10 Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Italy: By an Italian Travel Agent
Curated By
Alice Cozzi
Curator’s statement
Traveling to Italy is a fantastic experience, but like any popular tourist destination, it's important to stay aware of the cultural differences and Italian norms you might not be used to. Here are some tips to help you avoid common mistakes by an Italy travel agent to have a safe and enjoyable trip.
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Things to do in Italy
Dressing for the season:
Italians tend to follow fashion trends based on what month they're in, instead of the temperature of that day. Wearing a short-sleeve t-shirt in March would make it obvious that you're not Italian.
Mondays and Sundays are closing days:
If you plan on exploring any Italian cities on these days, you might want to check their opening days, as they might be surprisingly closed.
Lunch break is from 1 pm to 3 pm:
Several local businesses close for lunch, so it might be hard to plan or visit something during these hours.
No one orders a cappuccino past 11 am:
Cappuccino is considered a breakfast drink in Italy. A true Italian would never order a cappuccino after 11 am — you can instead order a macchiato (an espresso with a tiny splash of milk).
Italians walk everywhere:
While there are options for transportation, walking is the most popular way to get from place to place in Italy.
You have to ask for the check at restaurants:
In Italy, it's considered rude to rush customers by handling them a check as soon as they finish eating. Eating is seen as a social activity in Italy, so Italians take their time.
Places to eat & drink in Italy
Tipping is not expected in Italy:
While Italians definitely appreciate any tips they get, they do not expect them as most jobs have equal salaries. So tips are not essential to them.
Ice is not common in Italy:
Establishments do not offer ice with every drink, whether it is in your coffee, wine or any other drink, it would be hard to find ice in Italy.
Do not accept free things:
A lot of times when people on the street try to offer a free bracelet or flowers, they expect money in return.
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Travel Advisor
Alice Cozzi
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Italy. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Things to Do in Florence: Where To Go, Eat & Sleep Like a Local.