What are some tips for traveling to Italy?

[Saladsamurai]

Heading to Italy! Any tips?

So I am heading to Italy tomorrow for a 3-week adventure! It actually starts in Malta for 3 days (an island south of Sicily) and then we head to Sicily for a few days and then we travel up the Western coast of Italy. The destinations are as follows:

Malta-->Sicily (Palermo, Taormina, Catania) --> Mainland Italy (Naples, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice).

Anyone have any tips? I know to look out for pickpockets. I am from the USA and I am just wondering of there are any little things I should know? I think I have the "big" things covered like safety and acting like a reasonable person when traveling abroad.

But for example, my friend who traveled to Italy said that if I go to a cafe and order coffee, they do not make it to go, it is typically drank in the cafe. Moreover, they will charge you extra to sit down and drink it, whereas it would be cheaper to stand at the "bar" and drink.

Or as another example: When dining out, don't bother to ask to take home my "leftovers" because that is not something that they do there.

Anyone have any other good ones? I'll be sure to post some pictures in the Photo forum! I still have to post some from my 6-week trip to Ghana that I just returned from.

Thanks!

 

[Andre]

Well FTTOMH,

1: Don't try to get anything done or don't do anything between 1pm and 4pm. Expect shops to be closed.

2: Don't wear a wrist watch in Napels,

3: Dinner time starts at 10pm.

 

[Saladsamurai]

Well FTTOMH,

1: Don't try to get anything done or don't do anything between 1pm and 4pm. Expect shops to be closed.

Good to know. I had no idea. Do shops reopen after 4? And if so: what time do they stay open until?

2: Don't wear a wrist watch in Napels,

3: Dinner time starts at 10pm.

That whole dinner at 10 PM is a little annoying. Does that mean that restaurants are not open at 6 or 7 PM? Or is it just more a "traditional dinner time"?

 

[wolram]

Bologna, is a beautiful city, just be aware that (gypsy) women carrying a baby in front of them
can be hard to push away, they will have their hands in your pockets in the blink of an eye,
i hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[Saladsamurai]

Bologna, is a beautiful city, just be aware that (gypsy) women carrying a baby in front of them
can be hard to push away, they will have their hands in your pockets in the blink of an eye,
i hope you enjoy your trip.

whoa! good to know! I will be using my moneybelt for just this reason. We (my girlfriend and I) got pickpocket in Ghana and it was an ordeal. They got her passport and what a mess that made!

 

[SW VandeCarr]

If you don't speak the language, know that English is not as widely understood in Italy as it is in northern Europe, particularly in southern Italy. Practice some Italian phrases and bring a phrase book and a small dictionary. Even better, hook up with someone who speaks the language. You can use a digital voice translator, but Italians (unlike the French) really appreciate it when you try to speak their language.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Streets in Venice are flooded. Be prepared to travel by rescue boat. If you're outside and you see the statue of David by Michaelangelo, that's a copy. The real one is inside. It used to be outside too, but it got weather-worn.

 

[Andre]

Good to know. I had no idea. Do shops reopen after 4? And if so: what time do they stay open until?

Yes they reopen until maybe 9-10pm. Just be aware that the mediteranian siesta separates the day in two useful parts.

That whole dinner at 10 PM is a little annoying. Does that mean that restaurants are not open at 6 or 7 PM? Or is it just more a "traditional dinner time"?

Basically yes, they open normally around 6pm but it you try to have dinner before 8pm, you're probably alone.

Also don't expect to get a good breakfest. Italian breakfest is a timble of almost solid coffee, known as espresso.

 

[Borek]

Don't smell the Venice.

 

[wuliheron]

Don't eat the pigeons with red eyes.

 

[HeLiXe]

Don't let anyone pinch your bottom...well i should say, watch out for guys wanting to pinch your bottom...so many people have given me that advice about Italy -_-

 

[lisab]

Don't let anyone pinch your bottom...well i should say, watch out for guys wanting to pinch your bottom...so many people have given me that advice about Italy -_-

Actually I'd extend that advice to male Italians outside of Italy. I got pinched on a train in London when I was 14 . My older cousin, who was British, yelled at them and then explained to me that "Italian men will do that".

Of course in parts of the US you may end up with a slug in your @ss for "doing that".

