Italy’s Travel Restrictions, What Does It Mean?

The blog The Points Guys starts out there post with a line from the Kenny Rogers song

“You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run”

 

 

With all the headlines it is difficult to figure out what is happening and what to do for your international trip planning. Yesterday I said I was canceling my trip to Spain for the Camino de Santiago. My age group is more susceptible to flu and coronavirus. For detailed and good non panic advice on Italy I always go to my favorite Italy Blog. An American in Rome by Natalie. To quote her blog “-If you are a citizen of another country and not a resident of Italy, you can freely leave the country. You are not “stuck” here. Just be prepared for screenings at the airport departure and requests to self isolate when you return home.”

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This is the link to her blog 

https://anamericaninrome.com/wp/2020/03/thank-you-for-thinking-of-us-italy-on-lockdown/

I have followed her advice for many years, she even directed my wife to a great hairdresser in Rome when we were traveling to Italy for two months.  Check it out.

 

Another useful source of information it the blog The Points Guys.  Normally they guide people through maximizing the points value of credit cards but todays posts include canceling trips because of the concerns for Coronavirus. 

Here is the link to their post of today”

https://thepointsguy.com/news/cancel-trip-coronavirus/

 

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There is a lot going on out there. As a trips draws close check on what you can and can not cancel or change. As the situation becomes critical, carriers and hotels may be more amenable to allowing changes on flights and stays.Keep checking the US Govt Sites for CDC and  the US Dept of State Travel Advisories

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

 

 

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Line outside Starbucks in September 2019.  Before the need to keep 1 meter apart rule. 

Photo Greg Speck , 2019

 

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La Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in September. 

Photo Greg Speck 2019

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La Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II yesterday

Photo NY Times, Getty Images, France-Presse

Italy Airfares? UP or Down? Plan Ahead

Last year I flew to Milan for a bike tour. Because of all the stuff I needed to bring, I had to have luggage in both directions,

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It was not a bad price, $488.00 from Miami, non stop. I spent about $60 for better seating so I could get off the plane quickly, and that was worth it.

 

This year my wife and I are traveling light, carry on only,

 

Basically the same flight with out the extras.  I purchased these tickets on Sept 20, and $389.00 Non Stop Round Trip from Miami is excellent. 

 

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Today that same ticket is $$$610.14.  That is a $120 increase, still not a bad price to Italy during the shoulder season.

Plan ahead and shop early when you see a good fare.   Use Google Flights, or Google Flight Matrix from ITA. Here is the link http://matrix.itasoftware.com

Keep track of prices and when you see a reasonable price, grab it.  In 2016 we flew to Florence vis Dusseldorf on Air Berlin (now defunct) and tickets were $900 each. Air Italy offers many deisitnations and origins. Miami, New York, San Fransico, Los Angeles. Check it out.  Keep in mind there are VERY low fares in Italy to other cities.  Alitalia is offering €39 one way fares from Milan to Catania, and €46 from Milan to Rome.  Compare a cost of $747 on Air Italy direct vs the $483 plus about $90 for the Milan to Palermo/Catania flights. 

 

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Air Italy and Miami Inewrnational

 

 

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Duomo, Milano

 

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Know Your Air Passenger Rights When Coming or Going to EU Countries

CIMG0438Even if your rights in the USA do not do much for delays, if you are traveling to or from an EU country you have definite benefits.    US and EU carriers must abide by the rules and you may be able to get some serious compensation.  Several years ago, I got a complete refund on one of our trips which cut our airfare in half.   The following web site has the complete details of your rights. 

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm

 

 

 

From the web site here is some helpful information:

Go directly to the site above for active links to all areas.     I 

 

