Top 10 Things to Know Before Planning a Trip to Italy
- Anju Chandna
- Sep 22, 2022
- 6 min read
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 civilisation.
These historical artefacts attract over 65 million visitors every year, making Italy the fifth most visited country in the world.
Planning a trip to Italy can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. From historic cities and scenic coastlines to local culture, Italy offers experiences that are very different from one destination to another.
Before you finalise your itinerary, there are a few things to know before planning a trip to Italy. In this guide, I'll share 10 essential tips to remember before you plan your Italy vacation.
Things to Know Before Planning a Trip to Italy
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 in 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, the 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, so don't cram too much in too little time, because most of these attractions are time-consuming to visit.
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 into a short itinerary, so plan your vacation by carefully picking the sites you actually wish to see.
Whether you visit the Colosseum, or the canals of Venice, or the historic centre of Florence, you'll constantly experience places of cultural and historical importance. Planning your itinerary around these iconic landmarks can make your trip memorable.
Choose the Right Time to Travel
Summer is the peak tourist season, which translates into more crowds everywhere. Commodity prices skyrocket during the summer months.
Spring and autumn are usually considered the best times to visit because of pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Winter is also a great option with lower prices and festive markets.
So, plan your vacation judiciously so as to make optimum utilisation of your time and money.
Carry Cash for Small Purchases but Beware of Pickpockets
While credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Italy, carrying some cash in small denominations of euros is always a wise thing to do.
Local cafes, small souvenir shops, public washrooms, and family-run restaurants accept only cash at times.
At the same time, avoid carrying too much cash while exploring crowded tourist areas like Rome, Venice or Florence. These cities are infamous for their pickpockets and petty thieves who steal wallets, bags and phones. Thankfully, we didn't run into one, but have heard stories of people's belongings getting stolen.
Travelling by trains
Trains are the cheapest mode of transport throughout Italy. High-speed trains connect all major cities and tourist attractions.
Train travel with such massive crowds is faster and less stressful than driving, especially in historic city centres where parking can be a nightmare.
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 of the railway station.
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 to beat the crowds. To see the famous landmarks like the Colosseum and the Vatican, it's best to arrive early in the 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 extra hours trying to get out and get into the right one for the chapel.
Finalise Prices before availing any service
In many places in Italy, if you're availing a service, be sure 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. I'll have to mention here, though, that we've heard such accounts from fellow travellers. Luckily, we never encountered such harassment; these guys quoted 2 euros for this picture. Many others don't.
Such incidents are common in Italy, so establish clearly what you have to pay in advance. And don't get spooked out by the loud and a-bit-too-garrulous Italians, who swing their hands and make a lot of facial expressions as they talk.
Travelling by buses
Buses are a convenient and budget-friendly mode of transport for travelling within Italy, in smaller towns and areas that may not be directly connected by trains. They are especially useful for reaching hill towns, coastal villages in regions like Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast.
Before boarding, always check the timetable and bus schedules, since they can vary on weekends and holidays. In some cities, tickets need to be purchased from the kiosks or ticket machines rather than from the driver.
Don't forget to validate your tickets, since random inspections are common and fines are hefty.
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. I bought 3 leather bags from an Italian brand, Guidi, in Venice. They turned out to be quite good.
I also bought a bag from a roadside shop in Rome for a seemingly good price, but 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 is 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 buy glassware from a factory in Murano or from an established glass gallery only.
Savouring 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 in 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
Day trip from Rome to the Vatican https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-day-trip-to-the-vatican-from-rome
Day trip to Pisa from Rome
2 Days in Florence
3 Days in Venice
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