1. Eating

* Plan accordingly. Churches, tourist attractions and grocery stores are usually still open during the siesta, especially in the big cities but basically every other shop will be closed, even the street markets. It is less of a problem in the tourist cities like Rome, Florence and Venice but it can be inconvenient if you haven't gotten a meal by the time things close. It is a good time to take a nap or sit in a café and watch the world go by.

* Carry cash. Few places take credit card - fancy shops and restaurants will, such as places you can buy Murano glass, but that is about it.

* Driving Cars. Driving in Italy is a lot like driving in the US, just with a lot more scooters, smart cars and motorbikes. If you do rent a car and drive, get as compact a car as you can stomach, as the roads are narrow and windy. You should plan ahead and take a good driving map for driving especially in Tuscany. I would get an Italy road map at the bookstore before you leave so you have one with you though you can easily just follow the highway and then exit whenever you want to check out a town as they are always listed on the exit signs. Then you just follow the 'centro' signs into town which looks like a circle with a dot on it. Those always take you to the historical center of any town. But since it is your first time there you will feel better with a map and who knows how good the one at the rental car place will be.

* Trains. Buy your tickets at the window or at the electronic machines. Then, look at the ticker above the entrance to the tracks ('bin') and pick the next train to Venezia, then head to that track. The ticker also lists if trains are running late ('retardo') and the screens near the tracks tell you if the track for that train has changed. Don't forget to always stamp your ticket in one of the yellow time stamps before getting on every train. You will be given a very high fine if you are caught with an unstamped ticket on a train.

* Taxis. If you need to take a cab at any point either make them use their meter or negotiate the price before you take off or they will try to screw you.

* Always Walk. It is easy to walk around all the cities you are visiting - you should not need to take public transport at all if you don't want to - but it is exhausting so don't try to see too many things in one day. Take it easy and enjoy the mellow pace.

* Dinner Reservations. If you are staying in hotels, use the person at the front desk to make reservations for you at places where they are needed. That will make dining easier.

* Go slow and mellow. Enjoy the sweet life; the dolce vita...it is what Italy is all about and going with that in mind will make for a lovely trip. Walk around and just sit in the cafes and watch people. I just love Italia so much and that is the best thing about that place - the slowness, the dolce vita, the beauty of the place, the architecture and the people.

* Enjoy the 'passegiata' - this is the time of day when all of Italy comes out of their homes and strolls around town. They walk around and say hi to each other and window shop and have a drink at a bar. It is from around 7 to 9 and is really the best time to see a town. The tourists are often already eating dinner or at their hotels getting ready for dinner and the Italians are out. It is especially nice in the smaller towns so it is nice to plan to be visiting small towns in the evening.

Please email any questions that arise from reading it, and have fun planning!!!

Joey