italy | Once in a Lifetime Travel

Apr 19

Staying connected in Italy | Mifi, SIM cards, and cell phones

I always encourage my travelers to unplug as much as possible when traveling, but I understand everyone has a level of connection they need to maintain on the road. I will try to demystify communication issues with the help and expertise from my favorite company Cellular Abroad.

First things first. Decide what your needs are. Do you have family back home you need to keep in touch with, are you traveling on business and need a high level of access, or do you just want be able to make quick calls within Italy. Once your needs have been established, simply match up the product and presto! You are all set.

MIFI

My new favorite accessory. I personally need access to the internet while traveling as I am also working. This option gives me unlimited data at 4G LTE speed on my phone, ipad and PC anywhere in Italy (and Europe). I can also share this hot spot with up to four friends and I don’t have to feel chained to my hotels sometimes spotty and not always secure network. This also means I can throw my DumDum…oh I mean TomTom…out the window and use my phone to navigate.

SIM cards for rental or purchase

When your needs are focused on calling and some data use, SIMS cards give you a much cheaper rate than international rates quoted by major carriers. Whether you need to rent or buy will depend on your phone.

Cell Phone Rental

If you phone won’t work in Italy or it will just be too expensive you can simply rent a cell phone. Your rental phone will have an Italian number and you can add a US number or keep your own. Many people DON’T want to travel with their home numbers so having an ambiguous one can help those travelers preserve every moment of their sacred vacation. This is a great option when having a phone for quick dinner reservations and local calls are important or you are on a budget and just need a phone for emergencies.

I highly recommend contacting Cellular Abroad (1-800-287-5072) with any specific questions. Not only are they brilliant but they are incredibly professional and efficient. There are many companies out there that offer the above products but none that have the passion to deliver like these guys. Believe me, I’ve tried a few and I’m relieved to have finally found The One.

Dreaming of Italy? Follow me.

Apr 18

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Where am I?

Where did we go?

It seems like every time I commit to being consistent on my blog something comes up. Well, this something is pretty exciting.

My business.

For those that don’t know my background, I run a boutique travel planning company called Once in a Lifetime Travel. My passion to give people just that. A once in a lifetime, blow your socks off, talking endlessly to people at parties about it, life changing, memory making experience. My passion is paying off. This year has been record breaking and it is only April.

So as I prioritize in a life full of little ones, a bursting business, a husband I adore and a life full of amazing friends and family things suffer. Things get put on the back burner.

Of course, I have evil plans because I’m not one for excuses. So bear with me during my growing pains. I promise, I have really exciting things just around the corner.

Until then, go travel. Just go.

Feb 21

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Thoughts on ISIS threats in Rome

Ciao Everyone!

Carabinieri paramilitary car patrols in front of the Colosseum in Rome on Feb. 17. (Max Rossi/Reuters)

I don’t know if you have heard but there have been rumors circulating on-line that ISIS has made Rome a target. No one can say for sure if this is a true threat, an internet ploy or just another way to put fear into people and disrupt our lives. My thoughts on this are that I refuse to let fear own me. My first international adventure landed me in the epicenter of a 7.4 earthquake in Central America where I spent 5 days making my way back to the city. I traveled almost immediately after 9/11. ISIS honestly can raise it’s ugly head pretty much any where in this big beautiful world and no city, tourist destination or place where we live and breathe is immune. I advise to travel with awareness. Be conscious of your surroundings, your exits and listen to anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. And GO travel!

I found this article I would like to share with you HERE. What I love the most are the comments at the end. Leave it to Italians!

A presto,

Andi

Dec 17

Wanderlust Wednesday |Santa in Venice

They know that Santa’s on his way
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies
On his sleigh
And ev’ry mother’s
Child is gonna spy to see if
Reindeer really know how to fly

Photo credit unknown

Dreaming of Italy? Follow me.

Dec 13

Tender moments captured

Photo courtesy of something-everything-nothing.tumblr.com

The afternoon

knows what

the morning never

suspected

– Robert Frost

Dec 10

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Wanderlust Wednesday |Siena streets

Siena. Anyone that has ever had the chance to visit always seems to sigh wistfully when asked.

