Any advice when going to Italy for the first time?

Question

I am going on my first European vacation this summer...to Italy. I was wondering if anyone has advice as to what to bring, where to visit, anything about food, language, etc...thanks!

Answer 1

It's hot as hell in Italy during the summer, especially in the cities. You'll need sunscreen and mosquito repellent. You'll get them near to water and major rivers such as the Arno and the Tiber. Take cool clothes that cover your body. There are strict dress codes for church visits. Pre book tickets for the Uffizi if you decide to go as you'll be waiting all day to get in.

As far as places to go, well, Italy's spread at your feet. You could try the main tourist destinations such as Florence, Rome, Naples, Verona, Padua, Venice etc. You can get travel books called Eyewitness Travel Guides which are fantastic. They include lists of places to go, opening hours, places to eat, stay and great maps. I recommend them really highly.

The food is fantastic in Italy but stay away from the very touristy areas. They're expensive. Look at the places where the Italians eat.

Here are some useful websites from language to what's on.

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/benvenuto.asp

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html

http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/uc_geary_rome.htm

http://www.whatsonwhen.com/scripts/query.asp?cat_id=&country_id=131061&day1=17&month1=2&year1=2007&day2=24&month2=2&year2=2007&+Search+=+Search+
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/lj/syllabus.shtml

http://www.venere.com

Buon fortuna

Ps Train travel in Italy is great and its's cheap. You cn hire a car easily but don't attempt to drive in Rome. Parking is awful and hard to find.

Answer 2

It's a big country so try to plan on visiting a section rather than the whole thing - perhaps Rome and Florence. Or Venice and Turin etc. the summers can get pretty hot in the south - over 40 deg C (100 F). The coasts are great. Amalfi is wonderful. Visit Puglia if you want visit somewhere that tourists do not frequent. Wine is good and cheap. northern Italian wine is much better than southern. Enjoy the food. just try different things. Italian food is palatable similar to American so you shouldn't be too surprised. Some things you might find out there are rabbit, raw squid etc. But mostly you will find good dishes with fresh ingredients. Dinners start later than in America. The early afternoon sun can be really hot so bring sunscreen.

And have fun.

Answer 3

First time in Italy is a wonderful learning experience. Try to keep calm when figuring out all the different transportation systems in different areas. Venezia (Venice) has a water bus system, Rome has buses and the metro. Etc. They all are a bit different, but not impossible! Definately try the pizza and gelato (like ice cream but way better!) I understand reservations about the water but I always have been a risk taker! I drank the water nearly everywhere I went and was fine ( though I am not recommending this, just because my system can handle it does not mean everyone can) There is a fountain in the Roman Forum that I drank from, it was fun to use! Anyway there is so much to see in Italy. Just take it all in and take tons of pictures! I took about 600 while in Italy my second time. And still wish I had more. If you would like to ask me anything else please contact me through this site and I would be happy to tell you more.

Answer 4

Don't try to do too much! Part of the joy of visiting Italy is living like an Italian for a week or two. If you are going for a week only visit two or three cities. If you are going for two weeks visit two or three regions. You are never going to be able to see all that Rome or Florence has to offer in a few weeks so focus on those things that you really want to see. Be sure to allow yourself some time to sit in outside cafe's and watch the Italians enjoy life. For more about Italy visit: http://www.amoretravelguides.com

Answer 5

Yes. Start by getting a small primer on Italian foods. Best to know what you are eating. Make sure you cut down on electrical items (but bring a converter for small appliances and a transformer for larger ones).

Use the trains as they work wonderfully. Be sure to see Rome (2-3 days min), and Venice (2-3 days) and go up to Northern Italy to see the Alps with Snow in the Summer.

Have fun! Beuno!

Answer 6

In summer is very hot here (but no more than 34° C), so bring light cotton clothes and something for the evening.
You can drink water!!! It is safe.
Italian food is very different from region to region. But everywhere you will find pizza, spaghetti and other pasta, tagliatelle, ice-cream. Avoid touristic places and choose a restaurant where you see local people eating (not easy in Venice!). In my region, Emilia Romagna, is very common a sort of bread called piada.
About language: in the touristic areas we speak english, so it will not be a problem. And in general we are all very kind and patient.
Transports are good in the north and center, but it is not the same in the south. Traffic is not crazy out of big cities.
And to visit... Rome, Florence and Pisa, Venice are the must-see. But every region is beautiful and you could choose one to make a tour:
not only Tuscany www.turismo.toscana.it and Campania http://www.turismoregionecampania.it/... (Naples, Sorrento...), but also Liguria http://www.regione.liguria.it/menusezion... , Marche www.turismo.marche.it , Emilia Romagna http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/... , Umbria www.umbria2000.it/ , Sicily www.regione.sicilia.it/Turismo... are marvellous.
Italy is in general safe. I am a woman, I live here, I travel here and I never had a problem. Of course is better to pay always attention in the cities with many tourists and in cities like Naples.

Answer 7

dont order food you can order in america, always order the italian food on the menu its better. Visit the most popular sites, because yoiu know you can't go wrong with those sites since everyone loves them. You dont need to know Italian to get by in Italy, but its nice to have an italian to english dictionary, learn some Italian while your in Italy. Visit, the ialans theres always interesting and plus theres a lot of beaches you can go to. also go look at the museums they got some cool stuff in there filled with history, but make sure you have a tour guide they tell a lot of cool stuff.

Answer 8

Mikey... 113º? Is that it? Yeah honey its gets WAY hotter than that here! You need to bring sun-block and yes, do not drink the water. Transportation is very cheap and the food is great. =) You will have a blast! Rome is nasty....no offense... The language is easy to pick up and if you stay in Italy and not go here to Sicily they all pretty much speak English so no worries

Answer 9

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in Italy--I recommend staying at a hostel or hotel in nearby Atrani and walking to Amalfi (5-10 min). You can take a ferry from Amalfi to Capri and check out the Blue Grotto where the emperors of Rome used to have their private pools.

Answer 10

Don't drink the water. They don't put the same chemicals in it like we do and you could get very sick!!! Buy bottled water when you are there. also, you shouldn't go in the summer time because the tickets are way too expensive and in july and august the temperature could get as high as 113 degrees! And you should learn to ride a moped. It could make your vacation there more fun. In the month of august it's the worst time to get sick there because there are no doctors to be found. (It's because they all go away for vacation). Please remember to give me 10 points. :-)