Planning a trip to Italy can go one of two ways.
Either you have a beautiful Italian long-lost relative who is more than happy to connect and fill you in on all the secret know-how’s; someone who tells you what to do, where to go and what to wear in Italy.
OR
You haven’t got an ounce of Italian blood in your body, meaning you spend every waking hour researching Italian travel tips, filling your brain with everything you should do in Italy.
Only to discover that once you arrive in what can only be described as one of the most beautiful places in the world, you have completely forgotten to consider the things that you shouldn’t do.
The Italian no-no’s.
Mamma Mia.
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Visiting Italy (preferably without getting cautioned by the police!)
Nobody enjoys looking like a fool.
Especially not after you have spent months arranging the perfect vacation with such precision.
One of the most embarrassing moments of my (travel) life was when I was cautioned by police in Piazza San Marco for eating ice cream in Venice.
Just because I had been so busy finding the things to do in Venice.
I totally overlooked the local laws on what not to do.
Oh beh. ( Meaning, oh well! In Italian)
I suppose it will give me something to tell my grandchildren.
The following valuable tips will save you from any such discomfort when planning your next Italy trip.
They will enable you to enjoy your Italy vacation as it should be, leaving you more time for caffe crema and truffle sauce and less time to wonder where you got your black hair and brown eyes from.
Planning A Trip To Italy. 21 Things That Scream No!
Are you ready to learn what NOT to do in Italy?
Italy Tip #1 Don’t Forget to Validate Your Train Ticket
When you buy a train ticket in Italy, it has neither the date nor time on it.
This is superb in the sense that the organised traveller can purchase train tickets in advance and use them when needed, but not so good for those with poor memories.
Like me.
Before you board a regional train in Italy with your ticket, you need to validate it.
Don’t try and pull a fast one and tell the train inspector that you forgot; this won’t work. You will find yourself either walking home or responsible for a hefty fine.
There are yellow validation machines at the entrance of each station or on the platform.
Either way, find one and get your ticket stamped.
Also, note that it is not possible to buy tickets on the train.
This is the train from Venice to Verona. DON’T forget to validate your ticket or you could find yourself with a hefty fine.
Italy Tip #2 Don’t Ignore Bars When Buying A Coffee
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If you want a coffee, head to one of the many bars in Italy.
At first glance, these little bars can appear quite intimidating (especially if you are outside of a tourist area).
Get over your initial awkwardness and stride on in there like you’re a local.
From the outside, this place looked quite unapproachable but once we stepped into the door we were greeted with friendly Italians and amazing coffee!
Italy Tip #2. Don’t Sit Down & Drink Coffee
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To be like a real Italian, take that coffee standing up at the bar.
Would you love to travel to Italy more often but could use some tips on how to do it for a lot less?
Then join me & I’ll show you how!
Italy Tip #3 Don’t Order Cappuccino After 11 am
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We learned this little tip from a real-life proper Italian gentleman when we were housesitting in Tuscany.
He gave us so much information about what Italy is really like, and many of those tips made it into this post.
Apparentlllly…Ordering a cappuccino after 11 am is a big no-no in Italy, with travellers often reporting being scoffed at by waiters when they have ordered a cappuccino after mid-morning.
How rude.
Do what you like, I say, but be aware that it’s not something that is done in Italy.
Apparently, (so said the Italian gent) it messes with your digestion.
Know that it is frowned upon to drink a cappuccino after 11 am.
Italy Tip #3: Don’t Go Overboard When Tipping
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Tipping is not customary in Italy (unless you are dining with a large party in a posh restaurant); HOWEVER, this does not mean that tips will be refused.
If your server has given you service worth tipping, feel free to do so.
And when you have that coffee in the bar that we talked about, tip the bar person 10 or 20 cents as a sign of respect and a way to connect.
You will find that you get an Italian smile – and that is priceless.
Italy Tip #4 Don’t Ignore Housesitting In Italy
We are big fans of housesitting.
We estimated that while housesitting throughout Europe, we saved ourselves approximately ten grand.
Ten Grand!!!
Although there are (obviously) pros and cons to housesitting, I don’t understand why more people don’t do this!
It is one of the ways that we continually manage to travel the world for free by housesitting.
