In this video, we'll cover what NOT to do when you're traveling to Italy.
From charming coastal towns to the historical ruins of Rome, you'll probably agree Italy
is one of the places to visit at least once in your lifetime.
But what are some of the absolute DON'Ts of Italy?
Knowing this might help make your trip to this beautiful country
more pleasant.
This video is based on our countless trips to Italy.
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Let's explore.
Don't assume all people speak English.
Italy has ranked again amongst the worst in Europe for speaking English.
Although it has improved a lot in recent years, especially
in bigger cities around major tourists attractions, we recommend learning some basic Italian phrases
besides the famous "ciao", “grazie” "si" and "no":
"Buona giornata", "Buona sera", "Il conto per favore" phrases like these will make your interactction
with locals much better.
Italians are generally very friendly and will try to communicate with you even you don't
speak the language and will appreciate it if you try using just a couple of phrases.
Just use some famous hand gestures and some Italian words, and you'll be good to go.
Don't eat in the restaurants located next to the main tourist attractions.
Food in Italy is generally amazing no matter where you go, but restaurants next to famous
tourist places are not known as the best and are usually overpriced.
There are many great places located just a short walk away.
Use TripAdvisor or Yelp to find a great place near you.
Don't expect an amazing breakfast.
The typical hotel breakfast usually consists of just a coffee and brioche.
Italian breakfast usually includes something sweet, like a pastry.
If you are big on breakfasts, always check with your hotel or Airbnb on what their breakfast includes.
You can read the reviews online,
so you know what to expect. We had some of the most delicious breakfasts
at our host's home and some hotels, but it not the norm.
And yes, your breakfast also
depends on the level of luxury, the type of accommodation, and, of course, the location.
Don't assume because tipping is not mandatory, you will not pay extra for your drink or meal.
Tipping in Italy is not mandatory.
However, most places will charge a so-called "coperto"
or cover charge for sitting down in a bar or a restaurant, usually between 1 and 3 EUR
per person, and in some cases also the service charge on top, usually around 10% of the bill.
Some places like the Lazio region where Rome is located have banned the coperto.
Always check before sitting down in a bar or a restaurant, so there is no surprise at the end.
And just a quick pro tip: if you want to avoid the extra charge at the bar, order a drink by the counter
standing up like the locals do.
Don't forget to check for the lunch and dinner time.
The typical Italian lunchtime or pranzo is
between 12:30 to 2:30 pm, and Italians eat dinner at restaurants around 8 pm.
In many parts of Italy, you can expect the restaurants to be closed
between lunchtime and dinner.
They usually reopen after 7 pm, so plan accordingly.
Or check Google, TripAdvisor, or Yelp to see when the specific location is open.
Oh, and don't forget to take your time and enjoy the meal.
And don’t forget to eat your pizza with your hands.
Yes, you can do that in Italy.
If you're coming from the US, don't order spaghetti with meatballs
with meatballs because it does not exist in Italy.
In fact, it was invented by an Italian immigrant in New York City.
Also, don't expect ice in your drinks without a special request.
Don't assume attractions are open daily.
Restaurants, bars, and shops have different
opening hours, sometimes quite confusing, and some of them are closed during lunch break.
Certain restaurants, museums, and other attractions
are typically closed on Mondays and some even on Tuesdays.
So always check the opening hours
of the attractions, restaurants, or shops that you plan to visit in advance.
Just use Google, TripAdvisor, or Yelp.
In August, many shops close completely because
locals go on their national August vacation, centered around the summer holiday Ferragosto.
Don’t just assume they are on time.
Italy is not known as the most punctual nation
so don’t worry too much if your service is not on time.
It will all eventually come together.
Don't order a cappuccino in the afternoon.
Italians usually drink cappuccino before
or after breakfast but never after a meal.
They avoid milk when eating, so typically,
they would not order a cappuccino after lunchtime.
Instead, they enjoy a quick café or espresso, ristretto, macchiato, etc.
Yes, know your coffee before you visit Italy.
But don’t worry, bars and restaurants got
used to the fact tourists order cappuccino throughout the day.
And just a quick tip if you can't find a public toilet: order a quick espresso by the counter
that would cost a little over 1 EUR, and you will be able to use the restroom.
Don't forget to carry some cash.
Although the situation is changing after Covid,
paying with cash only is still very common in Italy.
It is simply an old habit, and cash
is appreciated and sometimes required, so don't rely just on credit cards.
Don't assume that all shops, restaurants, or taxis take credit cards.
If you want to exchange your currency,
there are plenty of exchange offices and ATMs or Bancomats to get your Euros.
While most hotels, stores, and restaurants accept major credit cards
like Visa or MasterCard, it is wise always to have some Euros in your wallet.
