August 29, 2025 • 40 mins
Getting ready to travel to Italy in 2026? We're discussing the travel trends and ideas shaping future trips to Italy. From AI itineraries to slow travel principles, planning your vacation looks a little different than it has in the past.
Read the full episode show notes here > untolditaly.com/288
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The Untold Italy travel podcast is an independent production. Podcast Editing, Audio Production and Website Development by Mark Hatter. Production Assistance and Content Writing by the other Katie Clarke
Read the full episode show notes here > untolditaly.com/288
NEW! - the Untold Italy app - 11 regions now available - DOWNLOAD FOR iOS • DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
The app is FREE to download and check out our Milan guide and general travel content. Upgrade to PREMIUM for a one time fee to access Rome, Florence, Venice, Sorrento, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia, Tuscany, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Veneto, Lombardy, Campania, Lazio, Puglia, Abruzzo, Calabria, Umbria with much more to come
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Editorial Information
The Untold Italy travel podcast is an independent production. Podcast Editing, Audio Production and Website Development by Mark Hatter. Production Assistance and Content Writing by the other Katie Clarke
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
If you've been waiting for the perfect time to take
that dream trip to Italy, I've got news for you.
It doesn't exist. There are so many factors out of
our control, global events, health issues, family challenges, things change, life,
free surprises, and if Italy is calling you, the time
to start planning is now. Today. We're talking about how
(00:20):
to plan your Italy travels for twenty twenty six and beyond.
The new trends to watch, the pitfalls to avoid, and
the smart moves that will help you make your trip
a reality.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Tawatuti and Benvenuti Tuan told Italy the Travel podcast to
where you go to the towns and villages, mountains and lakes,
hills and coastlines of ballet Italia. It's week your host
Katie Clark takes you on a journey in a search
of magical landscapes, history, culture, wine, gelato, and of course,
(00:57):
a whole lot of basta. If you're dreaming of Italy
and planning future adventures there, you've come to the right place.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Dreaming of arriving in Italy is strolling into a gelatia
and ordering your gelato with confidence. If you've been learning
Italian with language apps, but still can't string a sentence together,
it might be time to try another approach. My friend
Michelle from Intrepid Italian offers a practical way to learn
travel ready Italian. Thanks to her unique eighty twenty method,
(01:36):
Michelle teaches you exactly what you need to know to
connect with locals and have more authentic travel experiences. There's
no getting bogged down in awkward phrases and unnecessary grammar.
As an adult learner herself with Italian heritage, Michelle really
knows how to bridge the gap between English and Italian.
As Roma from London said, the learning methodology is great,
(02:00):
progressed much faster in the last four weeks than I
ever did on my own or using other language apps.
To find out more and claim your free Italian travel
phrase guide, visit untold Italy dot com, forward slash Italian
or visit the link in the show notes. As a bonus,
you'll also get an exclusive twenty dollars coupon code to
use on any of Michelle's online self paced courses. So
(02:22):
visit untold Italy dot com, forward slash Italian and accelerate
your Italian language journey today. One Johno, Hello friends, and
welcome back to untold Italy. Hope you're doing well as
we see off the northern summer and head at fast
pace into full or autumn as we call it here
where I am in Australia. If you're traveling to Italy soon,
(02:44):
well done to you. September and October are glorious months
to explore Italy. You're growing to have an absolute blast.
But today we're diving into a few trends and updates
on how travel in Italy is shaping up for the
rest of the year and into twenty twenty. If you've
been dreaming of days spent wondering the sites and soaking
up all things Italian and you're not sure where to
(03:06):
go or when, this episode is for you. If you're
heading off soon, so exciting. I've also got some trends
to share on things to do and what to avoid
so you don't make any major mistakes. But you know what,
sometimes mistakes are fun. That's what I think anyway. One
thing I want to start this episode with is this,
there's never a perfect year or time to travel. I
(03:30):
don't know if you were listening in earlier this year,
but everyone was bracing for crashing Jubilee crowds in Rome.
Everything was going to be super busy. Hotels and airlines
were supposedly hiking up their prices, which a lot of
them did, it's fair to say, and the media warned
of chaos, not just the media, actually the Italian tourist board,
(03:52):
and who knows why they would do that just doesn't
make sense to me. That was because of the jubilee
that was coming up, and that has been continuing for
the whole of this year. But then something happened that
nobody really predicted, and the Pope became very seriously ill
and he passed away. So things really shifted overnight, and
(04:13):
what was supposed to be one of the busiest travel
years in decades played out somewhat differently. Yes, Rome has
been really busy this year, but you know what, it's
always busy, And as predicted right here, the types of
travelers visiting the Eternal City were very different to most
of you. The Pilgrim travelers if you've been listening along
(04:35):
to this for a while this podcast, the Pilgrims are
very different types of travelers and they flocked to the
religious sites and stay in dormitories and maybe not in
hotels or bed and Breakfast. Like most of the listeners
of this podcast will so Rome this year has essentially
been the same as it has for many many years,
(04:56):
apart from the COVID years, and that means it's busy.
Rome is always busy. Another thing that has not changed
is that, let's just say summer this year has been
another super hot one in Italy and it's probably been
best spent to the beach or in the mountains if
you were able to do that. July and August and
even June when I was there are really really very
(05:19):
hot and now some people do love the heat. I
do not. And if you're like me and you're traveling
in the hot months, then you need to be aware
and make your plans accordingly. I think the reality is
now these really hot summers are setting in and unfortunately
that means if you need to travel during those times,
(05:39):
you're really going to have to dig deep and make
sure that you're looking after yourself and your health. And
one of the best tips that I learned this year
was from my Polini's coach, Ingrid thank You, and she
mentioned that a really good idea is to get some
electrolytes into you during the day and I didn't interview
earlier this week talking to someone who's been a lot
(06:00):
of time in Italy and she said, yes, she does
that too, And you can get those electrolytes there come
in a little sachet that you can get at the
chemist dollar pharmacy. So if you're traveling when it's hot,
remember that tip. So those things were a constant. You know,
Rome's always busy and the summers are hot, so we
know that. But one thing that has happened in twenty
(06:22):
twenty five is something that really probably wasn't expected and
it doesn't affect everyone, but it does impact American travelers
and not something you can plan for and it's completely
out of your control. But the US dollar has taken
a big hit against the Euro, which has meant the
prices in Euro for Americans are now eleven to twelve
(06:42):
percent higher. So for all my Australian listeners and others
joining us from places with let's just say, more volatile currencies,
this is one hundred percent business as usual and we're
used to it, but it can come as a shock
if you're on a type budget or you're not used
to being subject to these very strong currency fluctuations. So
(07:04):
what's the lesson here, Well, the lesson is that life
is unpredictable and we can't change certain things, like what's
happening with the pope or what's happening with currency exchanges.
And if Italy is on your mind and in your heart,
please don't wait for some magical better year or better
time to go, because the best time to go is
(07:25):
when you can. So if you're thinking about going in
twenty twenty six next year, seriously, don't wait. There's always
going to be reasons not to go. But I can
assure you that your time in Italy will invigorate you
with fresh perspectives and keep you positive and upbeat about
life in a world that feels quite tumultuous right now.
(07:45):
And Italian culture is so very different to most of
our English speaking countries. I really feel very different when
I'm there, and that's because there's less of a focus
on growth and productivity and more of a focus on
enjoying life as it is in the moment. And this
is the perfect antidote for a frantic and busy life
(08:07):
where everything is a little bit stressful. Italians just have this,
you know. They say piano piano, which is slow down,
let's go a little slower. And I love that, you know,
and it's not my usual mode of operating. I have
to say, I'm more of a let's go, let's go
type of person. But when I'm there, I really appreciate
(08:29):
those moments where you're really forced to slow down and
enjoy everything that's going on around you. So thank you
to Italy for that. It's really been a big part
of my life. Now. In this episode, we're going to
explore some of the new trends shaping travel in Italy
in twenty twenty six, the pitfalls to avoid and the
best practices that can make your trips smoother. I'm also
(08:51):
going to share a bit about how social media and
AI tools are changing the way people plan trips, and
why we hear at Untold Italy are shifting where we
share some of our content, and how you can get
some help from us if planning feels overwhelming or you'd
like a little sanity check on your itinery. So what's
going to be different in twenty twenty six. A few
(09:13):
big themes are emerging, actually, and some of them I'm
really excited about. So the first one is that there's
definitely a shift to traveling in the regions outside the
major tourist zones. Hooray, hooray. I'm so excited, and I
like to think that we've played a small part in
that travelers are branching out beyond Rome, Florence, Venus, the
Amalfi Coast and Tuscany, and we're seeing such a growing
(09:36):
interest in Umbria, Piedmont, Emilia, or Manya and Pullia in particular.