Housesitting is VERY straightforward:
You join a housesitting website. We LOVE TrustedHousesitters (you can read our full TrustedHousesitters review to know why),
You make a profile, and then twice a day, you are sent emails (such as the screenshot from my phone below) listing available properties in Italy!
One of the emails you will be sent sharing houses in Italy wanting YOU to housesit!
This is one of the emails that I get twice a day.
If you want to see Italy the way locals see it, consider housesitting!
You will save a fortune (we estimate we have saved $30,000 over five years by caring for other people’s houses and pets) and get to stay in places that are unbelievable with gorgeous pets.
It’s not hard and is a fabulous way to experience living in beautiful parts of Italy in return for looking after someone’s property (and maybe a pet!).
If anyone tells you you can see the world and travel for free housesitting, know that they are right.
Spot on.
Interested? Here’s where I write about housesitting:
Housesitting in Italy. How We Saved Ourselves $10,000
27 Sits Later. A no B/S TrustedHousesitters Review
Italy Tip #5 Don’t Expect To Eat Dinner Early
This is one of the reasons I adored taking my kids to Europe and, in particular, Italy.
We (my teenagers and I) love eating late, as do the Italians.
Unless you are in Venice (where everything shuts down after 10 pm), don’t expect to have dinner early; you will find that most (descent) restaurants don’t even open their doors until 7 pm, with things livening up at around 8.30.
If you are like my husband, who constantly complains that eating late gives him indigestion, then I suggest you take a box of Gaviscon with you.
Or, even better, a tub of those wonderful apple cider vinegar capsules – they do the job of settling the tummy of a bloated man perfectly.
Trust me; I know.
Visiting Rome?
Italy Tip #5 Don’t Stand in Line When You Can Buy a Fast Pass
Standing in line is dull and hot.
Fast pass tickets are readily available for not that much money so there really isn’t any excuse to spend half of your day in line.
These ones are for Rome and are worth every cent, but you can buy them for every city in Italy.
When planning a trip to Italy, please don’t waste your precious time standing in a long, hot line for the sake of twenty dollars.
Visiting Milan?
Do not miss this beautiful spectacular. Milan, Italy
Don’t FORGET To Get A Milan Cathedral & Rooftop Ticket!
Oh my Gosh. I don’t think I have ever experienced anything quite as spectacular as the Milan Duomo. The Milan Cathedral.
If you have ever wanted something to take your breath away, then get yourself a ticket to the most beautiful Cathedral in the world and prepare to be wowed.
With the Milan Cathedral and Rooftop Ticket, you will get:
✅ Access all areas to the symbol of Milan
✅ Go to the Duomo Terraces for a panoramic city view
✅ Learn the history of the cathedral at the Duomo Museum
✅ Marvel at sacred relics and liturgical objects
✅ See stunning stained glass windows
✅ Discover the remains of the S. Giovanni alle Fonti Baptistery
I’d love it if you could tell me in the comments below if this place took your body and shook it as much as it did mine…Just gorgeous.
Italy Tip #6 Don’t Buy Water From the Street Sellers in Rome
Yuck.
Do not buy a bottle of water from the many sellers that hound you in Rome.
We have it on good authority that this water is frozen and then refrozen and then brought out and frozen again at the end of the day.
Don’t do it, no matter how icy cold and delicious the water looks.
Instead, do what we did and take your own water bottle. Fill it up at the clean (and free) water dispensers around the city.
Would you love to travel more for a lot less? Then let me show you how! Join my FREE newsletter, and I will send you a complimentary copy of my ebook “Travel More, Travel Better, Pay Less”. I look forward to getting to know you better!
Italy Tip #7 Don’t Forget to Take a Book About Italy!
Have You Read My Hilarious New Travel Memoir?
(Blush. Sorry! Couldn’t resist! )
It is here! The Travel Bog Diaries!
If you are a traveller and love to laugh, you will want to read this fabulous book!
It tells how an ordinary woman (me) took her husband and two teenagers and did something extraordinary (some may say bonkers) with them:
She travelled the world for a year (spent six weeks in Italy) on a budget of $70 a day.
As wonderful as it was, it was FAR from Instagrammy, and lots of hilariously embarrassing mistakes happened as this family trotted around the world.
The chapters from Pompeii and Venice are especially memorable!
If you have ever dreamed of travelling the world with your family, then do yourself a favour and grab a copy of this fabulous book. You will LOVE it!
