The Best Travel Hacks to Enjoy Delta’s Record Summer Italian Invasion

My wake-up call was the dulcet medley of bells from Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as The Duomo. The massive, marvelous cathedral, Baptistry and Opera Museum serve as the nerve center of the city. With my Airbnb a mere 50 yards away, every walking excursion yielded a new perspective and appreciation of its artistry, colorful stonework and hundreds of intricate, embedded sculptures.

The Duomo Florence Italy- Tony Randgaard

“You may have the world if I may have Italy.” Verdi

Florence, like Rome, Venice, Naples and Milan is bracing for an onslaught of 2025 tourists led by Delta Airline’s record Italian transatlantic expansion. Delta’s (first service since 2016) MSP-Rome nonstop service begins May 23rd. Florence via Detroit Metro, Atlanta-Naples, New York JFK-Catania and Boston-Milan join the invasion during the same schedule.

That parade of tourists will be crowded. Italy is the world’s fourth-most-visited country and arrivals grew more than 2 percent last year. The major tour companies reported mind-numbing summer lines at the top sights such as The Duomo, Venice’s St. Mark’s Cathedral, Rome’s Colosseum, Forum and the Vatican. Tourism increased despite Italian efforts to keep us away. Daily tourist taxes were implemented in all major cities. Deemed successful by Italian authorities, ’25 surcharges will balloon to 4 to 7 Euros per day for every person 15 and older. For a typical Griswold family of four, those expenses can add up in a hurry.

Summer travelers will need to pack a hefty dose of patience and a savvy strategy to enjoy some of the world’s most iconic attractions. After spending two weeks in March sampling the splendors of Florence, Venice and Rome, I will share my travel hacks to minimize stress and maximize vacation efficiency.

Antica Giostra Toscana Carrousel Florence- Tony Randgaard

Florence

1. The Uffizi Gallery. The breadth of this Renaissance collection is mind-boggling. I booked my ticket one week ahead and took an early weekday slot which worked very well. Study the top treasures such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Raphael in advance to target which rooms you need to visit. Otherwise, your head will be spinning amid the thousands of exhibits.

La Primavera by Botticelli at Uffizi Gallery- Randgaard

2. Accademia Gallery. Trying to maneuver around my jet lag, I booked this museum late in the afternoon (4:45 p.m.) I purchased my ticket online two days in advance and there was virtually no line. Michelangelo’s David was breathtaking. I knocked this side trip out in about an hour appreciating some of Italy’s renowned sculptors.

David by Michelangelo- Tony Randgaard

3. The Duomo. Even in March, lines were omnipresent. I arrived at 9:45 a.m., a half hour before opening on a Monday — and still waited an hour to get in. Make no mistake, the exterior of the Duomo is the masterpiece. The interior is significant for its sheer magnitude and Filippo Brunelleschi’s innovative engineering. Otherwise, I found the architecture inside to be minimalist, rugged Gothic. And even after double-checking with my veteran Florence host, I found there is no line-skipping option for entering the Duomo. For those fit enough to climb the 463 stairs of the Duomo cupola, the views of Florence are spectacular.

Florence might be the most walkable city in the world and there are stunning, historic spots around every corner. Over six days, I wandered across the Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza del Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and the Pitti Palace.

Rome

I used the high-speed Trenitalia several times. From Venice to Rome, I splurged for Business Class at $132 for the four-hour trip and it was a posh guilty pleasure. In Rome, I recommend staying near Piazza Navona, the Pantheon or Campo de’ Fiori. Those are historic, safe neighborhoods with easy access to the must-see sights.

1. The Colosseum and Forum. As prepared as I was arriving in Florence, I was just as ill-prepared getting off the train in Rome. The experts recommend booking your Colosseum ticket (including the Forum and Palatine Hill) 30 days in advance. When I booked 3 days in advance, all morning slots were completely sold out — except the 18 EU Arena ticket which also included the Forum and Palatine. That ticket limited me to 20 minutes in the Colosseum arena and no access to the upper promenades.

The Colosseum Arena Floor View- Tony Randgaard

That turned out to be just fine. The lines to enter the full access, tour entrance of the Colosseum were 3 blocks long. On the opposite, west end of the stadium, I was the only person in line for the 9:45 a.m. appointment. That end zone section delivered close-up views of the gladiator corridors and panoramic vistas of the amphitheater. The unexpected benefit of the truncated stop was that the upcoming trek through the grounds of the Forum and Palatine Hill — would be a grueling one-mile lap over rugged stone surfaces with frequent elevation changes. I can’t tell you how often my Columbia hiking shoes saved me from sprained ankles across Italy.