Is it the food, the fresh country air, the local
festivals or the beautiful scenery. It's probably all of the above.
But it's so great to see this shift because not
only does it reduce pressure on the bigger cities, but
and perhaps I'm preaching to the choir here, you are
(09:58):
really going to have a quiet, a different, more intimate
and localized experience when you head outside of the traditional tourisodes.
It's really very special and I'm really glad that this
trend is emerging. And if you'd like to explore these areas,
sometimes it's not actually easy to find a lot of
information online or outside of this podcast about those areas,
(10:22):
those smaller destinations, and that's why we built our app
actually is to share all of the twenty regions of
Italy and we're not quite finished with it just yet.
We've still got a few regions to go, but we've
got eleven in there at the moment, and I'm really
excited because in the next few weeks all of the
twenty regions of Italy will be in now Untold Italy app,
complete with their food and wine culture, how to get
(10:44):
around the favorite towns that we have, hotels that we
love and restaurants that we like to go to. So
this is built not from any algorithm, It's built from
a love of Italy. So I hope if you haven't
already that you've downloaded the app, and of course as
a podcast listener, you can get all of our episodes
that we've done so far, and that's always three hundred
(11:07):
on the app ad free and you'll keep getting those
episodes as they're release. So we are not charging a
membership for the app. It's a one off fee and
you'll continue to get all the content as we keep
adding it. So I hope everyone's liking it. You know,
with everything, if there are always a few technical issues,
and if you're having a problem, just please don't hesitate
(11:28):
to reach out. That's what I'm here for okay, we're
exploring the regions outside the main tourisomes excellent. The second
one that I wanted to talk about is sustainability and
slow travel principles are really now starting to cut through,
which I am also very happy about. So more and
more people are choosing to travel by train, support local businesses,
(11:48):
and stay in AGRITURISMI that are those family run farms days.
These are booming as travelers learn how great they are
at providing a contrast between the cities and how they
enable you to discover local traditions. I try not to
be too bossy on here, but really, if you do
one thing that will change the way you see Italy
(12:10):
and also any travel that you do going forward in
any other country, it's staying a few days at an
agriturismo and getting to know a pocket of Italy that
perhaps you don't see so much showcased in all the
glossy brochures and online, but which in fact is incredibly
special and will stay with you for a very long time.
The third trend I want to share is technology and AI.
(12:33):
So many travelers are turning to tools like check GPT
to draft itineries and other online itinery makers, and look,
AI is brilliant at brainstorming. It's like your favorite research
buddy who never gets tired but tears the catch. It's
got a few problems with logistics in particular, and so
it doesn't know that some of the museums aren't open
(12:56):
on a Monday, or that you know, the per fixed
chatteria that you found on the beach has either shut
down or they're not open at certain times of the year,
or like a lot of them shut down in August,
in fact, and in January if you're traveling men. So
there's some challenges with AI. And look, I am a
technological person. I love new innovations, and if you've been
(13:20):
following along for a while you have noticed that. But
I don't know about you. But unless you get your
prompts really tight, like a I just keep spewing information
and more and more and more information with very little context.
And so frankly, I found it pretty useless on logistics
because a lot of transport information can't be easily scraped
(13:43):
and it changes a lot. And the reason I can't
be scraped is because they're Italian transport people. I mean,
they're barely on the internet which you know again, let's
go back to piano. Piano. I kind of love this sometimes,
but they will sometimes publish key route. There's schedules for
that on a PDF, and they might publish it halfway
(14:04):
through the season, which I things hilarious but good on them.
But you can't then, if you're an algorithm, you can't
scrape that. So therein lies the problem. Now, if you're
learning Italian like me, you'll know that it's also quite
easy to misinterpret prepositions, so things can get lost in
translation more often than you think. Be aware when you're
(14:25):
using those tools. I think it's a great place to
do research. I do it myself, but when you're trying
to pull everything together, it can be really, really tricky.
And we've actually had quite a few clients come to
us after building an AI generated plan because they started
to delve into it and we're getting frustrated about how
to get it to work logistically, like the train schedules
(14:45):
that didn't exist, opening hours, and how to map things
together so that you can really do the things that
you want to do. And they are really going in
circles trying to figure it all out. So that's where
human expertise really matters, and if you need help, make
sure to engage someone who knows Italy really well, so
you might have a really good friend that's well traveled
(15:07):
and spent a lot of time in Italy. Or of course,
we've got our trip consultants, all of us who are
a little bit obsessed with traveling in Italy. We know
the quirks and the realities of what's happening on the ground,
and so do reach out if you're stuck. We love
hearing all your dreams for your trip and helping you
pull those ideas together and sorting out the logistics and
adding a little extras that make the trips really special.
(15:29):
But you know, sometimes we've all got a friend that
has these skills as well, But make sure you buy
them lunch. At least, it's a lot of work doing
trip planning, so definitely by someone lunch if they're going
to help you with that. Finally, seasonality ships now. We've
had long standing advice to go in the shoulder season,
and I reckon it's becoming a little bit almost mainstream
(15:50):
now and more and more travelers are booking for April
and October and even into March and November, and I
love this. It spreads the crowds out a little, but
it also means that you need to plan earlier for
those months. Not to say they are not busy, but
they're just a little less. So it's really preference about
how you want to travel. But also it's like I said,
(16:13):
Cape DMCs the day, go when you can, because Italy
is amazing whatever time you go, and if you really
really want to skip the largest crowds November, early December,
the last three weeks of January and February except for
Kannavali time in Venice are your best bets. The time
around Christmas up to January the sixth is actually very busy,
(16:35):
which I found out for myself earlier this year. It
was fun at that time, like a lot of fun,
but perhaps not as relaxed as I was expecting. Now
I'm going to talk about social media because it's always there,
and you know it's going to be no surprise to
you that platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram are hugely
influential when it comes to travel. A single real or
(16:58):
a YouTube video about hidden beach or a tiny tratter
rear or a restaurant in Rome Can sent thousands of
people there overnight. In fact, earlier this year, there was
a mountain village in the Campagna region that had to
bring in traffic control earlier this year, when an influencer
posted that it was snowing there, they actually quadrupled their
population in a few hours, and the locals were quite bewildered.
(17:22):
Needless to say, there were not enough services, including bathrooms,
to cope with the influx. So we're getting these surge
visits due to social media, and it's quite crazy because
you know, we're all expecting to have this beautiful restaurant
with the snow falling down, but it wasn't happening because
there were just not enough services to cope with the influx.
(17:44):
And you know what, they might never be ready for
all those visitors because it just was so unexpected. Another
story that I wanted to tell you was that in
Juna was walking through Trusteviday in Rome and I saw
the long lines outside a restaurant that I constantly see
on social media. Personally, I don't do lines at all.
I've never done lines, even back in my clubbing days,
(18:06):
which were a very very long time ago. But I
was quite happy to walk around the corner to sit
in a piazza and get told off for my incorrect
hand gestures by a friendly waiter while I enjoyed a
lovely glass of Sicilian wine. Now, who doesn't love a
bit of banter with their delicious meal? And let's be real,
there's no banter when we're turning tables quickly to move
(18:27):
a line, and that's really un Italian anyway. We love
to linger in Italy. Social media has been around long
enough that we know everything has been made to look
amazing and at its absolute best, but somehow we sometimes
forget all that when it comes to traveling abroad. The
problem is the style posts don't tell the full story.
