Italy 2017

Hey TW, I figured I'd create this thread to document my travels abroad. I'm graduating with my MBA in May and starting a career in Financial Services Consulting soon after so now seemed like a good time to do some exploring. Thanks to a light course load and my girlfriend, who's studying abroad in Florence, I'll have the ability to visit Italy twice in the coming months. I already have my first trip planned, February 23-March 1.

Any tips and tricks are appreciated!

 

Being that this is the first trip I've taken abroad solo, I took special care in planning an itinerary that I was familiar with. I got a great deal on a Delta flight from Dallas/Ft.Worth to Milan-Malpensa via New York JFK. My two major motivators for this were my familiarity with the Milan airport and the ability to make my international connection in the U.S, I didn't want to have to make a tight connection abroad. I also discovered that by booking with Delta over the phone I was given the opportunity to select my seats in advance at no additional cost. At my height, having an aisle seat might actually allow me to get some sleep.

My last trip to Italy was smooth sailing until the last 100 feet, when the brakes decided that they had had enough and the fire department had to come to the rescue.

 

So you'll have customs clearance at the first station (gateway city) you land at once you cross the Atlantic going either direction.

Is your flight number for your return flight the same all the way from Italy to the states?

Otherwise I'd ask DL where you'll need to present your passport.

 

Different flight numbers, I'm on Delta Connection from DFW-JFK and mainline Delta from JFK-MXP.
On the return I'm on Alitalia (Delta Codeshare) from MXP-JFK and Delta Connection from JFK-DFW

I have a ton of built in layover time at JFK so I should be good there. I haven't booked anything for my April trip yet, which is the one with the weird connections.

 

Working on locking down the routing for my second set of tickets, it has multiple stops which I'm not crazy about however it does let me fly into Malpensa which I prefer over the other Milan airport for ease of rail access.

 

Yee haw the A340 is a pretty rare ride.

I'm betting you'll be a little nervous on you connection at MUC to MXP if there's a delay. I've only flown into MUC a few times and it's been a while. It's grown a lot since then but,I was pretty easy.

 

I'd be excited to get the chance to ride on the A340! From my understanding, no US operators fly them

 

Booked my second set of tickets today!

 

You are correct. That particular Airbus went into service only a few years before the Boeing 777. The 777 essentially killed the A340 (and now/soon will kill the 747 with a little help). No US operators bought the A340.

 

I've yet to have the chance to fly a 777 or 747 for that matter. Hopefully one of these days I'll get the chance to check them out

 

You're in luck. The 777 will be around for decades to come. And while the 747 is winding down there's still a good number in service although the few still operated by American passenger airlines is getting fewer quick.

 

I know that Delta is phasing out there 747 fleet as fast as possible, and that just gives me an excuse to do some more international travel!

 

some short layovers in Munich and somewhat Philly. Hopefully customs moves quick for ya.

 

Thanks, I ended up not taking the itinerary through Munich and instead chose the one long (3h45m) layover in Frankfurt. Philly should be small enough that I don't see myself having an issue considering all the Star Alliance airlines operate out of the same concourse. Plus I'll be back stateside so at least I'll speak the language.

 

good move IMO

biggest part is going thru customs. you'll have to collect your bag, go through it, and then back through security again typically. The kiosks for customs have somewhat helped for efficiency, but when you get stuck behind people who are unsure how it works, it can get frustrating.

just food for thought

 

That's why I'm glad I gave myself almost 4 hours in Frankfurt on the way over. It should give me some time to familiarize myself with the airport since I'll have a tighter connection on the way back. I'm a little confused with whether or not I'll have to fully clear customs in Germany or just do a "passport check" since I won't be leaving the airport.

 

Submitted all of my information for TSA PreCheck today. I know it's along shot but I'm hoping that I get it completed before the return leg of my trip as that's by far my tightest connection.

Also managed to find a pair of cheap flights from New Orleans to Dallas, equal to the cost of my gas, saving me a 7 hour drive at the beginning and end of my trip. Eleven days til departure!

 

I loved this restaurant when I was in Florence a year ago. https://www.google.com/maps/place/R...bd4ca466d23253b!8m2!3d43.7686079!4d11.2634421

 

I'll have to try and stop by, just looked up the menu and it looks fantastic!

 

Do you plan on doing any traveling other than the cities on your itinerary?