How to Dodge the Most Common Tourist Pitfalls in Italy
Who hasn’t fallen prey to at least several of the most common tourist pitfalls at some point during their travels? Being ripped off on a taxi ride, being overcharged at a restaurant, or simply being unaware of the need to book ahead – we’ve all been there. After all, there’s only so much research you can do before a holiday.
Added to that, there are the slip-ups we make that would be fine in one country, but not perhaps in another. Knowing, for example, to watch out for the cycle lanes in the Netherlands or that restaurants in Spain are likely to remain largely empty until 9 or 10pm all comes in handy! In Italy, where I spend much of my year, just a little advance knowledge and a few tweaks to your day will make a big difference to skirting the most common obstacles to a stress-free vacation.
Restaurants and Bars Do’s and Don’ts
Whichever country you are visiting, my advice is to check the rules regarding restaurant service and cover charges and to establish in advance whether tipping is the norm. In Italy, a per person ‘coperto’, or cover charge, is quite normal. Tipping, whilst not compulsory, is appreciated but rather than being a fixed percentage, as in the USA, is more a case of rounding up the bill.
When it comes to choosing a restaurant, stumbling across a modest family-run trattoria serving simple, authentic dishes can be every bit as special as fine dining. On our gastronomic hiking tours, everything from small characteristic osterias to award-winning restaurants feature on the itinerary: the common denominator is that menus celebrate the best local ingredients and showcase exceptional regional dishes.
For the best quality, the golden rule is to eat where locals go, avoiding restaurants with a view or in prime tourist locations, or places with menus translated into multiple languages and displaying pictures of dishes. And in many places, consider skipping the dessert in favour of stopping by a gelateria on your way back.
As for wine, if you’re looking for the best value, order house wine by the quarter, half or full litre. The quality will still be decent, and the wine will certainly be local.
Think you know all about Italian coffee? Coffee-making in Italy has inspired the world, but Italy clings firmly to its rituals. Firstly, cappuccinos are strictly for the morning only, while espressos are drunk throughout the day. You can still order a cappuccino after lunch, but it is considered a major faux pas: Italians believe that the heavy milk content slows down the digestive system.
Better to order an espresso or a macchiato (an espresso with a dash of steamed milk). Be aware also, that in a café, a coffee will cost more if you have it seated at a table, rather than propped up by the bar as most Italians do.
Aperitivo Time!
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that going out for an aperitivo – traditionally Aperol Spritz, Negroni and Campari Soda – is all about drinking. In fact, the aperitivo is viewed by Italians more as a social occasion, a time to catch up on the day’s news and transition from day to evening.
What tourists need to know, however, is that the drinks are accompanied by an appetising array of free nibbles, which may include anything from olives, nuts and crisps to mini sandwiches, cubes of cheese, bite-sized focaccia and crostini and in some places, are almost substantial enough to eliminate the need for dinner! Traditionally, spreads are more extensive in larger northern cities such as Milan. In Venice, the snacks are referred to as ‘cicchetti’.
Use Local Water Fountains
Italy deserves a huge gold star when it comes to drinking water. Unlike many European cities, there are thousands of free public drinking fountains in Italy, especially in cities such as Rome, Florence and Milan. You’ll even find some public fountains dispensing free sparkling water. Great for slating thirst on hot summer days and welcome news in terms of reducing single-use plastic waste.
Managing Your Day-to-Day Tourist Experience
Visiting Italy’s art-packed cities without seeing some of their most prized treasures can feel almost wasteful. But it’s all a question of balance. So, prioritise the attractions you most want to see, booking in advance to avoid long queues. Intersperse trips to the most famous attractions with visits to a few hidden gems and enrich your overall experience by planning early morning or late afternoon visits, particularly to the big-hitting sights.
Packing too many heavyweight visits into one day can be exhausting and costly: instead, get off the beaten track and dip into a local church to explore free art, dodge the crowds, and get a sense of local atmosphere. It’s also worth noting that some sites, such as Rome’s Trevi Fountain, now incur a fee.
Deciding whether to take a private guided tour round a town or gallery can be tricky as so much depends on the quality of the guide, so do check their credentials carefully. We work with a number of excellent City Tour Guides in Italy who we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Beyond that, avoid overpriced tourist experiences – in Venice, hopping on the local water bus (vaporetto) gives you the canal views without the hefty gondola price.
Shop opening times can also cause some confusion. In smaller towns and villages, particularly in the south, shops still close between around 1.00pm and 4.00pm for an afternoon break. In the larger cities such as Milan, Rome or Florence, you’ll find they tend to stay open throughout the day, particularly during the summer months.
Transport and Getting Around
Driving and knowing the ins and outs of public transport systems can be a minefield in a foreign country. If you plan to use taxis in Italy, be sure to use official ones. However, it’s worth checking public transport options from your destination airport before you fly to Italy: at some airports, trains, metro lines and airport buses can be as quick and cheaper than a taxi.
Another tip is to get to grips with train travel before you arrive. Overall, it is reasonably priced and efficient in Italy but do find out about the different services – for example, high speed (Frecciarossa, Italo and Frecciargento) and regional trains – in advance to avoid unnecessary premium prices. Many require seat reservations, and paper tickets (rather than digital) for regional trains require validation at the machine in the station concourse and on platforms.
Naturally, if you’re holidaying in any of the big cities, public transport and walking is the best way of getting around but to explore the glorious Italian countryside and smaller towns, you’ll need a car. If you are driving, watch out for ZTL zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato) when you head into town.
Using Online Reviews
Whether you’re using online reviews to book a hotel, restaurant or attraction, remember that other people’s reviews are naturally influenced by expectations and personal preferences. A restaurant may work well for a convenient lunchtime snack and consequently have multiple five-star reviews but may be disappointing for an evening meal.
Similarly, a two-star independently run hotel may attract poor reviews from guests expecting modern convenience but may be perfect if you prefer a more authentic experience. So, think carefully about exactly what you want out of your accommodation or meal and read reviews carefully.
Communicating
Last but definitely not least, you can avert multiple tourist pitfalls by learning a few fundamental words and phrases. Understanding some rudimentary rules of etiquette and being able to communicate with locals, even at a most basic level, will change how you interact with others: a simple ‘buongiorno’ as you enter a shop, bar or hotel will always set you in good stead!
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have any of these things affected your holidays in Italy or elsewhere? Can you share any other tourist pitfalls?
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