(18:48):
Amalfi at eleven am in July does not look like
the dreamy clippy saw and the road in and out
is at a standstill. Ferries are packed and running late,
and prices are sky high, which is at absolutely fine
if that's what you're expecting, but a bit disappointing if
you weren't expecting that. And I have to say, every
(19:08):
single person that I have spoken to this year that's
been intent on going to the Maufi Coast, and I said, oh,
you might want to have a think of you know,
some other places. No, we're going. I've always wanted to
see it, and they say, yep, I went, I saw it.
I'm glad I did, but I don't need to go back.
And you know what, I know what they mean back
(19:30):
in a flash right after these messages. Now, if we're
all being a little bit honest with ourselves. Also, social
media is less on the social these days and more
of a marketing tool. I can't remember the last time
that I shared something personal on any of the major
social media platforms, even on my personal accounts. I'm definitely
(19:54):
a lurker, and I know many of you are too,
and there's nothing wrong with that, but it does mean
that's social media is no longer that place where we're
seeing snippets of everyday life and experiences. You know what,
I'll also be honest with you and say that we
definitely don't share broadly our very very special favorite restaurants,
hotels and towns on those channels because, like I said,
(20:16):
I don't like to line up and if I can't
get a booking at those places that I really love,
it makes me very sad. So unfortunately, you know, I
do understand the irony of the situation and realize that
I have been part of the problem of overturisting some areas.
But you know, going forward, I'm a little bit more
cautious about what I share because it's taken the fun
(20:38):
out of travel a bit. Also, you know, like everyone's
going to the same place, everyone's having the same experience,
and like, isn't it fun to go home and say, oh,
I found these amazing place. I didn't see it on
social media or just went down this lane way and
we bumped into this gorgeous little traturia and that we
met the owner. And that's half the fun of travel,
(21:01):
if you ask me. So, if social media isn't social anymore,
that means you're getting fed whoever does marketing the best?
And it's really food for thought, isn't it. So when
you double down on who does marketing best about Italian
places in English, you're getting a very small view of
the potential out there, because in fact, I can only
(21:22):
think of about ten brands or companies outside the luxury
fashion and cars space that are able to market in
English very effectively. Now, isn't that sad? I mean, I
think it's great that Italians aren't amazing at marketing, because
it does allow for that exploration, but it does mean
what we're seeing is something that is, you know, a
(21:46):
marketing exercise. We're seeing a very small handful of what's available,
and that's why we're ever possible. On this podcast and
via our tours, our services and our Untold Italy app,
we like to focus on Italian voices, Italian people, especially women,
who may not be so great at marketing in English,
but have absolutely have amazing stories to share and experiences
(22:11):
that you might like. And this is also part of
why we've made changes in our online community. So after
many years, many many years, we've closed our Facebook group
with over one hundred and sixty thousand members, and a
lot of people are really shocked about that, but you know,
I think it's the right thing to do because we
started back in twenty nineteen and we've been through all
(22:32):
the highs and loads of travel, from engagements and proposals
in Venice to the dark days of COVID, and the
group was a great place for a long time. But
as we've talked about in this podcast, people are moving
to other platforms and using AI these days, and honestly,
running a group at that scale costs considerable resources and energy,
(22:53):
literally thousands of dollars a month, and I don't think
that really people appreciate how much effort goes into keeping
a space feeling the way that we wanted to keep it,
which was very kind and very thoughtful and very helpful.
So yeah, we've decided to close the group, and you know,
(23:14):
to be frank, we rather focus our resources where they
can provide the most value to thoughtful travelers like you,
our podcast listeners, and we're going to be doing that,
continuing to do that on our podcast, on our app,
and on our new substack, where I've already started sharing
my thoughts on each episode of our podcast, and where
I'll be sharing mini guides and the really special places
(23:37):
that I just really want to share with people that
are curious and thoughtful and want to travel in a
really slow and considered way. And honestly, I'm having much
more fun on substack than I've done for a long time.
So if you haven't checked out this platform, it's definitely
(23:58):
worth a look, because, you know, it's like a curated
version of the good old days of the Internet and
blogging before everything got a little bit too cynical. Okay,
So next up, I promised you some things to avoid
in twenty twenty six, and you're planning for that year
and for the years beyond, and even if you're going
to Italy in the coming months. So first up, let's
(24:20):
stop copying other people and start curating your own trip.
Everyone says you should go to the Colisseum, and I'm
gonna say you don't have to do that. If you
simply want pictures. There are plenty of spots outside for that.
No need to run the gauntlet of thousands of people
squished into an ancient monument if it's not your jam.
Even if it is, I can think of at least
(24:41):
ten sites in Rome to get your ancient history fixed.
We've got an article on that, actually, and I'll pop
that into the show notes for you. Recently, just actually
last week, unfortunately a very sad thing happened and a
tour guide passed away inside the Colosseum. I'm not quite
sure the exact reason, but he exhaustion has been mentioned. Listen,
(25:02):
it's not for everyone. It's a really big, exposed site
with lots of rocks and lots of people and steep
stairs to walk up and down if you want to
go up and down the main areas. So yeah, I
think hard about it. It's just, you know, it's not
for everyone, that's all I'm saying. I love the Colosecene,
but it's not for everyone. The second thing I want
to say is that in terms of avoiding things, is
(25:25):
that you should avoid really visiting the tourism hotspots in
peak times and seasons. So a great example is Venice
during the peak months, and actually they're putting in a
tourist tax there that is to discourage people going on
a day trip to Venice. You can find out more
on our website there as well. We've got a link
(25:46):
to that. That's finished for the year, that particular tax,
but I'm sure it will continue into twenty twenty six.
There are some other places that it just gets really,
really busy, and you know what, even if you don't
mind crowds, let's have a spare thought for the people
that live in these places. The Chinquaterde, for example, is
a series of very very small towns. We think they've
(26:08):
got about five to ten thousand people living in them,
and when hundreds of thousands of people descend on those
villages in peak season, it really has a big impact,
and as much as everyone's there to appreciate them, it's
maybe you know, causing structural damage and all sorts of
impact that I think we can all have a little
(26:28):
bit of a think about how we can approach those
a little bit more sensitively. And one idea that I
have for you is, if you were thinking of going
on a day trip to Chinquaterde as an example, really
do have a think about staying overnight, because it's when
it's most magical in fact. So yeah, that's a little
tip for you. You know, if any of the places
like the Amalfi Coast or any of the main tourist
(26:51):
areas or on your dream list, yes you should go, absolutely,
but you know, plan carefully and book early, and try
and stay of a night, start and stay a few nights,
and keep your expectations open and understand that you know
they're popular places for a reason and that they will
be busy and you may not get that intimate experience
(27:13):
that you would get if you went a maybe a
few towns along the railway up in Liguria, which I
highly recommend. Okay, And the third point is try and
avoid some hidden costs or to flip it, be aware
of costs that you might not see upfront. So lately
the Italian cities have raised their city taxes for hotel stays,
(27:35):
which is the price the amount that you pay per
person per night, depending on the status of the hotel,
and it's really climbing up now. Some of them are
like eight or nine ten euros a night, so depending
on the class of hotel, and that's per person actually,
and so it can really add up if you're staying
in those major tourist areas. Car rental costs and fuel
(27:57):
costs are also very high, and so you know, we'd
like to always use a train if we can. And
you know I mentioned this before, but the exchange rate
with your currency may impact what's happening through the prices
on your trip. So really be aware of what's happening
in terms of prices, and you can make some pretty
strong decisions. One thing that I really would say is,
(28:20):
you know everyone's saying, oh, do this tour, do that tour,
have those experiences, but experiences don't actually need to cost anything.