 

[HeLiXe]

Actually I'd extend that advice to male Italians outside of Italy. I got pinched on a train in London when I was 14 .

too bad no one had a set of hot tongs handy

Of course in parts of the US you may end up with a slug in your @ss for "doing that".

amongst other places

 

[mathwonk]

you are not exactly going to my favorite places in italy, but i have always enjoyed the delightful people of that country, their hospitality, courtesy, not to mention the food and wine. i suggest when you go into a store, to say something polite, like buon giorno, before asking for toothpaste or whatever. that is the difference in the custom there and here - they are courteous. and if a little old lady with a roadside stand gives you directions, be polite and buy something from her. get a book or record of the language and practice as much as you can in advance. it only takes a little effort to learn grazie, buon giorno, buona sera, molto buono, piu vino per favore...

Do not take guidance for a hotel room from the guy at the train station.

next time skip naples and try in addition to rome and florence, also trieste, canale, torino, perugia, assisi, bellagio,...

and just have fun.

 

[Saladsamurai]

you are not exactly going to my favorite places in italy, but i have always enjoyed the delightful people of that country, their hospitality, courtesy, not to mention the food and wine. i suggest when you go into a store, to say something polite, like buon giorno, before asking for toothpaste or whatever. that is the difference in the custom there and here - they are courteous. and if a little old lady with a roadside stand gives you directions, be polite and buy something from her. get a book or record of the language and practice as much as you can in advance. it only takes a little effort to learn grazie, buon giorno, buona sera, molto buono, piu vino per favore...

Do not take guidance for a hotel room from the guy at the train station.

next time skip naples and try in addition to rome and florence, also trieste, canale, torino, perugia, assisi, bellagio,...

and just have fun.

Very good advice. Thanks We are doing the Western coast of Italy this trip. Probably do the eastern coast and northern region next time! Naples is where my mother's family comes from, so it's a must!

 

[Monique]

Or as another example: When dining out, don't bother to ask to take home my "leftovers" because that is not something that they do there.

Haha, no! Just finish your plate

I think a good advice is to take it slow, don't rush to see all the sights: just enjoy the moment that you're there: it a vacation. There is too much to see and do anyway.

You definitely need to learn some basic phrases.

When visiting the Vatican or other tourist places you need to watch out for bogus tour guides. There are fake-tour guides that will sell you a ticket and tell you to come back at a certain time, which basically means you will have lost your money. I did follow a tour when visiting the Colosseum and the Vatican museum, which was great: we could skip the lines and have an entertaining tour and get tips of the best local spots to eat.

If you're confident enough to join the traffic, I can recommend renting a bicycle or a scooter (bici/baci): a great way to see the city.

The most important thing, enjoy the food and wine

 

[FredericGos]

Am I the only one to think that this thread is a bit stereotyped? Things like pickpockets, *** pinching etc. Come on. there's a lot of pickpocketing going in most citys in the world. The *** pinching is only because there's is assholes everywhere in the world. etc.

A bit like saying, 'If you go to america, they don't have restaurants like we do, only burger bars. That's what they eat over there'.

And also, dinner time at 10:00 PM ? That's spain. Dinner time in italy is around 8:00 PM.

 

[epenguin]

Don't buy a gold watch especially the favourites omega and rollex or forced sales of cheap diamonds etc.

You don't say whether you are traveling by car or train air etc.

More when I know.

In all cases you will see some warnings posted in English against "abusive" people, abusive taxi drivers, abusive vendors etc. You may not recognise these because you will not come across people shouting abuse at you (except for car drivers). They just imagine "abusive" is the translation of "abusivo" which really means "unauthorised". (They can also imagine "advertisement" is the translation of "avvertimento" meaning "warning".) So get a taxi etc. from the regular taxi ranks, not someone who sidles up to you in the station, airport etc.

It's late now, and it's hard to pack for every eventuality, but do not be all that taken in by the "sunny Italy" legend, you might in November be lucky, you might not. Have at least some light but warm and waterproof clothing, you just don't know. Of cokurse you can buy good reasonably priced stuff there.

My advice for visiting Italy, especially as your trip is quite long, is do not go just to the famous big places, go also to some small ones, the one or two stars, you can choose from the guides, e.g. Michelin Green. In fact I think you have too much in your programme. You will still not be able to see all there is in the places mentioned. Given you have reasons for visiting Naples, if you miss any or all of Rome, Florence or Venice you will go there some other time. More seeing, less travelling, just a personal view.

