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Aaah, Italy. The birthplace of the Renaissance (and pizza!).
Art, architecture, FOOD, natural beauty, and people are just some of the reasons this country is consistently on the list of best places in the world to visit.
Below is a list of the basic information you’ll need to make your way around this wonderful country.
Italy Basics
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
Credit Card or Cash: Cash for small purchases, a credit card can be used for large purchases (souvenirs, hotel, etc.)
Time Zone: GMT+2 (6 hours ahead of Eastern)
Adapter/Converter: C, F, L adapters, voltage is 230 V (higher than the US). Many computers, phone/camera chargers have converters built-in. Read here for more information on converters and adapters.
Tipping: Restaurant, €1 per person or round to nearest €10. Bar (cafe), leave the change. Taxi, no tipping.
Wi-Fi availability: available in most hotels, apartment rentals and some restaurants.
Train System: Very good train system with local, regional and high-speed trains.
Travel Pass: Eurail country pass or Eurail pass if you are going to more than one country. Calculate your routes to see if this is a value for you. We usually do not buy the Italy country Eurail pass.
Books & Movie Suggestions
Movies for families: Roman Holiday
Movie for Adults: Gladiator, Under the Tuscan Sun (after you’ve read the book)
Book for adults: La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World (by Dianne Hales), Beneath a Scarlet Sky (by MarkSullivan), Under the Tuscan Sun or See You in the Piazza(by Frances Mayes), Mark of the Lion Series (by Francine Rivers)
Book for kids: Pippo the Fool (by Tracey E. Fern)
Must-See Sights
Start with the Big Three: Rome, Venice and Florence. After you’ve visited these cities, then visit Sorrento, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Milan, Northern Lakes and the list goes in and on.
Rome: Colosseum. Pantheon. Piazza Navona. St Peter’s Basilica. Vatican Museum.
Venice: Doge’s Palace. St Mark’s Cathedral. St Mark’s Square. Rialto bridge. Wander streets and get lost (don’t worry, it’s an island).
Florence: Brunelleschi’s dome (climb to the top). Academia (Michelangelo’s David). Uffizzi Gallery (da Vinci, Botticelli, Raffael and many more). Ponte Vecchio. Leonardo da Vinci Museum.
Tuscany: Rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards, Siena,
Naples: Archaeological Museum, Cathedral if Naples (Duomo San Gennaro), Via San Gregorio Armeno (Christmas Alley), Napoli Sotterranea (Naples Underground), PIZZA
Sorrento: Visit lemon grove and factory. Visit the olive oil mill and garden. Take the train tour. Shop on San Cesareo. Take a side trip to Pompeii and Positano.
Paestum: Greek temples, buffalo mozzarella farm
Milan: Duomo (Cathedral), Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, The Last Supper
Language Basics
Hello: Buon Giorno (bwon jhor-no), salvo (sahl-vo)
Goodbye: Arrivederci (ah-ree-vah-der-chee)
Yes: Si
No: No
Please: Per favore (per fah-vor-eh)
Thank you: Grazie (grah-tsee-eh)
I’m sorry/Excuse me: Scusi (skoo-zee)
Italian Cuisine
Must try: Gelato every day. Italian food is very regional, so try the speciality of the region.
- Rome, cacio e pepe.
- Bologna, tortellini en brodo and tagliatele alla bolognese.
- Emilia-Romagna, prosciutto, parmegiano, balsamic vinegar.
- Venice, tramezzini.
- Florence, bisteca florentina.
- Naples, pizza (of corse).
- Sorrento, seafood dishes and lemon flavored foods.
- Paestum, mozzarella di bufalo
Drink: Cappuccino daily. Try the local wine/alcohol (chianti in Chianti, limoncello in Sorrento, etc.)
Street food: panini, pizza,