You cannot miss Italy on the World map with its distinct boot-shaped landmass jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea in the southern part of Europe.
Just the way you simply cannot miss the iconic monuments seeped in history scattered all over Italy that are the remains of the formidable Roman civilization. These historical artefacts attract over 65 million visitors every year, making Italy the fifth most visited country in the world.
There are a few things you must remember while planning a vacation to Italy
1. Number of travel days
If you're travelling to Italy for the first time, then keep at least 10 to 12 days for your visit, even a bit more won't hurt.
Starting Rome, the city is laden with all the touristy goodies and choosing one over another will be a tough task. Followed by Florence, Pisa, Venice, Amalfi coast, Pompeii, Milan and of course, the Vatican.
Each of these charming destinations has so much to offer that you will be spoilt for choice.
2. 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy
Italy has 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the largest ever in one country. Out of these 58 heritage sites, 53 are cultural sites and 5 are natural. No one can compress 58 worth-seeing sights in a short itinerary, so plan your vacation by carefully picking the sites you actually wish to see.
3. Peak tourist season
Summer is the peak tourist season, which translates into more crowds everywhere. Prices of all commodities skyrocket during the summer months. So, plan your vacation judiciously so as to make optimum utilization of your time and money.
4. Beware of Pickpockets
Be careful with your belongings while travelling by public transport. We'd been told that there are a lot of pickpockets and petty thieves around who steal wallets, bags and phones. Thankfully, we didn't run into one.
5. Travelling by trains
Trains are the cheapest mode of transport throughout Italy. They connect all major cities and tourist attractions. For instance, you can do a day trip to Pisa from Rome via train. There are a lot of trains but the Frecciabianca or FB is especially good as it takes you along the scenic coastal route. The best part is that the Leaning Tower is within walking distance from the railway station.
6. Cutting across massive crowds
Italy is bustling with tourists at all times. There are massive queues anywhere you go. I have not seen so many tourists walking around with maps and cameras anywhere else in the world. So, plan your itinerary ahead to beat the crowds. To see the famous landmarks like the Colosseum and the Vatican, it's best to reach early morning.
As I've mentioned earlier, there are many attractions in Rome to see. If you have limited time, then pick the ones you really wish to see first. For instance, on our trip to the Vatican, there were massive crowds and multiple queues lined up for different areas of the Basilica. We ended up getting into the wrong queue which led to the tombstones. There is no coming out if you've entered the wrong queue. We ended up spending two hours extra trying to get out and get in the right one for the chapel.
7. Some more handy tips
At a lot of places in Italy, if you're availing a service, be sure of what you have to pay for it. In Rome, around the Colosseum, there are men dressed as knights and gladiators, wearing centurion costumes. First, they'll coax you to take pictures with them and then harass you for money. Sometimes, they'll ask you to pay an exorbitant amount of money like 100 euros for a picture. We were saved from the harassment, these guys quoted 2 euros for this picture. Many others don't.
We had a similar incident in Venice. We wanted to take a gondola ride. The boatman told my husband that he'd charge 8 euros for a ride around a specific route in the canal. We happily opted for it. We did get the promised ride but after disembarking my husband paid him 10 euros. He said it's 80, not 8. And then cheekily added that one gets ice cream for 8 euros. We obviously had to pay 80 euros. We realised that the boatman, using his thick Italian accent, had intentionally twisted 80 to make it sound like 8.
Such incidents are common in Italy, so establish clearly what you have to pay in advance.
8. Travelling by buses
Buses are the cheapest mode of transport for travelling within Rome. No wonder they are crowded at all times! And don't get spooked out by the unwanted attention you might get on the bus from total strangers. Italians are a bit too garrulous for comfort.
Being an Indian myself, I noticed they are quite loud and like Indians, they swing around their hands and make a lot of facial expressions as they talk.
9. Shopping in Italy
Italy is known for its leather goods. You will find markets flooded with leather goods everywhere in Italy, both in high-end stores and flea markets.
You will get the most variety of leather bags in Florence in the marketplace around the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Although, I cannot comment on the quality of the leather. I bought 3 leather bags from an Italian brand Guidi in Venice. They turned out to be quite good.
I also bought one from a roadside shop in Rome. The leather came off really fast.
Don't ever buy a fake brand in Italy, one it's illegal and two, the leather will peel off in no time.
In my opinion, it's best to buy from a regular shop that too a known Italian brand.
Venice, known for the world-famous Carnival of Venice, is also the best place to buy Venetian masks. They are available in many sizes, shapes, colours and types in Venice, in various price ranges. There are some mask shops in the small islands of Murano and Burano also close to Venice.
Murano is also known for its intricate glass pieces. You will see a lot of glassware, glass jewellery, and even glass watches in the narrow streets of Venice which are lined with small kiosks and shops. At times, they sell fake Murano glass. It's best to glassware from a factory in Morano or from some established glass gallery only.
10. And lastly, Italian cuisine
Italians take their pizzas and pasta very seriously. While in Italy, you should try different kinds of pasta. There are over 100 kinds of pasta, each of them with a specific purpose. You should try as many as you can.
Pizzas are everywhere in Italy. In Ristorante as they call their restaurants in Italian, and on roadside Pizzerias.
What I found really interesting was the way they cut out huge slices of pizza with a pair of scissors for you. It is always served fresh but with no extra condiments except olive oil. I found the classic Italian simplest pizza Margarita the yummiest of all.
And yes, Italians do love to decorate their windows and balconies with flowers. This is a common sight in Italy...
If fresh flowers are not available, then fake ones are okay.
All I can say is that Italy is everything that one can ask for in a dream destination. It has the romance of history, the warmth of a very vibrant culture and the indulgence of great shopping.
Benvenuto in Italia!!
Want to learn more about an Italian vacation?
3 days in romantic Rome. Click on the link below to read more
Day trip from Rome to the Vatican. Click on the link below to read more
Day trip to Pisa from Rome. Click on the link below to read more
2 Days in Florence. Click on the link below to read more
A 3-Day trip to Venice. Click on the link below to read more
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