This is everything I say to people, get out of your comfort zone. My best experiences--in Italy or elsewhere--is when I wander into a neighborhood and eat where the locals do. Even if it's baked good, fresh cornetto, espresso pulled in front of you , and eavesdrop on people interacting with each other. And respect their culture and customs.
You should try Calabria Italy that southern Italy there’s so many small towns there. I’m not sure if you visited that area but it is awesome. I loved hanging with the locals and watching the band at night. Beaches are beautiful also
Two years ago, the first time I took insurance, I passed out on the street in Florence and spent three days in the hospital. Doctors were insistent I had my heart valve replaced. We held our ground, cancelled the remainder of our trip, and flew home to have the surgery. The hospital bill was over $3k and handled by the insurance. Now, I will always take insurance for long trips.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure Yes, thank you. Completed our 19 day trip this spring. Our third trip to Italy. Planning a less-stressful, more culture-focused trip in two years. We've done the mandatory churches and museums.
I’m glad. For more cultural, less stressful, I’d consider a trip to Puglia. A number of nice towns, some interesting sights that aren’t museums or churches, and good food. If you can do an October or May trip, it won’t be cold or crowded.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure We love Florence and will go in April-May. Probably, a few days in Amalfi/Sorrento as well. I will research Puglia. As a US Naval Officer, I spent lots of time in Naples, but didn't take advantage of hitting the other towns.
We had our first trip to Naples in January and really liked it, though I think it’s either love or hate for most people. If you like Roman and Greek sites, beyond Pompeii and Herculaneum - each worth a day and easy to get to from Naples - a bit further away is Paestum, south of Salerno. It’s a breathtaking sight. We were in Sorrento in January, so off season. It was a nice town, but nothing particularly special. It’s mostly a beach town and a jumping off place for Amalfi. We haven’t been to Positano in 30 years, but I understand it’s become overcrowded, though probably less so outside of May/June through September.
I must say that you have covered almost all the topics that a foreign tourist should know before coming to my country. I especially appreciate the fact that you are encouraging people to visit other places besides the classic ones like Rome, Florence and Venice. Italy can be a real surprise for many from this point of view and each region has its "treasures" to discover. The fact that you have voluntarily ignored some of our weaknesses clearly shows that you are an intelligent person and that you love and respect my country.
Thanks! We see what might be called “weaknesses”, but most are differences. And we’re not from a country without weaknesses, by any stretch of the imagination.
Calabria, which is in southern Italy is absolutely beautiful. Many small, beautiful towns I loved interacting with the locals and watching the bands at night and the beaches are absolutely beautiful.
Maybe it’s just the places in which we’ve eaten, but we often see the restaurant not fill up till after nine. But I won’t argue with your Italy knowledge.😎
it's totally normal and fun to start having home dinner at 11 pm ( maximum 10 pm start in restaurants ) in summertime ( June - September) from south of Rome down to all of Sicily 😁
@@francescospinosa4219beh,può accadere di fare tardi,ma normalmente l'ora di cena è 20.30-21. mia madre era del sud e cenava anche un po' prima,alle 20
First of all, as an Italian native, I thank you for your love for my country. Don't get me wrong but... #3 - In case of a 3 member family, public transit from the airport might cost the same of a taxi and often tickets can't be purchased in advance. #4 - I wonder why Americans believe that things are like in the US: things are different everywhere! And remember that things in Italy (habits, history, wealth, education, attitudes, shop opening hours) change from region to region. #5 - Skipping the art museums in Italy is like skipping a swim when your are on a beach in the Bahamas! Are you serious? And then: architecture in Italy covers 20 centuries of history. How can you avoid to see a church because you've already visited one? #6 - When you travel, walking is normal! I did it in each of the 50 foreign countries of 5 continents I visited in my life #7 - I agree #8 - Health care is free in Italy and in the rest of EU. Insurance is good to cover the airlifting back to the US. Flights cancellation are in charge of the airline A final comment. Please, don't use the music of "mandolin" in a video concerning Italy! We never use it, we don't have songs with it and is an old instrument played in some parts of the south just for American tourists. Thanks anyway for your interest! We are looking forward to seeing you back in Italy! Ciao.
You make some good observations. The video is targeted at first-time visitors who may not know these things. Sorry about the mandolin. We’ve been struggling to find music that says “Italy” to most people.
I visited Italy 🇮🇹 recently for the fourth time planned multiple destinations. I was there 8 days in Milan looking to go to Verona, Lake Como and Switzerland 🇨🇭. But I due to exhaustion and stress of delayed travel to Verona back and forth, I couldn’t do anymore travelling beyond Milan. I missed a train as I booked online and didn’t get the right platform. Stress 😣 I tried to make the best of the city visiting local areas as well as tourists areas. My trip was nearly ruined but it gave me much needed experience.
It is not that Italians are opposed to AC, it is just that most of the architecture keeps cool much of the year and Mediterranean prevailing breeze is a bonus of being in Italy. There is no need for it. Especially when you simply slow down during the heat of the day, rest in the shade - this is why dinner is later - in the cool of the evening. Italians live with the earth not against it.
You muppet: tourists come to visit a country, not to rest in the shade! Italy is very hot during the cummer and AC is a blessing. Late dinners happen (perhaps) in summer, not during the rest of the year. Using AC doesn't necessarily mean being against the environment. You're a left wing person. For sure.
Using AC doesn't mean being against the Earth: it simply means to use brain istead of stomach. By the way: during summer time the heat in the Mediterranean is rreeeeeeally heavy. How can you state it's cool?
I agree totally with your advice about regional travel. I think it's easier after you've been to see Rome, Venice and Florence. We used Bologna as our hub and then traveled to Verona, Ferrara and Ravenna. Later we traveled to Civitavecchia for a cruise.
I agree it’s easier to allow yourself to do it once you’ve seen Rome, Florence, and Venice. But it’s certainly a way to discover some lesser-known sights.
