Temple of Concordia, Agrigento, Sicily
Italy is a charming country, highly-appreciated by tourists from all over the world. However, before traveling to Italy, it is not a bad idea to consult the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from your country, where you should be able to find a whole list of tips for your personal safety.
In any case, Italians have a positive attitude towards tourists, due to their innate friendliness and especially considering that tourism is an important sector of the economy in this country.
Generally, just like everywhere else, it is advisable to avoid the suburbs of big cities, especially at night and on weekends, and to try to always practice common sense when socializing with the locals, being discreet and making no excesses.
Very Good, but Expensive Roads
For those who arrive in Italy by car, the country has an excellent infrastructure, but this luxury costs: you will have to pay a bit for driving on the highways. Also, at the entry points in city centers, where there are Limited Traffic Zones, you will have to pay a fee.
Be careful about speed limitations, because breaking the rules can cost up to 1,000 Euro and the suspension of your driving license.
Bigger Prices Close to Tourist Attractions
Once arrived in Italy’s big cities, probably the first thing you will want to do is seeing and visiting as many tourist attractions as you can. The other tourists have the same goals, and this is why, besides the agglomeration, you will also pay quite a lot for the tickets, not to mention that prices in general are higher in tourist areas.
Italians and Foreign Languages
Not all Italians speak foreign languages, but in tourist areas you will surely have no trouble communicating, because the staff in these regions knows the English and French languages well. However, once you get away from the tourist areas, it might be useful for you to learn a few common phrases in Italian.
Have Respect for the Holy Places
Whether you are visiting the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Duomo di Milano, Basilica di San Marco in Venice, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence or any other shrine in Italy, you will have to respect a code.
Do not eat or drink on the street outside the churches, if you go inside make sure you are dressed appropriately, with the shoulders and knees covered, and keep your voice down. If you are not allowed to take photos as in the Sistine Chapel, do not use your camera.
Famous Cuisine
Italian cuisine is characterized by so much variety that it would be correct to speak not of one but of many cuisines: Roman, Milanese, Tuscan, Neapolitan, Sicilian etc., each with its own recipes and specific ingredients.
Typically, an authentic Italian menu contains:
- Antipasti —appetizers
- Primi piatti —first dish
- Secondi piatti —main course
- Contorni —garnishes,
- Formaggi e frutta —cheese and fruits
- Dolci —desserts
- Delicious coffee
- and digestives.
Knowing things about the country’s customs and particularities will help you improve your overall vacation experience when traveling to Italy. To get a glimpse at what the Italian life, culture and attractions can offer, check out our picture gallery. Click the button below and see even more things about Italy that are just waiting for you to discover them.
