10 Things to Know Before Taking an Italian Holiday

I've been lucky enough to visit Italy several times over the years. Every time I go to Italy, I learn something new and come away with a new appreciation for one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. Since I have developed such a love for Italy, I would like to impart some wisdom to readers who might also be planning to take a trip there. As I've come up with these tips, I've tried to keep in mind that most travelers will do some preliminary research before they head to Italy. Here are 10 things travelers should know before they go to Italy for the first time, but may not find in any guide books!

10. Consider the weather when you're planning your trip.

If you're not going to Italy for a specific event or reason, you should definitely keep in mind how the weather will be before you start making travel plans. Summers in Italy can be brutally hot, and many hotels and public spaces are not air conditioned. Winters can be very cold, especially if you're headed to the northern Alpine region. Cold weather may be a bonus if you're hoping to go skiing, but may not be as welcome if you want to hang out on the beach. The climate throughout Italy varies, depending on what part of Italy you plan to visit, but you should definitely pay attention and plan accordingly. The weather will also determine what you should pack.

9. Consider the month when you're planning your trip.

Having recently spent a couple of years living in Europe, I can tell you that the month of August may not be the best time to visit any European country, let alone Italy. It's not at all uncommon for Europeans go on vacation in August and tourists may be disappointed to find many businesses in smaller cities are closed during parts of August. If you take your trip in August, you may also find yourself running into more tourists than natives. Frankly, I would advise tourists who are traveling without children to visit Italy during the fall or spring. The weather will be nicer and the cities will be slightly less overrun with tourists. That's not to say that tourists are bad... it's just that most people travel so they can get to know another culture and encounter new people. You don't want to go thousands of miles from home just to run into your countrymen.

8. Many people go to Italy just to see the holy trinity of Italian cities-- Rome, Venice, and Florence.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with Rome, Venice, or Florence! I have yet to travel to Rome myself, but I have seen Venice and Florence and both cities are well worth visiting. But keep in mind that while the "holy trinity" of Italian cities are certainly worth a stop, so are some of the smaller, less famous cities. And having been to some of those places, I can tell you from personal experience that you're far more likely to get to know an actual Italian in a smaller city like Pinerolo, Viareggio, or Bolzano than you are in a popular city like Rome, Venice, or Florence. I do recommend visiting the tourist meccas, but I also highly recommend venturing out to some of the smaller cities. You may even want to consider staying in a small city and taking day trips to the larger cities.

7. Italians love their wine!

And many of them happily drink it at lunch and dinner. A couple of friends and I once stayed at a small pensione in the western coastal town of Viareggio, Italy. Our stay included meals as well as our own personal jug of wine. We were asked if we preferred white or red and the jug was brought out for lunch and dinner. Actually, I would highly recommend staying at a pensione and taking full board. Room rates tend to be less expensive than hotels are and you have an excellent chance at getting an authentic taste of Italian culture.

6. The voltage in Italy is different.

I probably don't have to mention this to seasoned travelers, but I do think it's worth mentioning to anyone who has never been to Europe. Like every other country in Europe, Italy's electrical current runs at 220 volts. You will, at the very least, need to bring plug adapters for your American electronics. You may also want to be sure any appliances you bring can adapt to the higher voltage without a converter or look for any switches on your appliances to change the current flow. I once had a very unpleasant surprise when I plugged in my computer and forgot to set the current to the European voltage setting instead of the American one. There was a loud pop, the smell of smoke, and my computer was fried. Many computers automatically adapt to different currents, but you should definitely check to make sure yours does-- that is, if you're planning on taking a computer with you.

5. Cappuccinos are only enjoyed in the morning.

I learned this little tidbit from an American who, along with her Italian husband, opened a bed and breakfast in Italy. She told us that Italians only drink cappuccinos in the morning. In the afternoon, they drink caffe macchiatos. The innkeeper went on to tell my husband and me that the sure mark of a tourist is one who orders a cappuccino in the afternoon. And by the way, Italian coffee is not like American coffee. If you want an American style cup of coffee, you should ask for an Americano. If you order "un caffe" you will get a deliciously rich, but potentially strong cup of Italian style coffee.

4. Mind the siesta!

A siesta is a nap typically taken in the afternoon after lunch. Certain countries, particularly those that are Latin influenced, still observe the siesta in the afternoon. That means many businesses will close for a couple of hours in the afternoon, especially in the hotter months. When you're in Italy, you should keep the siesta in mind and plan accordingly for those two or three hour afternoon naps. Things usually open up again by about 4:00pm.

3. Italians eat lunch and dinner later.

Another thing to know before you journey to Italy is that Italians tend to eat lunch dinner later than Americans do. While typical Americans often want to sit down to eat dinner at 6:00 sharp, they may be hard pressed to find a restaurant open for dinner at that time of day. In fact, a lot of restaurants in Italy don't open for dinner until 8:00. Lunch is usually not served until around 1:00.

2. Get reacquainted with cash.

Although credit cards are widely used throughout Europe, a lot of businesses still prefer to deal on a cash only basis. For that reason, you may find yourself needing cash more often than you do in the United States, especially in restaurants. This is especially true in Italy.

1. Don't expect Italian food to be like Italian-American food.

Here in America, a lot of us have gotten used to the heavy, cheesy, pasta dishes served in Italian style chain restaurants like Macaroni Grill and the Olive Garden. And many Americans expect that authentic Italian food is going to be like what is on offer at those types of restaurants. But the truth is, there's a whole lot more to Italian food than pizza, spaghetti, and lasagna. In fact, every region has its own cuisine. Real Italian food is actually pretty light and healthy, with offerings that range from grilled fish to grilled vegetables to, yes, some very delicious pasta. You're not likely to find the massive portions of heavy pasta loaded with cheese and marinara sauce in a true Italian restaurant, nor will you find the heavy, greasy pizzas served in many places in the United States. Instead, you're likely to find a wide range of freshly made food prepared with a lot of pride and joy.

If you're planning to go to Italy...

Buon viaggio! Italy is one of those places that everyone should visit at least once during their lifetimes. My best advice to any traveler is to keep an open mind and as you're walking down main street, be sure to duck into an alcove or a side street from time to time. That's often where you'll find the most interesting people and places!

Sources

Personal experience