Really a good point to limit your vacation to 1/2 regions! And nearly all regions have naturalistic values as well. In many you'll have a full service of seaside, hillside AND mountains. 🤗
Very sensible advice! On the phones, esim is the way to go. I've used Airalo and like it a lot as it has very broad coverage and is way less expensive.
just a couple of remarks: 1) in Rome there are two trains from the Leonardo Da Vinci airport to the city, one is the Leonardo Express mentioned in the video that goes directly to Roma Termini train station, the other is a regional train that's more like a metro line and travels across Rome with several stops within the city before proceeding north. Depending where one has to go from the airport to Rome one train or another may be more convenient. 2) Milan is served by two airports, Milano Malpensa, which is actually near Varese, and Milano Linate, which is very close to the city of Milan. The transfer quoted in the video refers to Milano Malpensa and the train, Malpensa Express, going from that airport to Milano Cadorna or Milano Centrale train station, while Milano Linate airport in connected to the city by a short trip by urban bus or a metro line.
I was waiting for you to mention some restaurant faux pas, such as picking up pizza to eat with your hands, or ordering a capuccino in the afternoon, or asking for spaghetti with meatballs.
I have never regretted trying to see it all when traveling to Europe. So much to see and I have FOMO. I love getting all the sites in. Yes it’s exhausting, but I sleep well at night.
I’ve even seen some Americans on here thinking they can ‘do’ London in a day and the U.K. in a week. Of course you could, but you wouldn’t be able to see much except the rail network 😂
As an ita emigrated abroad I found it interesting and I do agree. My opinion is that one month is not enough to visit Rome or Florence. I'd add only that around Padova there are lots of beautiful villages. Same in Tuscany. Regarding this last I'd really suggest to go to Lucca which is 30mins by train from Pisa; half a day can be enough. Also Volterra but this needs a car (more than an hour from Pisa)
Good stuff. Regarding public bathrooms, I often saw women cleaning the mens room while the men were still using it. That is something you definitely do not see in the USA. I never heard anybody say that cold air is unhealthy, and that certainly is not the belief among my family in Frosinone. Summers can be brutal in Italy. The grocery stores are interesting. They are far smaller than our supermarkets, but they still carry everything, just not the huge variety. For example, they sell toilet paper and bars of soap, but just one kind, not an entire row of different brands and scents. On the other hand, a tiny market may have 10 different kinds of prosciutto, while Kroger has one. 😄
It’s partially a question of whether you’d like 10 different kinds of toilet paper or 10 different types of prosciutto. I think it’s an easy choice, but maybe my fellow countryman don’t feel that way!
This video was just what I was looking for! So concise! Excellent! I am planning a two week vacation May/June 2025. I love how you suggested to stay at least 3 nights and choose just a couple of regions. I am all over the place because I would like to visit La Garda Lake, Venice, Florence, Rome, Millán, Tropea and Apuglia. Cinque Tere was on my list but seems so crowded. I don’t want to be riding trains for 5-6 hours so I need to narrow it down😉Thank you!!!
@@YogaBlissDance Thank you! So far I would love to visit Lake Garda and I absolutely love all the videos of Tropea Calabria! But I would be traveling from one extreme to another. My vacation will be for two weeks. I just might just stay in the Southern region of Italy and skip all the very crowded places until another time🥴🤷🏻♀️.
Best way from Rome Fiumicino airport to the city center is by taking the LEONARDO express train. It leaves from the airport and goes straight to termini station. Much cheaper than taxi, uber and better than the bus.
The service is poor. Tickets costs 13 € per person. This means that a 3-person-family would pay 39 € simply to reach the main train station. Then, unless their hotel is a few minutes walk from there, you need a cab because public transit is dodgy.
Great advice!!! We are going to Florence for 4 nights, Vico Equense for 2, and Rome for 4 . We were thinking of going to Venice from Florence but decided to do a quicker train ride to Bologna!!! We have been walking 4 miles a day!!!
My wife has been in the hospital in Venice for a week now awaiting transport home. Our travel insurance provider has been wonderful so far. Regarding pre-existing conditions, they do normally cover them if you obtain the insurance within a few days of making your first travel arrangements. If you are from the US, you will find medical care here is not what you are used to back home. Not judging, just a different system. Very little English is spoken by the providers and they really don't seem to care for "Americanos" I've heard that word spoken in a derisive manner several times. Don't leave home without travel insurance! We cruise several time a year and it was adding up but glad I got it.
It’s great that you have the insurance. I hope your wife recovers quickly. You might want to look into an annual travel insurance policy if you are traveling frequently.
I had a GREAT experience with Uber. We were picked up around 5:30 am. The car was a Mercedes Benz and the driver had on a suit and looked like a chauffeur. At that time in the morning you can’t depend on any other transport from your Vrbo to Termini station. A little pricy but worth it.
If going to the Naples area you must keep your eye on the volcanic problems. Vesuvius has recently started some activity and is overdue for an eruption. North-eastern part of Naples is a super-volcano called Campi Flegrie which has been having a lot of earthquakes recently and is causing a lot of concern.
I always enjoy your videos. I absolutely agree with your advice to visit the smaller and/or less touristy towns. We did that last year, and I was surprised how much my husband enjoyed it. We found we didn't enjoy some of the overhyped towns as much as the lesser-known ones. Safe travels.
Thanks! We love the famous places for some of the sites, but the smaller cities are wonderful and they are a lot of them. We’re making a video now and again about these small places. You might like the ones about Urbino and Matera.
Excellent video and good advice. I watched several of your videos and all of them are very informative and helpful. Would you do a video on Naples please? And how to go from the Naples airport to the hotel in town? I watched your video on Rome airport transfers too. I am afraid that Naples may not be as organized. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Thanks. We appreciate it. We are planning a Naples video for later this year. Unfortunately, we’ve never used the airport there, so we can’t help on that count.
Not really. Even in the North, you don't sit at a restaurant table at 6.30 pm, that's usually for the restaurant staff to eat before they start working. If you find a restaurant opening its kitchen at 18.30 beware, it probably is a German tourists trap on Lake Garda or Rimini. Even though at home some Italians do eat at 6.30 p.m., serious restaurants never open their kitchen before 7.00. 😊
@M.C.K.111 we live both in the North then (Brescia here) 😉 Most of my neighbours do have dinner at 6.30/7.00, but at home, not in restaurants, that's all I meant. Ciao! 😊
the first huge mistake to avoid is to put mandolin music on a video that talks about Italy. The second huge mistake to avoid is speaking in stereotypes, Italy is very different from north to south from east to west, from region to region and even from city to city.
