Over the years of traveling, I have been duped on more than one occasion. Each time I’ve learned from my mistakes and grown quite street savvy.

Using my past experiences, I help steer my clients clear of any negative situations.

I have become scam proof.

My last trip to Italy, I was preparing to drop my rental car off at the Rome airport late in the evening. All I had left to do was top off the tank. Gas stations line the roads around the airport making a final fill up very easy. The rates are higher but worth the convenience at this time of the night.

I pulled my sweet ride into the first station spotted. The attendant popped his head into my window, scanned the gas gauge and announced flatly, 20€.

Thank you but no, please fill up the tank.

No fill up. 20€ cash only, he replied.

Are you kidding me? I stood my ground. So did he.

He obviously he no idea who he was dealing with. Not a chance big guy.

I took off down the road full of disgust wondering how many poor travelers had fallen for this appalling sham.

Easing into the very next station, the attendant came to my window and I requested once again to fill up the tank.

He leaned in, glanced at my gauge.

No fill up. 20€ cash only.

What is the great green blazes was going on here. 20€ cash my eye. Nice try boys.

As I ripped out of station number two, the thought crossed my mind that perhaps I was not a pawn in an elaborate airport fueling scheme. Could this indeed be the process when you waited until the last minute to fill up as I had done? I drove further down the road, passing several stations before meekly turning into station number three.

Before the attendant could finish he sentence, I handed over a 20€ note. The gauge promptly pointed to full. Right on the money.

The ride to Hertz was one of humble reflection ending with near uncontrollable laughter.

Maybe I should stick to two wheels.

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel ©copyright 2019

The post The Rip Off appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.

Still struggling to find the perfect flight to Italy or another location in Europe? We now offer bundled booking options to Italy and beyond that just might save you a chunk of change.  Call 406-570-9393 or email andi@onceinalifetimetravel.com for a quote.

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.  I’ve got a strategy that can save you hundreds.

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 for Flights to Europe

When I have my approximate dates I start by first doing a general search on a big site.  My favorites are Skyscanner and 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 for Flights

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 me my flight across the ocean and the loss of a full day 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 your Flight

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.  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 Tuesdays.  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 WHICH days of travel, try to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Be mindful of holidays in both countries.

My Secret Tactic to Save Money on Flights

Our exciting update with this trick, we now have access to the below bundling saving trick.  Call us at 406-570-9393 directly or email us for a quote, I have personally tested this out and the savings is real. My clients have enjoyed the best prices available anywhere.

Another good trick is so simple that I initially thought there must be a catch. Get on the phone with a real live, flesh and blood representative at a major company like Expedia or Travelocity and now at  Once in a Lifetime Travel.  Imagine that.  Talk to a person. Give them your dates and ask if there is any savings if you combine a hotel or rental car.  If you know the hotel you want to stay in have the name handy and see if they can book you there.  Get ready to watch the prices melt.

If your ideal hotel is not an option or isn’t giving you much savings don’t worry.  Ask them what is the bare bottom best price.  Crazy as it may sound, you don’t have to stay in the hotel with the best combo deal. Verify with the agent, but generally you are not committed to the accommodation or the rental car.  This seems silly, but you may save money by booking a hotel you will never set foot in.  For example, a client and her family booked a package with flights and hotels (which were horribly located) saving a few hundred dollars per person than if she had booked online or through the airlines directly.  I helped get her a great central hotel and everyone is happy.

Reward Travel for Flights

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 for Flights You are Interested In

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.

Good luck, take a deep breath and let me know what works for you!

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel

©copyright 2018

The post Finding the best flight to Italy | or Anywhere in Europe appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.

Nothing can ruin your vacation quicker than landing in the middle of an Italian train strike. I know, I’ve been there. This complete guide to train strikes in Italy will help you avoid strikes completely when possible and prepare you for dealing with them should you find yourself in trouble.

The basics of Italian Strikes or Sciopero

Strikes are common in Italy and considered just a part of Italian life. Strikes aren’t limited to the trains either. Public transportation, taxis, airports, post and communication, even public sanitation will strike.

The majority of the strikes are planned well in advance and communicated to the public. Often, these planned strikes are limited to a specific region and may be just a few hours. Many strikes are cancelled at the last minute and rescheduled.

The responsibility of making alternative plans is solely yours, you will not find sympathy nor financial reimbursement.

Planning Ahead for Strikes in Italy

The most accurate and comprehensive site is in Italian and can be overwhelming for English speakers. If you know what you are looking for and how to find it a world of stress and angst can be avoided. The website is found here. You are first looking for the area or department in which you are hoping won’t be on strike. For trains, this is Appalti settore ferroviario. Transporto aereo for flights, Trasporto Pubblico Locale for public transportation.

Once you have found your department, you will search for your dates of travel in the first column. The section column is the sector or department. Keep in mind this schedule is listed European style with the date first and then the month. Don’t worry about the third column named Azienda but pay close attention to the Localita. Localita informs you of where the strike will be. Many are limited to a particular region or city. If the word Nazionale with an Italian flag is there, brace yourself as this means it affects the entire country.

What to do if you are caught in a strike

Even with the best planning, this can happen. Since you are 100{6a79f8b483379a07c99b49f3ac110091f25498c816895d3835c84435c153d1be} responsible for handling this, here are some suggestions.

During national strikes there will be a few major trains running. Check at the station or online to see if you can snatch one of these tickets, but keep in mind they go fast.

Look for alternative transportation such as a bus or private driver. Renting a car is usually the easiest and most economical solution and one that I have utilized. Autoeurope is the consolidator I use for all of my bookings.

Hire a travel planner that knows her stuff and lays out the ground work for you. Oh wait, that’s me! And yes, my clients travel prepared with the confidence of knowing I’ve got their back and their Plan B.

Simply change your plans and stay put. One of the joys of travel, specifically foreign travel and pointedly Italian travel, is rolling with the punches and looking for opportunities from potential mishaps.

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel

©copyright 2017

The post Complete Guide to Train Strikes in Italy appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.