Can I Ship Things to Italy for My Vacation?

When staring at the bulging suitcase to prepare for a trip to Italy – or even just staring at the huge packing list – it might cross your mind to ship some things to Italy so that you don’t need to schlep them on the plane with you.

It sounds easy enough, but it isn’t.
Depending on what is written on the customs form that you fill out when you mail your box to your Italian hotel or apartment, the Dogana (customs) will likely charge duty and customs fees.

One of the amusing idiosyncrasies of Italy is that it can be difficult to find a finite list of rules that can be followed or relied-upon for any part of the Italian Government bureaucracy. So, instead of hard-and-fast rules, I have a few observations about what usually happens when shipping items from the US to Italy:

* Items in boxes will usually get charged customs fees (typically equivalent to $20 - $30 per box). Items arriving in padded envelopes do not seem to incur fees as often.

* Items shipped via US Post Office incur fewer fees upon delivery in Italy than items shipped via Fedex, UPS, or other carriers.

* Packages shipped with a significant claimed value ($50 or more) will usually arrive with a duty tax that needs to be paid – sometimes upwards of 50% of the claimed value.

* All of these fees that I mentioned would need to be paid directly to the delivery person who brings your package to your door, and there is no negotiation about the amount of the fees.

* The classifications” on customs forms that seem least likely to incur these customs charges are Used Personal Items or Used Clothing. Since you are sending a box of items to Italy for your vacation, the contents of that box could quite likely be used personal items and/or clothing, so if the box gets opened, it should pass inspection.

* Always register and insure anything you send to Italy. Do not ship anything that is irreplaceable, if it can be avoided.

* When packages are shipped to Italy, the shipping containers may be “gassed” to kill any bugs. Make sure any food or medicine items you ship are well-protected in food storage bags or other lightweight storage containers.

Shipping can be slow. It can take 7 – 10 days for a small box to arrive and clear customs before it is delivered. If you have friends in Italy that can receive the package for you and cover any costs, that is a good plan to put in place. Alternately, services like American Express can sometimes receive packages for you if you are a member, and costs can easily be settled on your account with them.

The decision to ship items to Italy for vacation should not be made lightly, or at the last minute, if it can be avoided. But these days, with new baggage fees on the airlines and the hassle of carrying extra bags on planes and trains to get to your destination, the option of shipping things to Italy for vacation can be very attractive.

It's Not "Car-Pah-CHEE-oh", It's "Car-Pah-CHO"

When I travel to places other than Italy, I still like to occasionally try Italian-themed restaurants. However, I'm getting more and more resistant to the idea. Mostly because the people who work in Italian-themed restaurants tend not to know anything about the language, the cultures, or the cuisines of Italy - which together make the real magic. In fact, the mis-pronounced words and misunderstandings of what they are serving actually pinch harder, since I'm usually looking for a "feeling of Italy" when I go into an Italian restaurant.

I was in a restaurant today at a gorgeous resort in Las Vegas. The folks that worked there were wonderful as far as service, and the food was pretty close to authentic. They even had a little room lit with red light with hanging prosciutto di Parma and giant, beckoning wheels of Parmiggiano Reggiano. The menu boasted that the recipes were from some relative's personal collection. The menu did look like a cross between an authentic Emilia Romagna or Lombardia menu, and the kitchen is clearly trying to duplicate the experience, albight with US domestic ingredients.

I was hopeful. However, when I asked for Carpaccio "Car-PAH-cho", my very kind server had to verify what I had asked for with a mis-pronounced "Car-PAH-chee-oh?" Aargh. Sure - "car-pah-chee-oh". The carpaccio itself was quite good and near authentic, but I could not shut out the background requests from other guests for "min-eh-strohn" and "bru-sheh-tuh". Seriously - the little daggers of the corruption of a beautiful language in an environment where it should be protected from harm almost spoiled my dinner.

Then, at the end of my meal, ordering a shot of espresso, and being asked if I would rather have a cappucino. No, I really do just want a shot of espresso. I resisted the compulsion to explain to him why a person looking for a semi-authentic Italian restaurant experience would turn down a cappucino at 7:30 pm. He did a good job working the espresso machine, though. It was a soothing end to a truly delicious meal.

It's not the fault of the patrons, who had the good taste to wander in to the restaurant in the first place. But I can't let the operators of the establishment off the hook - if they are building a reputation on "Nonna's Recipes", then they should coach their staff a little more thoroughly - don't you think?