Anne sei sempre deliziosa e precisa. Vorrei solo aggiungere che nel nord Italia mangiamo prima, in genere verso le 19, massimo 20, e in molti alle 18 o 18:30. Questo chiarmente in casa, nei locali o ristoranti e più come il resto d'Italia. I add this in English for your followers. When you go to a restaurant or a bar and there is something that is not clear, always ask, including the bill, and always ask for the receipt; it is within your right. We Italians are generally very hospitable and correct, but there are some clever ones, if you are not satisfied with the explanations they give you, tell them that you will call the Guardia di Finanza or the police. Therefore always read the menu very carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises. Ciao e salutami tuo marito.
AT&T is now $12 per day. However, after 10 days in a row, they do not charge you until your next billing cycle begins. They just increased the cost from ten to twelve. The other option of buying a SIM card in Italia is not possible for iPhone users with newer phones as they do not have SIM cards anymore.
I am planning a visit to Italy in October, I am mainly interested in Rome and the north of Italy. What do you suggest? Also I am a bit afraid of pickpocketing since it is very popular in Italy. Your video is great! Thanks 🌸🌸
Hi. It’s hard to give general advice related to your question. How long is your trip? What do you like to do? It’s wise to be careful about pickpockets in crowded areas, but I don’t feel it’s a bigger problem in Italy than in similar countries. Thanks for your nice comment.
We are starting in Venice, then going to Rome Early Nov. It looks like a very good chance of rain so we are trying to decide on a car tour or the golf cart tours for 6 of us. Either way it will be great!
@@OurBigItalianAdventure thanks for answering. My trip would be 10 days. We would like to see historic Rome and the Italian nature, we are not much into visiting different cities as much as enjoying x area to the fullest.
In case of medical emergency while in Italy, you will not be charged there but make no mistake, your bill will be sent to you where you reside. It is not free !
@@OurBigItalianAdventure You must be really a big fan of Fellini for visiting Italy, in two weeks, and selecting among hundreds of beautiful places Rimini. Freedom of choice, but nevertheless...
I went on a trip to Europe back in May for two weeks. Not Italy, it was Portugal actually. Same message though. Don't cram every country/city into a stressful time constraint trip. You will not enjoy it. For my Portugal trip I spent one week in Lisbon and one week in Porto. It was enough time to see what I wanted to see at a leisurely pace. There were a few places I wanted to go to that I booked ahead of time. Nothing was back to back. If I was interested in a cooking class or wine tour while I was there I'd book it if there was room for me. I like doing things on a whim. Life is too short for a structured schedule.
At 9:08 and I'm American you show us- and say "everyone in Italy...wears sneaker" but those folks I'd guess are 95% tourists" I say that by the line, the fact of casual clothing the shorts etc, so I wonder do Italians wear sneakers to the same extent? Re: tourist trap restaurants- THEY WON'T BE GOOD. I've found myself in really small mom and pop places, you hear them yelling in Italian in the kitchen LOL. Food was great!
Just came back from Italy a couple of days ago. We visited Sardinia, Rome, Bari (The Apuglia Region) and Calabria. We did really well with the itinerary as far as planes, trains and automobiles but I feel that I shouldn't have listened to some of these travel vloggers when it came to Apuglia. We felt that Monopoli, Lecce & Altamura were not worth visiting at all and we should have skipped them. The worthwhile towns in the area were Bari, Polignano Amare, Conversano, Ostuni, alberobello & Matera.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure Glad you said that, looking at some photos of Lecce, I actually think we were in the wrong part of the city. We may have to explore it again.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure The amphitheater was said to be closed when we were there but we should have sought that location. We were near a very large fountain and walked around a lot of the city but didn't see much. We are planning another trip next summer so we will give it a go.
In April 2025, My husband and myself will complete our one way flight and land in Rome with our backpacks and our wits. We are adept travelers. Where would you go after a couple days in Rome? Time is unlimited. We will return to USA when we get bored or homesick. TIA. I cannot decide!! We are considering meandering towards the Balkans.
That’s quite the open-ended question and opportunity. If I were thinking of near Rome, definitely think about Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este in Tivoli just outside Rome. (We did a video on the second one; the other is coming.) Consider a few hill towns in Umbria: Assisi, Spoleto, Spelo, Orvieto, and others are all nice. Naples seems to be either love it or hate it. We loved it. If you’re interested in history, think not only of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but Paestum a bit further south. Finally, stay longer in Rome. It wasn’t our first trip by any means, but we did 5 days there last January. *We have a video about 10 lesser-known sights worth seeing.) I hope these ideas are useful.
If "time is unlimited", then I suggest you spend much, much, much more than a couple days in Rome. Rome is the most extraordinary place that you will see in your life. Maybe in 10 days you can have a short glimpse of it. Seriously.
As an Italian native I suggest to visit Florence and Tuscany or Milan an the surrounding lakes. As general "rule", visiting small cities is way better with a car rather than with public transit. Milan and the lakes are an exception because public transportation is decent
I agree with everything explained on this video and have a few extra tips. Often a transatlantic flight of six hours or more, will dry out your sinuses leaving you vulnerable to cold or upper respiratory illness. Thus ruining your trip. Carry a wash cloth with you and if you sleep on the flight wet the cloth and keep it on your face, breathing the moistened air. Other options are saline nasal spray and if you can find it evion has an aerisol water spray which can be sprayed on your face at regular intervals. As for what to expect when you arrive, the coffee in italy is quite different, much stronger than in the U. S. This is true even when American coffee is advertised. My advice is to accept it as something thats different and grow accustomed to it. Thirdly it is the quintessential ugly American to Deal with waiters or clerks as it they are cheating you. Get familiar with the currency and the price of things, count your change and have trust. On the other hand keep your valuables with you, passport in particular. Most hotels will ask for your passport at check in and often hold it throughout your stay. If something unplanned occurs do not let it ruin the whole trip. Take each day as it comes, adjust, adapt and move on.Italians live La dolce vita, the sweet life. You wont really have enjoyed italy, if you dont aspire to achieving that, if only for the few days you are there
Anne, mi permetto di suggerirti un'idea per un nuovo video. Molti turisti stranieri non sanno che in Italia si possono fare e vedere tante cose gratis o a pochissimo prezzo, ci sono anche spazi dedicati sui quotidiani sul cosa fare gratis nel fine settimana.