Don't just trust the GPS.
Chances are you are going to use a car in Italy.
While driving itself can post a challenge, which is a topic for a different video, there
are some things to know to avoid spending all your vacation budget on traffic fines.
One-way streets, closed roads, rerouting, driving in circles… this is entirely normal
when trying to navigate through narrow Italian streets.
Especially if you drive in bigger cities.
We were once trying to get to the Rome city center but ended up
on the entrance ramp that looked like this.
I know, right, but this is just common when visiting Italy,
especially the South.
GPS also took us to Zona Traffico Limitato when we visited Naples.
A limited traffic zone is an area usually located in the Italian city centers
where traffic is restricted.
Pay attention to the signs, as they are sometimes relatively small and hard to spot, and don't
just trust the GPS.
The traffic fines in Italy are pretty high.
By the way, smaller towns across Italy also have a lot of traffic radars.
If you feel unsure of driving in Italy,
use internal flights or convenient train transportation such as fast Freccia trains like the high
speed Frecciarossa to travel between main Italian cities, like between Rome and Venice.
Once you are in the city, you can walk around the city or use public transportation.
Don't forget to look both ways when crossing the street.
Be very careful when crossing street.
Don't assume pedestrians have the right-of-way.
To most Italian drivers, they don't.
Don't expect to party hard.
If you want to experience the European nightlife,
you will probably have to go to Ibiza, Berlin, Prague, or another similar destination.
Although there are some great party places in the country, Italy is generally not known
as a major party destination.
The country is more of a sipping Aperol while enjoying snacks
and having long conversations with your friends type of vibe.
On the other hand, Italy is full of amazing festivals and other celebrations,
big or small, where you can have fun.
Don't visit just the touristy places.
Don't just travel to Rome, Florence, and Venice.
And definitely don't try to see all of Italy in 10 days since the boot-shaped Italian mainland
alone extends over 1100 km or almost 700 miles.
From beautiful islands, small historical towns,
breathtaking castles and villas, to fantastic nature and stunning landscape, there are plenty
of places to discover.
Check our video on the Top 10 places to visit in Italy for some
ideas or our other videos on some Italian cities.
The links are in the description.
Don't forget to relax and enjoy.
Italians love to enjoy life.
The Italian lifestyle is centered around food, music, art, and each other's company.
You can feel that spirit everywhere you go.
So don't forget to take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and just relax.
"Dolce far niente", as Italians would say, which basically means the art
of doing absolutely nothing and just enjoying.
Don't travel with a heavy suitcase.
Unless you are staying in a luxury hotel,
where your baggage is handled by someone else, don't bring heavy baggage.
You will have to walk a lot and in some places like Venice
probably even cross a few bridges before arriving
at your hotel.
If you travel by train, you will have to handle your bags and carry them
with you at all times.
You can also leave your baggage in dedicated
lockers in certain areas, such as train stations and city centers, if you want to explore
the city without a suitcase.
Don't pack too much and plan to wear the most comfortable clothes
and footwear because you'll probably do a lot of walking.
Don't assume the subway in bigger cities cover the entire area.
Don't forget to watch your belongings.
Italy is generally a safe destination, so you normally shouldn't be worried about specific
areas to avoid or staying inside at night.
However, typical for all major world destinations
packed with tourists, there are quite a lot of pickpockets, especially in the crowded
areas close to major attractions and on public transport.
Don't dress inappropriately when visiting sacred places.
Dress modestly when visiting Italian churches and other sacred places.
Some places provide a blanket to cover yourself, but you shouldn't count on that.
Don't talk politics.
Avoid making comments about Italian crime
and corruption, the Mafia, Second World War, Catholic Church, and other sensitive topics,
as it can offend people.
Even though many Italians complain about their country
as probably people in every country, they are still very proud of their great nation.
And don't critique their food, which is hard to do anyway since it's, well, one of the best in the world.
Don't expect cheap luxury.
Don't expect to buy an Italian luxury brand
like Armani, Gucci, and others at low prices.
Designers use standardized pricing, so you
will pay almost the same for your Gucci bag no matter if you are in Milan, or in Paris.
Don't forget to bring a travel adapter.
If you're coming from outside Europe, or the UK,
you will probably need a special European travel adapter to charge your phone
and other devices.
Italy uses type F and C type plugs, used in most of Europe, as well as type L plug, which is only
used in Italy.
We recommend purchasing a travel adapter before traveling to Italy as you might
have to buy one there and might pay more.
In fact, it is worth purchasing the universal
travel adapter so you can use it in other countries too.
Italy is one of the most amazing places on earth,
and you will probably have an amazing time.
And if you follow a couple of simple DON'Ts, you'll feel like home in no time.
We wish you an amazing trip to Italy.