 

[Monique]

Am I the only one to think that this thread is a bit stereotyped? Things like pickpockets, *** pinching etc. Come on.

That's what happens in busy tourist places, a warned person counts for two.

 

[MarcoD]

It is a reasonably safe country, there's lots to see. How do you plan to get around? If anything, I don't remember public transport being that good -that might have changed- so I'ld suggest to get a cheap small car (which will probably be a stick-shift), and take good care in traffic. Italians are notorious for not abiding any traffic rules - red lights, zebra crossings, passing other people I think they sometimes feel is up to your own interpretation of the traffic conditions so to someone from the US it'll sometimes be hectic, in some cities it's a complete mess, but a lot of fun too. Don't bother to try to drive as fast as an Italian because you'll end up dead; take care of driving through small cities. Don't leave expensive stuff in your car, and have small change for the toll ways.

I agree I'ld skip Napels too and try to spend some time at the country or have a look at the cities you pass through. I personally find it infinitely more fun to look at daily life enjoying a coffee in a small place, but that's taste. Just get a good paper guide, as I said, there's more than enough to see.

 

[Loren Booda]

neutrinos! Watch out for the

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

At dinner, nothing is complimentary. Anything they put on the table (bread), if you touch, you pay.

 

[Loren Booda]

At dinner, nothing is complimentary. Anything they put on the table (bread), if you touch, you pay.

Not even momentum and displacement?

 

[lisab]

neutrinos! Watch out for the

 

[fuzzyfelt]

neutrinos! Watch out for the

:)

As mentioned in the OP, coffee can be tricky. Not just about whether you stand or pay extra to sit, but also sometimes you need to pay at a different counter before ordering, and having an idea about what you might be ordering and what might be expected to be ordered judging by the time of day, etc., guides like this might lessen the surprise for all concerned-
http://goitaly.about.com/od/foodandwineofitaly/a/italian_coffee.htm

Even off-season, it can be a good idea to book museum tickets in advance on-line.

I like the idea of staying longer in one place and exploring, too, and the weather might be better in the south at this time of year. Also, as mentioned, and as I don’t know the OP’s methods of transport in mind, it may be worth mentioning Neapolitan road rules can be interpreted bit more flippantly than visitors are used to. So, it could be fun to explore the Amalfi, either by hurtling around hair-pin bends on the edge of an abyss amongst drivers with perhaps different attitudes and there are also ferries at various prices.

 

[epenguin]

Yes, in Naples the rule is at red traffic lights you can stop, provided you exercise proper caution about the reactions of the driver behind you to unexpected moves.

For trains it is less hassle tnah buying at the station and may be cheaper to book ahead which you can do at this site in English http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD . On some lines and times may be better to have a seat reservation at least, to be sure of getting one.

For many tickets may people do not know the first time it is not sufficient to have a ticket but you have to 'convalidate' them on little machines on the platforms to look out for.

 

[fuzzyfelt]

Yes, in Naples the rule is at red traffic lights you can stop, provided you exercise proper caution about the reactions of the driver behind you to unexpected moves.

 

[Monique]

:)As mentioned in the OP, coffee can be tricky. Not just about whether you stand or pay extra to sit, but also sometimes you need to pay at a different counter before ordering, and having an idea about what you might be ordering and what might be expected to be ordered judging by the time of day, etc., guides like this might lessen the surprise for all concerned-
http://goitaly.about.com/od/foodandwineofitaly/a/italian_coffee.htm

I had that happen in Portugal at a sandwich counter. After waiting in line for 10 minutes I found out I had to pay first, I then joined the line at the cashier, but had no clue what I wanted to order, went back over to the sandwich counter and tried to remember the names, which was impossible. Finally I resorted to taking pictures of the display

By then the person behind the counter jumped in and offered to give the sandwiches to the cashier, so I could pay for them. I was very grateful

 

[Andre]

Yes, in Naples the rule is at red traffic lights you can stop, provided you exercise proper caution about the reactions of the driver behind you to unexpected moves.

Oh, I thought that was Paris, where the color of the light is strictly advisory. It is highly discouraged to stop anywhere, if there is space in front of you to move on.

 

[Andre]

Anyway, don't forget in Rome to do as the Romans do. And many Romans take the bus, but apparently very few actually pay for that. So if you don't forget to pay, you can actually stay in a rather empty bus, after it was raided by auditors.