Rick Steves Travel Tips for Italy

You probably know who Rick Steves is, as the host of the PBS series "Rick Steves' Europe" and the author of thirty books on European travel, including "Europe Through the Back Door." He is the pioneer of social and cultural travel (which he calls "life enriching travel") and has shown many thousands of people how to enjoy traveling by getting to know those who live in the countries you visit. Smart European travel is his dedication and he's been teaching it for years.

Italy is widely considered the best place in Europe for travel thanks to its mix of art, culture, history, scenery, cuisine, and more. There is everything to see in Italy, no matter your travel tastes or budget. Rick Steves considers Italy to be one of his favorite countries and he delights in its savory cuisine and art, as well as its villages and people. These are his travel tips for those visiting Italy who want to see more than just the touristy usual.

Rick Steves Italy Travel Tip #1: When To Go

The best times to visit Italy are May-June and September-October. April is the favorite, though, with pleasant weather and a huge number of festivals throughout the country going on all month. April is, however, also the busiest tourist season, which is why the four months listed at the beginning are best, in his opinion. During this off-season, there is much less stress, a more personable atmosphere amongst the people, but also fewer pre-planned activities and shorter business hours for many tourist zones. So be prepared for that.

Rick Steves Italy Travel Tip #2: Language

Most of the tourist areas and larger cities will have many English speakers. However, if you are conversant in basic pleasantries, such as "please," "thank you," and so forth, you're more likely to get more smiles and results. Especially during the off-season when business is slow and people have more time to get to know you. In addition, don't expect people in smaller towns or off-tourist areas to speak much English, if at all, so having an Italian phrasebook is essential and practice is advisable. People in any country, including Italy, appreciate foreign visitors who at least attempt to learn some of their language and if you botch a few things, it's likely to elicit laughs and more camaraderie than anything else.

Rick Steves Italy Travel Tip #3: Italian Offices in the U.S.

Before you leave or solidify your plans for your trip, contacting the Italian Tourist Office here in the U.S. will prove to be very helpful. If you give plenty of time and describe your itinerary, they can send you a packet of information about where you'll be going and what kinds of things there are to see and experience there. Often, these things are not well publicized as they are generally non-commercial. Also included will be a calendar of festivals in the areas you'll be visiting as well as holidays and even individual town and city maps. You can also resolve some travel problems through this office, if need be.

Rick Steves Italy Travel Tip #4: Tourist Info

When you enter a new town, your best place to stop first is the tourist office for that town. They aren't as helpful as a commercial enterprise, but usually have a lot more information to offer as they are generally non-biased. Often, office hours vary by the month due to holidays, festivals, on and off-season events, and so forth. Call ahead and ask questions if you won't be able to be there during business hours. Use a travel office to book a room or other item only as a last resort, as guidebooks and just a walk around town might prove better.

Rick Steves Italy Travel Tip #5: Domestic Travel

Traveling throughout Italy is almost always possible and more affordable by bus and train. Not only do you see more of the landscape and scenery, but you'll also meet more locals this way and get a better feel for the people and culture. Only use a rental car if you are going to be in rural areas, have a lot of luggage, or have special needs (handicaps, etc.) that are easier served this way. Expect to pay much more for the door-to-door service of rental cars.

Rick Steves Italy Travel Tip #6: Eating, Sleeping, and Sightseeing

When it comes to eating, Italians are masters of the palate. Expect to eat well, often, and for considerable lengths of time. Italians love long, drawn-out, multi-course meals and will spend endless hours sitting at an outdoor cafe or bistro, so if you're in a hurry make sure to let the waiter know up-front and to ask for the check as soon as the last course is served. Hotels often serve breakfast as part of the service, though legally this is optional and you can refuse for a discounted rate. Private bathrooms are also optional and can be skipped.

Finally, when you're seeing the sights, include churches in your tour as they are not only a retreat from the heat, but are full of amazing art and are cost-free. Be sure to respect the dress code in churches, however, and don't wear bare shoulders or legs inside. For other popular sites, make sure to make reservations whenever possible to avoid waiting in line for tickets or entrance.