And some of my most favorite times that I've ever
had in Italy have not cost a single cent. It's
just been walking along the Typer River in Rome, or
getting up early in Florence and just doing a walk
(28:40):
along the Anno there, like at about six o'clock in
the morning while people are starting to rise and get
ready for work. So yeah, I think some of those
times are the most beautiful times that you're ever going
to spend in Italy. And I think the last thing
that I wanted to mention on things to avoid is
really try not to rely on those free tools like forums,
(29:02):
ai iteries or any type of random advice that you
get online from people who you don't know, or even
people that you don't know their context or their experience,
because you know, like you don't know who you're talking
to online. And I firmly believe that you know, ninety
five percent of people are doing things out of the
goodness of their heart, but you don't know what their
(29:23):
experience is. You know, you know a lot of people
that go to Italy one time and they just so
excited about their experience, as they should be, that they
want to share it with everyone, but they may not
have the experience that you need for your trip. I
think this might sound a bit overwhelming, and you know
it is it is. There is simply too much content
(29:44):
out there these days with tips, advice, rules, do this,
do that, don't do that, and so you can get
really overwhelming. So if you're feeling overwhelmed, that's okay. Where
you all feel that, and you know we can really
help if you want some help. People also say, why
would I pay you for planning help when there's so
much for free online? And you know that's true. There
(30:06):
is a lot of information, but free often comes with
some hidden costs, mistakes, wasted time, and misinformation. And we've
got clients that have been stuck in the wrong base
or they've spent hundreds of dollars on car rentals that
they didn't need. So peace of mind and getting a
basic plan set up is always a good idea. So
(30:28):
now let's flip it again to the best practices for
planning your trip in twenty twenty six. So the number
one thing I would say, you seize the moment. As
I said at the start, don't wait for the perfect timing.
Remember the Jubilee and everything that's happened since then. Things change,
exchange rates are completely out of our control. We don't
know what's going to happen in a month or a year.
(30:51):
So if you are feeling the call of Italy, you
should go when you can. And I'll never stop saying that.
And you know the truth is, there's no year or
month that you should go. Italy will feel your soul
wherever you go. It's one of those places that people
keep going back in it back again. I am guilty
as charged, and today I've had some interesting news from
(31:14):
my family, and you know, I am firmly in the
moment that if you keep waiting, you may never go.
So please take heat and start looking at flights right
now if you haven't already. The next point I wanted
to make was to plan strongly, but don't overplan, like,
have a buffer in there for flexibility, serendipity and exploring
(31:39):
where you can. The main things are is to get
your flights booked, your train schedule sorted out, and whichever
key museums or sites and restaurants that you want to see.
But then after that just let everything go and have
plenty of time for wondering and serendipity and finding that
special shop that you can't wait to buy a special
(32:02):
memento of your trip. I know, my really good friend
Penny She's got some beautiful jewelry pieces that she found
and she was wandering around an area of Rome and
when she was in Sardinia, and she wears them all
the time, and you know, she just found them by
wandering around, and that's a beautiful thing. The third point
I wanted to make was to choose some fewer bases,
(32:24):
and the less time you spend unpacking and repacking, the
more time you have to enjoy the places that you
are and to go and find little jewelry shops and
places like that. I know there are a lot of
people out there who like to smash out as many
places as possible on their trips, and you know what,
you do you and I used to be like that,
so hungry to see and experience everything. So I get it,
(32:46):
and you know what, it took me a couple of decades,
but I do appreciate the longest day these days. I
think sometimes when people say, oh, you should travel slower,
you know, they forget that first and excitement of being
abroad and seeing everything and soaking up all the different
sites and sounds and tastes. And I never want to
(33:08):
forget that feeling because it's really exciting and even though
I've changed my travel style quite a bit these days,
I can still appreciate why people would want to go
super fast, but it is a good idea to just
slow things down a little bit, and I do wish
I'd known that sooner. Another strategy I think is to
(33:29):
book those special experiences early, whether that's a cooking class
in Tuscany, a countryside hotel that's got views over the
Tuscan landscapes, or the restaurant you've been hearing about for ages.
The best things do get snapped up, so really do
book and advance. And the last one that I wanted
to mention is plan your own way and in your style,
(33:52):
but double check your sources. There are so many many
itinerary ideas on AI, social media and YouTube, and they're
created by people who are so full of excitement and
the thrill of travel, but they might be experiencing places
for the first time and through a particular lens. And
I've got to admit that I find it overwhelming when
I'm going to a new destination, and these days I'm
(34:14):
really not afraid to get help. And this is exactly
what I did. When we went to Japan. A couple
of years ago, and I got some help from a
local trip planning service who explained why buying a rail
pass was not ideal. It actually saved just hundreds of
dollars because we could easily do the trip much cheaper
if we just bought point to point tickets. And so
(34:35):
I didn't know that because all the information that I
was reading online was was get the rail pass, get
the rail passed. And I'm glad I took the local advice.
And even if I'm going to a new area of Italy,
I asked for help because I don't know the transport systems,
the places that are great to go to and that
are not great at marketing in English. I did that
(34:56):
when we went up to South Torrol, and I've got
some specific help from Tyler in our team, who knows
a lot about the ski fields up there. So if
you are going and you're interested in going to the
Winter Olympics this year, yeah, Tyler has a wealth of
knowledge and experience of traveling and staying in the ski
fields in northern Italy, so yeah, I would definitely get
(35:18):
some help from her. So I really can't emphasize this
enough though, because it's really important and I'm going to
use an example from house building as I'm up to
my eyeballs in this right now. But you can do
all your research online and beautiful home that's you know
that you love. But I was finding all that very
overwhelming because there's just so many choices, like how many
(35:41):
tiles can you look at? And your eyes as spinning
and your eyeballs are crossing and everything. But we ended
up then hiring an interior designer, and my eyes have
been opened, and I'm so much more relaxed because I've
had access to a whole new world of options and
insights that have been curated just for us. So you
knows what I like, and she knows what I don't like,
(36:02):
and she's able to sift through everything and just pinpoint
things that will really suit our new home. And so
I am so delighted that my favorite thing that's coming
up is a new sofa, which I've got very short legs,
So this is a miracle sofa that I can sit
comfortably on and have my feet touch the ground. And
(36:25):
I never ever would have found it without our interior designer.
Thanks Lauren, who has also saved us literally thousands of
dollars in mistakes if you love research, fantastic planning can
be a big part of the joy. But even seasoned
travelers sometimes on a second set of eyes and an
expert opinion, and I would fall into that category. There
(36:45):
is a ton of information online and you can plan
for free, but in any context in life, an expert
can make a huge difference. And that's why we offer
trip consultations where we review your plans, gaps and costly mistakes,
and suggest in gems and you know, things that are
just going to make your trip extra special. We don't
take over your trip. I hope people don't think that
(37:07):
you stay incomplete control of it. And what we're giving
you is some added confidence and some extra advice. And
you know what, no one needs to know that you
use a service unless you want to tell them. You
can say you did it all yourself. I have no
problem with that at all. If you're the type of
person for whom research feels like a second job, our
full itinery servers lays everything out, transport activities, timing, so
(37:31):
you can simply enjoy your trip stress free. And if
you're one of those last minute or you've just got
a nagging question over something that you can't quite figure out.
We have some quick fixed chats that are perfect for this.
It's a thirty minute call to solve your top issues
with a follow up email summary, and people are using
this to sanity check their itineries and to focus on
(37:54):
a particular area that they are curious about. You know,
there's lots of ways to get help and do reach
out if you would like some help. So to wrap
this up for the remainder of this year and in
twenty twenty six, we're looking forward to more regional exploration,
more slow travel choices, and more travelers using AI and
social media to do their research and to plan, sometimes
(38:17):
with great results, sometimes with pitfalls. So avoid the overcrowded
hotspots if you can, whether that's timing during the day
or in the year. Watch out for those hidden costs
and don't overrely on free tools or copying other people.
But at the end of the day, just you do
you so seize the day. There's no perfect year or
(38:40):
time to go. If Italy is calling, go now, you
won't regret it. And lastly, just a reminder that we've
made shifts in how we share our Untold Italy resources
and we have closed our Facebook group to focus on
places where we can provide the most value, and that
is substag This podcast and our app and of course
our we'b remains open and ready for all of those
(39:03):
practical trip planning questions you might have, and if you
like personalized support, we're here for you too. Thank you,
Grazimla as always for tuning in. We love being part
of your Italy trip planning journey and we love to
hear your twenty twenty six travel dreams. Next week, we're
heading to one of my favorite regions. Who am I kidding?
