Italy combines everything a tourist could want from history and culture to shopping, extreme sports and fine dining. Whether you want to have a luxury retreat at one of the villas in umbria with a private pool or stay in boutiques, you’ll find the type of experience you’re looking for. But before you start planning that dream trip, here are a few ways every tourist should do to prepare for their trip to Italy. One more thing to note first, is that Global Guardians should be considered if you are worried about home security while you are away.
Know Your Budget
The first thing any potential tourist to Italy needs to think about is their budget. Italy has a reputation for being an expensive destination and a few nights at a classy hotel in Venice could cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Before you start searching online for photographs and watching videos on all the must-visit spots, make sure you know how much you’re able to spend. If your budget is tight, try to stick to one or two places. And be prepared for the high prices when you arrive.
Know Where You Want to Go
Because there are so many different things to do and see in Italy, it’s essential to know where you want to go. Don’t just decide one day to book up a flight and hope for the best. Rather than just trying to wing it, consider if you want to visit northern, central or southern Italy. Perhaps you want to spend time at the beach or indulge in the history? Or maybe you want to go shopping or dine at some of the world’s best restaurants. If you know where you want to go, you can get so much more out of your trip.
Don’t Try to Do Everything
For a mid-size Europe country, Italy packs in tons in terms of history, culture, beauty and culinary experiences. From the romance of Venice’s canals and the history of Rome to the shopping in Milan, there’s so much to do. And trying to pack everything into a short trip will be time-consuming, expensive and impractical. Instead, have an idea of where you want to go and the type of experiences you crave. Think about whether you want to relax at Lake Como or go hiking in the Dolomites. Focus on just one and save the rest for the next trip.
Prepare Yourself for the Touts
First-time visitors are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of touts in Italy’s main cities and around the tourist destinations. Dozens of people of all ages and nationalities are trying to sell you souvenirs, tours or somehow get your money into their pocket. Some tend to use more aggressive tactics when they approach, and others are more reserved. Some are honest while a large number of them aren’t. Just be prepared for swarms of people surrounding you when they get the chance. You won’t be alone as you marvel at the Colosseum or strolling through the Vatican.
Always Remember to Check Before You Pay
Sadly, because of the booming tourist industry in Italy, a few unscrupulous restaurants include extra fees on the bill. You might find that you end up paying hundreds of dollars for a basic meal. It has happened before and will almost certainly happen again. And when it does, there’s nothing much a tourist can do in a foreign country but pay and get out. There are two ways to make sure this doesn’t happen to you. First, always check the price in the menu before you order. And second, carefully examine the bill to make sure everything adds up correctly.
Be Aware of Pickpockets
Another downside of tourism: pickpockets. Gangs of pickpockets and thieves will be hidden among the crowds outside of major attractions, on public transport and anywhere else tourists are snapping photographs. Rome has an infamous reputation for this with hotspots around the historic city. Some hotels and hosts will warn you; others won’t. Just remember that it does happen, and if you’re careless with valuables you might become a target.
Expect Crowds
It doesn’t matter where you visit in Italy and at what time of the year, you can expect crowds. Thousands of tourists visit most cities and tourist destinations every single day. While you can expect many more visitors in the summer months, the winter can also be busy. For this reason, you should anticipate having to jostle for space to take photographs of attractions and to wait for service in restaurants. But if you’re patient, you will be rewarded.
Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversions at the ATM
A growing problem around Europe is something called Dynamic Currency Conversion when you withdraw money from the ATM. After you put the card into the machine, you’ll be given the option to pay in either Euro (the local currency) or your home currency, for example, dollars. If you choose the latter, the ATM bank determines what exchange rate they’ll give you rather than your provider back at home. What this means is you’ll almost always end up paying much more in fees. Always withdraw in the local currency.
Remember to Indulge in the Food
Italian food is world famous, and you can find excellent meals in pretty much every town, city and village. Make the most of the opportunity and indulge in your favourites. But it’s good practice to search online first and find reviews from recent customers. Not everywhere serves high-quality food.
Time to Pack Your Luggage
Now you know what to expect, the only thing left to do is to pack your suitcase and get on the plane. Remember to have an idea of where you want to visit and your budget. But also be aware of the crowds, touts and pickpockets.
