Question: Barb O’Connor asks: Last minute invite to tour Italy with college alumni group this May. Based on temp predictions, what sort of clothing should I pack? Cities to visit will include Venice, Verona, Rome, Vatican City and Florence. What recommendations can you give for sightseeing and lunches on a budget?

Answer: Betsy Sell, AAA Travel Services Managing Director and frequent Europe traveler, answers: Your trip sounds wonderful. May is considered the “month of roses” in Italy; the weather is warm but not too hot for sightseeing. Temperatures range from lows in the 50’s to highs in the 70’s so pack accordingly.

I don’t think you can get a bad meal anywhere in Italy! One of my favorite places is a small restaurant, a few blocks off the Via Veneto in Rome, called Picollo Abruzzo on Via Sardinia. I hope it is still there!  It’s a delightful, small neighborhood restaurant where the owner goes to market each day and buys what’s in season and fresh to cook that evening. So there is no long  menu to choose from – the chef simply brings out four or five courses that he has specially prepared for that evening. I’ve eaten there several times and it’s always a memorable meal. It’s small so you do need reservations; the concierge at your the hotel can help with reservations. For other dining ideas check out chowhound.com - I found a conversation about restaurants in Italy on the site.

There are so many things to do and see in the cities you will be visiting. When in Rome make sure you visit the Basilica di San Pietro and II Vaticano (one of the world’s biggest churches and headquarters of the Roman Catholic church) and the Colosseum (an ancient auditorium where you’ll get a history lesson on gladiators). When in Venice don’t miss the Canal Grande (a waterway thoroughfare lined with beautiful buildings) and Piazza San Marco (a city square that’s home to great cafés). When in Florence tour the Galleria degli Uffizi to see an amazing art collection. If time allows, try to get to Pisa (it is close to Florence) -- the Leaning Tower of Pisa is something you shouldn’t miss. Excellent information about these tourist attractions are included in the AAA Essential Italy guide available at barnesandnoble.com. AAA members can get a discount on the guide at AAA.com/barnesandnoble (you’ll need your AAA membership number to access the Barnes & Noble section of AAA.com). Have a wonderful time and comment on my answer when you return from your trip to give our readers more recommendations!