Everyone has a general idea of what Italy is all about. However, that doesn’t mean that everything you think is Italian is actually authentic or traditional. So before you go on a tour of Italy, read this to learn more about the 5 mistakes you should avoid making on your vacation:

1. Ordering a Frappuccino.
   
   This beverage is actually a trademarked drink from Starbucks, and hence, it cannot be found in traditional Italian coffee shops. So if you’re looking for coffee, opt for an old school cappuccino instead—and order it in the morning with a cornetto (not a croissant!), as it’s considered a breakfast drink. Or go for an espresso after a meal.
2. Expecting you can buy tickets at the bus stop for the bus; or for access to tourist attractions at the place itself.
   Unlike other countries, bus tickets in Italian towns are usually sold at corner stores, newspaper stands, and the bus company office itself. And you have to purchase them before you board; you cannot purchase a ticket from the driver and not all buses have automated ticketing machines on board a bus. Hence, to avoid this hassle, travelers in major cities can simply purchase multi-use tickets, which often come with access to museums or discounts at shops.

   Meanwhile, for popular Tourist attractions, it’s also advised to purchase tickets in advance, through your tour operator or online. Not only will this spare you the hassle of lining up. There are some attractions, such as Cinque Terre, that have started to limit the number of tourists that can enter per day to help maintain the area’s pristine condition. Hence, if you expect to buy your Ticket on the day itself, you may actually not make it to the visitor cut-off.

3. Bringing very little cash.
   Not all stores in Italy accept credit or debit cards, especially smaller shops or those located in more rural towns. So make sure you always have enough money with you, especially loose change; paying the exact amount is appreciated.
4. Ordering a pepperoni pizza.
   If you do, don’t be surprised if you get a pizza full of bell peppers (or, in Italian, peperoni). The pepperoni as known in the United States simply doesn’t exist by that name here. If you’re looking for slices of meat on your pizza, you should order one with salame (salami) instead. And if you want to learn more about this Italian classic, check out our guide to ordering pizza.
5. Sticking to the tourist trail.
   Okay, you may think that by going to Italy, you’d be automatically immersed in Italian culture. But if you simply stick to the tourist trail, you’d actually miss out on a lot of what makes a trip special: interaction with the locals. By making friends with the residents, you may end up discovering a beloved neighborhood spot that’s not on any guidebook; or you’ll learn more about Italian culture, such as the è così mentality.
   That’s why our tours of Italy have scheduled blocks of free time—this allows you to go out on your own and discover what makes this country unique.

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