Hello from Rome, Italy

I am writing you this week as I am about to board my plane home after spending a few days inspecting hotels and a luxury villa that can delight the hundreds of customers we assist traveling to Italy every year. 

Here are 8 short observations of our trip so far:

1.Tourists have invaded Italy – Italy is going bonkers with tourists from all over the world. I have never seen as many tourists packing the streets of Rome as I experienced this week. All the major tourist sites are shoulder to shoulder-with tourists. Even driving into the city of Siena in Tuscany had stop-and-go traffic for miles. 

2.The high travel season for Italy has expanded from May through September – These are the months with the most crowds and highest prices. I usually recommend staying away from Italy in July and August because of the heat. I now recommend traveling to Italy during April and October for the best combination of weather, prices, and moderate crowds. 

3.Hotel prices in Rome have gone wacko – Five star hotels this week cost $1200 a night. 4 star hotels $800 a night. And even a boutique 3-star is $400+. 

4.It’s hard to find an Italian among all the tourists – Americans love Italy and at almost every corner you can hear someone speaking English. 

5.The US dollar is very strong and your money still goes a long way in Italy – Today the Euro to USD was $1.07. Just two years ago the dollar had shrunk to $1.21. Basically your USD buys 12% more today in Italy than it did two years ago. 

6.Dogs, Dogs, and more Dogs – Seems like every person in Italy has a dog. There are more dogs than kids. And how come everyone can miss stepping in doggy “deposits” except me?

7.Umbria is replacing Tuscany as the new “hot” Province in Italy – Ever since the book “Under the Tuscan Sun” came out the province of Tuscany just south of Florence has seen a massive increase in tourism. As Tuscany filled up, the new province of Umbria is now next in line for people wanting to find and experience the “ real Italy”. 

8.Cameras, baseball caps, backpacks and tennis shoes make it easy to spot Americans – The French and Italians always are so snazzily dressed. They look like they are going to a     wedding every day. Great looking shoes, suits, and dresses. I bet they are jealous of my orange and green plaid shorts. 

Italy – Eat, Live, Love! –
Here is the most delightful tour to Italy for women only. Follow our Women of the Midwest from the “heel of the boot” through the Puglia region, Lecce, Alberobello, Matera, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii to Rome this October 15-26. Our tour focuses on all the flavors Italy offers. Tastings and hands-on cooking combined with history and unique UNESCO World Heritage sites. Only six spots are left of this tour that takes off with a maximum of 20 like-minded women. CLICK HERE to read all the details, and do not hesitate to contact our friendly group department to secure your spot today at 402.395.4881 / GroupDepartment@executivetravel.com.