Tips for visiting Italy?

Question

We are heading to Italy for our first time on 3/21. We are first in Rome, and taking a train to Naples/Sorrento. We rent a car in Naples and drive North through Tuscany, before ending in Florence for a couple of days. We have a couple of books and a phrasebook. I would like some advice on:

-driving

- local customs

- food/restaurants (not necessarily specifics, but general info or terminology)

- any must sees, or off the beaten path/less popular experiences in Rome and Florence

- any other advice from travellers or locals is most welcome!

Answer 1

I just came back from 5 months in Italy and miss it greatly. I hope you have a wonderful trip. This should help!

Driving: The Italians are a bit reckless on the road. Beware! Just follow the traffic and the light signals.

Local Customs: People are pretty friendly if you make an effort to speak the language.

Food/Restaurants: Bread is not always free. So if you notice on your recipt something for bread don't be shocked. It happens often even though they give it to you without asking. Stay away from tourist restaurants. Prices are expensive and the food is not always good. Try to find restaurants the locals go to. My advice is to eat on restaurants that are in the side streets and not in the piazza's themselves. Also bring a small italian dictionary for reference. When you want to ask for directions Where is is translated to Dove e. So if you want to know where the Trevi Fountain is in Rome, you can say, "Dove e la fontana di trevi." Please translates to "per favore" and "grazie" means thank you.

Roma: I lived in Roma for 5 months and loved it so much. Despite how dirty people may say it is, it is absolutely beautiful. Go to the Vatican (also great shopping in the Vatican City)  and stroll down Via Del Corso for great shopping, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Colloseum. Also, ask for directions to to the Gianicolo (which is the best view of the whole city and is a busride away from the Vatican.) Tuscany- make sure you go to San Gimineli (not sure of spelling but ask for it.) It has the most breathtaking view of the country. Definately my favorite in Italy.  In Florence, there is always a flea market sort of place that has THE BEST leather goods that you can get good deals on. Go to the Amalfi Coast if you can. It is absolutely beautiful.

OTHER ADVICE: Beggers won't bother you if you just walk away. Keep your money tucked in someplace safe. My mom bought me a case on a necklace to keep under my shirt but I never used it. Bring a handbag that has a zipper and keep it zipped with the zipper closest to you. I never traveled with my passport but kept it in the hotel in a safe place. Keep a copy with you just in case. Always try to bargain when shopping. I hope this helps you a bit! And make sure to drink the wine!

Answer 2

I can't give you too much advise on local customs but I do feel it's important to mention safety.  Keep your doors locked while you're driving, be aware of your surroundings at all times.  Be wary of the gypsies espcially in touristy areas.  The children are pickpockets, too.  Do not make eye contact with any of them and stay clear from them.  As far as driving conditions it's fine on the highway.  It's driving in the city that I will never do.  The drivers aren't at all what we are accustomed to here in the US.  They pretty much decide what traffic laws they choose to obey.  It's horrible even for pedestrians in the city center.  If you can somehow park your car at your hotel and take public transportation everywhere then I think you'll be fine.  Have a  wonderful experience in Italy.  It is soooooooo beautiful!!!

Answer 3

Italy is a good choice, particularly if you are interested in art and history.

Italy is probably the worst place to drive in Europe, some Asian countries are worse. If you try to drive at the speed limit on the autostrada you will probably be run over or severely abused by local drivers who drive come 30 or 40km an hour faster than the speed limit.

Driving between Naples and Sorrento is probably one of the worst experiences driving through the suburbs of Naples in a southerly direction.  Moped riders have a habit of doing U turns immediately in front of your car (if they come into a main road they cannot turn left due to the heavy traffic so they do a right turn to get on the road and then a U turn in mid stream. So head North as quicly as you can from Naples. I went there because of the old saying "see Naples and die" but whatever it had back then for people to say that has long gone. I didn't hang around.

There is so much to see and do in Rome that you could spend months there and still not see everything. I would strongly suggest that you buy a good quality guide book to Rome, decide what you want to see ahead of time so that you can maximise each day by going to places of interest that are close to each other on any particular day. The guide book will also address your need for information on food, customs, currency etc.

Sorrento is a great place to stay. I highly recommend the Sorrento Hilton, but as you will be there off-season there should be lots of good low cost hotels available.  Look for Sorrento hotels via a search engine. I would strongly recommend a trip to Pompei when staying in Sorrento, and if you have a spirit of adventure take the trip that includes a trip to look into the top of Mount Vesuvius..  Take a guided tour from your hotel to make sure that you have a knowledgeable guide take you around the ruins.

Driving North is easy.  I would visit the monastry at Monte Casino on the way, it was the site of a major battle in WW2, the monastry had been completely destroyed but the new building is well worth seeing.

On my last trip I had intended to stay in Florence but it was so busy and dirty I moved on.  I was travelling in the opposit direction to you so went on for a short stop at Pisa (to see the leaning tower) and stayed in a remote country town called Grosseto.  It had a strange history as the town was unoccupied for some 200 years due to malaria, but now is OK.  Nearby there is an old Roman town in ruins called Roselle that you can visit and walk around quite freely. Also, a short distance from Grosseto to the coast there is a small town with an old castle called Castiglione that was delightful in the summer with blue sky, an even deeper blue sea and lots of cafes with excellent food in a side street off the sea front.  I have not experienced the weather there in March so would expect that the climate is cooler than at the time of my visit. Enjoy your trip.

Answer 4

I did a trip similar to yours in 2004, but did not rent a car.  Previously drove around Italy, though rented the car in Slovenia.

You will be able to get along in English in Rome & Naples - I am sure also Florence, though haven't been there. However, learn to say please, thank you, yes, no, left, right, go, stop, how much, how many, the days of the week, primary colors, and how to count to at least 10 in Italian.  Also learn some basic menu items - chicken, beef, pork, boiled, fried, etc. I know you only have a week before you depart, but learn what you can.

