Although not a country with strict rules like North Korea, this boot-shaped country also has some prohibitions and restrictions. In fact, Italy has a set of laws specifically for Italian tourists and the authorities here will not easily ignore them if you make a mistake.
A memorable example that you should know is that there were two tourists from Germany who were fined 950 euros and deported after making coffee on a portable stove under the Riato Bridge. The Italian police are extremely strict with tourists traveling to Italy, they think that their country needs to be absolutely respected and this is not a place where people with bad intentions can freely do whatever they want.
Therefore, keep in mind the following things to keep in mind to have the most perfect trip. The sky in Italy is blue all year round and the weather is pleasant, sunny but quickly shady. The climate in Italy has a clear difference between the North and the South.
Winters are cold and snowy from December to March. This is typical of the pine forests in the north, but summers are also quite sunny and very fresh. The lakes and the tropical gardens that surround them are the highlight of this area. As you move down to central Italy, the weather becomes more humid, with temperatures between summer and winter not really different.
Summers are often long and the humidity during this season can make you feel stuffy. The further south you go, the hotter and drier the climate is, somewhat similar to the weather in North Africa. Winters are usually humid and rarely snow, which makes the peninsulas and islands in the south an ideal destination for tourists.
The best months to travel in Italy are from April -> June and September, October, when the temperature is quite pleasant, and there are not too many tourists. From July to early September is the peak tourist season with a lot of tourists. May and June are the two months with the highest hotel prices in Rome and Florence.
Although the weather is a bit hot in August, hotels in Rome and Florence often have big discounts. From the end of October to Easter, many attractions shorten their operating hours, some hotels may close for renovations, decoration, spas and beaches are almost deserted.
The main convenient and economical means of transport in Italy:
Metro
This means of transport is fast and punctual. The Italian metro is divided into several types. Accelerato, regionale and locale are slow trains, stopping at all stations. Diretto is faster, stopping at fewer stations, Espresso only runs through major cities.
Eurostar is the fastest type of transport and usually has an additional fee. With these fast trains, make sure you get on the right train. At central stations, long-distance trains may branch off into two or more branches heading to different destinations.
Note that when taking the train or traveling in public areas, you must be extremely vigilant against pickpockets and scams.
Taxi
There are many unlicensed taxis and the prices are often much more expensive than licensed taxis. You should only choose taxis that are white or yellow, with the SPQR symbol right on the front door.
Bus
As a cheap means of public transport in Italy, instead of traveling by taxi, you can save a fair amount of money if you travel by bus.
Note that if you take a bus within the city (not the bus to the airport), you need to buy a ticket before boarding at the automatic ticket counters, ticket counters at the train stations, and main bus stations.
If you ask to buy a ticket on the bus, some drivers may close the door and take you away, and because you are unfamiliar, you will not have time to get off the bus immediately. Then, at the next stop, there will be police officers ready to give you a ticket, the fine can be up to hundreds of Euros.
Motorbike, bicycle or Vespa
If you want to be free with your time, you can rent a motorbike to go around the city. The price of motorbikes is quite high, motorbikes under 125 cc will cost up to 50 Euros/day, bicycles are cheaper at about 7.5 Euros/day. Italian Vespas look very stylish but the rental price will be more expensive.
In popular resorts and major cities, bookings are recommended, especially in July and August, while in Venice, Rome and Florence, bookings are essential from Easter to the end of September, as well as over Christmas and New Year. You can choose from the following types of accommodation:
Hotels
Italy has some of the most memorable hotels in Europe, from grand hotels to the Belle-époque charm of boutique hotels with cutting-edge contemporary designs
In places that are very popular with tourists, it is not unusual to be required to stay for a minimum of three nights, and some places will automatically add the price of breakfast to your room whether you want it or not. So ask in advance and consider carefully, as you can always eat cheaper outside.
Note that in larger resorts, you will often be forced to accept half or full board during peak season. This means that solo travellers may sometimes be charged the price of a double room even if they only need a single bed, or vice versa – if all their single rooms are full, the hotel owner may put you in a double room but only charge you the single rate, etc.
Bed and Breakfasts
Bed and Breakfasts are becoming a very popular alternative to hotel rooms. While they are not always cheaper than lower-end hotels, and credit cards are rarely accepted, the great thing about them is that they give you a taste of real Italian family life.
While they may not be the same as a private room in your own home, and the host may not live on the premises, you will usually find them to be clean and well-maintained. B&Bs in Italy are often housed in old Palazzi (many Italian homes are in renovated old palaces).
Self-catering rooms/villas/farmhouses
Self-catering is becoming a viable option for those who don’t plan on travelling around too much.
This trend is mostly concentrated in the wealthier northern regions of Italy, especially Tuscany and Umbria, although Sicily and Sardinia and other rural areas are also attractive options. They are not cheap, but they are of high quality and often in great locations.
You can rent for a few nights, a month or longer, furnished with a bed and full kitchen, all you have to do is shop at the local market, self-cate and feel part of everyday Italian life.
Gondola is a typical boat in Venice. With its eye-catching shape (long boat, curved bow), any tourist would like to sit on a Gondola and go downstream to admire the beautiful, peaceful scenery of Venice. But before choosing this means of transport, you need to pay attention to the price. Some Gondola boats can charge up to 65 USD/person (about 1.3 million VND).
Instead of spending a large amount of money on the trip, rent a traghetto. This is the type of boat that Venetians often use to travel on the canal. The tour time is similar to when traveling by Gondola, but the cost will definitely be much more economical. Normally, a tour on a traghetto costs about 5 USD/person (about 100 thousand VND). It will really save the most cost for this foreign trip.
If you want to rent a self-driving car to explore Italy in your own way, consider carefully. Because the roads in this country are quite small, narrow and bumpy, especially the mountain roads require a very steady hand. The further south you go, the worse the roads are and the more difficult it is to travel. Therefore, if you are not confident in your ability, buy a train or bus ticket to travel. Tipping is not part of the culture in this country. Therefore, when you go to restaurants, eateries or use any service, you do not necessarily have to leave a tip. Only tip the waiter if you really find it good and make you satisfied.
Notes on using credit cards and ATMs in Italy
Credit cards and ATMs: When travelling, it is important to prepare cash, but do not carry too much and if you do bring an ATM card and want to withdraw money, please note:
ATMs are the easiest way to access your money. They are available in all tourist towns and cities. Most accept Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus, Maestro and InterBank. ATMs are sometimes slow on weekends in smaller towns.
Please note that using a credit card in an increasing number of countries abroad often requires a new “chip-and-pin” credit card with an embedded microchip and associated PIN (the PIN is specific to each credit card). If you have any concerns about using a credit card abroad, please contact your bank before you leave. Check with your credit card issuer for details on merchant acceptance and other services available.