Hooray- You're planning a trip to Italy! 

Are you ready? Let's go!

• Use this time to focus on what you want to experience and why you are going to Italy. Ignore what everyone else is telling you right now, and just focus on what would make this trip amazing for you.
• Discuss your travel dreams & start a "must-do/experience" list.
• Begin to think about the length of your trip and your rough budget.
• Start a digital folder (google drive or dropbox are great options) or even a pinterest board to save articles and destination info that grabs your attention. This will be helpful as you narrow things down.

PRO TIP: Don't pin or save too much- that can also add to your overwhelm. Be ruthless in your pinning and just save the things that are high priorities.

• Pick your destination(s).
• Finalize your trip length & dates.
• Consult map & make a loose itinerary.
• Confirm your passport is valid. (renew if needed)
• Shop for flights- buy if you find a deal.
• Research & Shop for lodging. Reserve if you find what you love.
• Start sketching out travel flow & timeline.

• Book flights/ lodging if you haven't done so already. 
• Research your destinations and any activities, sights or classes you want to take.

• Book any activities & tours now.
• Book airport transfers, high speed train tickets and any other transportation you need. 
• Plan out wardrobe/outfits & purchase items needed.

• Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans so that your card doesn't get locked down for suspicious behavior.
• Tip: Always have more than 1 bank/credit card option in case there is trouble with one of them.
• Buy a folder to take hard copies on your trip with you (always a good idea as a backup) I love these.
• Confirm your itinerary details and flow of trip. After confirming reservations, print out all confirmations of lodging, activities & transfers- put into your travel folder, also make sure to put a digital copy into your digital folder online.

Print any travel documents: (organize paper copies & digital copies in their respective files)

• Hotel reservations/addresses
• Train tickets
• Car/ driver reservations
• Classes, tours/ museum tickets
• Passport- print out several copies of your passport in case it is needed from lodging check-in and to have a back up paper copy in case of theft. (you should also have a digital copy in your dropbox/google folder.)

• Shop for last minute supplies.
• Lay out your suitcase and start putting things in it as they come through the laundry.
• Start packing carry-on bag.
• Empty/fill your electronics with music & media for your long flights.

• Charge electronics and extra batteries.
• Review & organize travel paperwork folder and double check details.
• Check in for your flight + print boarding passes if needed.
• Finish packing and lay out clothes for your travel day.

This is the exact Italy travel planning timeline we use for our clients & our own trips- I hope it is helpful as you plan your trip to Italy!

Ready to start making your travel plan? Grab a free copy of our Italy travel planning timeline & checklist in PDF form, so you can start planning your amazing trip!