Listed below are some tips that I have found valuable while traveling in Italy.

HOTEL

Hotel Information - Everyone traveling needs to have the hotel information ( name with correct spelling, address, phone number), including kids. It seems obvious, but knowing how to get back to your hotel is essential. A picture on your phone with the address can work too, whatever it takes. Most cab drivers speak very little English, so having this info is imperative.

Passport - The Hotel will collect everyone's passports and make a copy, and this is standard procedure.

Room Key - Upon leaving and returning to your hotel, the Hotel desk staff will collect your key. On my first trip to Italy, I found this odd, but I was happy since the room key was larger than my purse!

TRAINS & TAXI'S & UBER

Uber - As of 2022, Uber only works in Milan and Rome. It is perfectly legal in these two cities, but only in these two cities. It is more expensive than a cab and only offers Black Car Service. The local cab drivers don't like the competition, so do not call an Uber while standing at a taxi stand. As of this writing, Lyft does not operate in Italy.

Free Now (previously MY Taxi)- You can use this taxi app instead of waiting at a taxi stand. The taxi driver receives payment through the app (similar to Uber), so you won't get overcharged or need cash. We have not used this service but will try it out this summer. Be aware that based on reviews, the app is not user-friendly.

Trains - While waiting for your train, always double-check the screens for the Bin#, as it can change (similar to a flight having a gate change).

Validate - Train tickets must be validated. If you have a paper ticket, you must validate your ticket. There are machines on every platform, they are usually yellow, and they will validate your ticket. Validate your ticket, so you do not incur a fine. If you purchase an Electronic Ticket, you can board the train without validating, but make sure it states "ticketless," and create a SCREENSHOT on your phone.

Do NOT assume once you are on the train, that you will have the internet to pull up the ticket on your phone. My husband had this happen when taking a local train from Savona to Milan. He purchased an E-Ticket and then could not pull it up on the phone to show the conductor. Fortunately, he speaks fluent Italian, and he explained what happened to the conductor. So, take a screenshot or just print your ticket. I found this link to be beneficial https://www.italiarail.com/italiarail-faq.

THE HUSTLE

Friendly People - Italy is full of friendly people. However, beware of overly friendly people. These are people (often in train stations, airports, etc.) who are very eager to try and help you with your luggage, validate your ticket, or give you a flower. Refuse their help. Sometimes you have to be very firm. Just know that this kindness is a hustle. If you accept their service, they will expect payment. Unfortunately, Italy discontinued porter service many years ago, so these people are just trying to find a way to make some money.

Costumed People - It is prevalent to see elaborately costumed people hanging around tourist attractions. They will summon you for a picture. Please understand that this will cost you. And, paying for a picture is perfectly fine ( I have done it ), as long as you know upfront. Ask " Quanto" (how much), then make sure you have exact change - because they likely won't give you back any change. Recently, several areas in Rome have banned this practice.

PRECAUTIONS

Pack A Passport Copy - The US Dept of State recommends that travelers have passport copies. First, if you lose your passport, you have some form of identity. Secondly, it will be much easier to apply for an emergency replacement if you have a copy on hand. Do not keep your original passport and passport copy together.

Leave A Passport Copy - Leave a passport copy at home with an emergency contact. Next of kin needs to have your information if something happens to you.

RANDOM BUT VALUABLE TIPS

Restrooms - Sometimes, you have to pay to use a toilet. So first, make sure you have some loose change. Secondly, always have some tissue and hand sanitizer with you if you stumble upon a bathroom with no toilet paper or soap—your welcome.

Euros - Always have some loose change/euros on hand. You will need cash for some public restrooms, taxis, cafes, and small purchases under 10 or 20 euros. For more tips on traveling with money in Italy, check out https://pisanodestinations.com/your-trip-to-italy-tips-on-traveling-with-money/.

Casino - Casinos have a dress code. The dress code may be different in the evening, and some casinos require a sports jacket to play live games. You cannot wear shorts, flip-flops, sandals, and tank tops. There is a fee to enter, even if you don't play. You will need to provide an ID to enter the casino.

