You’ve decided you are going to make the 4300 mile trek…Now what?

PASSPORT – If you do not have one, you need one!  Visit the U.S. State Department website for all of the details on how to apply for a passport.  You’ll need to allow at least 4-6 weeks for processing.

MONEY – Italy’s currency (as well as most of Europe) is the Euro.  You’ll definitely want to have cash on hand in Italy.  You’ll get the best exchange rate by using ATMs in Italy.  Check with your bank to see if they partner with a local Italian bank to withdraw money with no ATM fees. Also, most restaurants and shops take Visa and Mastercard.  American Express is not widely accepted in Europe.  To check current exchange rates from USD to EUR, click here.

TIME ZONE – Florence is Central European Timezone (CET) which is 6 hours ahead of EST.

AVERAGE TEMP – May is a beautiful time of year in Florence with sunshine and average highs of 74ºF and average lows of 52ºF.

PACKING Tips – Florence is a walking city with cobblestone streets, so comfortable shoes are a must!