The following is basic information to make the most of a trip to Italy:
Airport/Train Stations: Beware of thieves. A money belt is a must! Be aware of who is around you and never carry anything in a purse that you can’t live without. Men should always carry their wallet in their front pocket and keep a hand on it. An even better option is the money pouch that hangs around your neck and inside your shirt or blouse. Watch your luggage as well. This cannot be overstated, as stealing is almost a profession in Italy.
Make copies of your passport – leave one home with someone you can call and take the other one with you and put it someplace other than your person. That way you have what you need in case your passport is stolen. Many times the hotel will take your passport overnight to have it verified with the local police.
Taxi’s – Find out how much they will charge you BEFORE you get into the taxi (no ugly surprises this way)
Pack dark, unobtrusive clothing: black or brown slacks, skirts or dresses with similar knit tops, sweaters, or a white shirt. Just accessorize with scarves or inexpensive costume jewelry (and not much of that to draw attention to yourself). Italians wear black or brown year round. Shorts are not recommended.
Hotel: Be sure your hotel is a 3 star or better. Europe has a different rating system and 2 star hotels can be very iffy. Do not leave money or valuables in your room, as it may be too much of a temptation.
Try to pack an old towel and a washcloth, as towels are very thin (and not plentiful) and washcloths are non-existent. Then just throw it away when you get ready to check out of the hotel (the maid will be happy to have it). Try to get a room that doesn’t face the street, as many Italian cities such as Florence can be very noisy. Hotels usually do not have air conditioning so the windows sometimes need to be open. Even without open windows, you will be glad of a room away from the street.
When you check out of the hotel, be sure to keep your receipt (see the info which follows about restaurant receipts, as the same rules apply).
Breakfast will be very simple – rolls, cheese, cappuccino, sometimes yogurt. (They may serve jam with the roll – pretty standard with breakfast). It is sometimes included in the price of your room (but not always)
Restaurants: Be sure to notice if the service charge is included, as you don’t want to over-tip. Tip is “Mancia”. And should only be given for service rendered (and about the same as the U.S. in scale). The Menu should be posted outside the restaurant and beware if it isn’t. Remember never order butter for lunch or dinner, as they do not serve it and think it odd if you ask for it.
Every restaurant is required to give you a receipted bill (receipt) and be sure to carry this with you after you leave the restaurant because sometimes an Inland Revenue Official will come up and ask to see it to make sure you have paid. This usually happens within 165 feet of the restaurant – if you cannot produce it, you can be fined.
The standard drink is wine and mineral water (“with gas” (meaning sparkling) or “without gas” (being regular water). The “table wines” in Italy are superb. They are often served in jugs or pitchers – excellent.
Lunch (“Pranzo”) usually consists of several courses; and the pasta course (“primo”) takes the place of a soup course, not a main dish.
Do not be surprised if your entrees are served at different times. Many times, they will just serve the dish when it comes out of the kitchen – so you may get your entrees at different times. (The waiter hasn’t forgotten he just wants to make sure you have the food at its very best).
Trattorias are the very best places to have lunch – you can get a prix fixe menu usually for much less than a restaurant. The Cafes are very nice. You can sit for a long time with a drink and just enjoy “people watching.” There is a wonderful coffee drink called “Caffe Shekerato”. (Phonetic pronunciation). This is a delicious drink to pick up your body and tired feet in the middle of the afternoon (so you have enough energy to make it to the gelateria for gelato!!)
Italian Gelato is an art form. You can get it in a cup or a cone. A popular choice is Niccola (pronounced Nachola). It will be very difficult to choose one or two flavors, as they all look and taste fantastic.
Shopping: The Street Markets are the very best places to find the bargains and negotiation is welcomed and expected. They are also great entertainment, but again – watch your purse. Good buys are leather goods and jewelry. KEEP ALL RECEIPTS (see info about restaurants – same rules apply). Watch “bargains” on gold and silver jewelry, as the assay marks may be a fake.
Shops in Italy may have odd hours. They usually open at 9 a.m. and then close about 12:30 until 4 and then are open again until 8 p.m. – and are closed on various mornings (Mon and Wed being the favorites). Italian made papers and book bindings are very luxurious.
STAMPS: If you go to a post office, don’t wait in line, as Italians are very pushy and you will stand there waiting your “turn” for an hour while the Italians push ahead of you. Push along as well. You can also purchase stamps at the tobacconists (a large “T” above the door). Letterboxes are painted red in Italy.
