All Posts, Europe, Italy · 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Italy Are you planning a vacation to Italy? Want to know more about this gelato-loving country? These 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Italy include everything you need to know before your big trip! From the history of Rome to the winding canals of Venice, Italy is home to some of the most popular landmarks in the world. Not surprisingly, Italy is at the top of most travelers’ bucket lists. This post will tell you everything I wish I knew before visiting one of my favorite countries in Europe. 1. Language Communicating isn’t just about words in Italy, rather, the whole body is involved. Watching the locals speak can be quite entertaining, with their hands flying all around like they’re flagging down a taxi in New York City. It’s helpful to note that speaking loudly in what may seem like an angry tone doesn’t necessarily mean Italians are fighting – it’s simply part of the communication process. Italians also, of course, communicate verbally, with Italian being the local language. While you’ll find that most locals speak some English in touristy areas, it’s always helpful to know a few keywords. Also, if you have kiddos, Italians love to hear them say Buon Giorno and Grazie! They may even score an extra scoop of gelato for their quickly-learned Italian skills! ENGLISHITALIANPRONOUNCEHelloCiaoChowThank youGrazieGraz-eeGoodbyeArrivederciAree-ved-ercheePleasePer favorePair fav-aw-rayDon’t mention it / you’re welcomePregoPray-goGood morning / good afternoonBuongiornoBwon jaw-no 2. Italy is big and diverse While smaller than the size of California, Italy is still a big country with diverse landscapes. From the alps of the north to the tropical escape of Sicily and all the iconic cities in between, there are so many different landscapes and cultures to explore in this beautiful country. Italy is known for many things: history, art, food, and even sports. But Italy is also filled with hidden gems: lakes and mountains, paradise-like beaches, and hillside villages displaying their colorful Italian charm. Be sure to explore the country as a whole and not just the major landmarks – there’s so much to be discovered! Luckily, Italy is connected easily by public transportation that is surprisingly affordable, efficient, and comfortable, Zipping from Venice to Rome will cost you less than $100 and take only 4 hours via train. 3. What to Wear Home to one of the fashion capitals of the world in Milan, Italians make an effort to always look good. Their outfits are put together, well-fitted, and sharp. I highly recommend following suit and pack outfits that blend in with the locals. Doing this will help ward off any pickpockets targeting those tourists that stand out like a sore thumb. Here are some general guidelines on what to wear in Italy: Don’t wear sports clothes unless you are working out. I know, those yoga pants are comfy, but you’ll never spot an Italian wearing themDon’t wear flip flops unless you’re at the beach. There are way too many cobblestone streets in Italy and you are guaranteed to have some blistersDress in neutral colors and avoid bright colors and big logosShort shorts and skirts aren’t recommended, especially when visiting churches. Be prepared to have your shoulders and knees covered as some churches will not let you enter without the correct attire. I recommend bringing an extra scarf or shawl to cover up if needed 4. What’s for Dinner? Perhaps the number one reason for your visit to Italy is for the food. With the freshly made pasta and the woodfire pizza, I can’t say I blame you! However, you’ll probably quickly realize that Italian food is a bit different than what you’d find outside of Italy. You won’t see Americanized dishes such as Chicken Fettucine Alfredo on the menu. In fact, I found the menu to be very confusing on my first trip to Italy. What is a Primi dish vs a Secondi?? What am I supposed to order? Here is a breakdown of each course of an Italian menu. However, don’t feel obligated to order a dish for every course (unless you’re just really hungry from a full day of sightseeing). Antipasta: Considered the starter or appetizer, this course will usually consist of a dish like a charcuterie board or bruschettaPrimi: This is the first course of hot food, but usually doesn’t consist of any meat. Pasta, risotto, gnocchi, or soup are all Primi dishes.Secondi: Now for the heartiest part of the meal. In this course, you’ll have different meat or seafood options, ranging from chicken, beef, pork, lamb, turkey, shrimp, lobster, and more.Controni : Served as a side dish during the Secondi course, controini dishes are either vegetables or a salad. They are served on a separate plate than the meat or seafood so the flavors don’t mix together – perfect for those who hate their food to touch!Dolce : Saving the best for last – dessert! Try the classic tiramisu, panna cotta, or gelato. You really can’t go wrong with dessert in Italy. Also worth noting: if you see a restaurant with pictures of food on the menu: RUN! This