Photo courtesy of Alessio Grazi

Dreaming of Italy? Follow me.

Dec 7

Finding the best flight | Travel with me to Italy

Airline tickets. Hands down the most agonizing, frustrating and stress inducing piece of planning a trip to Italy. I wish I could lay out a specific formula that would guarantee the best rates for the perfect dates. Sadly, nothing like this exists. Not even close. What I can offer are my go to sites, some proven and researched facts, how to balance cost versus risk, and my two cents. This is a long post, stick with it to the end.

First, don’t become obsessed with finding the absolute cheapest fare. Your goal is to find a balance between a good price and optimal travel dates. It will do no good waiting endlessly for a fare price reduction as your favorite hotels book up their best and cheapest rooms. I would rather pay a few hundred dollars more for my plane ticket knowing that I was able to get into my first choice accommodation and build an itinerary that I want. Time is also money. The perfect itinerary is priceless.

HOW and WHERE to Search

When I have my approximate dates I start by first doing a general search on a big site. My favorite is Kayak. This gives me an idea of what is out there and what airlines are players. Then I go directly to the airlines’ websites to compare prices but even more importantly compare length of flights and layovers. On my most recent search, I found a great price on my ideal dates….with a 34 hour return flight. No thanks. But when I went to the carrier’s direct site I found more options for approximately the same price. Another reason I like to buy direct from the carrier is the assistance that can be given for any issues that come up with missed flights or travel trouble. I have experienced the unfortunate frustration of trying to get help from a big search site with zero results.

DETAILS to Keep in Mind

Connections. Those on the East Coast can board their planes with ease and enjoy direct flights to most locations. I will try to contain my jealousy. The rest of us have to worry about connections, and if you are like me and live in a rural area connections become a REALLY big deal. The key here is timing and location. Don’t be tempted by the siren’s call of a brief layover. That 45 minutes will cost you an entire travel day if missed. I make sure I have at least 90 minutes at my layovers. More if possible when flying into Heathrow in London where you also have to go through customs. My priority is getting to Europe as soon as I can. Delays within the States can cost my flight across the ocean because those are more infrequent, whereas a delay in Europe isn’t the end of the world.

Cookies. Be conscious of your searches. Don’t think the industry isn’t above making a little more money on your specific needs. I have witnessed first hand ‘sudden’ increases in prices on the same flights on repeat searches. Erase your cookies or use a different source when you are ready to purchase.

WHEN to Book

Most of the experts report that tickets to Europe should be purchased between 5-10 months before departure. I personally like to book 8-10 months ahead and I have found some decent prices between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Regardless of HOW far ahead you book, there are certain times of the week you should purchase. Research shows Tuesday and Wednesday as the best days to buy. I like Tuesday mornings. Insiders claim that in addition to this, you should avoid the first few days, the very middle days and the last days of the month. When looking at WHICK days of travel, try to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Be mindful of holidays in both countries.

I plan on purchasing tickets this month, I’ve found several flights that are in my goal budget and my ideal dates. According to the above information, I have to ideal days to purchase them (see image). December 9-10 and 23-24. Now, I’m not sure if Christmas will affect the pricing so I will take those dates with a grain of salt.

REWARD Travel

For anyone trying to use their reward points and miles, good luck. All airlines have black out dates and limited seats on each flight. I have heard that booking a year out is the best way to get the dates you want to fly. I have found a wonderful resource called Book My Award where all they deal with is rewards travel. They work nothing short of miracles here.

SET UP Travel Alerts

Every website has the ability to sign up for travel alerts. I have several and I receive email notices when the fare drops or a special is posted. I find this is a handy way to keep track of any price trends.

Dreaming of Italy? Follow me.

Dec 6

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Christmas Biscotti Recipes

I love making biscotti at Christmas time, they make great gifts if you manage to not eat them all yourself. Below are links to the recipes of some of my favorites. Buon Appetito.

Peppermint Chocolate Chip