FAQs – Air passenger rights
A European airline recently lost my baggage. I complained to the airline, but am not fully satisfied with their reaction. Can I complain to someone else?
YES – For a cross-border flight, you can contact your country’s European Consumer Centre. For a domestic flight, contact a national consumer centre in your country.
When booking a flight recently, I was shocked, when it came to pay, to see the final cost once taxes and charges had been added.  Surely, airlines are supposed to make the total price of the ticket, including taxes and charges, visible from the start?
YES – and the cost of each item (the fare, taxes, charges, surcharges and fees) must be clearly displayed.
If I am travelling from outside the EU, e.g. from the USA to Paris, do I have any rights if my flight is cancelled?
YES – provided your air carrier is licensed in a European country.
I booked a flight to Barcelona from Rome.  Due to heavy traffic, I arrived at the airport late but just before the gates closed for the flight.  I was not allowed to board the flight.  Do I have any rights?
NO – as you did not comply with the requirement to present yourself for check-in within the time stipulated.
Is there a time limit within which I can bring legal action for compensation for a cancelled flight?
This depends on national law in each European country and will therefore vary throughout the EU. Check with the National Enforcement body in the country concerned or a national consumer centre for more information.
Do I have any rights if I am not allowed to board my connecting flight because I arrived late at the gates due to a delay with the first flight?
YES – if the flights are part of a single reservation, the carrier has to offer you the option between the reimbursement of your ticket and a return flight to the airport of departure at the earliest opportunity or re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity or re-routing at a later date at your convenience under comparable transport conditions, subject to the availability of seats. In case you are re-routed and you reach your final destination with a delay of 3 hours or more you are entitled to compensation.
My flight is due to depart from Berlin this morning but I have just received a text from the airline advising that the flight has been cancelled.  Do I have any rights?
YES – you have rights under EU rules.  You are entitled to reimbursement of the full cost of your ticket for the part of your journey not made or re-routing at the earliest opportunity.  If you are already at the airport and you opt for re-routing, you are also entitled to meals and refreshments in proportion to your waiting time, and two telephone calls, texts or emails.  You are also entitled to overnight accommodation if you are to be re-routed the day after your planned flight and, depending on the circumstances, to monetary compensation.
If the aircraft has a technical defect, can it be considered as “extraordinary circumstances”?
NO – a technical problem which comes to light during normal aircraft maintenance or is caused by the failure to correctly maintain an aircraft cannot be regarded as “extraordinary circumstances”.

YES – if the technical defect was related to an incident which was not caused by the normal activity of air carriers and falls outside their control due its nature or origin. For example a hidden manufacturing defect uncovered by the aircraft manufacturer or by a competent authority, or damage to the aircraft caused by acts of sabotage or terrorism would qualify as extraordinary circumstances.
My flight has been delayed for four hours. Am I entitled to monetary compensation?
Once your flight has been delayed for more than three hours, you may be entitled to monetary compensation if the airline cannot prove that the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.
 
When I arrived at the check-in, I was informed that my Brussels-Warsaw flight had been cancelled.  I opted not to travel and was told that the cost of my ticket would be refunded and that I would receive financial compensation.  Weeks later I still have received nothing.  Is there a time limit for payment of refunds and compensation?
YES – you should have received the refund of the cost of your ticket within seven days of the cancellation. Payment of compensation depends on the reason for the cancelled flight but the EU rules do not provide for a deadline for payment of compensation.
Am I entitled to compensation only for flights that were cancelled or can I also get compensation for delayed flights?
Both. With cancelled/delayed flights, you won’t receive compensation if the cancellation/delay was due to extraordinary circumstances for example due to bad weather. Where the cancellation/delay was due to extraordinary circumstances, you may not have the right to compensation, but the carrier must still offer you assistance (reimbursement or re-routing) and care (meals and/or accommodation) while you are waiting for alternative transport.
See main information on this topic
Air passenger rights
EU legislation
EU Regulation on air passenger rights
European Commission Interpretative Guidelines on air passenger rights
EU Regulation on common rules for the operation of air services
EU Regulation on air carrier liability in respect of the carriage of passengers and their baggage

 

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Lago di Garda

SCOTT’S CHEAP FLIGHTS ARE CHEAP

I think the money I spend to get the premium version to Scott’s Cheap Flights is  worth every penny.  My only problem is I get so many emails with travel bargains, I want to go to all the destinations.

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Here is an email I got today.  No Florida origins, but east coast to west coast are here.  You may consider signing up for their email alerts.   The Rome price from NY is lowest I have seen lately.

 

 

PS: I do not work for them.

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Amalfi

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Rome

 

 

 

 

The Europe deals keep coming. Not mad about it.

No bag fees, etc. All prices roundtrip.

 

 

All prices are for roundtrip flights and in USD unless otherwise stated.

