Travel Tips for Italy

• Verify that your passport is valid for six months after your return date.
• Check on Visa, ETA, ETIAS, etc. requirements needed for entry into overseas countries.
• Download travel documents including flights, hotels, excursions and cruise ship information. If you have a Trip Plan from More Fun Destinations, download that to your phone.
• Talk to your cellphone provider about the most cost-effective way to use your phone overseas. Phone access is helpful for Google maps, translations tools and communication while traveling.
• Download WhatsApp to your phone. Many tour operators, transfer companies and more utilize this app to communicate. You can use WhatsApp with Wi-Fi to text and make calls at home.
• Notify your bank and credit card provider of your travel dates.
• Order foreign currency to get you started from your bank.
• Leave a detailed itinerary with a trusted friend or relative at home.
• Travel Insurance is highly recommended. Most US insurance policies offer minimal coverage while abroad. Medicare is primarily effective only in the United States.
• Purchase a travel charger and travel converter for your electronics.
• Sign up with STEP (Safe Traveler Enrollment Program) so the U.S. State Department can assist you in case of emergency.

• Necessary prescription medicine or equipment
• Passport and travel documents
• Phone charger and converter
• Clean shirt (accidents happen!)
• Small hygiene kit (toothbrush/toothpaste, comb/brush, hand wipes, mints/ginger chews, lip balm)
• Technology: Kindle/book, earbuds, computer, iPads, portable chargers

• Tipping is not mandatory, but appreciated. Consider 10% for restaurants, taxi drivers, tour guides, etc. Round-up for small purchases such as coffees and gelatos.
• Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted in smaller establishments. However, in markets and small shops, cash is preferred. Use small bills and coins for these transactions.
• To withdraw money from an ATM, look for national banks which are easily found. Carefully follow the prompts and always choose to withdraw your money by selecting “local currency.” Overseas ATM's are generally safe.

• When visiting public restrooms with an attendant a small fee is often required. Keep small change with you to fulfill this request. Ladies, carry some tissues - toilet paper is sometimes scarce! If you need to use a restroom and a public one is not available, pop into a cafe, order an espresso and visit the loo.
• Pickpockets are a fact of life. Keep your wallet secure. When possible, leave large sums of cash in your hotel/cruise ship’s safe as well as your passport (snap a copy on your phone)
• When visiting churches and cathedrals, tank tops, bare shoulders and short shorts/skirts are not welcomed. Carry a scarf in your bag to cover up during warmer months.
• Italians dress up more than we do. When going out for dinner, nicer clothes are best.

• Always drop a pin on your phone of your hotel just in case you get turned around with directions.
• Many Italians speak English well, ask politely “Lei Parle Inglese?” to get started.
• At popular attractions (Coliseum, etc.), it’s possible others won’t respect the “queue”, stand your ground ... politely but firmly.
• Public transportation in many cities (especially Rome) is an easy way to get from place to place. You can also use Uber or ask your hotelier or restaurant to hail you a cab.
• If someone offers to help you buy tickets in the metro/subway, decline their help. They will want a tip afterwards.
• When using the train system, remember that Italian trains are punctual. If your ticket says the train leaves at 11:00 a.m., be there at 10:45 a.m.
• Before boarding your train you need to validate your ticket. You will have to validate your ticket directly on buses instead.

• Pack a small folding bag in your purse to carry those unexpected finds.
• One of our favorite places to shop is the grocery store. If you want to buy olive oil, balsamic, or limoncello, visit the local grocery store and ask an employee for help. You’ll pay less than at a souvenir shop and probably get a better value.
• Leather products are wonderful in Italy. Shoes, purses, jackets and belts are great souvenirs. You can certainly haggle a bit.

• Bar is a universal word for a place to get a drink whether it’s coffee or a beer.
• Most Italians visit the corner bar for a morning cornetto, an Italian pastry, and espresso for breakfast. If you join them, stand at the bar to breakfast like an Italian.
• Don’t order a cappuccino after dinner.
• At many coffee shops, order and pay first. Keep your receipt (il scontrino) to show to the server.
• Carry a water bottle to fill up from public fountains powered by ancient aquifers. The water is safe, clean and cold. If there is a sign that says "non potabile", it's not safe.
• While Italian wine selections are vast and impressive, house wines are very drinkable.

• When you find yourself on the run, look for small shops with sandwiches and big square pizzas. Pizzas are sold by the slice and weight and come in a variety of wonderful flavor combinations.
• When sitting down for lunch and dinner, know that you may be charged for bread (pane.) Butter is generally not offered with bread.
• Gelato is Italian ice cream and is divine. Look for establishments where the gelato is not puffed up high but condensed. Big fluffy layers generally mean lots of air has been whipped into the mix.
• Dinner starts later in Italy. If you go to a restaurant at 7:00 p.m., you’ll be early.
• And, please ... don’t visit a restaurant that has waiters beckoning you inside or big signs outside with photos of the food. Wander away from these places to find a restaurant frequented by the locals.
• Don’t worry about lingering over your meal. Italians enjoy their entire dining experience and don’t rush through their meals.
• Remember to ask for your check. The waiter won’t present it to avoid being rude.

Most of all, go and wander. Don't over schedule yourself - enjoy the scenery and the people watching. You can always go back!