Travel for Life: Italy Travel Tips

Italy is filled with riches. It offers you spectacular cities, ancient ruins, wonderful museums, soaring mountains, great beaches, and beautiful natural scenery – all packed in one.

Planning for your first trip

If you plan to visit Italy for the first time, here are the tips for you:^[6]

Take it slow
Forget your diet

Visit Italy to indulge and live your life to its fullest.

Do your research
Avoid tourist foods

Don’t eat or drink in the main city square. These spots are usually overpriced tourist traps. Just walk two blocks away from those tourist spots and you will find cheaper food choices.

Fewer stop is better
Pick the right season
Be alert for travel scams

Taxi scams—Insist the meter be turned on, or make sure you’re aware of any flat-rate pricing.
Anyone who approaches you with lavender, flowers or a pizza box. Just walk the other way.

Put your luggage on a diet

Don't pack too much. Mobility is essential. Only pack for your carry-on. But whatever you bring in your bag should a little bit fancier than normal.

Familiarize yourself with the language and culture

Video 1. How to buy ticket online in Italy (YouTube link)

Need to Know^[2]

Driving

Drive on the right; steering wheel is on the left side of the car.

Money

ATMs are everywhere, but be aware of transaction fees.

ATMs at every airport, most train stations and widely available in towns and cities.

For current exchange rates, see www.xe.com
Credit and debit cards can be used almost everywhere, with the exception of some rural towns and villages.

If you’re traveling abroad, you may need to use a credit card PIN to complete certain transactions, like those at unmanned kiosks in train stations.^[17]

Chip-and-pin is the norm for card transactions.

Language

English is not widely spoken in Italy and you'll need to master a few basic phrases.

Tipping

Tipping is customary in restaurants, optional elsewhere.

However, avoid tipping at restaurants if it’s already included on your bill
Most restaurants have a coperto (cover charge) and a servizio (service charge) of 10% to 15%.

When comes to taxi driver's tipping, just round up to the nearest euro, which is normal.
If in double, read [14] for more information.

Public restrooms

The Italian word for toilet (the part you sit on) is “water” pronounced “vater”. If you are looking for the toilet (the bathroom, the loo) then you will want to ask for “il bagno” pronounced “eel banio”.
Public restrooms in train stations and other places are usually pay. However, they are clean and have attendants. Just follow the signs posted.
You need coins (there was a change machine across from the gate). It was like the subway. You put in money; then the gate went up or retracted.
Venice is often criticized for its shortage of toilet facilities. Read [13] for more information.

Mobile (Cell) Phones

European and Australian phones work, other phones should be set to roaming. Use a local SIM card for cheaper rates on local calls.

What to wear

Appearances matter in Italy.
In general, trousers (pants), jeans, shirts and polo shirts for men and skirts or trousers for women will serve you well in the city.
Shorts, T-shirts and sandals are fine in summer and at the beach, but long sleeves are required for dining out. Come evening, think smart casual. A light sweater or waterproof jacket is useful in spring and autumn, and sturdy shoes are good for vising archaeological sites.

When to visit^[2]

High Season (07-08)

Queues and crowds at big sights, beaches and on the road, especially August

Shoulder (04-06 & 09-10)

Good deals on accommodation
Spring is best for festivals, flowers and local produce
Autumn is best for warm weather and grape harvest

Low season (11-03)

Prices can be 30% lower than high season (except Christmas, New Year and Easter)
Many sights, hotels and restaurants closed in coastal and mountainous areas
Christmas feasting and colorful Carnevale

Web Sites

Lonely Planet

Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more

Trenitalia

Italian raiways

Agriturismo

Guide to farm accommodation

Slow Food

For the best local producers, restaurants and markets

Enit Italia

Italian government tourism website

Italia Kids

Fantastic family resource

Safety in the South

Despite mafia notoriety, southern Italy is not a dangerous place and the biggest threat you face is from pickpockets and bag-snatchers.
Leave valuables in your hotel room and never leave them in your car.
If carrying a bag or camera, wear the strap across your body and away from the road—moped thieves can swipe a bag and be gone in seconds.
Be vigilant for pickpockets in crowded areas, including at train stations and ferry terminals, on buses and in markets (especially those in Naples, Palermo and Catania). Always report thefts to the police (dial 113) within 24 hours, and ask for a statement, otherwise your travel insurance company won't pay out.