I love them all anyway, We're exploring some delicious sweet
(39:26):
treats from the tastiest island in the Mediterranean. But until then,
it's chow for now. The Untold Italy podcast is an
independent production podcast editing, audio production and website development by
Mark Hatter, Production assistance and content writing by the are
they kJ Clark? Yes, there are two of us. For
(39:47):
more information about Untold Italy, please visit Untold Italy dot com.
If you've been waiting for the perfect time to take
that dream trip to Italy, I've got news for you.
It doesn't exist. There are so many factors out of
our control, global events, health issues, family challenges, things change, life,
free surprises, and if Italy is calling you, the time
to start planning is now. Today. We're talking about how
(00:20):
to plan your Italy travels for twenty twenty six and beyond.
The new trends to watch, the pitfalls to avoid, and
the smart moves that will help you make your trip
a reality.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Tawatuti and Benvenuti Tuan told Italy the Travel podcast to
where you go to the towns and villages, mountains and lakes,
hills and coastlines of ballet Italia. It's week your host
Katie Clark takes you on a journey in a search
of magical landscapes, history, culture, wine, gelato, and of course,
(00:57):
a whole lot of basta. If you're dreaming of Italy
and planning future adventures there, you've come to the right place.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Dreaming of arriving in Italy is strolling into a gelatia
and ordering your gelato with confidence. If you've been learning
Italian with language apps, but still can't string a sentence together,
it might be time to try another approach. My friend
Michelle from Intrepid Italian offers a practical way to learn
travel ready Italian. Thanks to her unique eighty twenty method,
(01:36):
Michelle teaches you exactly what you need to know to
connect with locals and have more authentic travel experiences. There's
no getting bogged down in awkward phrases and unnecessary grammar.
As an adult learner herself with Italian heritage, Michelle really
knows how to bridge the gap between English and Italian.
As Roma from London said, the learning methodology is great,
(02:00):
progressed much faster in the last four weeks than I
ever did on my own or using other language apps.
To find out more and claim your free Italian travel
phrase guide, visit untold Italy dot com, forward slash Italian
or visit the link in the show notes. As a bonus,
you'll also get an exclusive twenty dollars coupon code to
use on any of Michelle's online self paced courses. So
(02:22):
visit untold Italy dot com, forward slash Italian and accelerate
your Italian language journey today. One Johno, Hello friends, and
welcome back to untold Italy. Hope you're doing well as
we see off the northern summer and head at fast
pace into full or autumn as we call it here
where I am in Australia. If you're traveling to Italy soon,
(02:44):
well done to you. September and October are glorious months
to explore Italy. You're growing to have an absolute blast.
But today we're diving into a few trends and updates
on how travel in Italy is shaping up for the
rest of the year and into twenty twenty. If you've
been dreaming of days spent wondering the sites and soaking
up all things Italian and you're not sure where to
(03:06):
go or when, this episode is for you. If you're
heading off soon, so exciting. I've also got some trends
to share on things to do and what to avoid
so you don't make any major mistakes. But you know what,
sometimes mistakes are fun. That's what I think anyway. One
thing I want to start this episode with is this,
there's never a perfect year or time to travel. I
(03:30):
don't know if you were listening in earlier this year,
but everyone was bracing for crashing Jubilee crowds in Rome.
Everything was going to be super busy. Hotels and airlines
were supposedly hiking up their prices, which a lot of
them did, it's fair to say, and the media warned
of chaos, not just the media, actually the Italian tourist board,
(03:52):
and who knows why they would do that just doesn't
make sense to me. That was because of the jubilee
that was coming up, and that has been continuing for
the whole of this year. But then something happened that
nobody really predicted, and the Pope became very seriously ill
and he passed away. So things really shifted overnight, and
(04:13):
what was supposed to be one of the busiest travel
years in decades played out somewhat differently. Yes, Rome has
been really busy this year, but you know what, it's
always busy, And as predicted right here, the types of
travelers visiting the Eternal City were very different to most
of you. The Pilgrim travelers if you've been listening along
(04:35):
to this for a while this podcast, the Pilgrims are
very different types of travelers and they flocked to the
religious sites and stay in dormitories and maybe not in
hotels or bed and Breakfast. Like most of the listeners
of this podcast will so Rome this year has essentially
been the same as it has for many many years,
(04:56):
apart from the COVID years, and that means it's busy.
Rome is always busy. Another thing that has not changed
is that, let's just say summer this year has been
another super hot one in Italy and it's probably been
best spent to the beach or in the mountains if
you were able to do that. July and August and
even June when I was there are really really very
(05:19):
hot and now some people do love the heat. I
do not. And if you're like me and you're traveling
in the hot months, then you need to be aware
and make your plans accordingly. I think the reality is
now these really hot summers are setting in and unfortunately
that means if you need to travel during those times,
(05:39):
you're really going to have to dig deep and make
sure that you're looking after yourself and your health. And
one of the best tips that I learned this year
was from my Polini's coach, Ingrid thank You, and she
mentioned that a really good idea is to get some
electrolytes into you during the day and I didn't interview
earlier this week talking to someone who's been a lot
(06:00):
of time in Italy and she said, yes, she does
that too, And you can get those electrolytes there come
in a little sachet that you can get at the
chemist dollar pharmacy. So if you're traveling when it's hot,
remember that tip. So those things were a constant. You know,
Rome's always busy and the summers are hot, so we
know that. But one thing that has happened in twenty
(06:22):
twenty five is something that really probably wasn't expected and
it doesn't affect everyone, but it does impact American travelers
and not something you can plan for and it's completely
out of your control. But the US dollar has taken
a big hit against the Euro, which has meant the
prices in Euro for Americans are now eleven to twelve
(06:42):
percent higher. So for all my Australian listeners and others
joining us from places with let's just say, more volatile currencies,
this is one hundred percent business as usual and we're
used to it, but it can come as a shock
if you're on a type budget or you're not used
to being subject to these very strong currency fluctuations. So
(07:04):
what's the lesson here, Well, the lesson is that life
is unpredictable and we can't change certain things, like what's
happening with the pope or what's happening with currency exchanges.
And if Italy is on your mind and in your heart,
please don't wait for some magical better year or better
time to go, because the best time to go is
(07:25):
when you can. So if you're thinking about going in
twenty twenty six next year, seriously, don't wait. There's always
going to be reasons not to go. But I can
assure you that your time in Italy will invigorate you
with fresh perspectives and keep you positive and upbeat about
life in a world that feels quite tumultuous right now.
(07:45):
And Italian culture is so very different to most of
our English speaking countries. I really feel very different when
I'm there, and that's because there's less of a focus
on growth and productivity and more of a focus on
enjoying life as it is in the moment. And this
is the perfect antidote for a frantic and busy life
(08:07):
where everything is a little bit stressful. Italians just have this,
you know. They say piano piano, which is slow down,
let's go a little slower. And I love that, you know,
and it's not my usual mode of operating. I have
to say, I'm more of a let's go, let's go
type of person. But when I'm there, I really appreciate
(08:29):
those moments where you're really forced to slow down and
enjoy everything that's going on around you. So thank you
to Italy for that. It's really been a big part
of my life. Now. In this episode, we're going to
explore some of the new trends shaping travel in Italy
in twenty twenty six, the pitfalls to avoid and the
best practices that can make your trips smoother. I'm also
(08:51):
going to share a bit about how social media and
AI tools are changing the way people plan trips, and
why we hear at Untold Italy are shifting where we
share some of our content, and how you can get
some help from us if planning feels overwhelming or you'd
like a little sanity check on your itinery. So what's
going to be different in twenty twenty six. A few
(09:13):
big themes are emerging, actually, and some of them I'm
really excited about. So the first one is that there's
definitely a shift to traveling in the regions outside the
major tourist zones. Hooray, hooray. I'm so excited, and I
like to think that we've played a small part in
that travelers are branching out beyond Rome, Florence, Venus, the
Amalfi Coast and Tuscany, and we're seeing such a growing
(09:36):
interest in Umbria, Piedmont, Emilia, or Manya and Pullia in particular.