Italy Tip #7 Don’t Be Put Off Hiring a Car
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There are so many horror stories about hiring a car in Italy, and after driving around the country for three months last year, I can confirm that they are not true.
If you are only staying around Rome, then no, hiring a car would be pointless, but if you plan to see a lot more of Italy, then I urge you to hire a car.
Apart from Croatia, we found Italy to be the cheapest place in Europe for car hire.
While it is true that the cost of tolls can mount up, the price of car hire was still more than reasonable.
Hiring A Car In Italy
We are travelling the world with our teenagers for a year and are always looking for ways to save money. I have wracked up a ton of tips, including airport hacks and tips on how to find cheap flights – anything that will enable us (and you) to do things as cheaply as possible.
When it comes to getting around in Italy, I have the best advice. Hire a car.
If there are more than four of you on your Italy trip, it will certainly be cheaper to hire a car to get around. The best car hire in Italy (without a doubt) that we found was Europcar.
They were (and always have been) fabulous to deal with.
Take a quick look at what car hire in Italy (or anywhere else in Europe) will cost you.
Why do we always use Europcar?
Free Cancellation Up to 48 Hours Before Pickup. We all know how quickly plans can change (especially with the current travel climate). We love that we can cancel at such short notice and pay nothing.
Best Rate Guarantee. Seriously, we are skinflints, and we do our research thoroughly. You won’t find a cheaper deal (the hours my husband has scrolled through listings prove it!).
Best range of vehicles. For business travel or holiday travel, Europcar cars include economy, intermediate and full-size classes, plus people movers and minivans for those travelling with a group.
For a touring holiday or something special, Europcar offers 4WDs, SUVs, and prestige/luxury cars. You get to pick what’s best for you!
Customer care. Of course, my husband will never admit this but driving for the first time in Italy was daunting! No need to worry.
As soon as we turned up to collect our rental car, the staff were super helpful. Their English was near perfect, and they were extremely patient and thorough.
They gave us lots of tips and reassured us (or at least me!) that driving in Italy was going to be a pleasure. And it was!
Cost. We paid $22 a day for our little car in Italy and drove it all over Europe – it was perfect! For that price, the kids even get to have an Italian gelato!
Looking for the BEST Car Hire for Italy? You just found it! CLICK HERE to find out more!
Contrary to what people say, driving in Italy is affordable and easy. We found Italian car hire to be so affordable we hired a car in Venice and drove it around France and back
* Added bonus tip (But make sure you have excellent insurance!)
Whatever car hire company you use, just make sure you get excellent insurance.
We will only ever use World Nomads for our travel insurance – the excess on the vehicle is already covered, making car hire a more economical option compared to everything else.
Italy Tip #8 Don’t Pay Roaming Charges
If you plan on staying in Italy for a few weeks, then I recommend getting a local sim card and inserting it into your phone to avoid high-cost mobile roaming.
Go to a phone shop at the airport or in a city (we used Vodaphone) and explain to them what you want.
The only downside to doing this is when you come to top up the app it is all in Italian.
We got around this by going into a petrol station on the Highway and asking the cashier to set it up for us.
She was super helpful and friendly and didn’t mind at all.
If you are planning on staying in Italy for more than two weeks, then it will be cheaper for you to get an Italian SIM card.
Would you love to travel to Italy more often but could use some tips on how to do it for a lot less?
Then join me & I’ll show you how!
Italy Tip #9 Don’t Ignore Venice Airport
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My family and I travelled the world for a year on a budget, visiting over thirty unique destinations.
Our middle name is cheap.
Trust me, I know what I’m talking about when it comes to finding inexpensive flights throughout Italy.
We could not find more affordable flights than those coming into Venice; in fact, they were such a bargain it was cheaper for us all to fly back from Croatia to Venice and drive to Paris rather than fly directly to the capital.
Use Google Flights to find the best dates and prices but do not overlook the airport in Venice. It will no doubt be the cheapest option.
Italy Tip #10 Don’t Be Scared To Explore
This is something I like to harp on about all of the time.
Why go all the way to Italy and only see places that are packed with tourists? Take a car or a train and head out to the country.
Explore hilltop vineyards, eat at local restaurants, and spend a few hours on a picnic blanket at the foot of an old fort.
