If you’re joining us on one of our Culinary Tours in Italy or taking your own vacation in Italy, here are some travel tips and insights we’ve compiled over the years, so you can avoid typical mistakes tourists make when visiting Italy.
Seeing it all
It’s tempting to want to see everything in Italy in one trip. The reality is: YOU CAN’T! Italy looks small on a map and it is when compared to the US; however, in reality it is expansive and the infrastructure and geography in Italy make getting around a challenge. Most people have 2 weeks or less and race through places without really experiencing or seeing anything.
Slow down! Rather than racing from one place to the next, take the time to really see where you are, experience the people, place and foods. Jumping from hotel to hotel and city to city leads to spending most of your holiday packing, unpacking and traveling to the next destination, rather than relaxing and seeing the sights. Soak it all in – the beauty and culture of Italy. You’ll be happy you did.
Book your tickets in advance for major attractions
This is super important in popular tourist cities like Rome (the Vatican, Colosseum) and Florence’s art museums and galleries. Prebuying your tickets ahead of time for a specific day and time ensures that you are not wasting time waiting in long lines in the hot sun! Plan ahead.
Hire a local guide
A guide can show you those main attractions and also the interesting off-the-beaten-path places. Maybe you’re interested in local artisans, the guides can show you or direct you to hidden gems. Or take a day trip to a small village or the coast! Ask your hotel or tour guide for restaurants and cafes that they would go to. They’re probably in a less touristy part of the city.
Experience the diverse cuisine of Italy
Italy’s best cuisine varies greatly by region. Each city and region have its own specialties, so do a little research ahead of time and make sure to note the most famous dishes of the cities you’ll be spending time in. Don’t just eat pizza and pasta! We love pizza, it’s from Naples, mozzarella is from there too! Puglia is known for its wide variety of seafood, burrata and orecchiette pasta. Try the wild boar ragu when you’re in Tuscany or the pesto when you’re in Genoa and the Ligurian coast!
Dine like the locals
We could write a whole book on this one!
Some insights – Timing for dinner: Italians eat 8:00 and beyond, typically 8:30! 7:30 is acceptable now but don’t be in a rush!
-There’s a “coperto” or cover charge. This is normal and covers the linens and bread. Even if you refuse the bread, they’ll still charge this fee.
-Some restaurants include a 10% service charge too. If they do, don’t feel obliged to tip on top of that. If you’ve received great service, and the owner is not waiting on you, go ahead leave a cash euro tip. 10% is usually customary.
-Drink your cappuccino in the morning. This frothy milk drink doesn’t go on top of a big meal…ever. Take a tip from an Italian and finish your meal with an espresso or amaro.
Tipping in Italy:
Tipping culture in Italy is vastly different from in the U.S., and most Italians rarely leave tips. Unlike in the U.S., Italian waiters receive a set salary, meaning they don’t rely on tips for a large chunk of their pay. Italian restaurant service is generally very good, but restaurant culture doesn’t dictate checking in on patrons every few minutes or continually asking if you need anything.
Therefore, tipping large amounts is not common nor expected, and is definitely unnecessary. If the service charge is included in the bill, it isn’t require to leave at tip as technically, the gratuity is included. Otherwise, you can round up to the next euro or two, or between 5 and 10% (a 10% tip is considered large). Small tips are appreciated and truly a measure of good service, rather than being virtually mandatory.
Leaving a few euros is fine if service was good, but generally, excessive tipping is not common in Italy. Have euros on hand if you do tip at a restaurant or bar (though it’s not customary to tip on coffee or drinks). Outside of restaurants, tipping is mostly uncommon. However, it is good practice to give hotel porters at least one euro per bag carried, and if you’d like, leave a small tip for housekeeping. Tipping isn’t common in taxis, but if a driver is particularly helpful, round up to the next euro.
If you’re on a tour, you should plan on tipping the guide and bus driver (if there is one). One rule of thumb for a bus driver is five euros per person, per day if you are on a multi-day tour. The tip for the guide really depends how long you spent with them and their quality. For a half-day tour, five euros or more is a nice gesture.