What Everyday Items Should I Bring on My Vacation in an Italian Apartment?

You’re looking at your packing list, and then over at your suitcase, and wondering if you should just plan to buy some of your everyday items when you get there. That plan certainly makes the Italian vacation experience more authentic, as long as you’re comfortable reading labels in Italian. Imagine pointing to what you need in an Italian phrase book while you look pleadingly at the grocery clerk in the store around the corner from your apartment. It’s a dicey plan, but it can be done.

Here are a few nuggets of advice about what you’ll want to make room for in that suitcase:

OTC medicine and vitamin supplements
You’ll find aspirin over there, but not Tylenol or Advil or any of the other popular pain reliever types that we can so easily find in the US. If you rely on Tylenol or Advil – this goes for the baby versions, too – pack enough for the trip, just in case. Cold medicines can also be rare, so if you catch colds easily when you travel, pack your favorite American kind.
If you suffer from allergies, you can get Claritin, but the Claritin with decongestant hasn’t made it over there yet.
If you want to take your chances and make do with whatever OTC medicine and supplements you can find over there, also be aware that you’ll pay a significant percentage more for those items in Italy.

Cosmetics and Toiletries
Of course you can find a vast world of cosmetics and toiletries in Italy – and the prestige of buying them in Europe is fabulous. However, you can expect to pay 20% or more above the price you would pay for the exact same items in the US. I understand why this would be confusing – why is Italian make-up more expensive in Italy than in the US? I don’t have an answer for that one. I also cannot confirm that the formulas used in the US vs. Italian versions of the same products are identical. But, if you already like using a European product that you can buy in the US, you should probably just bring that product with you to Italy, unless you really want the packaging in Italian. That is kind of cool, actually.

Children’s Clothes, Toys, Diapers, and Formula
The advice here is to bring what you need. What you find in the stores will not be the same type of products you’re used to and they will be more expensive overall. Sure, that can of formula and mega-pack of diapers take up a lot of space in the suitcase, but they make great placeholders for souvenirs on the way home.

If Taller Than 5’6”, or wear Larger Than Men’s Size M or Misses Size 10, Bring All of the Clothes You’ll Need for the Trip
The clothing sizes available in Italy are not as broad a range as in the US. “Tall” is about 5’8”, and the highest Plus Size will go in the stores is roughly misses size 14. If you fall outside of those measurements, it will be difficult to find clothing to supplement your wardrobe. As a tall (over 6 feet), plus-sized woman, I have actually found some pieces in outdoor markets, coming in from Asia but with distinctly European style. You never know what surprises you’ll find while you’re there, but don’t count on being able to find longer and larger sizes in clothes.

Bring Appliances that Can Handle Dual-voltage
If your everyday appliances were manufactured to switch between the world’s most common voltages, then all you’ll need to bring is an adapter. The converter that works with an adapter to power your single voltage American appliances can be really heavy. Bring the curling iron that can switch from 110 to 220, and just use the adapter (make sure you switch the voltage before you plug it in, though!).
If you think you’ll need computer or printer power, though, bring the power converter. You might even want to invest in a laptop power cord when you arrive in Italy, if you’ll be staying long enough or if you think you’ll return.

Between the Euro exchange rate that is not in our favor and the cultural differences in products that are available to buy, travelers to Italy might find themselves packing more that they thought they’d have to just to be comfortable on vacation. But, spending your hard-earned money on fun things instead of necessities, and a little comfort from home go a long way toward being able to relax and fully enjoy your time in Italy.

What Should I Bring on My Vacation in an Italian Apartment?

You’re really looking forward to your vacation in an Italian apartment, and you’re making your packing list so that you don’t forget anything. You’re dreaming of being able to shop at the outdoor markets and finally having a kitchen so you can cook. The freedom of being able to buy your own fresh Italian ingredients and cook them in a way that you like, and serve them at your own table at your convenience is an experience not to be missed – I’m sure you agree.

But, if this is your first time embarking on the Italian apartment experience, there are a few items that you may be used to having around your apartment kitchen that you won’t find over there.