Discover the real Italy.
Take a picnic and spend the day in a remote part of Italy. This was us having a picnic lunch in an idyllic (but deserted) part of Soave.
Italy Tip #11 Don’t Only Eat Pizza and Pasta
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I know that you can’t come to Italy and not eat pasta and pizza (the best pizza we found in the whole of Italy was from a tiny shop in Foggia in South Italy, absolutely delicious) but please don’t make this the only thing you try.
Italy is famed for its cuisine and offers so much more than the two p’s.
There is so much more to the food in Italy than pasta and pizza!
Italy Tip #12 Don’t Eat at Dodgy Restaurants
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Any restaurant where the greeter is standing on the pavement outside selling the menu and the food to passers-by is a restaurant to be avoided.
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Italy Tip #13 Don’t Pay For Public Loos
The public bathrooms in Italy aren’t the nicest (not like the restrooms in Japan, that’s for sure), and to make matters worse, you are expected to pay for them.
Don’t do this. Not if you can help it.
Cross your legs, find a bar and order a coffee, it will cost you no more than a couple of euros, and you can use the establishment’s bathroom.
Much nicer, and you get a coffee hit.
Would you love to travel to Italy more often but could use some tips on how to do it for a lot less? Then join me & I’ll show you how!
Italy Tip #14: Don’t Believe Everything You Read
The Italians are rude. You will get robbed, Pompeii is a tourist rip-off, Rome is boiling hot blah, blah, blah.
As soon as you tell someone you are travelling, they will take it upon themselves to give you their two penneth worth- which usually ends up being totally crap advice.
Ignore scaremonger travel tips.
Go and discover Italy for yourself and make your own mind up. And for the record, the Italians are gorgeous and friendly and visiting Pompeii was one of the highlights of our trip.
Italy Tip #15 Don’t Ignore The Supermarkets
If you are self-catering, don’t rule out the supermarket.
You might need a car to get to the bigger out-of-town ones, but once there, you will save a fortune on wine and dried goods.
Don’t forget that the best way to save money on food in Italy is to buy in bulk and what better way to do this than at the local hypermarket
Italy Tip #15: Don’t Break The Law In Venice
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If you plan on visiting the City of Water, make sure you research the things NOT to do in Venice. This little city is pretty strict when it comes to rules.
For example, know that it is forbidden to feed pigeons or seagulls in Piazza San Marco. It is, in fact, illegal to feed pigeons anywhere in Venice.
If you get caught, you will be fined. A lot.
You’ve been warned!
Italy Tip #15 Don’t Pay Full Price For A Gondola in Venice
If you are on a budget in Italy but want to experience a gondola ride in Venice, then ask another group if you can share a boat with them.
Try and negotiate this away from the gondola man so that you aren’t charged extra.
Gondolas are priced per ride and not per person; remember, sharing is caring.
If you are on a budget in Italy but still want to take a gondola ride, then why not share the cost with a group of others?
Italy Tip #16 Don’t Think Kissing Is Only For Couples In Italy
Italians greet family and friends with two kisses on the cheek. This extends to males, too.
So chic.
Move to the right cheek first and then the left.
Know that the greeting kisses in Italy are light and gentle. Don’t go and plant a smackeroony on the poor Italian’s unknowing cheek and break their jaw.
That’s not chic. That’s abuse.
Italy Tip #15 Don’t Ignore the Rome Pass!
You will save yourself a fortune in Rome by getting a Rome pass.
Not only do you not have to stand in line, but it means you can plan your day in Rome with precision – saving you time and money and leaving you with more time to sit in Italian cafes looking gorgeous in your Italian outfits.
Check out the Rome Fast Pass here and spend your time in Italy doing fun stuff rather than standing in line.
Italy Tip #16 Don’t Mistake Fake Gelato For the Real Stuff
Authentic gelato is not made with artificial food colouring, so on first inspection looks a little pale and anaemic.
Know that this is what they are supposed to look like.
If you see bright orange or fluorescent yellow ice cream, then give that stall a miss (it’s a fake) and seek out the real thing.
Know how to tell fake gelato from the real stuff
Italy Tip #17 Don’t Get A Fine
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If you are driving in Italy, I suggest you learn the road signs.
We made the mistake of not doing this when we were driving around Italy last summer.
