Italy is a beautiful and exciting country to visit. There are so many sights to see and so much history to soak up. This may be your first time travelling to the country so you might have a lot of questions and not so many answers.
In this case, you can review some advice and tips on how to prepare for a trip to Italy. You’ll be happy you took the time to plan properly so that once you arrive you can simply sit back and enjoy your time there.
Choose the Ideal Time to Visit
You can prepare for a trip or family holiday to Italy by choosing the ideal time to be there. Consider both your schedule and when it may be a very busy time to visit. You might prefer a particular type of weather pattern and to get away from having to deal with so many crowds. There are slow times and more hectic times to travel to Italy so do your homework and make sure you know what to expect. Otherwise, plan to visit some of the smaller towns which will be less busy but are still breathtaking and entertaining.
Plan Your Itinerary
Prepare for a trip to Italy by being proactive and planning out your itinerary in advance. You’re not going to want to waste any time figuring these details out once you arrive. There is so much to see and do that you’ll want to research the options in advance and book any tours or excursions before arriving. You can visit museums, spend time on the water, go hiking, or take a day or two and go Wine Tasting in Florence, for example. Plan out each day in detail but also leave time to rest and recover from all the walking and sightseeing you’ll be doing. Have reasonable expectations for how much time you have and prioritise the places you feel are a must for you. However, you should always leave some time to shop at the markets!
Know How You’ll Get Around
You should be prepared to take public transportation when visiting Italy. It’s the ideal way to get around and will ensure you reach your destination efficiently. The public transportation options in Italy consist of buses, trams, or the metro. The train system connects many of the major and even smaller cities which is quite convenient. Also, many cities offer a day pass so you may be able to save yourself some money if you do a little pre-planning of your schedule and route. If you decide to drive a car then you should be ready to face a lot of traffic.
Pack Appropriately
Be sure to look up the weather forecast once you have your travel dates so you can pack appropriately. While summer is warm and winter is colder, autumn and spring can fluctuate. Pack only the items you need and will wear which will ensure you also pack light. Keep in mind that you’ll likely want to do some shopping and bring items back with you so make sure there is room in your luggage. Plan to dress in layers so you can add or remove clothing items depending on the temperature and time of day. You won’t want to be hauling around heaving suitcases when travelling around Italy. You might also want to have a small backpack to bring along as you travel around for snacks, water, and your camera.
Learn Some Italian
While many Italians in the more touristy cities do speak English, it’s wise to learn some Italian words and the language before you depart. At the very least, study and get to know a few choice words that you can use with the locals while you’re there. It will be much appreciated by the Italians and they’ll love your effort. It also won’t hurt if you know and understand some French, Spanish, or Portuguese as well. Be mindful to listen attentively to the Italian words and how they speak them so you can try to mimic them when you’re conversing.
Your holiday to Italy is going to be nothing less than spectacular when you plan accordingly and take these tips into account. The more planning you do the less time you’ll spend wandering around once you arrive and the more relaxed you’ll be overall. While there might be small challenges or obstacles along the way, keep your focus on all Italy has to offer and commit to having a great time no matter what. There’s no denying that it’s an amazing country with a lot to offer.