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All the things to know when traveling to Italy for the first time

Traveling to Italy might be an everyday business for me since I’ve visited for so many times and have lived there for almost one year, but if you are planning your first trip, there might be some things you might want to know. From how to travel between towns, what to pay attention to, how to dress, what and how to pay, I will tell you all about it and much more in all the things to know when traveling to Italy for the first time.

Things to know when traveling to Italy for the first time

Things to know traveling to Italy first time – Driving or public transportation?

When I’m traveling to Northern Italy I always prefer going for public transportation because it is much easier, it is fast, and if you book trains for example in advance you will get pretty good rates.

I always encourage people not to stick only to the town they land in, but to always think about towns which are easily reached by train.

Whenever I look for plane tickets I always go on Trenitalia.com and look for train ride options.

Just always remember to validate your ticket before going on the train, especially on regional trains where you don’t have the time and date written on the ticket.

Read all about traveling to the Cinque Terre by train.

When traveling to the South of Italy on the other hand, I would go for the option of renting a car. That’s because trains are not very well linked together, and buses might not come on schedule, giving you extra things to worry about.

Another thing to have in mind is that you will need an international drivers permit if you are coming from outside of Europe. If you are from the EU, your driver’s license will be good.

When traveling to big cities such as Rome, Milan or Naples, I always went for public transportation.

Traffic can be hectic and finding a parking space quite impossible. Thus, using the bus or underground is the solution.

Just remember to buy the ticket from any Tabaccheria and validate it on the bus.

Source: Pixabay

Things to know traveling to Italy first time – Paying by card or cash?

I always prefer having some cash on hand – exchange some at home, then withdraw some more at a bank’s ATM in Italy – and pay for everything else with a debit card.

Hotels and restaurants will always accept credit and debit cards, while some supermarkets will ask you for debit cards only.

Things to know traveling to Italy first time – Tipping – is it custom in Italy?

Another one of the important things to know when traveling to Italy for the first time is related to tipping in Italy because things can get a bit complicated.

There are various ways of approaching tipping in Italy, but the most common one (which is not actually a tip) is the coperto.

Coperto is the per-person fee you will find in many Italian restaurants they charge you for the services they provide (having people serving you and for the use of cutlery and plates). It is usually around 2-4 EUR per person.

On the other hand, you can leave up to 10% as a tip, which will not be included in the check.

Also, some restaurants (maybe the most touristic ones in larger towns or on the Amalfi Coast) will also have a service charge (servizio) of roughly 10% included in the check. In this case, you won’t have to add any extra tip.

Coperto and servizio should be both specified on the menu and on the check.

Read more about Italy food facts worth knowing.

Things to know traveling to Italy first time – Electronic devices in Italy

When traveling from outside of the EU to Italy, chances are you will need an adaptor or converter for your electronic devices (phone charger, camera chargers, curling iron and so on) to work.

For example, here in Europe, we use 220-240 volts versus the North American standard of 110-120 volts, thus making it necessary to have a converter.

Source: Pixabay

Things to know traveling to Italy first time – Italian phrases worth knowing

While in most places, especially the touristic ones people will speak or at least understand English, there are some things worth knowing.

  • Buongiorno, Buonasera – Good morning, Good evening
  • Buona Giornata – Have a nice day!
  • Ciao/Salve – Hello
  • Grazie – Thank you
  • Prego – you are welcome
  • Arrivederci – see you again
  • Mi puo aiutare, per favore? – Could you please help me?
  • Dov’e’ il/la – where can I find the .. restaurant, supermarket etc
  • Un biglietto per favore – a ticket please
  • Un bicchiere di vino – a glass of wine

Things to know traveling to Italy first time – Dress code

While it is normal to always try to look your best when traveling (do it for the gram haha), there are places in Italy where you will have to follow a dress code.

Catholic churches, of course, have a dress code and you will have to dress appropriately, that is to cover your legs and shoulders.

Certain restaurants have also dress codes, especially the more fancy ones as the famous La Sponda Restaurant in Positano, and you will see that on their website.

Source: Pixabay

Things to know traveling to Italy first time – Doing coffee right in Italy

Italy is where I always drink the best coffee in the whole wide world.

The taste is simply amazing, and Italians know how to treat their coffee right. And take it seriously as well.

That’s why, they have hundreds of types of coffee, from one region to the other, but also have rules in place. Here are just a few:\

  • Milk in coffee (cappuccino for example) is only drunk in the morning up till lunch.
  • Simple is the best way of taking your coffee in Italy – you won’t find any of the long-named Starbucks inventions
  • Italians never take their coffee to go, and often drink it standing at the bar (al banco)
  • When drinking the coffee at the table, the price will be higher
  • Italian breakfast is normally a cup of coffee (with milk) and a pastry

Things to know traveling to Italy first time – Lunch breaks in Italy

This is something I had to get used to while I was living there, but also something that you must adapt to while visiting as a tourist.

Supermarkets and shops are often closed between 1 and 4 PM, because of launch break.

Also, restaurants close between 3 or 4 PM and 7 PM, therefore I sometimes was left starving because I forgot to eat or the tight schedule did not allow a lunch break.

The fun part about waiting for dinner? Aperitivo!

Things to know traveling to Italy first time – Avoid tourist traps

That being said, Italy is a very touristic country, thus avoiding the crowds altogether might be hard, but not impossible.

There are some things worth knowing if you want to make the best out of your trip and reduce the costs.

  • the closer you sit to a tourist attraction, the higher the prices will be
  • the more rustic the place (eating on paper for example), the better the food
  • go where locals go, get lost on the streets and find those traditional places
  • only use official taxis, this way you can avoid surcharges
  • book in advance and take the skip the line option, available for many of the tourist attractions

The post All the things to know when traveling to Italy for the first time appeared first on IngridZenMoments.



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