What should I know about Italy before going there?

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Lisa B

The best thing to know about Italy is that it doesn't feel like a single country, there are so many different atmospheres. I've been to Italy several times, from Venice to Sicily, and I am always surprised by how different the parts are. It is really important to keep an open mind and look for local things. Go out into the countryside. Don't just do the major tourist stuff. If you never see anything except the parts the tour guides show, you've missed Italy. My favorite parts are the South Tyrol (just south of the west end of Austria, beautiful mountains), the ancient small towns in Tuscany, and the Cinque Terre coast if you can hike at least parts of it (it's the part between the towns that's really wonderful). Sicily is also great (lots of ancient history), but most people can't manage to get there on an Italian tour.

Yes, knowing even a little Italian is helpful. People give you lots of credit for caring and trying. If you have no Italian at all, you will always be a tourist rather than a visitor.

Genius Cook

You should know if you are ready to take on a foreign country, language and culture. You should ask yourself if you are ready to travel with out prejudices, misconceptions and without stereotyping the Italians. If you can do this then you are ready to travel anywhere in Italy. Lisa B has already said â€“ knowing a little bit of Italian will help (a whole lot).

quint

This is not a knock on Italians in any way, but I have found that they are so innundated with tourists all the time that they are less interested in meeting you than the local people in other countries. You will meet tons of people from all over the world, but will likely come home with few memories of Italians that you met.

Jami

first you have to decide where is the place to go Italy. you haven't mention, whether you go for vacation or any other reason.
Italy itself is not one common culture or same way living, so select the city or area you wish to go and search for that particular area. specially you have to understand the transportation, main streets, airports, train stations, shops, banks, eating places. hotels. how the people living there and other facts. just search on net, information available

John R

I traveled there about 5 years ago and it was the most memorable trip of my life. A few things: 1. (And this is True) If someone throws a baby at you do not catch it! It is a trick. Someone will be standing behind you to pick your pocket. Do not worry about the child, they are wrapped so well and so heavily that they will not get hurt. 2. Go to Naples. Although it may seem a little dirty, it is a wonderful place with many sites. Then go to Pompeii via the Circumvesuvian, which is a train that takes you there. Street vendors sell the tram tickets for about 10 Euros. 3. Enjoy Yourself!

jump

You have to love our pasta!!! and have intention to discover...

Tyler S

The biggest surprise to me that I wish I would have known, is how hot it is. Pretty much anywhere except the Alps region is hot.

heartless angel

hi ,i'm italian and i don't speak very well english but i recommend you that in Italy ,especially in South, people are very nice and cordial and i tell you only that in North of Italy the prices are very hight instead of South so if you want to spend not much for hotel you have to stay in outskirts of big town like rome,milan,florence ......
have a nice holiday bye .

lara

Don't wear gold neckless or expensive watch and look after you bag all the time, believe me I am Italian.

â™ª â™« Rag Äoll â™ª

Ok I'm italian so I hope I can help u...there are many things you should know...for example this is not a good period for Italy: what I mean is that in the last 2 or 3 years there have been many many scandals (lots of homicides, emigrants...) . My australian cousin has come to stay with us this summer and she has been impressed. I don't want to frighten you talking this way, Italy is always a beautiful place after all. But you have to know this isn't a good period. Anyways...yes, as someone said it has been very hot this summer but right now it's gettin' colder.
Sorry 4 my english but as I said I'm italian!! =)

BUONA FORTUNA (it means "good luck"!)

PS: there are cities in which it's hard to find someone who speaks english, so it is better to know a little the italian lenguage...

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