| In this article we present common sense tips you can | | | | You're in Italy, and you're seeing the sites. Depending |
| employ to ensure that you have a fun and safe | | | | on where you are, you will be in a crowd of other |
| vacation in Italy. | | | | tourists. If you're traveling with family or friends make |
| "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." | | | | sure that you have contingency plans in case you get |
| That's an old cliche, but it's true. When you travel to a | | | | separated. Distribute your money in such a way that if |
| different country you'll come across different ways, | | | | you lose a wallet you will not lose your vacation. |
| different customs. It's important to know a little bit | | | | Be aware of the rules for each site you visit, and |
| about the culture before you visit, and of course there | | | | make sure you follow them. Not all of the sites you |
| are common sense precautions you should follow | | | | visit will allow you to take pictures, for example, and if |
| where ever you travel. | | | | you are inside buildings such as art galleries or |
| Advance Planning | | | | museums you will certainly not be able to use a flash. |
| Do you need medications of any kind? Always bring | | | | If you enter a church, be as quiet and respectful as |
| the medication - and the appropriate documentation to | | | | possible. Even if there are famous for their |
| prove you need it - with you. You may be able to get | | | | architecture and open to tours, worshippers are still |
| the same kind of medication in Italy - but then again | | | | there and should not be disturbed. Be careful about |
| you might not. Better to be safe than sorry. | | | | using a camera in this instance. |
| Do you plan to do any driving? Find out if you can | | | | Dinning Out in Italy |
| drive in Italy using your regular car license, or if you | | | | It's a good idea to drink bottled water instead of the |
| need to get an "international driving license.' If you are | | | | tap water, at any time of day. It will save you from |
| not familiar with international road signs - learn them | | | | any stomach unpleasantness. |
| before you go. While driving, check out your route in | | | | There are some countries where you can go into a |
| advance so you have some knowledge of where | | | | restaurant, order food, and get it "your way." This is not |
| you're going before you try to get there. Know the | | | | the case in Italy. Don't insult the chefs by making |
| rules of the road in Italy and what to do in case of | | | | special requests to substitute or leave off an ingredient. |
| accidents. | | | | As you travel from country to country you'll find that |
| Make a list of the places and things you want to see | | | | different regions have different table manners. You |
| before you go, and do research into them. Some | | | | may look odd, for example, if you cut your spaghetti |
| events or museum exhibits are time sensitive, so you'll | | | | with a fork - the Italians wrap the spaghetti around a |
| want to make sure you're going at the right time to | | | | spoon and eat it that way. However, so many tourists |
| see everything. Now that practically every museum | | | | travel in Italy with so many different customs that it |
| and art gallery is online you can easily check to make | | | | won't invite that much comment - you'll probably just |
| sure if there'll be an exhibit you'll want to see, or if a | | | | be considered a tourist. If you are traveling on business |
| gallery will be closed while you're visiting. | | | | - that is the time to make sure you eat your food the |
| Can you get along without your cellphone? You may | | | | way the Italians eat it. |
| be able to get a special card in it to make sure it will | | | | Italians like to linger over their food. You will not be |
| work in Italy. Ask your service provider about that. Will | | | | presented with a check - you'll have to ask your |
| you be bringing a laptop computer? Make sure you | | | | server for it. Tipping is an accepted practice, and |
| have transformers so that you can plug in batteries to | | | | should be done in cash. Most of the dining restaurants |
| recharge, not only for computers but also for other | | | | in Italy are the sit down type with several different |
| electronic devices. And not only will you need a | | | | courses. If you want "fast food," a pizzeria is your best |
| transformer but also a converter - to make sure you | | | | bet. |
| don't burn out your appliance. Just because a plug fits | | | | You'll enjoy your trip to Italy much more if you are |
| into the socket, it does not mean the right voltage is | | | | familiar with the customs in advance, have plans to |
| going through it! | | | | take care of every contingency, and know what you |
| Site Seeing | | | | want to see and when you want to see it. Avanti! |