These are great tips, well done. A good way around the toilet paying is to use Maccas. Eating at tourist traps : imagine the look on the waiter's face when you ask him / her if they take you as an idiot tourist in Italian. Learning a smidge of Italian will change the entire experience. Phone data : just download everything you need in advance. Many tourist attractions will have free WIFI. Trains, bars, eateries - all covered. If you need WIFI, again, Maccas. I've never bothered with an Italian sim, it really isn't worth it. Thanks for the extensive info on travel insurance. A sponsor of yours?
Thanks! I had to look up Maccas. American slang is “Mickie D’s”. I agree it’s good for WiFi and toilet, but they are much less common than in the US, thankfully. Non ho mai pensato di dire, “Credi che io sia un idiota?”. È una buona idea! No sponsor. Just a topic that needed some explanation. Cheers.
it when the canal water dries up! Viewed this months ago Crowds of tourists looking down on nothing but mud and debris. Also just a tip for anyone thinking of Rome next year Wait until the year 2026..Massive re construction with sights boarded up ,in preparation for pope's jubilee from Dec 24th. tu 6th Jan 2025.This only happens every 25 yyrs .I was living there during the last one. Now , it will be worse , as more tourists are visiting Rome, and with the Jubilee, even more crowded, long queues and higher prices. Travel agents will not warn you if they even know about it
@ EvaKant Perhaps you should be a little more respectful when addressing two extremely gentle and well-behaved people who clearly love this country of ours. True, we don't listen to Mandolin anymore, but choosing a music that suits the taste of every Italian is just impossible, so let them play the music they want on THEIR video.
Major attractions and towns are more expensive and crowded too. I noticed several restaurants have a tendency to oversold their food and drinks. And some mediocre attractions have expensive admission fees!
Finally, a realistic and respectful video. Bravo!
Grazie!
Excellent tips. Thank you. ❤
This is everything I say to people, get out of your comfort zone. My best experiences--in Italy or elsewhere--is when I wander into a neighborhood and eat where the locals do. Even if it's baked good, fresh cornetto, espresso pulled in front of you , and eavesdrop on people interacting with each other. And respect their culture and customs.
It is good advice. Too few follow it.
You should try Calabria Italy that southern Italy there’s so many small towns there. I’m not sure if you visited that area but it is awesome. I loved hanging with the locals and watching the band at night. Beaches are beautiful also
That’s one of the regions we are yet to visit. Maybe next year!
@@Milaperadotti Actually it's the region with the biggest mob related problems
Two years ago, the first time I took insurance, I passed out on the street in Florence and spent three days in the hospital. Doctors were insistent I had my heart valve replaced. We held our ground, cancelled the remainder of our trip, and flew home to have the surgery. The hospital bill was over $3k and handled by the insurance. Now, I will always take insurance for long trips.
Wow! I hope you recovered and are well.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure Yes, thank you. Completed our 19 day trip this spring. Our third trip to Italy. Planning a less-stressful, more culture-focused trip in two years. We've done the mandatory churches and museums.
I’m glad.
For more cultural, less stressful, I’d consider a trip to Puglia. A number of nice towns, some interesting sights that aren’t museums or churches, and good food. If you can do an October or May trip, it won’t be cold or crowded.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure We love Florence and will go in April-May. Probably, a few days in Amalfi/Sorrento as well. I will research Puglia. As a US Naval Officer, I spent lots of time in Naples, but didn't take advantage of hitting the other towns.
We had our first trip to Naples in January and really liked it, though I think it’s either love or hate for most people. If you like Roman and Greek sites, beyond Pompeii and Herculaneum - each worth a day and easy to get to from Naples - a bit further away is Paestum, south of Salerno. It’s a breathtaking sight.
We were in Sorrento in January, so off season. It was a nice town, but nothing particularly special. It’s mostly a beach town and a jumping off place for Amalfi. We haven’t been to Positano in 30 years, but I understand it’s become overcrowded, though probably less so outside of May/June through September.
I must say that you have covered almost all the topics that a foreign tourist should know before coming to my country. I especially appreciate the fact that you are encouraging people to visit other places besides the classic ones like Rome, Florence and Venice. Italy can be a real surprise for many from this point of view and each region has its "treasures" to discover. The fact that you have voluntarily ignored some of our weaknesses clearly shows that you are an intelligent person and that you love and respect my country.
Thanks! We see what might be called “weaknesses”, but most are differences. And we’re not from a country without weaknesses, by any stretch of the imagination.
Calabria, which is in southern Italy is absolutely beautiful. Many small, beautiful towns I loved interacting with the locals and watching the bands at night and the beaches are absolutely beautiful.
Thanks for the suggestion. We’ve never been, but will go in the future.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure Skip Calabria: poor services and mob
Thank you for such a great video. All your suggestions are spot on and carefully thought out.
Thank you so much!
In italy we have dinner at 8/8.30...some at 9... rarely at 10...never at 11!!! We are not Spain🤷♂️😂😂😂
My sister and brother in law do have dinner around 10:30 p.m., if they go out even 11 p.m.
I guess it depends on your work schedule.
Maybe it’s just the places in which we’ve eaten, but we often see the restaurant not fill up till after nine. But I won’t argue with your Italy knowledge.😎
👍
it's totally normal and fun to start having home dinner at 11 pm ( maximum 10 pm start in restaurants ) in summertime ( June - September) from south of Rome down to all of Sicily 😁
@@francescospinosa4219beh,può accadere di fare tardi,ma normalmente l'ora di cena è 20.30-21. mia madre era del sud e cenava anche un po' prima,alle 20
First of all, as an Italian native, I thank you for your love for my country. Don't get me wrong but...
