Italy is the second European country I have visited, and it didn’t disappoint! I was able to travel with some of my favorite people at home who were able to go alone with me. The food, culture, and history is phenomenal. I would highly recommend a trip to anyone looking for modern convenience with a distinct cultural experience.
LANGUAGE:
Italian is the official language in Italy. However, many know another language whether it be English, French, Spanish, Greek, Croatian or German depending on their ethnic background, age and level of education. During my experience in Italy, I only knew a handful of Italian words, and for the most part, it was only a minor issue at times. If I ran into a language barrier, there was always someone who could translate in close proximity. Don’t be nervous trying to speak Italian. They will appreciate the effort individuals make to utilize it and love to help when asked.
CURRENCY:
The currency in Italy is the Euro. 1USD is equivalent to about 0.88EUR. Italy is a little complicated when describing what the cost of travel is. The best way to put it is if you pay for local goods rather than imports, you will pay less than in the US. If you start buying things that are imported or visit tourist areas, you will pay more and it can get expensive fast. It can be a little difficult to find the local places because the tourist economy is enormous. They are used to catering to tourists constantly. If you are trying to travel with a lower budget, make sure you ask locals where to find local shops and restaurants with non english menus that are full of locals. You’ll have to go off the beaten path. If you are looking for more luxury travel and budgeting is not an issue, then there are plenty of options for this travel style as well!
BANKS & ATM’s:
I found that the best ATM’s to use in Italy were Bancomat. There were also several other banks to choose from, however some of them did not exchange money. From my personal experience, I think using a credit card designed specifically for international travel was the fastest, safest, and provided the best exchange rate. The least attractive option is to exchange money at any place that has the name in English or is specifically for exchanging money. In touristy spots, you will see exchanges on every street, but as tempting as it can be when you need local currency, you will get the WORST exchange rate. The exchanges take about 30%, whereas the local banks and ATMS will give you almost the exact change rate for a nominal fee.
CASH or CARD:
in Italy for three weeks and exchanged a total of $200. You can get by with a credit card in Italy for the most part, but there are still a few things that require Euros. Some of the things you may need Euros for are snacks, street vendors, taxis, small tips, gondola rides, and some souvenir booths. Other than those and a few other minor things, I used a credit card for everything. One thing you want to keep in mind though is if your credit card or bank has international fees. I have a credit card specifically issued for international travel, so any international charge is the same amount. Keep in mind that some cards tack on an extra fee every time you charge something internationally.
SAFETY:
Just like any foreign country or big city, there are always things you should know to ensure a safe trip. Italy tends to have a stereotype for a lot of pickpocketing, Gypsies, theft, etc. From my personal experience, I never felt unsafe. However, I stayed very aware and cautious the whole time. Some of the tips to stay safe in Italy:
- Use a crossbody purse that you can always keep in the front of you or have your hand on. In several restaurants, they warned us to keep our purse on us so no one could walk by and take it. One waiter showed me a neat trick by wrapping the strap around the chair and looping over the chair post to keep it from being easily lifted. If you are a guy, keep your wallet or personal belongings in your front pocket to ensure no pickpocketing.
- Split your money up and only carry what you need for that day. Keep the rest in a safe at the hotel or somewhere you feel is inconspicuous. That way if your wallet or bag is stolen, you have a backup plan.
- Bring a travel wallet to keep in your hotel or rental. If for some reason your wallet gets stolen, you don’t want someone getting your information from cards or information you would keep in your day to day wallet.
- If you ride the Metro, be extremely aware of your surroundings because of pickpockets! This is one of the most common places to get pickpocketed.
- If you go out after dark, try to stay in the general vicinity of your hotel and limit walking though allies or uncrowded places in the dark.
- If you are at a bar or anywhere with night life be extremely careful what you are drinking. Some of the men may seem very nice, but you never know what could happen or what their intentions are.
PEOPLE/CULTURE:
The Italian people and their culture is very intriguing to me and something I ended up really enjoying. The Italians can sometimes be a bit cold which may take some getting used to, but for the most part, they were extremely helpful and kind. Here are a few things that you should know about their culture:
- They work to live, not live to work. They have a much slower pace of life and seem to soak up every minute they can. This is something that I admired about Italy. They may not be the wealthiest people, but they live their life to the fullest. With that being said, when you go and sit at a restaurant expect to be there for two hours. They are in no rush and neither should you! You’ll probably have to ask for the check.
- They are well dressed people. You don’t have to dress to the nines everyday, but they always look presentable. Out of respect, you should do the same. It is also very important to dress appropriately when walking in churches or any holy places. There are strict requirements in many churches.
- The men in Italy are extremely flirty, and they don’t necessarily care if you are taken or not.
- There are a lot of men that will have bracelets or roses and will try and give them to you for “free”. It’s not free. They are bold and will place the items on your arms or whatever else provides a shelf. They will always expect something in return and are sometimes very pushy so be aware of that. Just give it back or set it down and walk away.
CELL PHONE/INTERNET:
As with almost all international travel, I suggest getting an international plan with your carrier or buying a phone with packaged minutes when you arrive. I have an international plan, and it worked great in Italy. Just make sure your carrier’s plan works in Italy. For the most part, there was good service and most restaurants offered WiFi. If you are using WiFi, I would suggest using the following smartphone apps: Viber, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and FaceTime to communicate with loved ones. All in all, the Internet was not an issue at all during my travels!
TRAVEL APPS:
Within Italy, there are a few apps that help navigate, locate transportation, and find tours. I don’t sponsor, endorse or make any promises regarding their accuracy, but they worked well for me. Here are a few that I used:
- Google Maps – Make sure you change the filters to the mode of transportation you want to use. Maps of the Metro, train lines, walking, etc. are readily available.
- Free Now – Taxi app very similar to Uber
- Airbnb – Tours and accommodations are easy to find
- Viator – Another app for locating tours from TripAdvisor
- Italo – High Speed Trains
- Trenitalia – Local, Regional, and High Speed Trains
- Audio Europe from Rick Steves