is a sure-fire way to tell if a restaurant is a tourist trap or not. A great, local restaurant won’t have to advertise what their food looks like. 5. Dinner times Speaking of food, it’s helpful to know that Italians eat dinner later than most countries. Below is a guide to mealtimes in Italy: Breakfast/Collazione: Eaten between 8AM and 11AM. Don’t expect a normal American style breakfast. Italian breakfast usually consists of a light pastry and a coffeeLunch/Pranzo: Served between 12:30PM and 2PM. Usually the most important meal of the day for Italians, this meal includes pasta and/or protein with salad or veggies. Most shops close for the pausa pranzo (aka lunch break) between 1PM and 3PM.Aperitivo: Usually between 5PM and 8PM, this is like an American happy hourDinner/Cena: Italians eat their dinners very late, usually not served until at least 8PM until 10:30PMGelato– Eat as much as you want any time of the day, because When in Rome! 6. How to Find the Best Gelato Speaking of Gelato, there is usually a gelato stand around every corner in most Italian cities. But how do you identify the fresh, homemade gelato shops vs. the tourist trap imposters? Here are some quick ways to identify the real vs the fake: See if the gelato is piled high in huge tubs to impress you. This is BAD! If the gelato is truly homemade, it’s made in smaller batches and the shop won’t have a huge supplyLook for a sign saying “gelato fatto en casa“. This means “homemade” in ItalianLook closely at the pistachio flavor. If the color is a very bright, artificial green, it’s probably a no go. The colors should resemble the actual food that they came from, so this is an easy way to spot the fakes 7. Extra Charges When Dining For breakfast, it’s cheaper to sit at the bar to have your coffee and pastry vs sitting at a table. It’ll be half the price and you’ll get to dine with the locals!If you see “Coperto” on your bill, this a standard charge of a couple of euros for your tableSome restaurants place bread on your table without informing you that it’s not free. Usually not a big deal, but I find it a bit sneaky, especially if you just eat a bit of bread without knowing it’s not free. Always ask if you’re not sure and don’t want to incur the extra cost 8. Coffee Culture Italy has some of the best coffee in the world – and they love it strong. Don’t expect to find a giant Starbucks-style latte here. Instead, espresso is the drink of choice and Italians drink it throughout the day and into the night. While espresso is the most popular option for locals, they do serve other drinks as well. Here is a breakdown of what you’ll get when ordering your favorite coffee: Americano: most like American coffee, this is an espresso coffee with hot water addedUn caffé: Simply an espresso coffee. If you just ask for a coffee, this is what you’ll be servedCaffé macchiato: espresso coffee with a drop of milkCafé latte: A breakfast drink consisting of hot milk with espressoCappuccino: Considered a breakfast coffee and should not to be ordered after 11AM unless you want some strange looks from the ItaliansNote: If you just order a latte, you will get a glass of milk! 9. Restrooms After all that talk about coffee, you may need to find a restroom. Unfortunately, public restrooms can be a bit difficult to find in Italy. Once you do find one, you’ll most likely have to pay. Be sure to carry some coins and small currency of euros to use any public restroom facilities. On the plus side, since you have to pay, they are usually much cleaner than a normal public restroom. Take advantage of any restrooms at museums you are visiting – you never know when you’ll find another. If you’re in a pinch, you can always hop into the nearest café and order a coffee to use their restroom. I know, it’s a vicious cycle! 10. Local SIM Card Having a working phone to keep you connected is crucial – especially when in a foreign country. Between navigating the metro, google translating the dinner menu, or even sending that epic photo to family back home – having a working phone is a must. The best way to do this is to have an unlocked smartphone and a local SIM card. For traveling in Italy, I recommend purchasing an Orange SIM Card. This is the equivalent of an AT&T or Verizon plan in the states but designed for tourists in mind. This SIM card also works in 30 countries in the EU, making it the perfect option if exploring more of Europe during your trip. If you don’t have an unlocked phone, you can opt for a personal Wifi hotspot. This portable device gives you WiFi wherever you go, even if you don’t have cell service. With up to 5 devices at a time, this is a great option if you’re traveling with a group. Alright, there you have it. I hope these 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Italy helped to plan your dream vacation to this gelato-loving country! Planning a trip to Italy? Check out my other Italy blog posts: How To Spend Two Days In Venice10 Photos to Inspire You to Visit ItalyHow to Spend 3 Epic Days in Rome DID YOU LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER!