Unbeknown to us, while driving to an idyllic hidden location in Florence, we were captured on camera for driving in a restricted area.
What rebels.
We received a bill through the post almost a year later.
Not so cocky now, clever clogs.
An Italian street sign in Florence, Italy. Pay attention when driving or risk a fine.
Italy Tip #18 Don’t Overuse The Word “Ciao”
While it is advisable to learn some Italian phrases, be careful how you use them!
Ciao is one of those universal greetings, but know that when saying Ciao to strangers, in particular, older people can be considered upfront and rude.
Ciao is informal – for people you know and are on first-name terms with.
That doesn’t include the woman at the checkout or bag checking person at the airport.
Italy Tip #19 Don’t Always Do What The Guide Book Tells You
Yes, Piazza San Marco is a must-do, but really? Do you want to see the square with all of these people? Why not go along at night and see the square bathed in moonlight?
I have included our 13-second video to show you just how busy that square is at midday!
Don’t follow and believe every guidebook and Italy travel blog that you read. Some of the authors haven’t even been to Italy!
Do things differently while in Italy, and you will experience a vacation that you will never forget. Check out these insider Italy travel tips. For more ideas on how to enjoy Italy to the fullest.
When in Rome, buy a delicious picnic and go to the park opposite the coliseum.
It’s the best view in the city, and there isn’t a rose seller insight.
Do things differently while in Italy and your trip will be unforgettable (in a good way!)
Would you love to travel more for a lot less? Then let me show you how! Join my FREE newsletter, and I will send you a complimentary copy of my ebook “Travel More, Travel Better, Pay Less”. I look forward to getting to know you better!
Check Out The Video That We Made In Italy!
Italy Tip #20 Don’t Expect a Hearty Breakfast
Breakfast in Italy is a sweet and small affair.
A cappuccino and a delicious pastry or biscuit are enough to satisfy the Italians on waking.
They’re probably saving space for all the pasta they’re going to devour later on in the day.
Breakfast in Italy is not a hearty affair. Coffee and something sweet is the norm.
Airbnb in Italy
If house sitting isn’t your cup of Latte, but you would still like an ‘it-feels-like-I-live-in-Italy’ experience, check out the fabulous Italian Airbnbs.
There are lots of Italian farmhouses close to big cities that are gorgeous (and far cheaper than a fancy pancy overpriced hotel).
Click here to check out the Italian Airbnbs and claim $46 off your first trip!
Do not overlook the possibility of housesitting in Italy
Related Posts That You Will Enjoy
Saving stacks of money by Housesitting
How people afford to travel the world
What to wear in Italy so that you look and feel gorgeous
Italy Tip #21 Don’t Be Afraid of Looking Like a Tourist
There is so much talk around about how important it is not to look like a tourist when you travel.
While I agree that it is a shame to spend your life savings on visiting a country and never step out of the safe tourist bubble of a hotel resort, there is nothing wrong with doing touristy things while visiting Italy.
Nothing wrong with that at all.
Go to Verona and rub Juliet’s breast! Take the obligatory photo of the leaning tower of Pisa, and shake hands with the gladiators in Rome (careful they don’t try to charge you, though!)
It’s those photos that you will share with your grandkids!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing touristy things while in Italy! Rubbing Juliet’s breast for good luck!
Related posts That you Will Enjoy!
Italy Travel Tips. Everything You Need To Make Your Trip Smooth
Ireland travel tips.What to fec*in expect
Living in New Zealand. What it’s really like
Don’t look like a beetroot on vacation. A sunburn hack that you’ll thank me for
Couchsurfing in Italy. When it all goes horribly wrong (A Podcast)
So, there you have it. Twenty-one things that you should really NOT do when taking a trip to Italy.
Want To Read The Truth About Italy?
Four years ago, my family and I spent our life savings and backpacked the world for a year. We visited twenty-three countries, including Italy.
This book is filled with the stories of what it is REALLY like to travel the world as a family.
Then I HIGHLY RECOMMEND MY BOOK! The Travel Bog Diaries! Click here and read all about how an ordinary woman did something (extremely) extraordinary.
The Travel Bog Diaries. One Woman’s hilarious confessions of Surviving Family World Travel!
