Helpful resources for Italy and France travel planning
Note: This page may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend services I know and trust and that I’ve used myself or for clients. Check back as I often update this page and add to the list.
MAPS + BOOKS
For city maps, I like MapEasy. They have tons of information including ATMS, restaurants and detailed descriptions of historic sites, museums etc. The paper is both water and tear proof, which is so important.
They make maps for Rome, Venice, Florence and Paris.
The best driving maps are from Michelin and the Italian Touring Club. These are the most useful for France and Italy.
The Italian Touring Club maps for Italy are very detailed. The most popular regional maps are:
Google Maps is great for making custom maps, plotting routes, saving restaurant info, there is nothing better.
Italy: Instructions for Use is an excellent booklet chock full of info for Italy first-timers.
France: Instructions for Use has the same info for France.
Marling Menu Master for France and Italy are tiny pocket-sized books that come in handy for dining and avoiding things you don’t want to eat.
Paris Plan per Arrondissement is invaluable for finding streets in the city.
TOURS
I highly recommend private tours and guides – but in the event you wish to join a group tour with a reputable company or need a last minute booking, here are a few to consider:
- Context Travel (In Italy + France)
- Walks of Italy (In Italy)
- Fat Bike Tours (In Paris)
TRANSPORTATION
Kayak is my preferred site for airfare searches. I recommend setting up alerts, so fares and deals will come right to your inbox. Use the parameters to target specific airports, airlines, routes and when fares drop a certain dollar amount.
AutoEurope and EuropCar are the car rental companies I use most.
RailEurope Use this site to book high-speed rail tickets and rail passes for Italy and France if you live in North America. They have a very useful chat function and the agents are friendly and knowledgable.
Trenitalia for routes, timetables and rates for local or regional trains throughout Italy.
SNCF for routes, timetables and rates for local or regional trains throughout France.
LODGING
There are millions of hotels, apartments villas. It’s impossible to make specific recommendations for properties (you can contact me for that), but you can check with these sites:
Venere.com is a comprehensive site for hotel search and bookings in Europe. I like the advanced search and filters, which helps you narrow down options by price, neighborhood, availability.
Monestary Stays offers a unique, bare bones way to stay in Italy. If you don’t mind curfews, this can be a clean, quiet, budget-friendly option.
AirBnB has thousands of rentals to choose from in both Italy and France.
VRBO I’ve had good luck with VRBO for my own trips, as well as for clients. You’re dealing directly with owners, so you can often find very good rates.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. I’ve used Insuremytrip.com with success. I especially like their excellent customer serivce and ability to compare many plans and companies to pick the best fit for your trip. They also offer a price matching guarantee.
DOCUMENT / PHOTO STORAGE / APPS
Dropbox. This is my favorite way to store important travel documents, maps, PDF’s. I use it for my travel business as well as for personal trips. I also upload photos from my smartphone during my trips to free up precious storage space on my phone. If you sign up via this link, we both get free bonus space!
Evernote. Another favorite for collecting clips, websites and travel notes and you can sync all of your devices.
XE.com is my favorite currency conversion program. Download the free app which is handy for on the go conversion and up to the minute rates.
LANGUAGE LEARNING
It’s important to learn some of the local language when you travel. I recommend the following programs:
- Mango Languages. Great software program that has a three-pronged approach. I especially love that you can record your voice, play it back and compare it to the native speaker. Some local libraries often have a free version.
- Duolingo. A fun and free app for learning the basics.
- Google Translate is helpful for translating during your planning. Or download the free app for on the go needs. It also uses your camera to help translate images, which comes in handy for street signs and menus.
GENERAL TRAVEL PLANNING
I’ve written some itinerary ideas for where to go and what to do in Italy and France.
Italian Tourism Board can be useful for general information on destinations and things to do Italy.
France Tourism Board can be useful for general information on destinations and things to do in France.
Alternatively, each city or region in France and Italy has its own tourist website that can be useful.
GOURMET FRENCH AND ITALIAN FOOD
For high quality extra virgin olive oil from Italy, I love and trust both Pomora and Tre Olive. They both offer pure extra virgin olive oil and infused options, as well as olive tree adoption programs. I also know many small organic producers and family farms who make their own and will ship straight to your door, contact me to inquire.
For olive oil and olives from France you can try L’Oulibo from the Languedoc (the Lucques olives are a must!) or A l’Olivier
Gustiamo is the importer of real authentic Italian food. You’ll pay top dollar for exclusive hard to source items. I’m a big fan of the organic beans from Umbria, Faella pasta, San Marzano canned tomatoes and organic honey from Sardinia.
Tietel Brothers located in the Bronx is an amazing store, but they also have some good products online. The giant Sicilian olive oil in tins and glass bottles sourced directly from Lucca are both excellent quality and an amazing value.
Market Hall Foods is another great option located in California.
Sogno Toscano specializes in products from Tuscany, but they do offer items from all over Italy. They even deliver fresh cheeses and guanciale (a must for authentic pasta carbonara or gricia). Use this link for a $10 off coupon!
Eataly has locations throughout the US to shop in person, but you can also shop online. They make amazing gift baskets too.
Yummy Bazaar has a great selection of both French and Italian gourmet products.
D’Artagnen is a fabulous online shop for many harder to find French delicacies like charcuterie, terrines, duck rillettes, paté and foie gras. Even a Cassoulet kit!