Travel
Flight
Milan Malpensa Airport
Milan is the closest major city and international airport. It's about a 1.5 hour drive to the villa or 2-3 hours train ride to Bergamo, the town nearby the villa.
Travel Note
Car Rental
While it's possible to take the train from the Milan airport to the venue, it'll involve several transfers so renting a car will probably be the more convenient option. However, if you plan to visit other major cities, the high speed train is very good. It may be worthwhile to consider renting a car one-way and use the train for farther cities. Here is a guide to driving in Italy: https://italyexplained.com/driving-in-italy/ Driving in Italy is pretty similar to the US but navigating city streets can be tough. Be aware of the road signs (which are different) about if parking is allowed or not. City centers might prohibit driving but not be blocked off (be careful of automated ticketing cameras). And some small streets are more like alleyways and very narrow. European cars are generally smaller than American cars so I'd recommend packing light and avoiding large suitcases. Most rental cars are manual transmission but automatics are available, just more expensive (book early to avoid them running out!). When getting gas, be really careful about whether the car takes gasoline or diesel. Check with the rental company or look at the key tag. “Benzina” is unleaded gas and “gasolio” is diesel. The speeds will be in kilometers per hour, of course. (Approximately 1 km/h = 0.6 mph) But when in doubt, just follow the speed limit signs on the highway, which will be in km/h.
Travel Note
Currency
Italy uses the Euro (€) and the US dollar is slightly weaker; the exchange rate is roughly 1 USD = 0.9 EUR. Cash Having cash is highly recommended as most cab drivers and maybe some local shops may not take cards. The best place to exchange money with the lowest fees is at your bank before leaving, second would be at a local ATM in Italy, away from the tourist centers. Exchanging at the airport or train station would have the highest fees. Check the linked article for more advice on exchanging. https://www.usnews.com/banking/articles/where-is-the-best-place-to-exchange-foreign-currency Credit cards It's still a good idea to bring a credit card, just make sure that there aren't any foreign transaction fees or else each charge will have an additional small fee. Usually travel credit cards won't charge those fees; here's a list of top travel cards: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/credit-cards/travel My pick would probably be the Wells Fargo Autograph or Chase cards. Be sure to notify the credit card company about your travels so that your card doesn't get declined for fraud. Also, set a PIN number on the card. Automated machines like at gas stations will ask for a PIN when using the card. And lastly, they prefer the tap cards there. Chip cards will work but I got many annoyed looks.
Travel Note
Electronics
Power outlets are a different shape so an adapter will be needed to charge any electronic devices. Here's a good low cost one on Amazon that I have and works well. (Note: This is not a voltage converter) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YLS861P The voltage is also different so be careful with certain appliances/devices. The US uses 110 volts and Europe uses 220 volts. Modern electronics (smartphones, tablets, laptops) are dual voltage, meaning they can be used without a voltage converter. To be sure, check your device or its plug to see what it says. If it says 110-220 volts, then it'll be fine. Older devices and things like hair dryers or curling irons may not be compatible. You'll need a voltage converter to use those.
Travel Note
Miscellaneous Tips
1. Europeans count floors in a building differently. The ground floor is counted as 0 and the floor above the ground floor is counted as the first floor. If your hotel says your room is on the first floor, it'll be upstairs. 2. Tipping is not required or expected in Italy but you can do so if you want. https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/travel-tips/tipping-italy-etiquette 3. If you order a coffee (caffe), they will give you an espresso. For regular coffee, ask for an Americano. Other tips: https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/travel-tips/things-to-know-before-visiting-italy