No matter how long you stay in Italy, there is no risk of shortage of beautiful places to visit or interesting things to see.
However, there are a few things to know not to wreck your vacation with small mistakes.
So better to get familiar with some of the local customs and rules.
However, there are a few things to know not to wreck your vacation with small mistakes.
So better to get familiar with some of the local customs and rules.
- 01 Taking the wrong taxi at the airport
- Landing at Fiumicino (FCO) airport named LEONARDO DA VINCI if you take a taxi, make sure it is a white regular Roma Taxi fee is written on the doors and it is only 48 euro to go to the city center not more.
- Landing at Ciampino (CIA) airport named G.B.PASTINE make sure it is a white regular Roma Taxi fee is written on the doors and it is only 30 euro to go to the city center not more.
- 02 Boarding a Regional Train or city bus without Validating the Ticket
- Tickets for regional trains, or any ticket that doesn't have a specific time and assigned seat, needs to be validated. So buy and validate your ticket before boarding. All you need to do is find a validation machine; green and white in some stations and yellow in others. Push your ticket into the slot until you hear the stamp applied. This stamp will make your ticket good for up to six hours. Bus or tramway, buy ticket before and validate in the bus. Be warned that even tourists will get fined for not validating their tickets before boarding a train in Italy.
- 03 Being victims of pick-pockets
- As in any big city, you should take precautions against having your money or passport stolen. Especially in the train station, on the metro and bus and tramways and in crowded tourist areas. Pickpockets may be groups of children, people trying to get you to read something, or even small young women carrying a baby in a blanket or shawl
Keep a close eye on your belongings, don't carry valuables in a pack on your back and avoid wearing expensive jewelry. Carry your passport in a place that's difficult for a pick-pocket to access and don't carry more cash in your purse or main wallet than you'll need for the day. - 4 Driving in the ZTL
- The ZTL, zona traffico limitato or limited traffic zone, is off limits to cars who don't have a permit which tourists aren't eligible for. Most cities and towns have a ZTL, which may also be called a Pedestrian Zone. The centro storico is usually a limited traffic area.
Often a camera is posted at the entrance to a ZTL, taking photos of license plates as cars enter. It's unlikely that you'll be pulled over immediately but people have reported getting a ticket in the mail six months or a year later (often through your rental car company). Be on the lookout for speed cameras as you drive around. There are often panels saying: "Varco attivo" means you are not allowed. or "Varco non attivo" means you can go. - 05 Ordering a Latte
- Latte is the Italian word for milk, so if you order a latte, you will end up with a glass of milk. If you take a coffee or cappuccino, head to a bar (which in Italy is not just a place to consume alcohol). In many places you will pay extra for table service so check the prices of the menu before you take a seat. If you just want a quick coffee, do as the Italians do and stand at the bar. In restaurants, coffee (usually espresso) is normally served only after the meal is finished. Italians don't drink coffee with their meals and they generally don't drink cappuccino after noon. You can still ask for one after dinner but keep in mind it is not very good for your stomach. Be advised you won't get free refills on your soda or iced tea and usually your cold drinks won't be served over ice.
- 06 Standing in Ticket Lines
- During high season, you may stand in line for an hour or two just to buy tickets to get into one of top sights or museums. It's pretty easy to buy tickets online just make sure you get the official websites.
- 07 Wearing Shorts or bare shoulders When Visiting a Church
- Cathedrals and churches are interesting to visit as many hold important works of art real authentic masterpeaces. You may find that most have signs posted asking visitors not to enter wearing shorts or with bare shoulders.
Women can carry around a scarf to cover bare shoulders when wearing sleeveless tops. But many places, including the Vatican and St. Peter's (very strict) , will not admit people wearing shorts. So plan your dress to go with your sightseeing.
- 08 Relying Only on Credit Cards
- In many places that still do not take credit cards and if you're traveling with American Express you'll find even fewer places to use it. Many small family-run restaurants and shops and outdoor markets about require cash payments. If you're traveling outside the main tourist areas this will be even more likely. Call your bank before you leave your country to tell them about the dates of your trip and eventually it would be great to have at least two credit cards so you can use one as back up specially if you rent a car it is often required to have two. Traveler's checks are rarely used for getting cash and if you do find a place to change them, you are likely to pay a fee. The best way to get cash is with your ATM card.
- 09 Overpacking or Traveling with a Heavy Suitcase
- Uneven cobblestone streets make dragging a suitcase difficult, Historic buildings are often without elevators and unless you are in a 5 stars hotel, it's unlikely there will be someone to carry your bags. Consider lightweight bag easy to carry.
- 10Thinking tip in included is the "conto" or bill
- tips are never included in restaurants or bars or cafès. If you are happy with the waiter it is nice to leave between 5 and 10 % in cash on the table before you go. In the bar after you paid for your coffee or cappuccino it is a good habit to leave the little receipt with 10 or 20 cents on the bar counter.