Since you have your packing list handy, check out this list of items just in case there is anything you can’t live without:

Resealable food storage bags and plastic storage containers
Plastic baggies are starting to become more widely available, but they are usually the type that require a twist-tie at the top. Plastic storage containers are still really hard to come by. If you’re wondering why food storage containers are hard to find, one reason might be that Italy is really not a “left-over” nation. If they cook dinner in a pot, they might put the pot with leftovers into the refrigerator and eat them the next day. Or, leftovers might be put into a bowl or onto a plate, covered with foil, and put into the refrigerator. You certainly won’t have leftovers from restaurants – they don’t do doggie bags over there, and you will get an odd look from your cameriere (waiter) if you ask.
So, when I go to Italy, I usually pack a few different sizes of resealable storage bags and put some of my food items in plastic containers, so I’ll have them to use in the kitchen while I’m there.

Candy and Snacks for Travelers with Allergies
After reading hundreds of labels on candy and chocolate packages in Italy and imported from Italy, I have noted a trend: almost all Italian snack foods have been manufactured in the same facility and usually on the same equipment as some of our most prevalent allergens. Nuts, in particular, seem to pop up on most labels. If you need to be vigilant about allergens such as nuts, wheat, and dairy, bringing your own snack food is the easiest way to be safe.

Spices that are Not Typically Italian
Only recently have flavors and spices from non-Italian countries started making their way onto grocery store shelves in Italy. So, if you can’t live without certain flavors from home – or if you’re planning to cook for some Italian friends while you’re there – you may need to bring a few supplies for the spice cabinet.
Chili powder is one thing I can’t find. Brown sugar, as we know it, does not exist in Italy. When I decided to make ribs for my Italian friends in my rental apartment, I had an Italian friend research the different ingredients in the dry rub for me, and I found that very few items were available there. So, I had to make the rub mix at home and bring it to Italy in bags in my suitcase. Of course, the suitcase got delayed a day back in the US (not sure if it was the storage bags full of aromatic spices or not), so carry open spices only if you really need them. Taco seasoning and guacamole mix, if you have favorites, are easy to bring over in packets.

Other items that You Can’t Find in Italy (or Don’t Taste the Same at ALL)
- Cake mixes, cookie mixes, instant pudding mixesSplenda
- Regular baking powder (you can typically find vanilla flavored baking powder, but it isn’t exactly the same)
- Vanilla extract
- Peanut butter (they have peanut butter now, but the taste will not remind you of home)

Having a kitchen at your disposal on your Italian vacation will be exciting and enjoyable. Bringing a few extra kitchen comfort items will make it even more relaxing and satisfying.
Enjoy tweaking that Italy trip packing list, and HAVE FUN!

What Websites Should I Use to Find an Apartment in Italy?

Shopping for a vacation rental apartment in Italy has never been so easy. The selection ranges from “I know a guy” websites that offer direct contact with property owners, all the way through management companies that offer reliably comfortable properties for the luxury traveler. To make the most of your time spent shopping for Italian short-term rental apartments, you really need to know your priorities.

I am an independent international traveler; comfortable interacting with people who do not speak fluent English and would like to live like the Italians: Homelidays.com.
Homelidays.com is a website that offers renters the ability to shop for various rental accommodations by location, by price range, and many other parameters. The Homelidays website has a distinctly European feel, but the descriptions and terminology they use translates easily into English. You will find that most of the reviews written about the properties on the site are from non-English speaking customers. As far as pricing and availability, this is a really good thing. The mostly European clientele keeps the prices down and keeps standards very European (meaning unique and culturally authentic). The information provided on each rental property is written by the owners, and reservations are made directly with owners through an internet message system on the Homelidays site. Don’t worry during the apartment-finding process if you don’t speak Italian – the Homelidays messaging system translates messages between languages.

However, you will need to be able to communicate once you arrive at your apartment. So, you might want to prepare a list of questions to ask through the Homelidays messaging ahead of time. You could also use a free translation website to generate a list of specific questions (such as: Where is the closest tram stop? Is there a grocery store nearby that is open on Sundays? Where can I find baby formula nearby?). Chances are very good that your apartment landlord will have information in a binder ready for guests with all of this information handy when you arrive. The list of specific questions in Italian will assure that the landlord can point you in the right direction for your particular needs as soon as you get there.

One other tip, when using self-catering apartments in Italy (and probably everywhere else, too): Since you are renting directly from property owners, and not a property management company that employs people who can be available whenever you arrive, you will want to be careful to arrive and depart when the landlord has specified. Make sure that you know what the landlord’s timing is for being available to greet you and show you around. If you know when your flight or your train is expected to arrive, mention that to your potential landlord. Please don’t treat your Italian landlord like the cable company treats you – don’t make her wait between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm for you to arrive with no idea when you expect to be there.


