Over the summer, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. I didn't know if I would ever be able to visit Italy again in my life, so I worked two jobs, saved up money, and stayed an extra 3 weeks. It was beyond worth it. Everything there took my breath away. I have never felt so alive. From backpacking through the Dolomites to swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea, I was able to do and see things people dream about their whole lives. I was at those places you see in photographs on Pinterest or on travel Instagram accounts and you know that the chances of you ever seeing those places are slim to none, but I did it. And if you ever get the opportunity to visit Italy, here's some friendly advice.

1. Ladies, the men there really like catcalling

There's nothing you can do to avoid it, but you can ignore it. They tend to lose interest immediately if you don't react, and if they persist usually saying that you are on your way to meet your boyfriend/husband/some male person they will leave you alone.

2. Plan your routes in advance

Traveling in Italy is pretty easy. Trains, taxis, buses, and ferries abound but knowing which tickets will get you where is something you should definitely know in advance. I had to get from Naples to Palmero, Sicily and it took two days via train and ferries. From Palmero, I traveled to Taormina, where there are no taxis and no direct train station to the town. I had to hitchhike from the town over. Know where you're going, know how to get there. Not saying you should plan months in advance (always leave room for spontaneity) but definitely know your route a day in advance.

3. Avoid July and early August

The heat (everywhere) and humidity (in some places) are insane. Talking 90+ weather, with no clouds, no shade, crowded streets and restaurants, and occasionally shitty A.C. People faint in the heat. It happened to someone I partly traveled with early on. She's from Southern California where 90+ heat is common. It is worse there somehow. Also, the crowds and lines are crazier than Disneyland. AND THE REGIONAL TRAINS, MY DUDE. Once in a blue moon, if you sacrifice enough virgin bunnies, and input the proper button sequence, then MAYBE the A.C. will work in ONE of the several cars. And if it does work, the car will be completely packed so the A.C. won't really make a difference. Please, if you don't 200% hate yourself and can come at another time of the year, don't come in July or early August. Everything will be cheaper anyways. But if you can't, just be ready. I was not.

4. Ask locals for places to visit

Train rides are long and chances are you may start talking to people around you. Or your taxi driver will be really great. Or somebody from your hotel/hostel/Airbnb will have some places that they love. Look up local secrets on the internet even. I was able to visit some beautiful places because I would talk to people I met who knew the area, usually because they would talk to people too. If you do talk to locals, they usually know the best and quieter places to visit.

5. Scammers and pickpockets are common

Keep your money where you can easily feel or see it, especially on trains. If you carry a purse, make sure you have a hand on it at all times. Scammers will usually try to engage you in conversation and offer you a gift before they ask you for money. If you refuse, they will get annoyed and take back whatever they gave you.

6. Some advice about taxis

The prices are usually cheap, but they skyrocket in small towns. Some small towns don't even have taxis. I learned that the hard way. If you're going quite a long way, ask for the price in advance so they don't try to take advantage of you.

7. Churches require modesty

Some churches will not let you inside if your shoulders are not covered or if your shorts/dresses/skirts don't reach your knees. Bigger churches or basilicas may provide shawls for una offerta, usually a euro.

8. Make sure you can handle your alcohol

If you are being problematic due to alcohol consumption, you will most likely end up in a jail cell for 24 hours. I saw two drunk Australian tourists being escorted off of a beach by police officers.

9. Visit the small towns

Italy has so much history and yes Milan, Florence, Rome, all the big cities are incredible to visit. But the cities will begin to blur together, and small towns are always unique. They have their own culture and history. Not to mention, they're quieter and more relaxed. The views can even be more spectacular. Some of my favorite memories from my time in Italy were in Tivoli, Spello, and Lake Orta. All of them were incredibly small towns.

10. Backpacking through the Dolomites requires a lot of advance planning

It is 110% worth it to trek through the Dolomites, but you have to know what you're doing. There are rifugios along the trails where you can eat and spend the night, but spending the night requires making reservations in advance. It can be incredibly hard to find the phone numbers for the rifugios online. Personally, since it was my first time backpacking and I was doing so alone, I used a company that specializes in trekking the Dolomites. They planned out my trails, reserved my beds in rifugios and hotels for the start and end, and provided a phone in case of emergencies. It took a huge load of pressure off but was incredibly expensive.

Traveling through Italy is on so many people's bucket lists. If you ever have the opportunity, do it. Just make sure you understand the culture is different. Life there is slower and more relaxed. That doesn't mean however that you shouldn't take precautions.

Just remember: make your plans, talk to people, change your plans.