A valid passport will need to be active through at least April 1, 2025 (or six months from your anticipated last date of travel).
To renew your passport, apply for a new one, or find more international travel information, visit travel.state.gov. Please note, routine passport processing times will take 6-8 weeks.
Before flying internationally, be sure to double-check your documents, fill any prescription refills you will need while you're abroad, and
develop a plan for getting cash in the local currency.
You can find more information on airline-specific requirements on your airline's webpage.
More information on international travel preparedness can be found at travel.state.gov.
While it's not necessary to speak Italian to visit Italy, knowing some of the language will be helpful when you are abroad.
Some recommended Italian language resources include:
Alternatively, you can also try watching your favorite shows translated to Italian!
Banks and credit card companies check cardholders' accounts for any unusual or suspicious activity when a transaction occurs.
If your company sees a charge from a location away from home, your issuer may think this is suspicious activity and decline the charge.
If you're visiting a country or location where fraudulent charges occur more often, the chances of your credit card getting declined are higher when you don't alert your credit card issuer about your travel.
You're not required to notify your card company when you're going away on vacation, but it is highly recommended.
By letting your credit card company know where you're going and for how long, your company will know that any card transactions from that location were likely authorized by you.
To set a travel alert for your card over the phone, call the number on the back of your card to get in touch with your bank.
The customer service line will either let you speak to a representative on the phone or work with an automated system.
If you have any questions or concerns about your travel notice, calling your card company is a good method to set the notification.
When traveling to a foreign country, it is extremely helpful to have a working cell phone.
Additionally, roaming rates can be extremely expensive.
Even if you don't call or text while abroad, background updates to apps can run up unexpected roaming fees.
To avoid this, consider purchasing a temporary international phone plan for your trip.
Options include:
Purchasing an international plan through your current carrier.
Purchasing a SIM card abroad (recommended for longer trips).
Using a third-party data provider (provides internet access but not cellular reception).
Be sure to explore your options before your trip in order to prevent roaming charges and lapses in connection.
For Italy there are three associated plug types, types C, F and L.
Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side and plug type L is the plug type which has three round pins.
It recommended that you purchase an adapter like this one for any electronics you will need to charge.
Additionally, Italy operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Just because you have an adapter doesn't mean that you can use the same electronics in Italy.
For example, US-based adjustable-heat styling tools can short circuit when used with different voltages.
Consider purchasing tools that are made to work abroad or avoid bringing any styling tools in general.
If you are planning on renting a car while in Italy, it is important to obtain an International Driver's Permit.
Apply for an International Driver's Permit through AAA by filling out this form and either mailing it in or visiting your nearest AAA location.
It recommended that you purchase an adapter like this one for any electronics you will need to charge.
