1ST TRIP TO ITALY - What should I avoid? What mistakes do first-timers variety?
I'm planning a trip to Italy. I'll probably go to Rome, and Tuscany (Lucca, where on earth my grandparents left around 1900).
I've never be to Italy, or even out of the country (US).
What things should I avoid, or know to not do, and what places, or activities, do first timers usually do by mistake?
Answers: Please be polite, and respectfull, not adjectives Italians have to speak english. Be construal of our way of living. You will find that customer service is not similar to in US... THIS IS OK! Enjoy our food, try something up to date. Italian food tastes different from the us. Be carefull near picjpockets, specially in tourist infested areas.. Roma, Venezia, Firenze.
Have fun don't be American LOUD dress okay, and PLEASE, keep the flip flops for the coast.
ci vediammo!(see you)
just discern at home.
go and see where on earth your grandparents came from, it is element of your heritage and it is your roots.
Lucca is a very fine and historic city. I've been nearby and you should love it.
I've been surrounded by Italy many times--it's my favorite country contained by the world--and things to avoid below pertain to travel in standard and not to Italy in exceptional.
1. Wear a money belt. Do not carry a purse or wear a "fanny pack." Do not wear jewelry on the street. There are pickpockets everywhere, not a moment ago in the U.S.
2. If someone starts doing something strange, take heed. For example, if someone with a group of small children comes up to you asking question or trying to show you something, move away quickly.
3. Make copies of your passport and put a copy within each piece of your luggage (so that it can be identified if it get lost.)
4. Put the original of your passport along next to your airplane tix or E-tik information and extra cash surrounded by the safe at the hotel desk--not the one surrounded by your room. Carry just rather "walking around" money and one credit card, and carry them surrounded by your money belt along with a copy of your passport.
5. Withdraw dosh from ATMs outside the airport--banks are best. Before you leave the U.S. find out from your ridge which ATM network your card is surrounded by and then use singular those ATMs. Take out a lot of brass at a time, as they charge the same ATM levy regardless of how much you withdraw. Put the extra dosh in the hotel safe and sound.
6. VERY IMPORTANT: things cost much more in Europoe than they seem to be to. A Euro right now is worth going on for $1.50 so try not to equate prices in your mind. (That is something priced at E5.00 is really US$7.50.
7. Although the Italians are not frosty, they are not overly friendly either. I've other had the sense that the Italians be thinking "You can come and look at our country, but don't expect us to entertain you or answer your stupid question." Unlike the English, Greeks and Peruvians, for example.
So much for the "bummer" advice.
The dutiful stuff:
--Do get a polite guidebook or two: Fodor's is the best for what to see, maps, and walking tours, Lonely Planet for places to see and eat--because Fodor's tend to be too expensive.
--If you are going to need hotel reservations, use the internet--Lonely Planet usually have the E-mail or websites for its recommended hotels, and the people at those hotels roughly write English.
--Although not everyone speaks English, most people who you will come within contact with do--waiters surrounded by restaurants, staff at hotels, etc. I have be to Italy several times and am just very soon learning Italian. But on merely one or two occasions own I had a idiom problem. If you have moral will and try to make yourself fathom out and be understood, you'll go and get along fine, even with those who don't speak Italian.
--VERY IMPORTANT: ALL THE FOOD IN ITALY IS GOOD, chiefly in Bologna, if you obtain there. I've hear it said that it is impossible to get a discouraging meal contained by Italy. So you don't need to stick to the guidebook for food choices--just "follow your trunk."
--The "Big Three" tourist attractions in Italy are Rome, Florence and Venice. They are big for a purpose: they are the most interesting and you should try to see all three--each totally different from the others, and respectively fascinating within its own way. Try to see Florence even if you can't do Venice. However, newly about every place surrounded by Italy is fascinating.
--Don't try to do too much. If you bring back a guidebook, you will be tempted to try to see too frequent things in sooner or later. It's been my experience that two trunk things a day is plenty--e.g. one recognized church and one famous museum. Spend the rest of the time wandering around, have lunch, sitting in a caffe' have a gelato, etc. Those are the times you will remember and cherish when you get home.
Buon Viaggio!