View from Palatine Hill Rome-Randgaard

2. The Pantheon. This remarkably preserved edifice is the oldest standing structure in Rome and the world’s largest unreinforced dome. Its harmonious geometric design and single oculus window transported me right into the middle of a Dan Brown novel. The circular interior is surrounded by 17th-century sculptures and religious works.

Pantheon Rome- Tony Randgaard

This tourist spot defied conventional wisdom. The web-site malfunctioned whenever I tried to book in advance and at the facility, the self-serve ticket kiosks stumped even the most tech-competent folks. Do not get in the self-service line. Use the staffed ticket line which is one card swipe and you’re in.

3. The Vatican and Vatican Museums. Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free, while the Vatican Museum/ Sistine Chapel should be booked 60 days in advance during the peak season. Entering St. Peter’s Square on a rainy Monday morning, my heart sank. A line 10 people wide, stretched for three blocks. I dismissed my first reaction to come back at another time and joined the queue. There I watched Vatican Security put on a clinic in efficiency that the TSA should study. I was cleared through security in less than 15 minutes with an unobstructed path to the Basilica. I have been to many basilicas across Europe and can attest that St. Peter’s is the most beautiful and regal building I have ever encountered.

Looking ahead to peak season, I would recommend booking a guided tour which will skip that long general line. Tripadvisor provides an excellent list of tours with many reviews: Tripadvisor Vatican Museums Basilica tours. The tours by EcoArt Travel are highly-rated. Their knowledgeable guides can help to navigate and add context to the thousands of exhibits in the museums.

St. Peters Basilica- Tony Randgaard

Venice

I booked my Venice stay for Wednesday to Friday and beat a surge of crowds arriving Friday afternoon. Venice is a walkable small island. I recommend staying in Cannaregio which is a stone’s throw from the Santa Lucia train station or near the San Stae waterbus stop. Both are within a block or two of main street and readily accessible to St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica.

1. St. Mark’s Square and Basilica. I found my way to St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) at 9:00 a.m. on a sunny 55-degree day and the views were transcendent. The gilded spires of St Mark’s Basilica were framed by the soaring Campanile bell tower and the staccato rhythm of the Museo Correr arches. The line to enter the Basilica moved quickly on a weekday. Behind me was the bright Gothic loggia of the Doges Palace and the dappling cobalt waters of the Adriatic Sea. I quickly paid the nominal 3 EU St. Marks admission charge and discovered many snapshot treasures around each turn.

St. Marks Square Venice- Tony Randgaard

Several charming cafes are jutting into the Square but I chose to go directly to the seaside promenade for a front-row vantage of the bustling gondola and marine traffic. And the kiosk vendors had no issue in selling me a 4 EU Pedovena lager at 11:00 a.m. Don’t judge, consider the time change ha-ha.

2. The Grand Canal. The main streets of Venice winding along the Grand Canal are a wonderland of delish pasta and pizzeria restaurants — but the Canal is the central artery of life. Each morning a businessman motored by my window in his outboard skiff. Canal overpasses revealed construction crews, grocery vendors and sanitation services cruising to and fro.

I studied the vaporetto schedule in order to use the waterbuses as often as possible. The waterbus ride from the San Marco ferry terminal on the number 2 line delivered a cheap yet scenic exploration of the Grand Canal.

San Marco Waterbus View- Tony Randgaard

Milan

1. Davinci’s Last Supper Museum at Basilica Santa Maria delle Grazie. One of the most sought-after tickets by Italy travelers. Tickets are released quarterly and as a reference, ticket queries display sold out through July. Additional tickets are released each Wednesday at noon Italian time. One ticket alternative at the official web-site is Cenacolo guided tours. The tours operate at fixed appointment times Cenacolo Fixed Time Guided Tours. The regular adult fare is 25 EU and includes the admission ticket. If these options fail, the secondary market tours can be very spendy.

2. The Duomo Milan. Unlike Florence, the Duomo Milan offers skip-the-line options. The most economical option is offered at the official web-site priced at only 32 EU for adults Duomo Milan Fast Track ticket. Because peak season line wait times can reach one hour, this skip-the-line option offering the use of the elevator, to access the roof is crucial. The views from the rooftop are exquisite.