Is it the food, the fresh country air, the local
festivals or the beautiful scenery. It's probably all of the above.
But it's so great to see this shift because not
only does it reduce pressure on the bigger cities, but
and perhaps I'm preaching to the choir here, you are
(09:58):
really going to have a quiet, a different, more intimate
and localized experience when you head outside of the traditional tourisodes.
It's really very special and I'm really glad that this
trend is emerging. And if you'd like to explore these areas,
sometimes it's not actually easy to find a lot of
information online or outside of this podcast about those areas,
(10:22):
those smaller destinations, and that's why we built our app
actually is to share all of the twenty regions of
Italy and we're not quite finished with it just yet.
We've still got a few regions to go, but we've
got eleven in there at the moment, and I'm really
excited because in the next few weeks all of the
twenty regions of Italy will be in now Untold Italy app,
complete with their food and wine culture, how to get
(10:44):
around the favorite towns that we have, hotels that we
love and restaurants that we like to go to. So
this is built not from any algorithm, It's built from
a love of Italy. So I hope if you haven't
already that you've downloaded the app, and of course as
a podcast listener, you can get all of our episodes
that we've done so far, and that's always three hundred
(11:07):
on the app ad free and you'll keep getting those
episodes as they're release. So we are not charging a
membership for the app. It's a one off fee and
you'll continue to get all the content as we keep
adding it. So I hope everyone's liking it. You know,
with everything, if there are always a few technical issues,
and if you're having a problem, just please don't hesitate
(11:28):
to reach out. That's what I'm here for okay, we're
exploring the regions outside the main tourisomes excellent. The second
one that I wanted to talk about is sustainability and
slow travel principles are really now starting to cut through,
which I am also very happy about. So more and
more people are choosing to travel by train, support local businesses,
(11:48):
and stay in AGRITURISMI that are those family run farms days.
These are booming as travelers learn how great they are
at providing a contrast between the cities and how they
enable you to discover local traditions. I try not to
be too bossy on here, but really, if you do
one thing that will change the way you see Italy
(12:10):
and also any travel that you do going forward in
any other country, it's staying a few days at an
agriturismo and getting to know a pocket of Italy that
perhaps you don't see so much showcased in all the
glossy brochures and online, but which in fact is incredibly
special and will stay with you for a very long time.
The third trend I want to share is technology and AI.
(12:33):
So many travelers are turning to tools like check GPT
to draft itineries and other online itinery makers, and look,
AI is brilliant at brainstorming. It's like your favorite research
buddy who never gets tired but tears the catch. It's
got a few problems with logistics in particular, and so
it doesn't know that some of the museums aren't open
(12:56):
on a Monday, or that you know, the per fixed
chatteria that you found on the beach has either shut
down or they're not open at certain times of the year,
or like a lot of them shut down in August,
in fact, and in January if you're traveling men. So
there's some challenges with AI. And look, I am a
technological person. I love new innovations, and if you've been
(13:20):
following along for a while you have noticed that. But
I don't know about you. But unless you get your
prompts really tight, like a I just keep spewing information
and more and more and more information with very little context.
And so frankly, I found it pretty useless on logistics
because a lot of transport information can't be easily scraped
(13:43):
and it changes a lot. And the reason I can't
be scraped is because they're Italian transport people. I mean,
they're barely on the internet which you know again, let's
go back to piano. Piano. I kind of love this sometimes,
but they will sometimes publish key route. There's schedules for
that on a PDF, and they might publish it halfway
(14:04):
through the season, which I things hilarious but good on them.
But you can't then, if you're an algorithm, you can't
scrape that. So therein lies the problem. Now, if you're
learning Italian like me, you'll know that it's also quite
easy to misinterpret prepositions, so things can get lost in
translation more often than you think. Be aware when you're
(14:25):
using those tools. I think it's a great place to
do research. I do it myself, but when you're trying
to pull everything together, it can be really, really tricky.
And we've actually had quite a few clients come to
us after building an AI generated plan because they started
to delve into it and we're getting frustrated about how
to get it to work logistically, like the train schedules
(14:45):
that didn't exist, opening hours, and how to map things
together so that you can really do the things that
you want to do. And they are really going in
circles trying to figure it all out. So that's where
human expertise really matters, and if you need help, make
sure to engage someone who knows Italy really well, so
you might have a really good friend that's well traveled
(15:07):
and spent a lot of time in Italy. Or of course,
we've got our trip consultants, all of us who are
a little bit obsessed with traveling in Italy. We know
the quirks and the realities of what's happening on the ground,
and so do reach out if you're stuck. We love
hearing all your dreams for your trip and helping you
pull those ideas together and sorting out the logistics and
adding a little extras that make the trips really special.
(15:29):
But you know, sometimes we've all got a friend that
has these skills as well, But make sure you buy
them lunch. At least, it's a lot of work doing
trip planning, so definitely by someone lunch if they're going
to help you with that. Finally, seasonality ships now. We've
had long standing advice to go in the shoulder season,
and I reckon it's becoming a little bit almost mainstream
(15:50):
now and more and more travelers are booking for April
and October and even into March and November, and I
love this. It spreads the crowds out a little, but
it also means that you need to plan earlier for
those months. Not to say they are not busy, but
they're just a little less. So it's really preference about
how you want to travel. But also it's like I said,
(16:13):
Cape DMCs the day, go when you can, because Italy
is amazing whatever time you go, and if you really
really want to skip the largest crowds November, early December,
the last three weeks of January and February except for
Kannavali time in Venice are your best bets. The time
around Christmas up to January the sixth is actually very busy,
(16:35):
which I found out for myself earlier this year. It
was fun at that time, like a lot of fun,
but perhaps not as relaxed as I was expecting. Now
I'm going to talk about social media because it's always there,
and you know it's going to be no surprise to
you that platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram are hugely
influential when it comes to travel. A single real or
(16:58):
a YouTube video about hidden beach or a tiny tratter
rear or a restaurant in Rome Can sent thousands of
people there overnight. In fact, earlier this year, there was
a mountain village in the Campagna region that had to
bring in traffic control earlier this year, when an influencer
posted that it was snowing there, they actually quadrupled their
population in a few hours, and the locals were quite bewildered.
(17:22):
Needless to say, there were not enough services, including bathrooms,
to cope with the influx. So we're getting these surge
visits due to social media, and it's quite crazy because
you know, we're all expecting to have this beautiful restaurant
with the snow falling down, but it wasn't happening because
there were just not enough services to cope with the influx.
(17:44):
And you know what, they might never be ready for
all those visitors because it just was so unexpected. Another
story that I wanted to tell you was that in
Juna was walking through Trusteviday in Rome and I saw
the long lines outside a restaurant that I constantly see
on social media. Personally, I don't do lines at all.
I've never done lines, even back in my clubbing days,
(18:06):
which were a very very long time ago. But I
was quite happy to walk around the corner to sit
in a piazza and get told off for my incorrect
hand gestures by a friendly waiter while I enjoyed a
lovely glass of Sicilian wine. Now, who doesn't love a
bit of banter with their delicious meal? And let's be real,
there's no banter when we're turning tables quickly to move
(18:27):
a line, and that's really un Italian anyway. We love
to linger in Italy. Social media has been around long
enough that we know everything has been made to look
amazing and at its absolute best, but somehow we sometimes
forget all that when it comes to traveling abroad. The
problem is the style posts don't tell the full story.
(18:48):
Amalfi at eleven am in July does not look like
the dreamy clippy saw and the road in and out
is at a standstill. Ferries are packed and running late,
and prices are sky high, which is at absolutely fine
if that's what you're expecting, but a bit disappointing if
you weren't expecting that. And I have to say, every
(19:08):
single person that I have spoken to this year that's
been intent on going to the Maufi Coast, and I said, oh,
you might want to have a think of you know,
some other places. No, we're going. I've always wanted to
see it, and they say, yep, I went, I saw it.
