Mr. & Mrs. Worldwide
It’s crunch time folks.
Passports:
There are some options here and we are happy to share. How to obtain, how to renew, where to even begin?!?
If you’re a first timer (we are flattered), I would recommend paying this link a little visit! We’re talking printing, pricing, photographing, the works. As a recent victim of Walgreens… I highly recommend the local passport office.
Now, if it’s just been a minute, and you need a renewal, this is the place. Truthfully, aside from documentation, the process is very similar. Make sure to have your expired passport handy. They want it.
Understandably so, there has been some confusion on the infamous “six month rule”. Precautionary, some countries require not only a valid passport but a passport that does not expire within six months of travel. Different countries, different rules (go figure) so we have located a helpful list of Italian requirements here. To summarize… Six month validity is recommended HOWEVER a three month period is required when travelling to and from the region. You will need two blank pages in your current book (if you are even close to filling up a passport book… jealous).
Travel Tips // Reminders
We have compiled a list of things we notoriously forget when travelling internationally. Some easier than others, all very, very, very crucial (take my word).
Contact your bank. Give ‘em some travel dates. Impulsively shop your little heart out (without embarrassing yourself @ checkout). Italian leather goods and pasta are at stake here.
Same note… confirm your cell plan with your provider. Are international calls, texts, snaps, and grams included? Wi-fi is available at the villa. How good is that Italian countryside, middle of nowhere wi-fi, you ask? Honest answer… no clue. But I am working on it.
Strictly speaking from experience at this point. Bring a damn power adapter, Italian wall outlets are a little *spicy*. There are TONS of options but this is my fave.
I am almost positive we have train travel figured out. After a pretty extensive search, Trenitalia is absolutely (IMO) the best bet. A functional app, an easy and quick booking system. If you plan to take the train from Florence to Lucca (town near villa), book it! Trenitalia also is home to the bullet trains. If planning to visit other large cities after villa checkout, bullet trains are the way to go. There are multiple stations to chose from in Florence, however, Firenze Santa Maria (S.M) Novela is best rated.
****Helpful reminder, when booking, all stations/cities are listed in their native form. For example Florence > Firenze Rome > Roma. I wasted what felt like hours trying to figure this out. HA.
All of this to say, its crunch time. If finding yourself overwhelmed, call us! Unless its passport related… In that case you should call Fifi or Elaine. They are the pros.
See you SO SOON!
-RK & EJWB