touch with family and friends can be expensive in Italy, especially if you call from your hotel. Keep in mind that American cell phones will not work without special international services or devices. And since hotels tend to overcharge for long-distance and international calls, it is best to make such calls from public phones, using international calling cards. Staying in a luxury hotel is quite fun, but if you have already been there and done that, it’s never too late to consider booking one of the many available luxury world cruises throughout the world.

Shopping Tips

One big draw for Italian tourists on a luxury travel trip is the shopping tour. Consider booking one of these guided tours, instead of charging off on your own. These shopping tours offer travelers a more comfortable way to “shop ’til you drop.” Most of these tours include transportation to several different shopping districts and stores. Your guide will speak both English and Italian, in order to mediate your shopping experience. Yes, your major credit cards, such as American Express, Visa and Master Card, will work. But keep in mind that most American credit cards will charge a hefty currency fee, and use the most unattractive exchange rates. The best way to be safe and save money would be to use a combination of Euro Travelers Checks, Euros in cash and a credit card. Pick Pocketing can be an unfortunate reality of modern travel, so spreading the type of money you carry is the best choice.

Most stores and shops in Italy have operating hours that can be considered different, at least in comparison to what is expected in the United States. Normally, most Italian shops are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stores are usually closed between 1 and 3:30 p.m., to allow employees a chance to have a family lunch. Stores usually reopen around 3:30 or 4 p.m., and finally close around 7:30 to 8 p.m. In large cities and tourist areas, there is a tendency to stay open from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m., with possible variations from town to town. Keep in mind that shopping etiquette in Italy is much different than in the United States. When shopping for clothing, take note that many stores will not allow shoppers to try on shirts and blouses. Also, there is a size discrepancy, so make sure that an attendant measures your body before you purchase. It is also customary to tip attendants if they are personally assisting you with fittings and selection. Whether shopping or relaxing in a small luxury hotel, a customary tip can go a long way!

Your accommodations are often considered one of the most important parts of your http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-vacations.html, so use these tips to make the most of your upscale hotel stay. When you use these American Express Tour tips to experience the best of small luxury hotels and high class shopping, you can enjoy yourself with no strings attached!

A visit to Italy, or any place for that matter, calls for a lot of planning. Even with proper planning involved, at times the trip might end up to be an unsatisfied one. An authentic report on Italy travel will prove to be helpful in channelizing you in the right way, thus ensuring a cheerful Italy vacation.

Kathy McCabe the founder, editor, and publisher of the travel newsletter Dream of Italy offers amazing insights on Italy. Her fair and realistic outlooks on Italy vacations are a reliable source of information to visit the wonderland – Italy. As a traveller Kathy McCabe has had exceptional experiences, which reflects in her newsletter. Her exclusiveness when it comes to travel information makes her work special. USA TODAY, National Geographic Traveller, U.S News & World Report, and American Way (American Airlines) for the past 4 yrs have also recommended her newsletter.

McCabe’s simple and general information is applicable even for common travellers. She talks about almost every issue to be considered. Her pragmatic approach right from taking along pets for vacations to choosing luxury hotels and cruises in Italy is precise.

Her commendable report is inclusive of her experience on a truffle hunt in Piedmont, the magical hot springs in Tuscany, the spectacle of Verona open air museum, and the ancient caves in Basilicata.

Kathy McCabe appeared as a guest on ,Steve Perillo’s travel talk show. On the show, she talks about some really exotic yet less mentioned places in Italy, which usually don’t make it to the list of must-see places in most traveler’s itinerary. Her venturing spirit is sure to allure you to visit the not so common exotic places in Italy. As an Italy travel veteran, McCabe suggests the right time to visit specific places in Italy. She also provides travel tips on low rental places, shopping areas, kayak boating, cooking schools and more in Italy.