Our travels to Italy, our love for that country, and a little trial and error have prepared us to take advantage of – and sometimes avoid – certain hidden things that are not necessarily informed to the average tourist.
They are simple tips that will optimize your next departure to Italy, and we want to share them in this article.
Metro and trains on short journeys
Always buy and validate your metro or train ticket on short journeys.
In Italy, as well as in countries such as Germany or the Czech Republic, the metro or short-harp trains do not pass the ticket through a turnstile. You buy it and board the train.
Previously, passengers were randomly asked for the ticket by a person passing through the wagon or waiting at the various stations.
Some people used to use the service without buying the ticket, perhaps evading the station employee.
Nowadays, subway and train employees on short journeys are more conscientious when it comes to controlling ticket ownership and are not seeing whether you are a tourist or not.
Lately, in addition, you must also validate the ticket on small machines for this purpose. Because when the Metro employee asks you for the ticket, they will not only check if you have it, but they will have it validated. If not, you can expose yourself to fines of up to 45 euros.
Water is drinkable
In Europe the water treatment system is of the best quality. The water that runs down the pipes to homes and public places is truly drinkable. You can drink water from any drinking fountain or directly from the tap.
The bottles sold on the street to tourists are filled with public fountains and taps and then offered at 1 or 2 euros.
These vendors know that tourists from Latin America, Africa and certain Asian countries will not drink from the taps, because in their places of origin the piping water is not drinkable. So you can save a few euros knowing that you can take your bottle and refill it with water in any tap you find.
Visit to religious temples
This is common sense.
Women visiting cathedrals and churches in Italy (or any religious temple in any country) are advised to wear pashminas that allow you to cover your shoulders if you go with blouses or tank tops.
And to wear a skirt, let it be below the knee. As for knights, they should not enter temples in shorts or tank tops.
This should be observed regardless of whether or not you are of the temple religion or whether or not you are a believer. The religious issue is very sensitive.
This is a rule of basic consideration and furthermore failure to comply with it can lead, in certain countries and places with an Orthodox and very religious tradition, to unpleasant incidents or violence.
Pickpockets
Italy is a country with many pickpockets. They blame the “gypsies”. These are people who will seek to steal your wallet, money or documents without you noting it.
You should never neglect your belongings. Pickpockets usually choose their target according to the level of distraction they perceive in them. This is a good opportunity to develop your “situational awareness“.
You might consider buying an anti-theft bag or backpack, and they make it very difficult for pickpockets. One of the best is the Venturesafe 15L GII.
Keep your bags in view when you leave or go to the airport. In the buses there are sections intended to place suitcases and it happens that the thieves can arrive and take your suitcase very quietly and leave as if it were their own suitcase. They’ve seen you go up with that suitcase and if they catch you distracted, they take it.
Restaurants
Some of the restaurants specifically intended for tourists may have a limited offer, expensive and not of the best quality.
Likewise, Italian ice creams or gelati, renowned in the world, are not of the best quality everywhere.
Therefore, take your time doing an online research of the best and cheapest offers they offer you in terms of gastronomy in the place where you will be visiting.
In Italy, there are places where you can taste a good wine and they put at your disposal a free buffet where you can eat what you want for 10-12 euros.
Tours
In Italy and other European countries, the typical city tour can be replaced by an option that, for us, is far superior: the Free Walking Tours.
With these services, they make you tours of the city, even thematic (art galleries, architectural icons, bars …) with all the detail and in the end you pay something, a donation to the tour guide if you liked the tour.
Many times, the guide is very knowledge-versed and full of interesting information to share. Since the donation is voluntary, you may even get it for free. But we strongly recommend that if you liked the tour, leave something as a donation for the good time you have been made to go through.
Check this website of Free Walking Tours around the world so that you can see all the options available.
As you can see, they are very simple tips that you can follow but that will save you time, money and displeasure when making your trip to Italy or another European or world city.