I'm glad I did, but I don't need to go back.
And you know what, I know what they mean back
(19:30):
in a flash right after these messages. Now, if we're
all being a little bit honest with ourselves. Also, social
media is less on the social these days and more
of a marketing tool. I can't remember the last time
that I shared something personal on any of the major
social media platforms, even on my personal accounts. I'm definitely
(19:54):
a lurker, and I know many of you are too,
and there's nothing wrong with that, but it does mean
that's social media is no longer that place where we're
seeing snippets of everyday life and experiences. You know what,
I'll also be honest with you and say that we
definitely don't share broadly our very very special favorite restaurants,
hotels and towns on those channels because, like I said,
(20:16):
I don't like to line up and if I can't
get a booking at those places that I really love,
it makes me very sad. So unfortunately, you know, I
do understand the irony of the situation and realize that
I have been part of the problem of overturisting some areas.
But you know, going forward, I'm a little bit more
cautious about what I share because it's taken the fun
(20:38):
out of travel a bit. Also, you know, like everyone's
going to the same place, everyone's having the same experience,
and like, isn't it fun to go home and say, oh,
I found these amazing place. I didn't see it on
social media or just went down this lane way and
we bumped into this gorgeous little traturia and that we
met the owner. And that's half the fun of travel,
(21:01):
if you ask me. So, if social media isn't social anymore,
that means you're getting fed whoever does marketing the best?
And it's really food for thought, isn't it. So when
you double down on who does marketing best about Italian
places in English, you're getting a very small view of
the potential out there, because in fact, I can only
(21:22):
think of about ten brands or companies outside the luxury
fashion and cars space that are able to market in
English very effectively. Now, isn't that sad? I mean, I
think it's great that Italians aren't amazing at marketing, because
it does allow for that exploration, but it does mean
what we're seeing is something that is, you know, a
(21:46):
marketing exercise. We're seeing a very small handful of what's available,
and that's why we're ever possible. On this podcast and
via our tours, our services and our Untold Italy app,
we like to focus on Italian voices, Italian people, especially women,
who may not be so great at marketing in English,
but have absolutely have amazing stories to share and experiences
(22:11):
that you might like. And this is also part of
why we've made changes in our online community. So after
many years, many many years, we've closed our Facebook group
with over one hundred and sixty thousand members, and a
lot of people are really shocked about that, but you know,
I think it's the right thing to do because we
started back in twenty nineteen and we've been through all
(22:32):
the highs and loads of travel, from engagements and proposals
in Venice to the dark days of COVID, and the
group was a great place for a long time. But
as we've talked about in this podcast, people are moving
to other platforms and using AI these days, and honestly,
running a group at that scale costs considerable resources and energy,
(22:53):
literally thousands of dollars a month, and I don't think
that really people appreciate how much effort goes into keeping
a space feeling the way that we wanted to keep it,
which was very kind and very thoughtful and very helpful.
So yeah, we've decided to close the group, and you know,
(23:14):
to be frank, we rather focus our resources where they
can provide the most value to thoughtful travelers like you,
our podcast listeners, and we're going to be doing that,
continuing to do that on our podcast, on our app,
and on our new substack, where I've already started sharing
my thoughts on each episode of our podcast, and where
I'll be sharing mini guides and the really special places
(23:37):
that I just really want to share with people that
are curious and thoughtful and want to travel in a
really slow and considered way. And honestly, I'm having much
more fun on substack than I've done for a long time.
So if you haven't checked out this platform, it's definitely
(23:58):
worth a look, because, you know, it's like a curated
version of the good old days of the Internet and
blogging before everything got a little bit too cynical. Okay,
So next up, I promised you some things to avoid
in twenty twenty six, and you're planning for that year
and for the years beyond, and even if you're going
to Italy in the coming months. So first up, let's
(24:20):
stop copying other people and start curating your own trip.
Everyone says you should go to the Colisseum, and I'm
gonna say you don't have to do that. If you
simply want pictures. There are plenty of spots outside for that.
No need to run the gauntlet of thousands of people
squished into an ancient monument if it's not your jam.
Even if it is, I can think of at least
(24:41):
ten sites in Rome to get your ancient history fixed.
We've got an article on that, actually, and I'll pop
that into the show notes for you. Recently, just actually
last week, unfortunately a very sad thing happened and a
tour guide passed away inside the Colosseum. I'm not quite
sure the exact reason, but he exhaustion has been mentioned. Listen,
(25:02):
it's not for everyone. It's a really big, exposed site
with lots of rocks and lots of people and steep
stairs to walk up and down if you want to
go up and down the main areas. So yeah, I
think hard about it. It's just, you know, it's not
for everyone, that's all I'm saying. I love the Colosecene,
but it's not for everyone. The second thing I want
to say is that in terms of avoiding things, is
(25:25):
that you should avoid really visiting the tourism hotspots in
peak times and seasons. So a great example is Venice
during the peak months, and actually they're putting in a
tourist tax there that is to discourage people going on
a day trip to Venice. You can find out more
on our website there as well. We've got a link
(25:46):
to that. That's finished for the year, that particular tax,
but I'm sure it will continue into twenty twenty six.
There are some other places that it just gets really,
really busy, and you know what, even if you don't
mind crowds, let's have a spare thought for the people
that live in these places. The Chinquaterde, for example, is
a series of very very small towns. We think they've
(26:08):
got about five to ten thousand people living in them,
and when hundreds of thousands of people descend on those
villages in peak season, it really has a big impact,
and as much as everyone's there to appreciate them, it's
maybe you know, causing structural damage and all sorts of
impact that I think we can all have a little
(26:28):
bit of a think about how we can approach those
a little bit more sensitively. And one idea that I
have for you is, if you were thinking of going
on a day trip to Chinquaterde as an example, really
do have a think about staying overnight, because it's when
it's most magical in fact. So yeah, that's a little
tip for you. You know, if any of the places
like the Amalfi Coast or any of the main tourist
(26:51):
areas or on your dream list, yes you should go, absolutely,
but you know, plan carefully and book early, and try
and stay of a night, start and stay a few nights,
and keep your expectations open and understand that you know
they're popular places for a reason and that they will
be busy and you may not get that intimate experience
(27:13):
that you would get if you went a maybe a
few towns along the railway up in Liguria, which I
highly recommend. Okay, And the third point is try and
avoid some hidden costs or to flip it, be aware
of costs that you might not see upfront. So lately
the Italian cities have raised their city taxes for hotel stays,
(27:35):
which is the price the amount that you pay per
person per night, depending on the status of the hotel,
and it's really climbing up now. Some of them are
like eight or nine ten euros a night, so depending
on the class of hotel, and that's per person actually,
and so it can really add up if you're staying
in those major tourist areas. Car rental costs and fuel
(27:57):
costs are also very high, and so you know, we'd
like to always use a train if we can. And
you know I mentioned this before, but the exchange rate
with your currency may impact what's happening through the prices
on your trip. So really be aware of what's happening
in terms of prices, and you can make some pretty
strong decisions. One thing that I really would say is,
(28:20):
you know everyone's saying, oh, do this tour, do that tour,
have those experiences, but experiences don't actually need to cost anything.
And some of my most favorite times that I've ever
had in Italy have not cost a single cent. It's
just been walking along the Typer River in Rome, or
getting up early in Florence and just doing a walk
(28:40):
along the Anno there, like at about six o'clock in
the morning while people are starting to rise and get
ready for work. So yeah, I think some of those
times are the most beautiful times that you're ever going
to spend in Italy. And I think the last thing
that I wanted to mention on things to avoid is
really try not to rely on those free tools like forums,
(29:02):
ai iteries or any type of random advice that you
get online from people who you don't know, or even
people that you don't know their context or their experience,
because you know, like you don't know who you're talking
to online. And I firmly believe that you know, ninety
five percent of people are doing things out of the
goodness of their heart, but you don't know what their
(29:23):
experience is. You know, you know a lot of people
that go to Italy one time and they just so
excited about their experience, as they should be, that they
want to share it with everyone, but they may not
have the experience that you need for your trip. I
think this might sound a bit overwhelming, and you know
it is it is. There is simply too much content
(29:44):
out there these days with tips, advice, rules, do this,
do that, don't do that, and so you can get
really overwhelming. So if you're feeling overwhelmed, that's okay. Where
you all feel that, and you know we can really
help if you want some help. People also say, why
would I pay you for planning help when there's so
much for free online? And you know that's true. There
(30:06):
is a lot of information, but free often comes with
some hidden costs, mistakes, wasted time, and misinformation. And we've
got clients that have been stuck in the wrong base
or they've spent hundreds of dollars on car rentals that
they didn't need. So peace of mind and getting a
basic plan set up is always a good idea. So
(30:28):
now let's flip it again to the best practices for
planning your trip in twenty twenty six. So the number
one thing I would say, you seize the moment. As
I said at the start, don't wait for the perfect timing.
