Italy is inarguably Europe’s most popular tourist destination due to its diverse culture, delectable cuisine, breathtaking scenery, magnificent architecture, and phenomenal art. It is definitely a place on most people’s vacation lists. The country has so many possibilities that planning a successful trip can often seem intimidating. Plus, if this is your first time visiting Italy, you’re most likely confused out of your mind about where to start planning the trip.
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There are so many things to consider when organizing a trip to Italy; you’d have to make decisions about where you want to stay when you should visit, which cities you should explore, which restaurants to go to, and numerous other things. A hastily planned trip to Italy can quickly become a nightmare if you overlook a single important detail. So, here are some quick tips for when you’re planning to visit Italy.
Pick the Perfect Time to Visit
An important decision when planning your trip is the time you pick for your vacation. Several considerations need to be made in order to come up with an answer. First, you need to consider when the peak tourist season is. Since Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world, it can be pretty crowded in particular seasons. While it doesn’t hurt to visit Italy during peak seasons, you’d have to deal with huge crowds at attractions, higher hotel prices, long lines, and lower accommodation availability. The peak tourist seasons in Italy are the primary summer months; June, July, and August.
Secondly, you must consider the country’s weather conditions before you plan a visit. July and August can be quite humid and hot, making it impossible for you to enjoy the outdoors properly. On the other hand, the winter months will bring cold winds and thus, you won’t be able to enjoy the beaches and pools then. So, the recommended time to visit Italy includes the season around April to May or September to October. Not only will the weather be great, but you also won’t have to deal with hordes of tourists.
How to Get Around
When traveling to a foreign city for the first time, it’s essential that you make all necessary travel arrangements beforehand. Alternatively, you can familiarize yourself with the city-to-city travel available in the country. In this case, Italy is the ideal place because travel is pretty convenient. The major cities are connected with high-speed trains that function throughout the day. You can easily check out the arrival and departure times online and even pre-book tickets. You can also opt for a quick internal flight from one major city to another. For intercity travel, taxis are the best option.
Make Reservations
In addition to travel arrangements, you’ll also have to pre-plan and book accommodation for your trip beforehand. Since you’re planning to travel to Italy, you’ll likely visit more than one city. So, ensure you make all reservations beforehand to avoid any trouble later. You’ll also have to find a place for your luggage when traveling to and from a city. If you’re staying in Rome, there are many options for luggage storage in Rome with Stasher and other companies that provide you 100% security. This way, you won’t have to take your luggage to every city you go to. People who don’t pre-arrange their accommodations often face trouble when looking for a place to stay. All the good hotels get booked pretty early, and they’re then left with substandard places.
Stay Alert
There are some downsides to the popularity of vacationing in Italy, including pickpocketing and theft. These occurrences mainly happen in crowded places, especially tourist attractions. When you’re wandering around an attraction, market, or train station, it’s easy to lose track of your belongings, and it may be too late once you realize it. However, pickpocketing and theft are common occurrences in almost every tourist destination; therefore you do not need to be discouraged by them. Just try to stay alert at all times and keep a close eye on your belongings.
Keep Some Cash on Hand
While most hotels and restaurants accept credit cards and a wide array of digital payment methods, you should always keep some cash on hand when traveling. Ensure you have money in the local currency of Italy because smaller shops, vendors, and cabs will require you to give cash only.
Be Mindful of Cultural Etiquette
When visiting a foreign country, you should always be mindful of the cultural etiquette of the place. This way, you won’t risk avoiding the locals and might even make friends along the way. When greeting people, either shake hands or kiss both cheeks. When visiting religious sites, try to dress modestly. Plus, it won’t hurt to learn a few phrases in Italian, just in case.
Italy is one of the most breathtaking places in Europe, and it is on the travel list of any frequent traveler. If you’re planning to visit Italy any time soon, be sure to prepare properly to avoid problems later on. Confirm your reservations, and take all the necessary security precautions beforehand so that you can just sit back and enjoy when you’re finally on the trip.