Dress appropriately for touring religious sites
Churches require knees and shoulders covered, so if you’re planning to visit the famous cathedrals and little churches, make sure you pack a scarf or sweater so you can get in.
Avoid travel scams or pickpocketing incident
Be aware and careful in tourist areas. There are pickpocket gypsies that work in pairs. One can bump you while the other one reaches into your pocket or your purse. In the touristy cities, there are many people posing as beggars. You reach in your purse to make a donation, innocent enough, but now they know where your wallet is, and the other person goes right for it!
Leave your valuables and passport in the hotel safe. Don’t carry large amounts of cash. Be cautious when taking taxi (they must have a meter).
Riposo
Many shops close their stores for lunch and “riposo”. Usually between 1:00 and 4:00 pm. Get out early and then take a break for lunch when the stores are closed. Or schedule your museum visit during the afternoon hours.
What to Pack
Not short shorts and sneakers. Besides being impractical, they mark you as an American and make it harder for you to slip into the Italian stream of life. Weather forecasts will help you not to over pack and bring the right clothing. Layering is always the best way to dress. In warmer weather, linen is a good idea as it looks fine wrinkled, is cooler and washes well.
For women, looser clothing is highly recommended -especially on our food and wine tours! And a large pashmina scarf is a must as it is easy to carry in your purse or bag, provides an instant cover up for churches, and warmth on the plane or in a restaurant or museum.
For evening meals in Italy, you may want to bring something a little nicer as Italians tend to dress up when going out. For women, slacks or skirt and top; for men, slacks and a nice shirt. Be prepared for some rain – a small umbrella or lightweight raincoat are available in styles that fold into almost nothing.
Remember to wear sturdy comfortable walking shoes. Many of the hilltop towns and cities have cobble stones and museums and restaurants have marble floors and stairs. Don’t miss out on sights and activities because your feet hurt!
Leave your expensive jewelry at home – or just bring the essentials. If you’ll be heartbroken to have something lifted off you in a crowded city street, leave it at home. Money belts and other secure ways of carrying cash are essential, especially when moving around near train stations and popular tourist areas.
Look Up!
The light pollution in Italy is less, especially in the countryside, and it is possible to see thousands of stars and the Milky Way when the sky is clear. Be sure to look up into the night sky and appreciate the wonder!
Getting Money– Euros
You will get the best exchange rate when you use your ATM card across Europe. Traveler cheques are almost non-existent and no one will take them anymore so we recommend you don’t use them. Banking hours for exchanging money are time consuming and can be frustrating and exchanging money at the airport is expensive. Be sure that your bank and credit card companies know that you’ll be traveling overseas to avoid them putting a security hold on your account. Be sure to take their phone numbers – not the toll free numbers as they won’t work in Italy.
The Airport and Plane
Do you have Global Entry yet? When returning to the U.S. after your international flight, Global Entry allows you to bypass long lines at border control saving time and the frustration of waiting when you’re tired. It costs $100 and is good for five years and you’ll already be enrolled in another program – TSA Pre-Check. This allows you to skip the standard security line while in the U.S. and you can keep your shoes on and everything in your bag. Also, you pass through a metal detector versus the scanner.
Flying will dehydrate you
Bypass the alcohol as it makes you even more dehydrated and you’ll feel it when you land. We try to drink plenty of water in flight – they say 8 ounces for every hour you’re in the air. More is better!
Minimize your Jet Lag
This is key to enjoying the entire trip. When you arrive from the US its usually a morning arrival, you can take a small nap at your hotel for an hour or so, then freshen up and get out and sight see! Stay up! Its key to stay up as long as possible that first day, then when you go to bed after dinner, you’ll sleep through the night and wake up refreshed and ready to take on your vacation! Drink water too.
Passport
Of course, don’t forget this! Make two copies. Pack one in your carry-on luggage separate from your passport. Leave a set of these at home with a family member or close friend. You can opt to have the pictures or scans on your smartphone or thumb drive, but make sure you have a hard copy of your passport. That will be better if you have to replace your passport. Take the contact information for the local embassy or consulate. Also, take your driver’s license with you. It is another form of identification and you’ll need it if you’re renting a car.
Buon Viaggio a tutti!
Gina and Mary