#3 - In case of a 3 member family, public transit from the airport might cost the same of a taxi and often tickets can't be purchased in advance.
#4 - I wonder why Americans believe that things are like in the US: things are different everywhere! And remember that things in Italy (habits, history, wealth, education, attitudes, shop opening hours) change from region to region.
#5 - Skipping the art museums in Italy is like skipping a swim when your are on a beach in the Bahamas! Are you serious? And then: architecture in Italy covers 20 centuries of history. How can you avoid to see a church because you've already visited one?
#6 - When you travel, walking is normal! I did it in each of the 50 foreign countries of 5 continents I visited in my life
#7 - I agree
#8 - Health care is free in Italy and in the rest of EU. Insurance is good to cover the airlifting back to the US. Flights cancellation are in charge of the airline
A final comment. Please, don't use the music of "mandolin" in a video concerning Italy! We never use it, we don't have songs with it and is an old instrument played in some parts of the south just for American tourists.
Thanks anyway for your interest!
We are looking forward to seeing you back in Italy! Ciao.
You make some good observations. The video is targeted at first-time visitors who may not know these things.
Sorry about the mandolin. We’ve been struggling to find music that says “Italy” to most people.
You haven't heard of italian composers?@@OurBigItalianAdventure
I have, but I’m not sure about our audience. We probably should try some Vivaldi or Puccini.
😂😂😂yes please stop with mandolin each and every video on Italy made by US people has this soundtrack. Something tratta sound vero old or regionale.
@monica656 Point well taken.
I visited Italy 🇮🇹 recently for the fourth time planned multiple destinations. I was there 8 days in Milan looking to go to Verona, Lake Como and Switzerland 🇨🇭. But I due to exhaustion and stress of delayed travel to Verona back and forth, I couldn’t do anymore travelling beyond Milan. I missed a train as I booked online and didn’t get the right platform. Stress 😣 I tried to make the best of the city visiting local areas as well as tourists areas. My trip was nearly ruined but it gave me much needed experience.
I’m sorry to hear of your experience. Will you try Italy again?
It is not that Italians are opposed to AC, it is just that most of the architecture keeps cool much of the year and Mediterranean prevailing breeze is a bonus of being in Italy. There is no need for it. Especially when you simply slow down during the heat of the day, rest in the shade - this is why dinner is later - in the cool of the evening. Italians live with the earth not against it.
You muppet: tourists come to visit a country, not to rest in the shade!
Italy is very hot during the cummer and AC is a blessing. Late dinners happen (perhaps) in summer, not during the rest of the year.
Using AC doesn't necessarily mean being against the environment. You're a left wing person. For sure.
Excellent points.
Well I always lived with air conditioning and when I don’t have access to it I miss it so much….
Using AC doesn't mean being against the Earth: it simply means to use brain istead of stomach. By the way: during summer time the heat in the Mediterranean is rreeeeeeally heavy. How can you state it's cool?
I agree totally with your advice about regional travel. I think it's easier after you've been to see Rome, Venice and Florence. We used Bologna as our hub and then traveled to Verona, Ferrara and Ravenna. Later we traveled to Civitavecchia for a cruise.
I agree it’s easier to allow yourself to do it once you’ve seen Rome, Florence, and Venice. But it’s certainly a way to discover some lesser-known sights.
Really a good point to limit your vacation to 1/2 regions!
And nearly all regions have naturalistic values as well. In many you'll have a full service of seaside, hillside AND mountains.
🤗
Yes. Very true.
Very sensible advice! On the phones, esim is the way to go. I've used Airalo and like it a lot as it has very broad coverage and is way less expensive.
👍
Thank you for this. It was straight to the point!!
Thanks!
Outstanding video. Lots of great ideas and suggestions. Very helpful and supportive. Grazie 🎉
Thanks! We appreciate it. Enjoy your trip.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure Thanks! We will do it!
👍
just a couple of remarks:
1) in Rome there are two trains from the Leonardo Da Vinci airport to the city, one is the Leonardo Express mentioned in the video that goes directly to Roma Termini train station, the other is a regional train that's more like a metro line and travels across Rome with several stops within the city before proceeding north. Depending where one has to go from the airport to Rome one train or another may be more convenient.
2) Milan is served by two airports, Milano Malpensa, which is actually near Varese, and Milano Linate, which is very close to the city of Milan.
The transfer quoted in the video refers to Milano Malpensa and the train, Malpensa Express, going from that airport to Milano Cadorna or Milano Centrale train station, while Milano Linate airport in connected to the city by a short trip by urban bus or a metro line.
Thanks. That’s good detailed info that we didn’t go into.
Excellent, thoughtful advice. Thanks for you very useful tips! ❤🎉
Thanks!
I was waiting for you to mention some restaurant faux pas, such as picking up pizza to eat with your hands, or ordering a capuccino in the afternoon, or asking for spaghetti with meatballs.
We may cover topics like that in future videos.
Cappuccino with double p
Very good presentation (very clear and talking at the right speed for me) 👍🏼
Thank you!
1:34 hello from the beautiful Verona 😉
Thanks!
Just found your channel and your suggestions in this video were spot on! Just subscribed
Awesome! Thank you!
Great Advice....I'm in Rome for all of October...thank you 😊
Great video. Thank you for sharing 👍
Thanks! We hope it’s helpful for trip.
Super well done video. 👍
Thanks! We really appreciate it.
Tutto quello che hai detto e' condivisibile👍
👍👍
I have never regretted trying to see it all when traveling to Europe. So much to see and I have FOMO. I love getting all the sites in. Yes it’s exhausting, but I sleep well at night.
👍
If you only have time to see either Pompeii or Herculaneum then do the latter It is far better preserved than Pompeii and much more interesting.
And less crowded.
I’ve even seen some Americans on here thinking they can ‘do’ London in a day and the U.K. in a week. Of course you could, but you wouldn’t be able to see much except the rail network 😂
Yes. It’s understandable to want to see everything, just not realistic.
As an ita emigrated abroad I found it interesting and I do agree. My opinion is that one month is not enough to visit Rome or Florence.