Get a highway map for Italy before you go (check Barnes & Noble or Borders). Car rental offices usually sell them, but bringing one with you eliminates the chance you might have to drive away w/o a good map.

Make sure you are covered if something happens to your rental car. If at all possible, use a credit card that provides rental car insurance coverage. Note that AMEX "green" personal cards do not automatically cover rental cars, but you can sign up for a low fixed-price fee to cover a rental car (call AMEX). Also check with your auto insurance to see if they will cover a rental car in Europe. Worst case, grit your teeth and buy the supplemental ins. when you rent the car.  Traffic is terrible in Italy, accidents are common, and auto theft is a problem.

Many of the highways in Italy are toll-roads. The toll collection areas have toll-tag lanes and cash lanes (though you can use credit cards in the cash lanes). Ask when you rent the car if you can buy a toll-tag. If not, pay attention so you don't get stuck in a toll-tag lane (yes, it happened to me).

Buy trip medical insurance, even if your regular insurance says you are covered in Europe.Trip medical insurance is cheap and eliminates a lot of grief if you need medical treatment while abroad. Check with your airline/travel agent, and AMEX sells it (www.americanexpress.com).

Don't carry all of your cash, credit cards, and ID in one place (like a wallet or purse). I use an under-the-trousers money belt for most of my valuables and only carry one credit card and a little cash in my wallet.  My passport stays in the money belt until I need it.

Send yourself an e-mail message with the details of everyone's passport and driving license (number, date & place of issue, expiration). Include the account numbers for the credit cards you will take with you. The internet is everywhere and you can access the info if anything is lost or stolen.

There are a number of restaurants near the Vatican. Check the menu before you sit down - some of them charge astounding prices (10 Euros for a coffee). Ditto regarding street vendors.

We took the train from Rome to Naples. Upon arrival at Naples' train station, two men dressed in what looked like railroad uniforms matter-of-factly loaded our bags onto a cart and "helped" us with them to the taxi stand. Once there, they demanded 30 Euros. It was a scam. I gave them a few Euros and began taking the bags off of the cart. Two police officers were standing nearby, glaring at the scammers - who left.  I expect there would have been more problems had the police not been at the taxi stand. That was really the only "bad" experience we had during the two week 2004 trip.

Get at least 100 Euros in mixed cash before you leave the USA (there are currency exchanges at major airports). You don't want to have to look for an ATM as soon as you get off the plane. However, ATMs are everywhere and you can get more cash that way instead of carrying traditional travelers cheques. However, pay attention to the ATM fee - some charged 8 Euros per transaction.  ATMs at real banks are best. Our bank at home has a relationship with the Banco di Roma so we didn't pay a fee for using their ATM (check with your bank).

Finally, ask at your hotel each day to find out if there is a strike scheduled.  For example, taxi drivers may strike from Noon to Midnight, leaving you stranded if you took a taxi somewhere during the morning.

Answer 5

im a local to the northern area,....

be prepared to wait. everyone and everything is late. including public transportation.

plan ahead. everythings closed from 12-3 everyday and everything is closed on sunday, except restaurants

dont leave any tips! not needed its included in the bill

clothes shopping is best done outside of major cities...less expensive.

your cell phone probably wont work here.

beware of hot dogs on pizza, or a cracked egg on pizza.

enjoy the library for free internet and tourists can get free lib cards and take out books.

there are many free language schools if you want to take a couple classes.

italians love to party......live

rely on the public transportation, italian drivers are aggressive. to say the least.

drink cappuchino every single day.....1euro twenty cents

dogs are allowed everywhere! cafes, beaches, museums, stores, playgrounds,  just no grocery stores, formal restaurants or probably churches.

the televison is TERRIBLE

Fall in love with life in Italy

Answer 6

see a mass at St. Peter's if you can. It's magical. ( don't forget that there are dress codes-even if you are just sight seeing. no tank tops, short shorts, ladies should wear a skirt or nice pants.)

Spend at LEAST four days in Rome. If you already made your plans to spend less than that, try not to miss a moment.

Answer 7

Driving - Italians like to drive fast - everywhere. Try to avoid driving in Rome because it did my head in.

Food - I have never had a bad meal in Italy (I'm sure others have). They don't eat horse there, so it isn't something to worry about. In the south (e.g. Amalfi coast), you will get alot of things like seafood, and as you move north you get things like lentils, and stews. If ever in doubt, just ask. Italians love their food and love sharing their love with others.

In Rome - if you are going to the vatican, get there really early. I did and got in quickly. I have been led to believe that there are long queues from about 9am onwards. So make sure you are at the front.

Same can be said about Florence. If you are going to the more popular sites, try to get there early. I also did a few day lng cooking classes in Italy - plenty to choose from, and about $40p/p per day.

Answer 8

take a rosary with you, you will need to say a few prayers if you are going to be driving!!!  italians make new yorkers seem tame!!--other than that just make sure you are properly dressed if you plan on visiting any churches or basilicas, you will not be permitted in if you are not dressed properly (for women, no low cut blouses, shoulders must be covered, no shorts for women or men) get a fodor's travel book or rick steves, they are great and full of info and tips. Lastly, just enjoy yourself, you are sure to have a great time, Italians are so welcoming and just lovely people in general!

Answer 9

If I had a car in Naples I would definitely make a day trip to Paestum (I've only been by train, but I'm guessing it's about two hours each way by car).  Also, in Naples it's essential that you go to Pizzeria Trianon, which actually won the award for being the world's best pizzeria.  In Sorrento get the gelato at Gelateria Davide.  See the links below for info.