Every person should take the opportunity to experience Italy. Any person who has been before will agree that it is one of the most beautiful and unique countries in the world. Italy is famous for many things from its artwork to its pizza but there is much more to Italy than you can even begin to imagine. Tour guide books and magazines can not always give you the inside scoop as to what the country is actually like as they miss several key details. You will have your own lessons you learn from your first trip and advice you can give to others after you return.
Remember to make the most of the journey as the days are short but the memories are permanent.
1. Indulge in a variety of food.
Let your taste buds explore a variety of flavors. You have a wide range to choose from such as pizza topped with french fries, ravioli, pasta composed entirely of black noodles, paninis with any type of meat imaginable, and lots of different types of cheese to mix with your food. Try dinner at Boccadarno in Florence or Le Cafe in Venice.
2. Stray away from the beaten path.
The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Uffizi Gallery and other favorites are all top tour spot destinations and are all worth viewing. Great memories can be created by getting lost on the streets of Rome or within the hidden canals of Venice. Take a hiking trail in Tuscany and find a field of sunflowers. Your adventure may lead you to a secret gelato shop or a tiny store selling miniature glass sculptures and hand-crafted items.
3. Make a stop in Venice as part of your trip.
This city is famous for more than its Venetian masks and gondola rides. It is surrounded by tiny islands such as Murano and Burano. Palaces and museums with exquisite artwork thrive in Venice and you are always entertained by dancers and actors populating the streets. Also, you don't have to take a gondola ride. Take a water taxi, you'll get the same experience at a cheaper price. As a side note make sure to avoid people selling name brand bags on the streets or street vendors without a stand because the goods they are selling are usually illegal.
4. Takes lots of pictures.
It sounds like typical travel advice but you will find it's harder than it sounds to take the initiative to pull out your camera or phone while on your adventure. Remember: memories become blurry as time passes but pictures can never be replaced. Make sure you also take pictures of yourself and whoever you are traveling with versus just taking pictures of the scenery that surrounds you.
5. Have coffee every morning with a different pastry.
Apricot pastries, apple cinnamon pastries, Nutella pastries, chocolate pastries, honey pastries and many more pastries are available to you at a low price. Cappuccinos go great with all the pastries.
6. Eat lots of Nutella.
Nutella gelato, Nutella crepes, and Nutella to-go are just a few options available to you. Nutella is a huge success in Italy as 'ella' is derived from Italian. 'Ella' is used in Italian as an affectionate ending and can be found in words such as mozzarella and caramella. There are also many other notable Italian desserts to try such as pannacotta which is baked cream with strawberry sauce.
7. Take the time to ride on an Italian bike.
There are many spots that allow you to rent bikes for a brief period of time such as at the top of the Villa Borghese in Rome. It's a great way to see the cities and take in the incredible views they offer at an affordable price.
8. Buy RFD protectors and understand before you go how foreign ATMs work.
Unfortunately, credit card theft is a huge issue in Italy and it is better to take precautions early.
9. Be prepared to do lots of walking.
Taxis are expensive and most streets in the top cities are too narrow to fit a car through anyways. You can always rent a moped but the cheaper option is to just go by foot.
10. Go see an Italian opera.
Operas might not sound appealing to everyone but they are a beautiful form of art that everyone should experience in their lifetime. Operas in several places in Italy within smaller theaters are inexpensive and provide great entertainment for the evening before the nightlife in Italy begins.
11. Air conditioning is rare in restaurants, hotels, and many tourist spots in Italy.
As a warning if you are traveling in the summer do not expect to step into a restaurant or hotel in Italy to cool off. Also, few hotels provide washcloths within their facilities and the water usually runs cold.
12. Hang out in the world-famous fashion stores.
Stores such as Coach, Prada, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana dot the streets in the larger cities. Enjoy admiring the clothing from a window on the street. You can also step inside and try on a piece of some of the outrageous clothing you may see such as an orange leather skirt.
12. You can never see too many cathedrals.
There are a huge amount of cathedrals within Italy but each one is different from the other. Most cathedrals are free so don't hesitate to briefly step inside. It is important to note that most cathedrals require your shoulders and feet to be covered.
