Top 5 Italy Survival Tips
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I just survived my first trip to Italy. I have never been to Italy or another non English speaking country before. Here are my top 5 tips for making your trip to Italy a success.
- Know your trains
Traveling between cities is very easy if you take the trains. Trains are well organized and generally run on time. All the train stations in Italy have self serve kiosks in several languages including English. This makes booking your ticket quick and easy.A couple of things to keep in mind. City names are all in Italian. This means that Florence is actually spelled Firenze. If you plan to visit other cities take the time to know the Italian spellings.
Many cities, Florence and Venice among them have several train stations that you can get off at. Make sure you pick the correct station. Missing a train because you’re at the wrong station is not fun. Usually you can simply catch the next train but it’s better to avoid the stress to begin with!
- Know some basic words but it’s not critical
Italians speak Italian. Most shops and tourist sites have a good grasp of English. If you speak slowly and point at things you want, you can usually make yourself understood.The effort is appreciated if you learn a few basic words and phrases. Please, thank you, excuse me, yes, no and where is really go a long ways to making yourself understood. Money is not normally a problem as most items are clearly priced. Most restaurants include an English translation in their menu.
One of my favorite experiences was asking for directions in Italian and getting the answers back in English!
- Drivers are crazy
Driving at 100km/hr in the city is not uncommon. Cars rarely stop for pedestrians and drinking and driving is legal. Use extreme caution when crossing the streets. Look both ways and keep a sharp eye out for cars or motorcycles. - Get a good map
Old Italian cities are full of tall narrow streets. Many just wide enough for a car or two to pass. Getting lost in a strange city is a great way to discover new sights and experiences you might not have normally had. At the end of a long day you just want to get home. A map is your friend. Many hotels provide maps, the are also available at most shops around which ever city you happen to be visiting. - Pick your days
Know the attractions in the city you want to visit. Know what days are busy or not busy. Mondays in Rome are bad days to visit the Vatican. Visiting Italy in June or July usually means putting up with thousands of other tourists. August is a bad month to visit as Italians like to go on their vacations that month. Before leaving take a little time to do some research. Where do you want to visit? What days are best to go? Are reservations needed?
By following these few simply tips your next vacation to Italy will be a success!
Shawn is the owner the The Bed and Breakfast Connector a bed and breakfast directory listing quality bed and breakfast inns all over North America.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawn_Everett
Technorati Tags: italy, italy travel, italy survival tips, florence, firenze, florence train station, italians speak italian, asking for directions in italian, visiting italy in june or july, rome, venice
RE your comment on Drinking and Driving in Italy:
Italian traffic police can charge on the spot-fees for infractions, so be prepared to pay. Penalties for drinking and driving are especially harsh, and the blood-alcohol in Italy is much stricter than in the United States.