AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION:

You are responsible for booking and arranging your own air travel.  I have listed several options for purchasing air travel below.  Remember, you will arrive in Europe the day after you leave the USA, so keep that in mind when booking airfare.  I will always be available to answer any questions you have and to help with your arrangements.

The airports you will be using are listed below:

Rome (FCO, Rome Fumicino),  Florence (FLR, Aeroporto A. Vespucci), or nearby Pisa (PSA, Galileo Galilei), Venice (VCE) and Naples (NAP).   I will give you information on how to get into your arrival city once you have booked your flights.

If you would like to extend your trip in Florence, Rome,  Venice, or any other European destination, let me know and I will be glad to help with those arrangements.  You would need to decide this before you make your airline reservations. 

There are many ways to get to the larger cities like Rome, Venice or Milan in Italy, but to fly in or out of Florence will require a stop and plane change in Europe somewhere.  Delta, United, Continental, US Airways,  KLM (through Northwest Airlines),  Alitalia,  British Airways and American are just a few.   Connections are usually through Rome, Milan, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, London or Zurich. 

You can go directly to any of the airline websites listed above and get fares and routes.  If you are planning on using reward miles you will have to book very early.  They usually only set aside a few seats.

There are numerous Internet consolidators out there like www.orbitz.com. www.1800flyeurope.com, www.cheaptickets.com, www.skyauction.com,  www.airfare.com, or www.kayak.com, just to name a few.  These will show many airlines and their prices.  Sometimes they will use several airlines to get you to your destination.  If you fly from a smaller airport like Corpus Christi, then these can really help.  I have used some of these before and found some really great deals.  By spending a little time on the Internet, you can possibly save yourself some money. 

Using a local travel agency is another option.  Some people still like the assurance of having a real person helping you.  This is very useful if you do not have time or the interest in searching for your airfare.  You will usually pay a small fee for their service.   

There is also the opportunity to use pass agreements with other airlines that are available if you are a Southwest Airlines employee.  Of course, all of these are space available. 

***Whatever way you decide to book your airline travel, be sure to allow plenty of time between connecting flights.  This is an area than can be confusing or vague when booking on the Internet.  Also, certain airports need more time for a connection than others.  Paris and New York airports all require a little extra time.  They are big and can be confusing to get around.  You also have more of a chance of your checked luggage making connections if there is plenty of time between.  I have had my bags lost 3 times and it is not fun.  They have all made it in, but I had to wear the same clothes for 3 days.  If your bags are lost the airline will deliver them to your hotel once they arrive.

Once you have decided to join the tour and paid your deposit, you should start looking at airfares.  Prices are continuing to rise for international travel.  Please check with me before you book your flights.  No matter which route you take to book your flights, I will be glad to look over your potential flight schedule and advise as best I can. 

LET'S FLY TO ITALY!!!