FAQs

Question

What is the best airlines to fly that are quickest and cheapest? And should we book through 3rd party or right through that airline?

Answer

I fly American and United/Southwest and I do not book through their websites. I typically book through Momondo, a third party app. It has always given me the best options and prices. And more User friendly for comparing all available flights If you want to save even more $, pick a longggg layover somewhere cool. Maybe even in Europe or Rome! You can explore for a day or so during your layover AND save a ton of $$ doing this. For example, layover in amsterdam or Rome and explore there during the layover for 1 day before making it to italy to save potentially hundreds of dollars. If you do not want to do a long layover somewhere else in Europe, I recommend picking a layover in the United States so that you do not have to go through customs until you land in Italy. It's much less stressful going through customs at the end of the adventure rather than trying to go through customs and THEN make the connection to your final destination (Italy)

Question

What is the best method of transportation around Italy? Rental car? Train? Etc

Answer

I ALWAYS do a rental car because I personally like the freedom and I am not a huge fan of waiting on trains/other people/tour buses/public transporation tho. But this isnt the norm of what people do and the amalfi coast is a bit hectic to drive on… lots of bends and a ton of cars/high up/narrow roads. It depends on your personal comfort level when it comes to driving in other countries/new places. Train/bus/public transportation is decent and pretty affordable if you do not think you want to drive yourself and rent a car. The Amalfi coast is narrow, so I would some kind of insurance at the rental counter. Some credit cards may cover rental car damage (so check with yours!), but sometimes they do not cover certain counties (my card does not cover italy but covers other countries like Iceland, for example). Check your credit card and insurance company coverage. Your home car insurance may or may not cover damages to rental cars outside of the country, so give them a call also if you are thinking about renting a car. DO get an international driver’s permit BEFORE going to italy. Takes 30 min at AAA. Go into a AAA and they will do it for you. My favorite method of transportation on the Amalfi Coast is by scooter, however, I would not recommend this unless you are very comfortable on a scooter or motorcycle because the coast traffic is heavy and hectic at times.

Question

How do I get an International Driver's Permit?

Answer

Some rental car companies will require you to have an international driver’s permit in order to pick up your rental car. Go to AAA BEFORE going to italy and ask for an International Driver's Permit. It takes 15 min at AAA. Go into a AAA and they will do it for you. The cost is $20. Before you go, You have to have a 2x2 photo with plain background with you. CVS can do it for you have they can print it there for you. Then, You bring that to AAA and they give you the permit booklet there. Super easy.

Question

Should I bring cash with me? (US Dollars)

Answer

I rarely bring US dollars. I go to a bank ATM in italy as soon as I get there typically and get euros out using my debit cards. I recommend Always having euros for taxis for short rides when you get to an area. Lots of cash (euro) only. You dont really need to take USD in my opinion because you should pay in Euro not USD. I do not recommend doing a currency exchange in the airport. They charge higher fees to do it at airport. The bank atms charge lower fees (if your debit card will allow withdraw out of country -ask your bank before you leave the country to put a travel notice on your card so your card works when you arrive in Italy)

Question

What would you recommend for places to stay? Mainstream hotels? Airbnb?

Answer

We have a Hotel block in Ravello (where the wedding is) April 29-May 2. I would recommend this and they have rates anywhere from 140-300 euros. If you would like to look for something even more affordable, there are options including: - Booking.com #1 choice- most options, best prices always - Expedia : usually good options and I get $ off because i book through them alot and they give you lots of points if you use expedia alot… less options than booking.com though - Airbnb: lots of airbnbs available but I would book your hotel/accommodations at least 2+ months out from your date of travel

Question

NORTH ITALY: Places to Visit

Answer

Cinque terra Very authentic, Quiet, beautiful views of buildings, more locals, less touristy, less English speaking but worth seeing 5 towns of CT - id give priority to Manarola and Riomaggore Venice One of Mariah's favorites. Ride the water taxi to the Island of Venice. Get off of the water taxi at Piazza San Marco. Here, you can ride a gondola (book in advance if you want on getyourgide app or you could probably wait 30 min-1 hour for one if you dont book in advance). Lots of shops and restaurants and at night its like youre in harry potter with all the winding thin alleys lol so amazing and my fav- i found a booking.com spot right here so could walk down and do whatever anytime Florence 1-2 days only was fine w me, bigger city not as big as Rome, more for if you like churches and buildings and history. Tuscany wine country, a few days, this is where i would maybe consider a tour. I am not a big fan of guided tours but I once went on a really good all day one in Tuscany where they took us around on a bus to places and ended with wine tasting- amazing. Dolomites If you like mountains and crazy lakes, pretty vast views, and adventure Pisa Leaning tower of course. Can get tickets on getyourguide ahead of time to skip the line GO inside and Walk up the tower to the top if you want OR just look at it and take photos with it. I did leaning tower after Florence because it wasnt too far Lucca Small amazing cute town of LUCCA is close to Pisa.. we stayed here in a cute B and B and they were amazing. Can ride bikes all around the wall of LUCCA and its a lot less touristy/more authentic experience