I prefer to rent an apartment that has been reviewed and approved by an American travel expert, who knows what comforts and amenities an American traveler usually expects: InItaly.com
InItaly.com is one of my favorite sources of information about places to stay in Italy. I could devote an entire article to their website, and still not come close to explaining the valuable information you can find there about Italy travel accommodations.
It is a site run by a group of people that are certified travel agents, and they make special arrangements with properties in Italy that they pass along to their guests. Each property that is available on their site has been stayed-in by their staff. That staff then writes a tremendous amount of information about each place so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.

Renting an apartment through InItaly.com is simple, friendly, and professional. Overall, the cost for a rental will be a bit more than from Homelidays.com because it is like using a travel agent. Of course, if you indulge in the rich tapestry of information they provide before you ever even begin to rent an Italian apartment, you’ll probably be delighted to pay a bit more just for all of the value that they provide.

Take some time to read through the reviews of each property – they can be insightful about the times of year that you are thinking of traveling to each place. InItaly.com also has great pages about what to do and what to see while you’re there. You’ll want to set aside lots of time to peruse their site for all of the features that they have added over the many years that they have provided this service.


I prefer to stay in a luxury apartment that has hotel-like cleaning service, so that I can relax and be better rested during my stay: Halldis.com.
Halldis.com is an apartment rental agency specializing in some major European business centers, including the major cities of Italy. They offer serviced apartments, which have all of the furnishings of a well-appointed apartment, but also the cleaning and linen services of a hotel.

Their selection of apartments is quite broad, and the pictures demonstrate the high standards of decoration and comfort that you can expect from every property. Unlike self-catering apartment rental pricing (renting direct from owners at whatever price they choose), the pricing at a site like Halldis.com is more standardized. They do offer specials, but customers can expect prices to remain in the luxury business travel range.

The service at Halldis is prompt, professional, and very accommodating to guests – both while shopping for an apartment and during the stay. Because they are a company that manages the properties, their availability by phone and e-mail is reliable during business hours. Reservations have clear, fully-disclosed and standardized rules, which can be a comfort to travelers who are uneasy with cultural differences in Italian business transactions. There is also almost no language barrier for travelers that only speak English (or, at least, do not speak Italian).

All three of these sites offer calendars of availability, but reservations must be made via internet messaging forms that are part of the websites. As of yet, apartment reservations cannot be made through these sites just by entering dates and clicking on a room type like booking a hotel room.

Depending on what type of Italian vacation apartment experience you want, and how much you have budgeted to spend for lodging, there are many sites across the spectrum of Italy apartment rental sites that might work for you. These three have worked for me, personally, and I am happy to recommend them for your Italy travels, too.

Renting Apartments in Italy – Points to Consider: Appliances

When considering rental apartments in Italy, there is one thing that you may not think to find out ahead of time: how many appliances can I run at the same time?

Here in the US, this question seldom comes up. We run the clothes washer, clothes dryer, the iron, all five TVs, and the air conditioning, while we style our hair with a hair dryer and let the curling iron heat up at the same time as a way of life. In Italy, though, even most high-end apartments cannot have more than two or three major electrical appliances working at a time without blowing a fuse.

You’ll need to do a little planning to make sure you keep your electricity on and keep your landlord happy. Electrical multitasking has to be limited in Italy. Don’t let it frustrate you – plan ahead and go Italian.

If there is a fan over your Italian stove, but you also have a window in the kitchen – open the window when you can so you can also listen to the TV while you cook. You may want to finish drying your hair before starting the washing machine, to make sure your clothes don’t get trapped inside because a fuse blew due to too much demand on the electricity.

Keep in mind, also, that most appliances in Italy run on electricity. Imagine how difficult it would be to run gas lines underground through all of those ancient ruins. There is no way Italy would allow their history and precious landscape to be torn up to lay endless gas pipes like we have done in the US. Many of the appliances that could use gas (clothes dryer, stove, etc.) probably will not use gas in your Italian rental apartment. Any appliances designed to use gas – like stoves - might use small gas containers called “bombole” (see the photo to the left for one way bombole might be installed in a home). One gas container is a “bombola”. The principle behind using a bombola is similar to using a propane tank on a gas barbeque grill. Be careful with bombole if you must use them in your Italian apartment – they are known to leak. So listen to the directions and advice of your landlord to make sure you know how to use it properly.

