A few questions re upcoming trip to Italy/Paris

[jinxy09]

Hi Everyone

I have gone through as many posts as possible, but have heaps of questions regarding my upcoming to trip in late June.

The main parts of the flights were booked on an Alitalia fare, however as it is codeshare as you will see below, flying different airlines.

The itinerary looks like this

Melbourne to KL: Malaysian (transit)
KL to Rome: Malaysian
Rome to SUF (small town in Italy): Alitalia
then SUF to Rome: Alitalia
Rome to Nice: Easyjet
Nice to Paris: Air France
Paris to Rome: Air France
Rome to KL: Malaysian (transit)
Kl to Mel: Malaysian

This is all in a spate of 10 days so no doubt I will exhausted!

On the way there I am flying with 2 others, however from Paris/Rome leg on the way home will be on my own.
I am a member of Alitalia's FF program and Malaysia's Enrich as well as Qantas and Flying Club

Questions:

Booked in Y at the moment, as it is peak season and I couldnt use my Flying Club points (of which I have the most) as dont want to be separated on the way there.
I will have enough Alitalia points after the first legs to upgrade to Business on the return legs. As it is Malaysian flights and not Alitalia, how do i organise an upgrade...or any idea if it would be easier to just pay for certain legs if available? Does anyone know what the cost would be? I'm thinking the Rome to KL leg and then KL to Mel.

Have a 5 hour wait between Rome and SUF. I am assuming bags would be checked through as it is on the same itinerary. Worth getting priority pass to use lounge access?

The leg from SUF to Rome and then Rome to NCE (where I am flying Easyjet) has a 3 hour wait between flights. One leaves from T1 and the other from T2. Would that give me enough time to check in with Easyjet?

Data usage and pre paid sims: From all my research it seems that Vodafone IT probably has the best data plans and phone. I use my Iphone and Ipad all the time and will need to keep in touch for business at all times. I have found a Vodafone store located at Rome airport. Is it easy enough to organise while I'm there, or is there another provider I should organise before my trip?

Also can you please suggest the best seats to sit in Y for 3 adults on the way there for Malaysian's Boeing 777 and how do I go about pre booking seats?

All information much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Personally once in Europe I would use the fast trains.

 

[jinxy09]

thanks for the reply, but on a tight schedule and have to fly

 

[medhead]

Personally once in Europe I would use the fast trains.

Generally, I would agree, however it is a tight schedule. I've done nice to Rome and it is a full day on the train. The only one that jumps out for me where the train could be better is nice to Paris. But I also don't know where SUF is located.

 

[jinxy09]

SUF is an hour plane trip from Rome heading towards the bottom of Italy. There is no direct flight from there to Nice, hence why i have to swap airlines etc

If anyone can answer any or all of my questions it would be fantastic

 

[medhead]

I would think that due to the time difference there is only a limited window when you can be in touch via the phone. Generally late at night and early morning. These are times when hotel wifi is probably most cost effective for data. If course wifi does limit your options. In terms of phone use again the window is limited for making calls. Would a travel SIM be better?

I'll also mention the blindingly obvious, not trying to teach you to suck eggs. First, getting a SIM in country will have logistical issues with letting people know your number. Also make sure your phone/pad is unlocked.

Sorry I can't help with the other questions.

BTW one hour by plane, thanks for the info. Personally I would have trained that one. But that's just me.

 

[jinxy09]

Hi Medhead

yeah the one hour flight is actually a 6 hour train ride to a small village, and as Ill be only 12 days away, would almost take out an entire day! Plus the flight price for peak season including internals was too good to pass up.

Thanks for advice re sim. Found out that Vodafone italy does both what Im after, and will check to ensure the iphone and ipad is unlocked before I go.

Love the suck eggs remark as long as work can call me and i can call back, couldnt care less about anyone else needing my number, as will leave my main phone at the office while I'm away.

 

[DavidMjps]

Hi Everyone
Data usage and pre paid sims: From all my research it seems that Vodafone IT probably has the best data plans and phone. I use my Iphone and Ipad all the time and will need to keep in touch for business at all times. I have found a Vodafone store located at Rome airport. Is it easy enough to organise while I'm there, or is there another provider I should organise before my trip?

All information much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

When I was in Italy, late last year I bought prepaid microsims, for my iPad and iPhone4 from 3 (Tre. Italy.). They had a great package deal for the two sims which from memory was about 12 Euros. The iPad sim included 3GB of data.

In France I used SFR (SFR : Téléphone portable, mobile, forfaits portables, ADSL) for an iPad sim. They had a prepaid option that was good for 3 days for 9 Euros. I think it included 1GB of data. I was only there for 3 days but there were also options to re-charge.

I found the iPad Maps app brilliant for finding my way around the cities and having 3G data meant that I didn't have to pay for wi-fi at the hotels.

Regards
David M

 

[BadgerBoi]

Personally once in Europe I would use the fast trains.

Me, I'd use overnight trains with sleepers rather than fast trains for the longer trips.