Question

SOUTH ITALY: Places to Visit

Answer

Amalfi Town So fun, must see. Lots of hidden restaurants and shops, beach (most are rocky in italy) for swimming. Positano Book a sunset boat ride here with Luxury Boats Positano (Lucia- tell her Mariah with Mariah Treiber Photography said hi) I can give you her whatsapp number for booking.This is what company i use for elopements when I photograph them. Rocky beach here, and a famous day/night beach club called Music on the Rocks is a MUST visit for a fun night out. Ravello Where we are getting married!!! My all time favorite place in Italy... my second home. :) up on top of the mountain, super cute town, very very authentic and peaceful More local, great food and views, its own little world B and B Vietraio was where i have stayed many times (on booking.com) … so cute, best view, super cheap! less touristy/more authentic experience Villa Fraulo in Ravello for a high end experience and great sea views I always stay in Ravello when i come to amalfi coast! I love ravello bc its quiet and peaceful and central to other amalfi coast towns. Furore Smallest place ever, AKA ‘the town that doesn’t exist’ Insane place to swim, it was magic. No restaurants or shops just epic swimming and a beach. Hidden from the rest of the world. Capri - just do it. Book an all day boat tour. Book Charter Villas for this- ask for my friend Roberto Casa and tell him Mariah sent you- his company is Charter Villas and I have their whatsapp number too if you are interested.

Question

Continued... South Italy: Places to Visit

Answer

Naples Bigger city, super busy, but GREAT shopping. If you have time, you should Take the ferry from Naples to the small island ISCHIA or Prochida so amazing (or both!) they are small, authentic, beautiful and colorful places that are truly magical and worth seeing. Use ferry hopper for tickets and book 1-2 days in advance if possible but could still get them the day of, depending when you go. Procida is much smaller than ischia, but procida is very colorful and beautiful and not many tourists visit it, so I really liked the experience. You can also ferry to Capri which is awesome, or take a private or group boat with my friend Roberto with company Charter Villas!! Their company was SO FUN! Sorrento Go to the main square- type in The Bagattelle American Bar Go to this bar Eat and hang out in the square too- its lively and there is great nightlife here (more than on the Amalfi Coast, but Sorrento isn't too far from Amalfi!) Rome Rome is a huge city, more churches and monuments and history and museums but you have to see it. Trevi fountain- go at sunrise for less people if you want better photo ops (I'm talking right before the sun comes up) Other than sunrise, trevi fountain is ALWAYS poppin and super busy. you Can do horse carriage around Rome to see everything quickly Head to a bank atm and get euro out to pay them tho first Should really see the Vatican here and Sistine Chapel. And the Colosseum. For these, Get your tickets a day before on get your guide. Don’t do a guided tour if you want to explore on your own. I personally do not like guided tours and like to go at my own pace, but if you like history, you will LOVE the guided tours. Get your guide app has tickets that are combined 1 ticket gets you into Sistine Chapel AND Vatican Museum

Question

General Tips

Answer

Download the google translate app. Most restaurants give you Italian and English versions of the menu, but I love trying to learn new phrases and words using the app. You can take photos of signs and menus and it will translate the words to English for you, so you can learn! ALWAYS get the house wine… its cheapest and LOCAL so win - posso avere vino della casa per favore :) You do not NEED to tip in Italy at restaurants; tipping is just for amazing amazing over the top service if you want to (it is not customary as it is in the United States, because their employers pay them a living wage as servers in Italy), but if you are at a more touristy restaurant, they may ask you if you want to leave a tip. If you want to tip, it’s extra bonus for them but not required at all. Every a few euros is a nice bonus :) If you try a little bit of italian like please and thank you, they will not make fun of you and they will appreciate it Most places speak english … less touristy places will be less english speaking but they are very nice still and welcoming and you don’t need to worry. The Italian culture is kind, slower paced, and very welcoming to visitors from my experience. I am so excited for you to experience it!