Related posts that you will enjoy:
Italy for 6 weeks? How to travel the world for free
Did you come across any of these things when planning a trip to Italy? I would love to hear about your experiences.
Leave a comment below and let me know how your trip went. And if you ever discovered where the brown eyes came from.
And remember, if you know someone who is planning a trip to Italy in the near future, please share this post with them!
Ciao x
Would you love to travel to Italy more often but could use some tips on how to do it for a lot less?
Then join me & I’ll show you how!
Regarding the ‘ciao’ thing… you’re a little bit wrong 🙁
I’ve just returned from the trip to Italy and can say it for sure that Italians say ‘ciao’ to almost everyone, even strangers. I also thought that this word can be used only to close people like family and friends, but was surprised when entering a cafe a waiter or waitress greeted me saying ‘ciao’. But, maybe to older people it’s better to say ‘buongiorno’ 🙂
That’s so interesting! How old are you Elizabeth? We found the opposite but I’m wondering if it is because I’m nearly 50?! (maybe it’s an age thing?!)
These are useful tips.
One thing I find fascinating is tourists from the US, a country where children can (and do) get shot attending school, obsessing over safety in Italy.
Your chances of being assaulted, raped and murdered are significantly higher in the US than in Italy. Gun ownership in the US is around 40 per cent versus 12 per cent in Italy.
My husband and I also apparently (and unknowingly) drove thru areas of Florence that are a no-no and when we got home my husband’s credit card was charge automatically for several tickets. He had to cancel the card. At that point he was mailed (snail mail) more tickets which of course we didn’t pay. I feel the car rental places are in league with the police because obviously they provided our credit card info to them. Do you know what happens if you don’t pay those tickets? For instance does your name go in some registry so if you try to visit the country again you have to pay up before they let you in? We last visited in 2012.
I’m not sure but I hope not! We didn’t pay our either. We are driving from the UK to Italy next year so I will let you know! If I’m locked up in an Italian cell I’ll give you a call;) 😬
You get sent to a collections agency I the US. Happened to me in Pisa a few years ago. In Sept 2021 I also got a notice from our car rental that I was speeding in Pisa- rental agency charged us $50 and attacked the tickets. I was never even in the area of the “violation”. No way to fight it. Still haven’t received the official ticket- but I’m sure I will
We often found more formal settings and older people say “salve”. Cafes and casual places do say ciao though. Evryone has been super friendly in our experiences.
Smaller towns alsontwnd to run mirw formal with “buon giorno”
Salve is definitely used more for older people, as it’s more formal. It’s a kind of old word already, so many will use buongiorno. Ciao is informal, so it might be used for younger people or older ones that are your good acquaintances or friends. Source: lived in Italy, finished 2 years of Italian language courses 🙂
Your tips are very interesting!
Salve is used very much in Rome.
Salve is not formal. It the same as ciao.
Interesting! I was taught that it’s more formal than ciao, but less formal than buongiorno
Well, as someone who has lived in Italy, I can tell you that the most correct way to greet someone in Italy if you want to be polite is “Salve”, and Liz is right about “ciao” The waiters you’ve encountered were very likely young (who tend to speak in a more informal way). Although “ciao” is not offensive, depending on the context could seem a little presumptuous, AND you will not appear so much as a tourist if you greet with the “salve”…
Thank you so much Annie! These tips are fabulous 🥰🇮🇹 Liz x (kiss, kiss two cheek!) 😁
Baci e abbracci! 😄
I found your blog informative. Although I grew up in Italy and went to college in Rome, it has been many years since last visiting and I realize customs and technology have changed (fast passes and cell phones did not exist). Perhaps we were more formal years ago, but we would never address an older person with “ciao” or use the informal (2nd person) “tu”.
Thank you Glenn, I would love to hear your tales of back then…I’m sure that the world was a tad easier to navigate, even without the use of mobile phones! Thank you again 🙂
Liz, I have really been enjoying your posts and tips as we prepare to take a 3 week trip to Italy in July. Your “housesitting” information spoke to us and since we’ll be retiring before the end of the year, we want to look into that fun option for traveling. Thanks for the great job you do!
Hi Marianne, that is so wonderful to hear!! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. Ohhh, don’t get me started on Housesitting! I could talk for hours on the fabulousness of that concept – I love it! I am so glad that you are considering joining the team; not only will you save a fortune but you will meet fabulous people (and pets!) – if there is anything (whatsoever) you would like to know about please contact me and I will try to help you in any way I can.