I'd add only that around Padova there are lots of beautiful villages. Same in Tuscany.
Regarding this last I'd really suggest to go to Lucca which is 30mins by train from Pisa; half a day can be enough. Also Volterra but this needs a car (more than an hour from Pisa)
Good advice.
Good stuff. Regarding public bathrooms, I often saw women cleaning the mens room while the men were still using it. That is something you definitely do not see in the USA. I never heard anybody say that cold air is unhealthy, and that certainly is not the belief among my family in Frosinone. Summers can be brutal in Italy. The grocery stores are interesting. They are far smaller than our supermarkets, but they still carry everything, just not the huge variety. For example, they sell toilet paper and bars of soap, but just one kind, not an entire row of different brands and scents. On the other hand, a tiny market may have 10 different kinds of prosciutto, while Kroger has one. 😄
It’s partially a question of whether you’d like 10 different kinds of toilet paper or 10 different types of prosciutto. I think it’s an easy choice, but maybe my fellow countryman don’t feel that way!
I live in Italy..Northern Italy we have dinner at 7.
Thanks for letting us know.
Excellent video. The advice is spot on. I wish you would have mentioned something about the theft in big cities like Rome.
Good point. That may be a separate video.
THE thief? That sounds like only one thief per town 😅
😁
This video was just what I was looking for! So concise! Excellent! I am planning a two week vacation May/June 2025. I love how you suggested to stay at least 3 nights and choose just a couple of regions. I am all over the place because I would like to visit La Garda Lake, Venice, Florence, Rome, Millán, Tropea and Apuglia. Cinque Tere was on my list but seems so crowded. I don’t want to be riding trains for 5-6 hours so I need to narrow it down😉Thank you!!!
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 in 2 weeks????🙄🙄🙄🙄
Just to reinforce our point, we did 18 days in Puglia this spring and could have stayed longer.
Don't do more than 3 areas, depending on how lonog your total trip is.
@@YogaBlissDance Thank you! So far I would love to visit Lake Garda and I absolutely love all the videos of Tropea Calabria! But I would be traveling from one extreme to another. My vacation will be for two weeks. I just might just stay in the Southern region of Italy and skip all the very crowded places until another time🥴🤷🏻♀️.
👍
Best way from Rome Fiumicino airport to the city center is by taking the LEONARDO express train. It leaves from the airport and goes straight to termini station. Much cheaper than taxi, uber and better than the bus.
The train is a good option, for sure.
The service is poor. Tickets costs 13 € per person. This means that a 3-person-family would pay 39 € simply to reach the main train station. Then, unless their hotel is a few minutes walk from there, you need a cab because public transit is dodgy.
Yes, it depends on the size of your group.
Great advice!!! We are going to Florence for 4 nights, Vico Equense for 2, and Rome for 4 . We were thinking of going to Venice from Florence but decided to do a quicker train ride to Bologna!!! We have been walking 4 miles a day!!!
Thank you- Have a wonderful trip!
My wife has been in the hospital in Venice for a week now awaiting transport home. Our travel insurance provider has been wonderful so far. Regarding pre-existing conditions, they do normally cover them if you obtain the insurance within a few days of making your first travel arrangements. If you are from the US, you will find medical care here is not what you are used to back home. Not judging, just a different system. Very little English is spoken by the providers and they really don't seem to care for "Americanos" I've heard that word spoken in a derisive manner several times. Don't leave home without travel insurance! We cruise several time a year and it was adding up but glad I got it.
It’s great that you have the insurance. I hope your wife recovers quickly.
You might want to look into an annual travel insurance policy if you are traveling frequently.
Excellent video - Thank you!
Thanks! We appreciate it.
I had a GREAT experience with Uber. We were picked up around 5:30 am. The car was a Mercedes Benz and the driver had on a suit and looked like a chauffeur. At that time in the morning you can’t depend on any other transport from your Vrbo to Termini station. A little pricy but worth it.
Thanks for sharing
If going to the Naples area you must keep your eye on the volcanic problems. Vesuvius has recently started some activity and is overdue for an eruption. North-eastern part of Naples is a super-volcano called Campi Flegrie which has been having a lot of earthquakes recently and is causing a lot of concern.
I wasn’t aware of this activity. Thanks for pointing it out.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure Last time that volcano erupted was in 1944. But nothing to worry about.
Earthqakes are a problem
great video , thank you!
Thanks! We appreciate it.
Great video!
Thanks!
Brilliant!
I always enjoy your videos. I absolutely agree with your advice to visit the smaller and/or less touristy towns. We did that last year, and I was surprised how much my husband enjoyed it. We found we didn't enjoy some of the overhyped towns as much as the lesser-known ones. Safe travels.
Thanks! We love the famous places for some of the sites, but the smaller cities are wonderful and they are a lot of them.
We’re making a video now and again about these small places. You might like the ones about Urbino and Matera.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure We visited Matera last year. Have not been to Urbino. Which region is Urbino in?
Marche, Centro Italia
👍
Excellent video and good advice. I watched several of your videos and all of them are very informative and helpful. Would you do a video on Naples please? And how to go from the Naples airport to the hotel in town? I watched your video on Rome airport transfers too. I am afraid that Naples may not be as organized. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Thanks. We appreciate it.
We are planning a Naples video for later this year. Unfortunately, we’ve never used the airport there, so we can’t help on that count.
In the north you can hv dinner from 6.30/7.00 up to 10. In the south after 8.30!/9.00 pm
Good point. We could have been clearer.
Not really. Even in the North, you don't sit at a restaurant table at 6.30 pm, that's usually for the restaurant staff to eat before they start working. If you find a restaurant opening its kitchen at 18.30 beware, it probably is a German tourists trap on Lake Garda or Rimini.
Even though at home some Italians do eat at 6.30 p.m., serious restaurants never open their kitchen before 7.00. 😊
@amrita8815 I live in the North and I usually hv dinner at 7/7.30 never later
@M.C.K.111
we live both in the North then (Brescia here) 😉
Most of my neighbours do have dinner at 6.30/7.00, but at home, not in restaurants, that's all I meant.
