1ST TRIP TO ITALY - What should I avoid? What mistakes do first-timers make?

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Matteo M

Please be polite, and respectfull, not all Italians have to speak english. Be understanding of our way of living. You will find that customer service is not like in US... THIS IS OK! Enjoy our food, try something new. Italian food tastes different from the us. Be carefull with picjpockets, specially in tourist infested areas.. Roma, Venezia, Firenze.
Have fun don't be American LOUD dress well, and PLEASE, keep the flip flops for the beach.

ci vediammo!!!(see you)

ItalianGemini

1. Italy is old. Its cities have been there much longer than any in 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 people I bring with me to Italy step off the plane and just go "ugh" and act like they need bleached roads.

2. Explore! Don't be afraid to get lost. Don't be afraid to try the Italian out of phrasebooks or dictionaries. The locals don't bite! In many cases, they'd like to practice their English or try to help you with your Italian.

3. Don't schedule everything. It is fine to plan to see some things, but also leave time for just wandering around and seeing the sites. Don't get upset if you take three hours in a museum that you only planned to take two hours in.

5. If something is expensive but you love it, buy it. Believe me, I have tried to ignore this rule, but you will just regret it. So buy that 20 euro shirt that looks fabulous on you or the beautiful handpainted plate. Chances are you'll never have another chance to get that exact thing.

4. Have fun!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions (put Yahoo answers in the subject)

Hub

Lucca is a very beautiful and historic city. I've been there and you should love it.

I've been in Italy many times--it's my favorite country in the world--and things to avoid below pertain to travel in general and not to Italy in particular.

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 just in the U.S.

2. If someone starts doing something strange, be careful. For example, if someone with a group of small children comes up to you asking questions or trying to show you something, move away quickly.

3. Make copies of your passport and put a copy in each piece of your luggage (so that it can be identified if it gets lost.)

4. Put the original of your passport along with your airplane tix or E-tik information and extra cash in the safe at the hotel desk--not the one in your room. Carry just a little "walking around" money and one credit card, and carry them in your money belt along with a copy of your passport.

5. Withdraw cash from ATMs outside the airport--banks are best. Before you leave the U.S. find out from your bank which ATM network your card is in and then use only those ATMs. Take out a lot of cash at a time, as they charge the same ATM fee regardless of how much you withdraw. Put the extra cash in the hotel safe.

6. VERY IMPORTANT: things cost much more in Europoe than they seem to. A Euro right now is worth about $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 unfriendly, they are not overly friendly either. I've always had the sense that the Italians were thinking "You can come and look at our country, but don't expect us to entertain you or answer your stupid questions." Unlike the English, Greeks and Peruvians, for example.

So much for the "bummer" advice.

The good stuff:

--Do get a good 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 tends to be too expensive.

--If you are going to need hotel reservations, use the internet--Lonely Planet usually has the E-mail or websites for its recommended hotels, and the people at those hotels generally write English.

--Although not everyone speaks English, most people who you will come in contact with do--waiters in restaurants, staff at hotels, etc. I have been to Italy several times and am just now learning Italian. But on only one or two occasions have I had a language problem. If you have good will and try to make yourself understand and be understood, you'll get along fine, even with those who don't speak Italian.

--VERY IMPORTANT: ALL THE FOOD IN ITALY IS GOOD, particularly in Bologna, if you get there. I've heard it said that it is impossible to get a bad meal in Italy. So you don't need to stick to the guidebook for food choices--just "follow your nose."

--The "Big Three" tourist attractions in Italy are Rome, Florence and Venice. They are big for a reason: they are the most interesting and you should try to see all three--each totally different from the others, and each fascinating in its own way. Try to see Florence even if you can't do Venice. However, just about every place in Italy is fascinating.

--Don't try to do too much. If you get a guidebook, you will be tempted to try to see too many things in one day. It's been my experience that two major things a day is plenty--e.g. one famous church and one famous museum. Spend the rest of the time wandering around, having lunch, sitting in a caffe' having a gelato, etc. Those are the times you will remember and cherish when you get home.

Buon Viaggio!

Mari76

Enjoy your trip and don't stress yourself too much. Italians tend to be very friendly and willing to help tourists. Remember to be kind and say your "please and thank yous". Don't expect every Italian to speak English. If you go to very touristy areas or maybe in your hotel they will speak English, but in other areas it's more difficult. I'm only saying this because I'm American (have been in Italy for almost 9 years) and you don't know how many Americans get pissed when they don't speak English. Strange considering the country is called Italy and the official language is Italian. I don't know if you speak Italian, but at least try to learn some tourist Italian before coming. Carry an English-Italian dictionary with you, just in case. Don't be too loud and don't be one of those "drunken obnoxious tourists". Don't make stupid mafia jokes. Italians hate this stereo-type about them. Let's see stores usually close in the afternoon for a few hours, so don't be shocked to see stores open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and then closed from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and then re-opened from 4:00pm to 7:30pm. Restaurants are the same way. They open for lunch, then close, then re-open for dinner. They usually open for dinner around 7:30-8:00pm (althuogh some might open a little earlier for tourists). Restaurants and stores are usually closed for 1 entire day (for example Sunday) and 1/2 a day (for example Monday morning). Well, I can't think of anything else. Enjoy your trip.

P.S If you want to eat good Italian food, go to the Trattorias and not the Pizzeria-Restaurants. If the menu is all in Italian the food is usually 150% times better than if the menu is written in 5 different languages. Remember, that every region and city has its own culinary specialties so don't expect to eat lasagna (a specialty from the Emilia-Romagna region) in Sicily. Sure, you might also find it in Sicily, but it probably won't be any good. If you want to know what the specialties are, just ask when you go out to eat. Italians love talking about their food.

penlope

Watch the taxis in Rome!!! Check the meter before the journey and ask the taxi man how much the approx price will be.
Generally be on your guard when in Rome when it comes to prices. It feels like everyone is trying to rip you off. 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 eat out/ stay in.
ITALY is one of the nicest countries in the world. The food is amazing. Bring an extra large memory card for your digital camera!!!!!!

george.gauthierdc

I spent three years in Italy and have gone back since. I love Italy. I am impressed by all the well-meant and good advice in the earlier answers. Heed it and you will have a fun trip!

Babycakes

Please be careful of the gypsies, they love to steal, purses,wallets and jewelry especially gold. They will persistently ask you for money until you give in. When in Rome, try not to go out by yourself at night 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 go to the stores ask for a discount they ALWAYS jack the prices higher than what they are supposed to be....Have fun...

mydnyte6

Since no one else has said it.... Be wary of Gypsy beggars and their kids!! They are the pickpockets and scammers. Just say no to them because it is a con!!!

Alex CJ

to avoid : try to get in the vatican with shorts and flip flops
ask for a coffe and be surprise when you get only alittle cup with few drops of cofee (asck for an americano or lungo)

Benjamin91

I'm italian.....come here whenever you want...especially in summer.........everything is nice

bg b

just feel at home.

go and see where your grandparents came from, it is part of your heritage and it is your roots.

PLANETHARD

do not speak out too loud as all the american tourists do in my country... shut up and enjoy our beauties.

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