Visit Italy: What You Should Know Before You Visit Italy

Whether You Are Heading to Rome, Florence, Venice or Sicily there are a few things travelers should know before they visit Italy for the first time. This video covers issues that first time visitors to Italy will face, food, money, plugs, safety and more.
What You Should Know Before You Visit Italy.
Filmed in Venice, Italy
Copyright Mark Wolters 2018

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[giovannibazzini]

A little piece of advice for you: try to avoid restaurant with photo of the dishes exposed outside, usuallly their food is “ for tourists”. Ciao from Italy

[maryhill]

Speaking a little Italian does go a long way. I did my best when I visited Italy years ago to learn some words and phrases. Once, I was in a place ordering gelato, and I tried to use the Italian word for strawberry. The man that served corrected me in a helpful, good natured way. When he handed my order to me I said grazie. He looked at me with a big smile and said, ” Awe, prego bella.” He was very sweet. I noticed that when I tried to speak a little Italian, I was rewarded!

[island]

Italy is the best country to visit in Europe. It will always be my favorite!

[McLVINNN]

Just got back. Gained 20 lbs in 10 days. Damn you Italy!!!

[zejerkush]

Italy and Europe in general need to have more tourists like you and your family buddy, amazing attitude, willing to learn and openness to differences!
Awesome videos dude!

[nicolomerli]

I'm Italian.
An important tthing is be careful to buy something on the street (like museum ticket, metro ticket etc.)if you think "it's too good to be true"... probably is not true!
I saw "skip the line ticket" sold for double (or triple) of the real price, or ticket sold for 25 or 50 euro when the museum is free!
Buy ticket only on official website or in the official tourism office!
Be careful with taxi (specially in airport) ask first the price (ask to more than one) and if on arrival it is much higher, you say "no problem, i call the police"!
And do not forget "if it's too good to be true... Probably is not true!"
The last advice is "ask to Italian people", you can stop one person on street and you can ask anything! For example "a good restaurant" I'm sure he (or she) show you a restaurant to eat a very good Italian food at the right price.
The same if you don't know the real price of something, ask to Italian person!
The 99% of us are happy to help tourists so don't hesitate to ask!

[GiammarcoBoscaro]

"Ricky, xe vedemo!" "Ciao vecchio!" 7:53

[abereagan]

Speaking Italian goes a long way. I was with 4 friends in college visiting. The waitress was not having it that day. They ordered in English and I tried to order Italain. Then she cracked a smile, went back to the kitchen and then the owner came out with a huge smile and just started chatting with us.

[MajorKlanga]

Good video Mark. I would add that the reason Italians are generally slimmer than US Americans is due to the ancient culinary traditions that have evolved and ensure good digestion and a balanced diet. They certainly eat less processed food and less sugar and corn syrup. Alcoholic drinks are used as appetisers and to aid digestion as well as to help with conviviality, not to get smashed out of their brains.

[solemd]

I'm literally in the airport waiting for my flight to rome! Great timing :)

[ajl]

Good tips. Also, always, always, always *VALIDATE* the local/regional train tickets (i.e. non-reserved seats) right before getting on a train in the little machine on the platform (big stations) or in the station building (small stations). Otherwise, you may get a hefty fine.

[lecutter]

One thing people always forget to mention in these sorts of vids is that it's a good idea to let your bank and CC company know you're traveling, for where, and how long, so your accounts/cards don't get flagged for fraud and frozen because the bank can't get a hold of you and sees use in places it normally wouldn't.

[MissLauraBi]

Hi Mark! As an Italian that travels a lot, in Italy or abroad, I 100% agree with everything you've said! I'm especially happy that someone finally explains "aperitivo" to foreigners :)

[hdm]

Vengo dalla Malesia. Voglio andare in Italia. Questo posto è così bello da visitare.

[MartinaValla]

We do eat coffee, milk, cereal or biscuits (cookies) for breakfast (some people even bread with butter and jam). AT HOME. Espresso and croissant is by no means a typical breakfast. Most of the people you see having breakfast like this are in a hurry - OR already enjoying their mid-morning snack! Tadah!

[jasontrott]

Fantastic video, my wife and I are leaving Florence now. You are 100 percent correct- if you speak a little Italian ( hello, how are you, sir ma’am) it will get you a better reception.

[AshlynBiggers]

Loved this! I just moved back home to the US after living in Italy for the past 4 months and I miss it so much already. These were great tips that many people may not think about! Another one I thought of when you mentioned bathrooms was that, public restrooms are almost non-existent. If you need the bathroom, buy a water or cappuccino then use the restroom. Also in the warmer months, make sure to bring something to cover your shoulders or knees when going into some of the basilicas or cathedrals, otherwise you may be turned away. Great video as always!

[julianbriceno]

I just got my assignment for the airforce and I’ll be living there for a couple years and I’m so excited

[genxer]

You didn’t mention the bidet and not to use the bidet towel for your face, it looks like a hand towel

[judyfuller]

I'm leaving to go to Italy and Greece in 3 days. This will be my first ever trip overseas and I just wanted to let you know how helpful your videos have been, they have taken a huge worry off of me. Now all I have to worry about is making all of my connecting flights lol. Thank you Mark