Please be cautious of the gypsies, they love to steal, purses,wallets and jewelry especially gold ingots. They will persistently ask you for money until you grant in. When within Rome, try not to go out by yourself at darkness time. Look for the "trattoria's", the food is usually home made and inexpensive. Tuscany is out of this world...Lucca,Chianchiano Terme,Porretta Terme, Bologna and Florence were my favorite spots. When you turn to the stores ask for a discount they ALWAYS jack the prices higher than what they are supposed to be.Have fun... Watch the taxi in Rome! Check the meter previously the journey and ask the taxicab man how much the approx price will be.
Generally be on your guard when in Rome when it comes to prices. It feel like everyone is trying to rip you stale. Except for that- Rome is one of the nicest places you could ever vist. It is amazing.
Try Trasveite area (spelling could be slightly wrong)- it is much cheaper to get through out/ stay in.
ITALY is one of the nicest countries within the world. The food is amazing. Bring an extra large memory card for your digital camera!!
Enjoy your trip and don't stress yourself too much. Italians tend to be severely friendly and willing to relieve tourists. Remember to be kind and read aloud your "please and thank yous". Don't expect every Italian to speak English. If you go to terribly touristy areas or maybe within your hotel they will speak English, but in other areas it's more difficult. I'm singular saying this because I'm American (have be in Italy for almost 9 years) and you don't know how frequent Americans get pissed when they don't speak English. Strange considering the country is call Italy and the official jargon is Italian. I don't know if you speak Italian, but at least try to cram some tourist Italian before coming. Carry an English-Italian dictionary next to you, just surrounded by case. Don't be too loud and don't be one of those "drunken obnoxious tourists". Don't gross stupid mafia jokes. Italians repugnance this stereo-type about them. Let's see stores usually close within the afternoon for a few hours, so don't be shocked to see stores open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and after closed from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and then re-opened from 4:00pm to 7:30pm. Restaurants are one and the same way. They amenable for lunch, then close, later re-open for dinner. They usually open for dinner around 7:30-8:00pm (althuogh some might approachable a little ahead of time for tourists). Restaurants and stores are usually closed for 1 entire day (for example Sunday) and 1/2 a daylight (for example Monday morning). Well, I can't think of anything else. Enjoy your trip.
P.S If you want to drink good Italian food, move about to the Trattorias and not the Pizzeria-Restaurants. If the menu is all contained by Italian the food is usually 150% times better than if the menu is written in 5 different language. Remember, that every region and city has its own culinary specialties so don't expect to chomp through lasagna (a specialty from the Emilia-Romagna region) in Sicily. Sure, you might also find it within Sicily, but it probably won't be any good. If you want to know what the specialties are, lately ask when you go out to munch through. Italians love talking in the region of their food.
I spent three years in Italy and own gone back since. I love Italy. I am impressed by adjectives the well-meant and good guidance in the nearer answers. Heed it and you will have a fun trip! Since not a soul else has said it. Be careful of Gypsy beggars and their kids!! They are the pickpockets and scammers. Just say no to them because it is a con!
to avoid : try to acquire in the vatican near shorts and flip flops
ask for a coffe and be surprise when you get with the sole purpose alittle cup with few drops of cofee (asck for an americano or lungo) 1. Italy is ancient. Its cities have be there much longer than any within the US. Do not be afraid (or annoyed by) a bit of dirt and dust and graffiti. It is not everywhere, and Italy is still a BEAUTIFUL country, but many of the general public I bring with me to Italy step stale the plane and just progress "ugh" and act similar to they need bleached roads.
2. Explore! Don't be afraid to gain lost. Don't be afraid to try the Italian out of phrasebooks or dictionaries. The locals don't bite! In many cases, they'd similar to to practice their English or try to help you next to your Italian.
3. Don't schedule everything. It is fine to plan to see some things, but also sign out time for just wandering around and seeing the sites. Don't receive upset if you take three hours contained by a museum that you only planned to whip two hours in.
5. If something is expensive but you love it, buy it. Believe me, I hold tried to ignore this rule, but you will newly regret it. So buy that 20 euro shirt that looks fabulous on you or the beautiful handpainted plate. Chances are you'll never own another chance to receive that exact thing.
4. Have fun!
Feel free to email me if you hold any questions (put tqqaa.com surrounded by the subject)
do not speak out too loud as all the american tourists do within my country... shut up and enjoy our beauty. I'm italian..come here whenever you want...especially in summer...everything is nice
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