This limited access to cooking and heating gas also explains (partially) why clothes dryers are so rare. If you do have the luxury of a clothes dryer, it will probably be electric and it will probably be the same machine as the clothes washer (yes, it washes then dries the clothes in one machine, but it takes forever). Electricity is expensive, so most Italians would rather hang their clothes to dry than “waste” money on an electric drying appliance. The other part of the reason for air-drying clothes is cultural, and more appropriate for a different article.

With the right mindset (an Italian vacation mindset) and a little planning in each day of your stay, you’ll have the power and the access to the appliances that you need. Feel free to ask the apartment owners ahead of time how many appliances can be run at a time. You will be glad you did.

Renting Apartments in Italy – Points to Consider: Layout

Just as important as the location of a rental apartment, is the layout of the apartment – especially if you’re traveling with children.

The entrance: Historic buildings have a tendency to have old doors with antiquated locking mechanisms. These historic door handles and locks are just as fascinating to the little ones as they are to grown-ups – except that they can also be an irresistible challenge to those little hands.

When considering floor plans of potential apartments, I prefer to select an apartment with my child’s bedroom (or the space in which he will likely sleep – bedroom or not) in the back of the apartment for a few reasons:
- If he wakes up in the middle of the night and decides to try to open the fancy door, he will have to get past my husband and me on the way to that door. Extra steps and adults on the way to the door can be a deterrent.
- There tends to be less noise in the back of the apartment – not always, but usually. So, if the adults would like to stay up to discuss the day’s events, do a little laundry, and plan for the next day, the child can be safely tucked away in the back of the apartment (hopefully) getting some sleep.
- If you have any company over, guests can come and go through the front door, and not have to walk and talk past the room of the sleeping child. A tangent to this is that the child’s toys can be stowed in the back room, out of view (Bonus!).

When considering floor plans of potential apartments, pay close attention to the photographs – is there enough furniture for your group?
It can seem like an odd question, but rental apartments in Italy that are owned by everyday people with everyday budgets tend not to be generously furnished. It is common to find one open living area with a loveseat (two-person small couch) and maybe one wooden chair pointed toward a television. You will also see three-person sofas which are usually IKEA-style hide-a-beds – beautiful to look at, but with thin cushions and sometimes fragile framework. Look carefully at the pictures and count the number of spots for people to sit during waking hours. Everyone in your group will want to have a soft place to land and chat after a fun day of sight-seeing.

While you’re at it, check the number of chairs at the kitchen table or dining table – is there room for everyone? What fun is it to be able to shop at the markets and come back to the apartment to cook, if everyone can’t sit at the table?

Keep a close eye on the configuration of the beds, too. Beds that are referred to as “double” are close to the American bed size referred to as “full”. Is that big enough for you and your significant other? Sometimes an ad for an apartment will say that there are two single beds that can be pushed together. That configuration can sometimes buy you a little extra sleeping surface, but the sheets can be a problem. Don’t plan on those “single” beds to be standard American “twin-size” beds, either. They will be shorter and narrower.
While you’re thinking about the beds in the apartment, though, some attitude adjustment will probably be necessary. As a woman who is over six-feet-tall, I can understand the dread of knowing that I won’t fit properly on an Italian mattress. But it’s all in how you look at it. I will be staying in an apartment in Italy; living like the Italians do (sort of). How great is that? It’s fine with me if my feet and elbows hang off the sides a little – at least I’m in Italy. Expect it, plan for it, and go in with a good attitude about it.

In somma (in summary), when shopping for a rental apartment in Italy, think about:
1) Ways to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable members of your traveling group
2) The comfort of your group during waking hours
3) The comfort of your group during sleeping hours

Pay close attention to the photos on the Italy apartment rental sites and to the specific terms used in the apartment descriptions – you’ll find more information than you think, and you’ll make a more informed choice. I’ll have more points to consider about Italian rental apartment layouts in the next installment of this series.

Renting Apartments in Italy - General Points to Consider

I am determined to get back to Italy this fall.
I'll get there somehow (personal finances and time off from work can all be worked out), but in the meantime, I'd rather think about shopping for just the right apartment rental for the trip.
There are the main considerations:

• In what city will we spend most of our time?
• Will we be renting a car? If so, what is the parking situation?
• How close is the apartment to local businesses and public transportation?
• Do we want to be in the middle of it all, or away from it all?

I have gone through the Italian apartment search enough times to have a good idea what our family's priorities are, but this trip will be a little different. I'm looking forward to going through the logic of the perfect Italian vacation apartment hunt in upcoming posts.