Ciao! 😊
@amrita8815 Good info. Thanks.
the first huge mistake to avoid is to put mandolin music on a video that talks about Italy.
The second huge mistake to avoid is speaking in stereotypes, Italy is very different from north to south from east to west, from region to region and even from city to city.
Valid criticisms. Thanks.
Im good with toilette $ 😊 Nice great tips! Thank you.
Thanks!
Anne sei sempre deliziosa e precisa. Vorrei solo aggiungere che nel nord Italia mangiamo prima, in genere verso le 19, massimo 20, e in molti alle 18 o 18:30. Questo chiarmente in casa, nei locali o ristoranti e più come il resto d'Italia. I add this in English for your followers. When you go to a restaurant or a bar and there is something that is not clear, always ask, including the bill, and always ask for the receipt; it is within your right. We Italians are generally very hospitable and correct, but there are some clever ones, if you are not satisfied with the explanations they give you, tell them that you will call the Guardia di Finanza or the police. Therefore always read the menu very carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises. Ciao e salutami tuo marito.
Ti ringraziamo per l’informazione sulle ore di cena e l’avviso in inglese. Sarà utile per gli altri visitatori.
Very informative and true in regards to the A/C we Americans love our A/C in Italy not so much.
Thanks for stopping by our channel!
AT&T is now $12 per day. However, after 10 days in a row, they do not charge you until your next billing cycle begins. They just increased the cost from ten to twelve. The other option of buying a SIM card in Italia is not possible for iPhone users with newer phones as they do not have SIM cards anymore.
You can get an e-sim instead.
@@Eatgardentravel thank you for letting me know as we spend about three months a year in Italy!
Yes, eSIMs are widespread and will replace physical sims as people update their devices.
I am planning a visit to Italy in October, I am mainly interested in Rome and the north of Italy. What do you suggest? Also I am a bit afraid of pickpocketing since it is very popular in Italy. Your video is great! Thanks 🌸🌸
Hi. It’s hard to give general advice related to your question. How long is your trip? What do you like to do?
It’s wise to be careful about pickpockets in crowded areas, but I don’t feel it’s a bigger problem in Italy than in similar countries.
Thanks for your nice comment.
We are starting in Venice, then going to Rome Early Nov. It looks like a very good chance of rain so we are trying to decide on a car tour or the golf cart tours for 6 of us. Either way it will be great!
@@OurBigItalianAdventure thanks for answering. My trip would be 10 days. We would like to see historic Rome and the Italian nature, we are not much into visiting different cities as much as enjoying x area to the fullest.
@@LarryConser enjoy your Italian trip!
For a mix of nature and nicer small cities consider Puglia and the Gargano peninsula.
Very good advices !! 👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🇮🇹💕💞
Thank you!
In case of medical emergency while in Italy, you will not be charged there but make no mistake, your bill will be sent to you where you reside. It is not free !
Interesting. The one time it happened to me I wasn’t billed, but maybe that was unusual.
Very good advise: we will limit our trip to Florence: Pisa and Rimini in two weeks
If you have time, consider a day trip to Lucca from Pisa and from Florence to Siena and think about Ravenna from Rimini. They’re all wonderful towns.
Rimini? Are you sure? Not exactly a first choice...
Except for the Fellini museum.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure You must be really a big fan of Fellini for visiting Italy, in two weeks, and selecting among hundreds of beautiful places Rimini. Freedom of choice, but nevertheless...
@manuelabertazzoli9295 Agree
incredibile siete bravissimi
Grazie. Molto gentile.
I went on a trip to Europe back in May for two weeks. Not Italy, it was Portugal actually. Same message though. Don't cram every country/city into a stressful time constraint trip. You will not enjoy it. For my Portugal trip I spent one week in Lisbon and one week in Porto. It was enough time to see what I wanted to see at a leisurely pace. There were a few places I wanted to go to that I booked ahead of time. Nothing was back to back. If I was interested in a cooking class or wine tour while I was there I'd book it if there was room for me. I like doing things on a whim. Life is too short for a structured schedule.
Yes. No cramming.
At 9:08 and I'm American you show us- and say "everyone in Italy...wears sneaker" but those folks I'd guess are 95% tourists" I say that by the line, the fact of casual clothing the shorts etc, so I wonder do Italians wear sneakers to the same extent? Re: tourist trap restaurants- THEY WON'T BE GOOD. I've found myself in really small mom and pop places, you hear them yelling in Italian in the kitchen LOL. Food was great!
Italians often wear sneakers.
Just came back from Italy a couple of days ago. We visited Sardinia, Rome, Bari (The Apuglia Region) and Calabria. We did really well with the itinerary as far as planes, trains and automobiles but I feel that I shouldn't have listened to some of these travel vloggers when it came to Apuglia. We felt that Monopoli, Lecce & Altamura were not worth visiting at all and we should have skipped them. The worthwhile towns in the area were Bari, Polignano Amare, Conversano, Ostuni, alberobello & Matera.
We were in Puglia in the spring. I agree with your list, except for Lecce. We enjoyed it.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure Glad you said that, looking at some photos of Lecce, I actually think we were in the wrong part of the city. We may have to explore it again.
Give it another chance! And stay right in the center, near the Roman amphitheater.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure The amphitheater was said to be closed when we were there but we should have sought that location. We were near a very large fountain and walked around a lot of the city but didn't see much. We are planning another trip next summer so we will give it a go.
@Positiveenergy68 The we’re doing construction, but you can still see it. We stayed overlooking it, so we had no problems seeing it!
In April 2025, My husband and myself will complete our one way flight and land in Rome with our backpacks and our wits. We are adept travelers. Where would you go after a couple days in Rome? Time is unlimited. We will return to USA when we get bored or homesick. TIA. I cannot decide!! We are considering meandering towards the Balkans.
That’s quite the open-ended question and opportunity. If I were thinking of near Rome, definitely think about Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este in Tivoli just outside Rome. (We did a video on the second one; the other is coming.)
Consider a few hill towns in Umbria: Assisi, Spoleto, Spelo, Orvieto, and others are all nice. Naples seems to be either love it or hate it. We loved it.
If you’re interested in history, think not only of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but Paestum a bit further south.