Enjoy your Italy trip! Liz x
Hi Liz, I’ve visited Italy three times now and loved every minute. We’ve travelled some of it with friends or stayed with family, who showed us the ropes and sights. I’d not thought of housesitting even though a cousin of mine does that here in Australia. Another cousin belongs to a House Swap site and travels to the South of France for three months at a time. I I ever get to go back after Covid, I’ll consider giving it a go. Still so much to see of that amazingly diverse country. A big thanks from me. Lee
Hi Lee,
thanks so much for your message! A house swap is next on the list to try 🙂 I have a friend who swaps his house here in New Zealand for an apartment in the centre of Venice – he stays there for two months at a time and says the deal works perfectly.
I highly recommend house sitting and when the travel world gets back to some sort of normality I will be sitting right there next to you on the plane back to beautiful Italy! Take care Lee, Liz x
Enjoyed your “21 embarrassing things” article, which I read today 02/24/20. Being 80, male and in good health, I am considering a 90 day trip to Europe, the maximum allowed without doing “visa” things. House sitting, animals or not, has some appeal, probably for visiting places I might not otherwise go. Do you have any additional ideas or website recommendations? Perhaps you’ve had experience during your travels? Thanks.
Richard!! You are my hero! Only this week I made a podcast episode with an 86 year old guy who made the trip from New York to New Zealand – he too talked about the mindset and having a positive attitude about travelling in your eighties. Really…I have another thirty-one years to go but I hope that I (and my husband) will be planning adventures with such enthusiasm! Ok. Now I have stopped gushing – Yes, we have had lots and lots of experience with housesitting. You can read this post of mine here.
https://itsadrama.com/house-sitting-europe-travel-blogs/
I would also recommend the organisation Servas International.They are a superb organisation that we used al great deal in Japan and Europe who connect like-minded travellers. You will love it. It will give you a chance to see places with the locals – I love Servas Find their website below.
https://servas.org/en
If you are feeling adventurous (although i don’t know why I say that – you sound as though you would be up for an adventure and meeting new people then try couchsurfing.
It is not at all what you are imagining (or doesn’t have to be – no couches were harmed by my teenagers in the twelve months that we couchsurfed!) Check out my post that I wrote below.
https://itsadrama.com/couchsurfing-review/
I hope this helps Richard! Have a fabulous time and PLEASE let me know how you get on! – Liz
Hi,
I really enjoyed ready this post! These are great and helpful tips, but I just want to point out that while cappuccinos should not be ordered after 11 does not necessarily mean you can’t order it. I often order cappuccinos after 11 at the bar if I’m not ready for lunch, but sort of hungry. The milk ratio definitely helps for a little bit.
Regarding “ciao”, it is definitely more casual way of saying hi. I highly recommend buongiorno (good morning) and buonasera (good evening), but ciao is acceptable. I currently live in the North, just an hour train ride from Venice and locals here say “ciao” to greet or acknowledge and they usually use a never ending “ciao ciao ciao ciao…” when leaving.
Thank you Chana!
It is always good to get further advice; especially from someone who is living in beautiful Italy 🙂 Thanks so much – Liz
Bullseye! I’ve read so many tips from foreigners (including my own) on how to blend in, and you’re so correct in practically everything.
About Ciao… You’re absolutely right. For an English speaking person, it can be confusing. But the Italians use titles and salutings selectively. It’s a bit like the Japanese and the bowing, it can easily go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. Foreigners are forgiven when they address the bus driver with tu. But it’s a giveaway. There are also big differences between the various regions, but the importance of correctly addressing people can’t be overlooked.
I have friends who consistently use third-person singular, or even second-person plural (Voi) when they talk to their mothers and fathers in law.
Cheers
So lovely to read an honest post from someone that has actually been to Italy!
Having lived in Italy on and off for 5 years it was a pleasure to read accurate information that any one who is visiting italy will highly benefit from. Well done!
Thank you so much Julie, I really appreciate you taking the time to tell me that. I can’t wait to get back there one day 🙂 Liz
To add to your suggestion of checking out grocery stores, I might add that you are not to touch produce with your bare hands (even pre-COVID!) and that most grocery stores require you to weigh your own produce before getting in line to pay! Made this mistake on a Friday evening around 5:30 pm and got quite a few angry Italian glares. Whoopsie!
