Traveling to Italy for the first time?

Question

I'm 15 and I'm going with my school to Italy for the first time. The only time I'm been out of the country before was when I went to Toronto, but even that was really far away from the US. I live on the east coast and I want to know how long a flight to Rome will take. What should I do to prepare for the trip? How different are Italians from Americans? My friend told me not to wear blue jeans because it screams 'American'. I'm worried something is going to happen when I'm there, like I get robbed or something. I'm going all over Italy, Rome, Florence, Sicily, Isle of Capri, Naples, and Tuscany. I'm excited but I know it's going to be very strange for me because I'm never been somewhere, where the majority of people don't speak English. Any advice?

Answer 1

i just got back from italy, im half italian and half native american- whether or not you wear blue jeans doesnt show how you are "so american, uh!" regaurdless, they can spot an american a mile away "its the way you americans carry yourselves"   they say, learn to speak the language the best you can, ps: up north, like rome and venice is super smelly this time of year, litterally- it stinks, i love sicilia and calabria this time of year, make sure to travel with a large cute purse and carry a map, sunscreen, hair ties, swim suit (theres always a desperate time of need for a dip), and wear comfy flip flops too, sun dresses anything light is nice, i wore lots of flowy GAP dresses,etc.  whenever you are hungry- dont always look for a ristorante- itll pack you 100 euros for every meal with at least 2 people, look for tratoria's and always say "gratzie" and "prego"  - "thank you" and "welcome"/ "your welcome"  also always order " doie grande botiles acqua naturale" when you sit down at a food joint- youll need it!  anyways, i have friends that live there and everything so it was nice to visit them, ps: the thing they notice (and dont like very much) about americans, is that we are so modest with our lives, our bodies- no one cares really , just have fun!

Answer 2

Relax, have a good time. You will be with your school group and not alone. Wear a money belt under your clothes. Jeans are fine to wear. Just keep an open mind and experience the joys of Italy. I wish someone had sent me to Italy when I was 15. It would have dramatically changed my life!

Answer 3

I've lived in northern Italy for two years. Jeans are common there, but that's because of the military base. Lots of Italians wear jeans, and Italians are really into fashion. The places you are visiting have lots of tourists from all over the world wearing all sorts of different styles. You will fit in because not everyone is dressed the same.  If you like, you can wear clothes that are fashionable like nice pants or skirts (if you are a girl) and that are comfortable. Also, in those locations they speak English.

In southern Italy like Naples or Capri, there is a lot of crime, but if you be mindful of your belongings, there should be no problems. Naples also has a crime vibe, and I don't recommend going to the heart of the city cause there is alot of grafitti on some of the monuments. A good place in Naples to visit is the ruins of Pompeii.

The flight usually takes from 6 to 8 hours depending on where you are flying from.

Have fun

Answer 4

Italians are real courteous but wen it comes and friendly is to a point they are not like American  we tend to be friendly with everyone we meet= Italians have to know you real good to be your friend but wen they are friends is for ever= you will have a supper good time in Italy and Florence is one of the most captivating city you will ever visit

Answer 5

Take an Italian course in your High School or, get your parents a private instuctor on foreign languages first, then update or get a passport (be sure you don't lose it or "accidentally give it to someone").  Pack your bags, and in your bag there should be a student id in a wallet in a secret compartment, some clothes, a baggage tag, and your passport since, it's too big too carry in your pocket.

Answer 6

hello i'm a italian girl,

here a lots of people wear jeans, bus in spring and summer short pant too. i live i  the north and the wheater change a lot to north from the sud. florence is a magnific city, with a lot of art. the sicily it's fantastic (agrigento for the history and cefalù for the sea), the mediterranean sea it's very nice.

if you go in this famous city (rome, florence, capri, sicily, naples, tuscany), you find a lot of people speak english, because a lot of tourist speak english. good luck! excuse me for the mistake but my english teacher is crazy and she don't teach

Answer 7

i went last year in march and early april for 2 weeks with my school  it was part of an italian exchange thru a tour company called ACIS.   we spent the first week touring italy  and the next week in perugia staying with the exchange family.  they do wear jeans there so its not that bad.   also if ur in a group and u all watch out for each other robbery is more difficult.  we all watched out for eachother even though there was less than 8 guys out of a group of 40.  its a great experience and im going again this coming spring in march again with school and going to similar places.  we arent going to sicily or tuscany but we did venice, milan, pisa, tuscany, switzerland, verona all last year this year the focus is on rome and pompei and capri.

Answer 8

Best advice, relax and have fun. I was jus tin Tuscany last month and it was terrrific. The Italiens are very nice unlike other Europeans countries that shall remain nameless, they are patient about your lack of Italien. That said, be careful, don't wonder of alone. Not because Italy is particularly dangerous, that's just good advice anywhere you go.

Also, do your homework before going, try and know as much as you can about th eareas your visitng before you go, it just makes the trip more fun.

I finish with saying again, be relaxed and have a great time.