I’m immediately going to start off with a disclaimer stating that I am in no way, shape or form an expert on travel. I’ve been up and down the East coast and that’s pretty much it. However, last summer I went to Italy and my life has been forever changed. I don’t know if I will ever be satisfied with another vacation again because I don’t know how anything could compare to the experiences I had there. The food, the wine the atmosphere… I don’t think I truly lived until I was sitting on a balcony in Venice hearing an accordion player and guitarist serenade me from below. As much as I enjoyed my trip, there are some things that I wish I knew before heading "across the pond" as they say. Again, I’m no travel expert. However, I can offer some practical advice that might be of some use if you’re heading across the Atlantic.
Bring. Comfortable. Shoes.
If someone had told me one thing before I went, I wish it would have been this: cobble stones are not your friend. Not only will you be doing an intense amount of walking, but Italy, for some reason, loves their cobblestone streets. And let me tell you, your feet will not. I went in August, which is very hot so I brought a variety of sandals and flip flops. I thought “I wear them all the time with no problem, I’ll be fine.” Also, what else would go with all the cute sundresses I was planning to wear? Bad move. At the end of the day, my feet were pounding with pain. My recommendation for proper footwear: the most comfortable pair of sneakers you own. Which brings me to my next point…
Don’t worry about looking like a tourist.
Italy is basically the fashion capital of the world, right? When I think of Italians, I think of exquisitely dressed, attractive men and women with olive skin and a flowing mane of dark hair. So I was determined to try to match that level of style. I did research on the latest Italian fashion trends and compiled notes. What I discovered, basically, was that what we consider casual in America is basically pajamas for Italians. Shorts? You wouldn’t find an Italian woman caught in shorts unless she was at the beach. I even found that men rarely wear shorts, preferring a nice fitting pair of slacks. I also learned that black is always in season, even in the dead of summer. All of these things led to my ill-fated decision to bring nothing but sundresses and sandals. The sundresses turned out to be a great idea; they were easy to throw on, took up very little space in my suitcase, and kept me cool in the heat. However, when I was there, I quickly discovered I couldn’t even tell who was a tourist and who was Italian! Everyone was dressed differently, and most people were in shorts and t-shirts. This lead me to conclude that in the major cities, like Venice, Florence and Rome, there are so many tourists there wearing such a variety of things that you won’t stand out no matter what you wear.
Do practical research.
This is actually something I did beforehand and am very happy that I did. When I say practical research, I mean look into things like their customs and culture. For example, I discovered that tipping is not a custom in Italy when dining out, which was very important. I also learned that the churches there are stricter and most won’t let you in if your shoulders and knees aren’t covered. This was so critical to learn before going because I threw in some longer skirts and cover-ups which I hadn't been planning to bring. Look up the culture and customs so your fully prepared.
Go with a tour group.
I went with a tour group and, while I realize it may not be for everyone, I fully recommend it especially if it’s your first time to Europe and if you’re going somewhere where the primary language is not English. Going with a tour group had so many advantages. All the transportation between cities is handled. My group started in Venice and from there went to Pisa, Florence, Assisi and ended in Rome. We went from city to city on a tour bus and that took out all the stress of getting from place to place. Also, it took away all the stress of seeing the sites in each city. Most people we talked to knew English but having a tour guide who was a native Italian was definitely helpful. Also, we got to skip all the lines! People walking off the streets to see attractions have to wait in lines to get in. However, my group got to go right on by to the front which was amazing, especially when trying to get into the Vatican, where the line was wrapped around the block. Also, the people in my group were from all over America and I got to meet some really nice folks!