Great tip Alyssa – thanks!
You are totally correct! Many grocery stores have been offering disposable gloves for people to grab produce and bread since at least the late 90’s…
Really interesting info–thank you for sharing. I didn’t catch why you weren’t supposed to eat ice cream in Venice–did I overlook something?
Italy is fantastic, but don’t ignore the basic tourist advice: always use a money belt and and don’t advertise that you’re a tourist (remember that men don’t wear shorts in Italy, it’s a easy giveaway). After having no problems on several trips we relaxed a little too much. The pickpockets are skillful and my husband and I were both easy marks. Having to cancel credit cards and borrow money from our travel mates was no fun.
Good point Donna, thank you.
Buongiorno! I’m living in Foggia, the city that is mentioned cause the best pizza you’ve tried, do you remember the name of the place where you ate it? Thank uuuuu!!!!!!
Hi, just a quick note to say that I very much enjoyed reading your helpful tips! Thank you so much 🙂
Thanks so much, Jeanette! I appreciate you taking the time to say that 🙂 Have a great day! Liz
Hi I was in Italy 7 weeks, August/September 2019 , my husband and I had the best time.
We have been a few times we base ourselves in northern italy, and always leave from Venice airport.
We also rent a car , your correct it’s such an experience to get around little towns of the beaten track.
Plus with google maps, it was so easy.
We drove from northern italy right down to southern italy stopping along the way.
The auto stradas are amazing as are the autogrill stops
Cannot wait to go again .
Thanks for this Lidia! Seems as though you and I have a lot in common! Italy….ohhhh…I just love it SO much. Can not WAIT to return! Liz x
Only drink coffee standing up? What? 😂
I’m not sure how much the feeding pigeons in piazza San Marco is, I went back in 2017 and there were a lot of people trying to make money by giving tourists crumbs to feed pigeons, I saw this one guy practically just grab this one woman’s hand and place the crumbs in it without saying a word to her. There was a lot of people trying to make money like that, I mean things could have changed though.
I agree with the rent a car and get out and about sentiment. Just remember that just about every village, town and city in Italy has a ZTL (limited traffic zone). If you cross the boundary into a ZTL your car license will be photographed and eventually you will get a fine, along with a hefty administration charge from your car hire company. Florence is especially hot with ZTLs almost everywhere.
Unless you park in an official parking lot/garage within the z.t.l. or your hotel/Airbnb is within the limited zone. In that case, the parking garage/hotel, etc., informs the city authorities of your license plate and you will not get any fine nor be doing anything illegal.
One thing you need to mention: You MAY NOT visit the Sistine Chapel wearing shorts. This is in all the guidebooks, but both times that I have been there, the guides were turning tourists away who were wearing shorts. They (the tourists) all try to say “But we didn’t know!” The guides hear this every day. It won’t work, you won’t get in wearing shorts.
Great tip! Thank you, Patricia!
I may have missed the conversation.
Why you cant eat gelato in Venice?
I hear they have now added a tax to visit.
I liked your post; I think that I will share it with all my knowledgeable people. I have been following you for a long time because your post is very valuable and effective. If any person wants to travel by air, whether to the USA or any other country, we will help him book his flight. The name of our Travel agency is VootFly.
I will be traveling to Italy in a few weeks and am planning on getting my train tickets in advance. The website states that the tickets purchased online do not need to be validated. You just show them your phone. Can anyone confirm this?
As I am living in Switzerland and therefore being quite strategically located near Italy, I often visit this marvelous country. So I can confirm that your tips are worth following. I would even add some more: Don’t forget that most restaurants charge a cover. This usually between 1 and 4 Euros depending on the class of the establishment. So don’t engage in discussions with the service personal, it’s just a common policy, whether logical or not. (Yes, besides the bread, you pay for using knives and forks…).
Try to dress up at least a little bit. I know, you’re on vacation and it might be hot but you don’t want to loose face do you? Italians take it almost as an offense if they are confronted with barely clad ugly people. And in some places you even risk to be fined…right so in my humble opinion.
Thank you, Phil. I appreciate your kind words and your extra tips that are very handy! Thank you! Liz