TO: Basel (BSL)
Boston (BOS) – $484
Chicago (ORD) – $484
Denver (DEN) – $499
Las Vegas (LAS) – $491
Los Angeles (LAX) – $484
New York City (JFK) – $445
New York City (LGA) – $449
San Francisco (SFO) – $484
San Jose (SJC) – $499

TO: Brussels (BRU)
Boston (BOS) – $458
Chicago (ORD) – $480
Denver (DEN) – $462
Las Vegas (LAS) – $462
Los Angeles (LAX) – $480
San Francisco (SFO) – $480
San Jose (SJC) – $490

TO: Geneva (GVA)
Boston (BOS) – $490
Chicago (ORD) – $490
Denver (DEN) – $505
Las Vegas (LAS) – $500
Los Angeles (LAX) – $490
New York City (LGA) – $449
San Francisco (SFO) – $490
San Jose (SJC) – $505

TO: Luxembourg (LUX)
Boston (BOS) – $468
Chicago (ORD) – $468
Denver (DEN) – $482
Las Vegas (LAS) – $478
Los Angeles (LAX) – $475
San Francisco (SFO) – $468
San Jose (SJC) – $482

TO: Paris (CDG)
Boston (BOS) – $441
Denver (DEN) – $441
Los Angeles (LAX) – $500
New York City (JFK) – $428
New York City (LGA) – $429
Newark (EWR) – $443
San Francisco (SFO) – $443
San Jose (SJC) – $443

TO: Rome (FCO)
New York City (JFK) – $426*
Newark (EWR) – $430
San Francisco (SFO) – $445

TO: Zurich (ZRH)
Boston (BOS) – $464
Chicago (ORD) – $464
Denver (DEN) – $464
Las Vegas (LAS) – $464
Los Angeles (LAX) – $464
New York City (JFK) – $411*
San Francisco (SFO) – $464
San Jose (SJC) – $495

* – nonstop / direct

WHEN: Generally August through mid-December 2018, including Thanksgiving for most routes.

NORMAL PRICE: $850+

AIRLINE: Air France, Delta, KLM

BUY BY: We think these fares will last 1-2 days

 

 

HOW TO BOOK

Reminder: Scott’s Cheap Flights does not receive referral fees from Google Flights, Momondo, or any other booking sites. Our only incentive is to find you a good deal 🙂

To find the cheapest available dates, search in Google Flights using the sample search below. Book directly here.
Sample Google Flights Search
Notes:

These fares could disappear anytime, even within a few hours. If you’ve clicked the sample searches, played around with a few dates, and not seeing fares close to those listed in this email, it likely means they’re gone

General advice on how/when to find cheap flights

How to use Google Flights & Momondo

Should I book via Momondo or nah?

 

 

If you end up booking this deal, hit reply and let us know!

Love,
Scott’s Cheap Flights

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Sadly obvious disclaimer: Bookings, flights, airlines, prices, and all other selections are your responsibility, not Scott’s Cheap Flights.

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Amalfi, Feast of Sant Andrea

You can fly to Italy for $400

I have paid a lot to travel to Italy and I have also gotten some reasonable fares.  Recently I subscribed to a site called Scott’s Cheap Flights.  There is a free version and a paid version.  I got an email last week and found a Euro sale. I looked at Milan for $400 and thought this was a bargain.   NewImage

 

I then went to Google Flights, and MATRIX AIRFARE SEARCH

 

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The Air Italy popped up with a $423 Fare from Miami Non Stop to Milan.    Amazing.  The fare actually was $407 with out bags. I ended up booking a flight for $488 with bags and online check in. I was planning a bike tour and needed to bring slightly more than my cary on would permit.   My total price was Total amount passenger $488.06.    To put things in perspective, in 2004 I flew to Naples for $875.  .In 2006 I paid $710 for the same flight  On 2011 the flight cost $762. 
Air Italy is a division of Meridiana. This is the same company that operated Eurofly USA several years ago.  

 

I highly recommend  Scott’s Cheap Flights and feel the $32 per year to get al their updates is well worth it.   My blog is not commercial and I get no remuneration from them.

Here is their web site https://scottscheapflights.com

 

Here is a sample fare to Rome from Miami, non stop also.  

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