Finally, stay longer in Rome. It wasn’t our first trip by any means, but we did 5 days there last January. *We have a video about 10 lesser-known sights worth seeing.)
I hope these ideas are useful.
If "time is unlimited", then I suggest you spend much, much, much more than a couple days in Rome. Rome is the most extraordinary place that you will see in your life. Maybe in 10 days you can have a short glimpse of it. Seriously.
👍
As an Italian native I suggest to visit Florence and Tuscany or Milan an the surrounding lakes. As general "rule", visiting small cities is way better with a car rather than with public transit. Milan and the lakes are an exception because public transportation is decent
👍
I agree with everything explained on this video and have a few extra tips. Often a transatlantic flight of six hours or more, will dry out your sinuses leaving you vulnerable to cold or upper respiratory illness. Thus ruining your trip. Carry a wash cloth with you and if you sleep on the flight wet the cloth and keep it on your face, breathing the moistened air. Other options are saline nasal spray and if you can find it evion has an aerisol water spray which can be sprayed on your face at regular intervals.
As for what to expect when you arrive, the coffee in italy is quite different, much stronger than in the U. S. This is true even when American coffee is advertised. My advice is to accept it as something thats different and grow accustomed to it.
Thirdly it is the quintessential ugly American to Deal with waiters or clerks as it they are cheating you. Get familiar with the currency and the price of things, count your change and have trust. On the other hand keep your valuables with you, passport in particular. Most hotels will ask for your passport at check in and often hold it throughout your stay. If something unplanned occurs do not let it ruin the whole trip. Take each day as it comes, adjust, adapt and move on.Italians live La dolce vita, the sweet life. You wont really have enjoyed italy, if you dont aspire to achieving that, if only for the few days you are there
Great points. We are planning some videos for which these ideas as useful.
Anne, mi permetto di suggerirti un'idea per un nuovo video. Molti turisti stranieri non sanno che in Italia si possono fare e vedere tante cose gratis o a pochissimo prezzo, ci sono anche spazi dedicati sui quotidiani sul cosa fare gratis nel fine settimana.
Questa è davvero una buona raccomandazione. Dobbiamo ricercare l’argomento. Grazie!
These are great tips, well done.
A good way around the toilet paying is to use Maccas.
Eating at tourist traps : imagine the look on the waiter's face when you ask him / her if they take you as an idiot tourist in Italian. Learning a smidge of Italian will change the entire experience.
Phone data : just download everything you need in advance. Many tourist attractions will have free WIFI. Trains, bars, eateries - all covered. If you need WIFI, again, Maccas. I've never bothered with an Italian sim, it really isn't worth it.
Thanks for the extensive info on travel insurance. A sponsor of yours?
Thanks!
I had to look up Maccas. American slang is “Mickie D’s”. I agree it’s good for WiFi and toilet, but they are much less common than in the US, thankfully.
Non ho mai pensato di dire, “Credi che io sia un idiota?”. È una buona idea!
No sponsor. Just a topic that needed some explanation.
Cheers.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure With addressing the wait staff, I may be slightly less tactful : "ma che mi prendi pe` 'na cretina turista? Ma va!"
Oops
Thanks! It’s a new phrase for me.
E' vero quello che dici, ma mi sembra normale. Io prima di viaggiare mi informo e voglio sapere dove andrò. Mi sembra la prima regola fondamentale.
Sono d’accordo. La preparazione è sempre importante.
I use Line app to call U.S. from oversea ! 💜
Thanks...we weren't familiar with that one.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure You're very welcome !! 👍💜😊
⭐️
👍 just subscribed (❁´◡`❁) Like 134
Thanks! We appreciate the support.
A half day for a check in? Where have you been? Maybe is a wrong information.
We’re considering getting to and from hotels to the train station, etc.
OMG Izamal is not Italy 🤭... just saying 2:06
Oops. Photo was identified wrong online and we didn’t know better. Thanks for pointing it out.
Take T - Mobile and you will be fine!
Having T-Mobile can make it easier for their customers.
@@OurBigItalianAdventure you can always switch :)
@LU-jo2jz I actually tried, but TM has lousy coverage near my US house.
Going to Venice. Mistake number 1. Puzzolente!
Sì, ma una città unica che vale almeno una visita, secondo me.
it when the canal water dries up! Viewed this months ago Crowds of tourists looking down on nothing but mud and debris. Also just a tip for anyone thinking of Rome next year Wait until the year 2026..Massive re construction with sights boarded up ,in preparation for pope's jubilee from Dec 24th. tu 6th Jan 2025.This only happens every 25 yyrs .I was living there during the last one. Now , it will be worse , as more tourists are visiting Rome, and with the Jubilee, even more crowded, long queues and higher prices. Travel agents will not warn you if they even know about it
Good info about Rome next year.
Beautiful Venice. I spend 6 full days there. Great and successful efforts to keep it clean👍 Don't firgey Murano and Burano islands.... Amazing !
This comment is really💩
You forgot to mention that tipping doesn't exist in Italy. It remains your discretion whether you want to give it or not.
Yes, we did, in this video. It is in our “10:tips” video we did recently.
And stop using the traditional Neapolitan music for EVERY video about Italy
Sorry. We won’t use it again.
Please stop with this mandolin music! Italy is no longer what is in your foreigner’s mind: pasta 🍝 mandolin and hand gestures
Excellent point. Thanks.
@ EvaKant
Perhaps you should be a little more respectful when addressing two extremely gentle and well-behaved people who clearly love this country of ours.
True, we don't listen to Mandolin anymore, but choosing a music that suits the taste of every Italian is just impossible, so let them play the music they want on THEIR video.
Your video is not that relevant from a cruise perspective.
Sorry. What could we include that would make it more relevant for you?
Major attractions and towns are more expensive and crowded too. I noticed several restaurants have a tendency to oversold their food and drinks. And some mediocre attractions have expensive admission fees!
👍
Healtcare is free in Italy, does not waste money in insurance
True, for Italians. For Americans, not always true unless it’s an emergency.
Excellent content. Thank you.
Thanks and you’re welcome!
great video much appreciated
Thanks!