Remember the Jubilee and everything that's happened since then. Things change,
exchange rates are completely out of our control. We don't
know what's going to happen in a month or a year.
(30:51):
So if you are feeling the call of Italy, you
should go when you can. And I'll never stop saying that.
And you know the truth is, there's no year or
month that you should go. Italy will feel your soul
wherever you go. It's one of those places that people
keep going back in it back again. I am guilty
as charged, and today I've had some interesting news from
(31:14):
my family, and you know, I am firmly in the
moment that if you keep waiting, you may never go.
So please take heat and start looking at flights right
now if you haven't already. The next point I wanted
to make was to plan strongly, but don't overplan, like,
have a buffer in there for flexibility, serendipity and exploring
(31:39):
where you can. The main things are is to get
your flights booked, your train schedule sorted out, and whichever
key museums or sites and restaurants that you want to see.
But then after that just let everything go and have
plenty of time for wondering and serendipity and finding that
special shop that you can't wait to buy a special
(32:02):
memento of your trip. I know, my really good friend
Penny She's got some beautiful jewelry pieces that she found
and she was wandering around an area of Rome and
when she was in Sardinia, and she wears them all
the time, and you know, she just found them by
wandering around, and that's a beautiful thing. The third point
I wanted to make was to choose some fewer bases,
(32:24):
and the less time you spend unpacking and repacking, the
more time you have to enjoy the places that you
are and to go and find little jewelry shops and
places like that. I know there are a lot of
people out there who like to smash out as many
places as possible on their trips, and you know what,
you do you and I used to be like that,
so hungry to see and experience everything. So I get it,
(32:46):
and you know what, it took me a couple of decades,
but I do appreciate the longest day these days. I
think sometimes when people say, oh, you should travel slower,
you know, they forget that first and excitement of being
abroad and seeing everything and soaking up all the different
sites and sounds and tastes. And I never want to
(33:08):
forget that feeling because it's really exciting and even though
I've changed my travel style quite a bit these days,
I can still appreciate why people would want to go
super fast, but it is a good idea to just
slow things down a little bit, and I do wish
I'd known that sooner. Another strategy I think is to
(33:29):
book those special experiences early, whether that's a cooking class
in Tuscany, a countryside hotel that's got views over the
Tuscan landscapes, or the restaurant you've been hearing about for ages.
The best things do get snapped up, so really do
book and advance. And the last one that I wanted
to mention is plan your own way and in your style,
(33:52):
but double check your sources. There are so many many
itinerary ideas on AI, social media and YouTube, and they're
created by people who are so full of excitement and
the thrill of travel, but they might be experiencing places
for the first time and through a particular lens. And
I've got to admit that I find it overwhelming when
I'm going to a new destination, and these days I'm
(34:14):
really not afraid to get help. And this is exactly
what I did. When we went to Japan. A couple
of years ago, and I got some help from a
local trip planning service who explained why buying a rail
pass was not ideal. It actually saved just hundreds of
dollars because we could easily do the trip much cheaper
if we just bought point to point tickets. And so
(34:35):
I didn't know that because all the information that I
was reading online was was get the rail pass, get
the rail passed. And I'm glad I took the local advice.
And even if I'm going to a new area of Italy,
I asked for help because I don't know the transport systems,
the places that are great to go to and that
are not great at marketing in English. I did that
(34:56):
when we went up to South Torrol, and I've got
some specific help from Tyler in our team, who knows
a lot about the ski fields up there. So if
you are going and you're interested in going to the
Winter Olympics this year, yeah, Tyler has a wealth of
knowledge and experience of traveling and staying in the ski
fields in northern Italy, so yeah, I would definitely get
(35:18):
some help from her. So I really can't emphasize this
enough though, because it's really important and I'm going to
use an example from house building as I'm up to
my eyeballs in this right now. But you can do
all your research online and beautiful home that's you know
that you love. But I was finding all that very
overwhelming because there's just so many choices, like how many
(35:41):
tiles can you look at? And your eyes as spinning
and your eyeballs are crossing and everything. But we ended
up then hiring an interior designer, and my eyes have
been opened, and I'm so much more relaxed because I've
had access to a whole new world of options and
insights that have been curated just for us. So you
knows what I like, and she knows what I don't like,
(36:02):
and she's able to sift through everything and just pinpoint
things that will really suit our new home. And so
I am so delighted that my favorite thing that's coming
up is a new sofa, which I've got very short legs,
So this is a miracle sofa that I can sit
comfortably on and have my feet touch the ground. And
(36:25):
I never ever would have found it without our interior designer.
Thanks Lauren, who has also saved us literally thousands of
dollars in mistakes if you love research, fantastic planning can
be a big part of the joy. But even seasoned
travelers sometimes on a second set of eyes and an
expert opinion, and I would fall into that category. There
(36:45):
is a ton of information online and you can plan
for free, but in any context in life, an expert
can make a huge difference. And that's why we offer
trip consultations where we review your plans, gaps and costly mistakes,
and suggest in gems and you know, things that are
just going to make your trip extra special. We don't
take over your trip. I hope people don't think that
(37:07):
you stay incomplete control of it. And what we're giving
you is some added confidence and some extra advice. And
you know what, no one needs to know that you
use a service unless you want to tell them. You
can say you did it all yourself. I have no
problem with that at all. If you're the type of
person for whom research feels like a second job, our
full itinery servers lays everything out, transport activities, timing, so
(37:31):
you can simply enjoy your trip stress free. And if
you're one of those last minute or you've just got
a nagging question over something that you can't quite figure out.
We have some quick fixed chats that are perfect for this.
It's a thirty minute call to solve your top issues
with a follow up email summary, and people are using
this to sanity check their itineries and to focus on
(37:54):
a particular area that they are curious about. You know,
there's lots of ways to get help and do reach
out if you would like some help. So to wrap
this up for the remainder of this year and in
twenty twenty six, we're looking forward to more regional exploration,
more slow travel choices, and more travelers using AI and
social media to do their research and to plan, sometimes
(38:17):
with great results, sometimes with pitfalls. So avoid the overcrowded
hotspots if you can, whether that's timing during the day
or in the year. Watch out for those hidden costs
and don't overrely on free tools or copying other people.
But at the end of the day, just you do
you so seize the day. There's no perfect year or
(38:40):
time to go. If Italy is calling, go now, you
won't regret it. And lastly, just a reminder that we've
made shifts in how we share our Untold Italy resources
and we have closed our Facebook group to focus on
places where we can provide the most value, and that
is substag This podcast and our app and of course
our we'b remains open and ready for all of those
(39:03):
practical trip planning questions you might have, and if you
like personalized support, we're here for you too. Thank you,
Grazimla as always for tuning in. We love being part
of your Italy trip planning journey and we love to
hear your twenty twenty six travel dreams. Next week, we're
heading to one of my favorite regions. Who am I kidding?
I love them all anyway, We're exploring some delicious sweet
(39:26):
treats from the tastiest island in the Mediterranean. But until then,
it's chow for now. The Untold Italy podcast is an
independent production podcast editing, audio production and website development by
Mark Hatter, Production assistance and content writing by the are
they kJ Clark? Yes, there are two of us. For
(39:47):
more information about Untold Italy, please visit Untold Italy dot com.
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