This section is devoted to the where, when, and how of your trip -- the advance planning required to get it together and take it on the road.
Online Traveler's Toolbox
Veteran travelers usually carry some essential items to make their trips easier. Following is a selection of handy virtual tools to bookmark and use. Many give users the option of using English or Italian. Some may initially come up in Italian; just follow the icons for English versions. If the location of the English version isn't evident at first, scroll down to find an American or British flag.
- Airplane Food (www.airlinemeals.net)
- Airplane Seating (www.seatguru.com; and www.airlinequality.com)
- Amalfi and the Amalfi Coast (www.starnet.it/italy/incostam.htm)
- Dolce Vita (www.dolcevita.com)
- Dolomiti Web (www.dolomiti.it/eng)
- Florence Online (www.fionline.it)
- Foreign Languages for Travelers (www.travlang.com)
- The Heart of Tuscany (www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/indexing.htm)
- In Italy Online (www.dolcevita.com)
- Institute and Museum of History and Science (www.imss.fi.it/index/html)
- Italy for Life (www.italiantourism.com)
- Liguria (www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Liguria/index.uk.html)
- Maps (www.mapquest.com)
- Rome Guide (www.romeguide.it)
- Sicily Region. (www.sicilia.indettaglio.it)
- Subway Navigator (www.subwaynavigator.com)
- Time and Date (www.timeanddate.com)
- Travel Warnings (http://travel.state.gov, www.fco.gov.uk/travel, www.voyage.gc.ca, www.smartraveller.gov.au)
- Universal Currency Converter (www.oanda.com)
- Venice World (www.veniceworld.com)
- Verona: City of Art and History (www.intesys.it/tour/eng/verona.html)
- Weather (www.intellicast.com; and www.weather.com)
Travel Local -- Vespa-Style
Auto Europe is debuting scooter-rental service in France and Italy that will enable visitors to do their exploring like the locals do. Italian Vespas are available for rent in Rome, Venice, Milan, and Florence, while Yamaha YP 125 Majesty scooters are available in Paris, Marseille, Nice, and Cannes. In addition to saving money on gas, the company is touting the benefits of sidewalk parking and ease of maneuvering in high-traffic locations. To book, see www.autoeurope.com/scooters.cfm.