We visited the casino in Venice, Casinò di Venezia and the casino in San Remo, Casinò Sanremo. Both casinos have dress codes.

In Venice, we visited in the evening. To enter, Henry had to rent a sports coat (from the casino). He paid 50 euros to rent the jacket and received his money back after he returned the coat.

In San Remo, we visited during the day, and Henry was refused entry twice (on the same day). He was denied admission the first time because he was wearing shorts. So, he purchased a pair of jeans at a local shop. We return to the casino, and they refuse entry again because he has sandals on. We never went inside.

Museums - Before you visit, check the museum hours. Most museums close on Monday.

MORE VALUABLE TIPS ...

Wine - ALWAYS order the house wine. It may not be on the menu, so ask "Vino della casa.” They probably won't ask for red or white if it is the house wine. They will bring you whatever the region produces.

Crossing the Street - The streets are bustling. If you are unsure when/where to cross the street, watch a local. I always look for the confident pedestrian walking a dog because it is easy to assume they are local. Italians bring their dogs everywhere, including in restaurants. Additionally, you seldom hear a dog bark.

Rent - Rent a Vespa. Yes. A Vespa. We traveled back and forth along the Amalfi coast on a Vespa on one of our trips. It sounds crazy, but I felt much safer on a Vespa than in a car. Just make sure you are off the road before dark.

Photo by StockSnap from pixabay via Canva.com

Clothes - You will not find a clothes dryer in Italy, and it is costly to have your clothes laundered. I try and bring some items that I can hand wash and hang out. We SHIP anything I cannot handwash back home, usually halfway through our trip. The dirty clothes arrive home before I do. Shipping is still cheaper than getting our clothes laundered, and it gives us more room in our carry-on for shopping.

Adapters- Purchase a couple of adapters before you leave. They are not cheap, but necessary. We found adapters in a small hardware shop in Italy, and they were 3 euros each. We bought several. So, if you pass a small electronics or hardware shop, stop in. You may get lucky also.

FLYING WITHIN THE COUNTRY

Luggage- Mostly, we prefer to travel to and fro Italy by train. However, flights within the country (and even to other countries) are pretty inexpensive. If you use one of the smaller carriers, such as Easy Jet, download their app and double-check any luggage restrictions.

Carry On's - There is a size difference between Domestic (USA) and International carry-on luggage. International carry-ons are typically 20" long, while domestic carry-ons generally are 21" to 22" long. Double-check the size requirements. If you are traveling via plane within Italy, and your carry-on exceeds International requirements due to size, you will have to pay to check the bag. I highly recommend you take care of this online. You can pay twice as much if you wait to do this at the airport, and sometimes there is no time to take care of this at the airport.

FINES

Italy asks very little of its tourists, but here are a few rules that you may find valuable.

Fountains - It is illegal to put your feet in a fountain (or any other part of your body) in Italy. This is strongly enforced in Rome.

Blue Grotto - It is illegal to swim in the Blue Grotto. It is also dangerous. If caught, there is a hefty fine.

Sardinia - It is illegal to take sand off the beach in Sardinia. This is a thing. People collect sand from different beaches and put it in their suitcases. Just don't do it in Sardinia.

Spanish Steps - It is now illegal to sit on the famous Spanish Steps. No food or drinks are allowed on the steps either....including gelato.

Venice - It is illegal to jump into a canal in Venice. Please do not do this; it is considered very disrespectful.

Capri - It is illegal to wear noisy shoes in Capri. Flip-flops are banned. BUT- I will say that I have been to Capri several times and have worn flip-flops at the pool. No one ever stopped me, and I never saw any signs. The local mayor adopted this ban over ten years ago. I guess this means leaving our noisy clogs at home.

We hope you have found some value in these tips. In June, we will be traveling to Italy. Henry and I are looking forward to visiting again and returning with more information to make your visit more enjoyable.

Stay Calm and Travel On,

Valuable Tips When Traveling In Italy