Oh Italy. Where to even begin...this vacation (along with Greece) was the honeymoon that almost didn't happen. In February 2020, Tyler and I booked our two and a half week honeymoon to Italy and Greece. Little did I know that a few short weeks later a worldwide pandemic would develop and the entire human population would be locked inside their homes. As one might guess, this trip was not taken in 2020, and was postponed again in 2021 when cases spiked. Finally in 2022, most travel restrictions were lifted and we booked again. Up until we left, we kept telling ourselves we weren't getting excited until we arrived. Spoiler alert: we landed!
Leading up to the trip, I spent so many hours researching what to do and what not to do to avoid looking like the stereotypical "American tourist". I was so paranoid of sticking out like a sore thumb - I had already learned not to wear athleisure (no leggings, no shorts, and most definitely no baseball caps). While that was going to be tough (leggings and t-shirts are about 70% of my wardrobe), I could handle it. Then, I read that Americans stick out to Europeans because they smile at strangers as they pass. That was the nail in the coffin for me...while I could change my wardrobe for a couple weeks, I definitely wasn't going to be able to change my personality or habits. Call it the Midwestern in me, but I probably smile way too much. As I was obsessing, Tyler gently reminded me that we would probably stick out no matter what, considering that he is 6'5".
All of this obsessing wasn't only about trying to fit in (although I'd be lying if I said part of it wasn't), but it was also about trying to be respectful of a different culture. I didn't want to arrive in another place and be completely ignorant of their customs and social norms. This was our first true experience abroad and I wanted to be prepared. Now if I could go back in time, I would tell myself that no amount of preparation would prepare me for visiting a foreign country. There were so many things I learned just by being present in Italy and observing the culture with my own eyes. Every chance I got, I put my key takeaways in my iPhone notes app so I wouldn't forget. I wanted it to serve as a reminder even when years passed and some of my memories from the trip faded away. So here it is...my top 10 takeaways from Italy!
Pasta is only course number one here. Pasta is not a meal. Let me say that again.....pasta is not a meal. Yes, I was fully expecting to sit down at a restaurant and order a plate full of fettucine like one would at Olive Garden. I laugh thinking about it now! In most Italian restaurants, pasta dishes will be listed under "primi" or "first dishes" and then there will be a separate section just for entrees. I also hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you probably won't find fettucine alfredo in most Italian restaurants. Even though the dish originated in Italy, it grew in popularity in the US and over the years has become very Americanized. If you like fettucine alfredo, try cacio e pepe! It's similar and I personally think it's better.
Italian Happy Hours (also known as Apertivo) are wonderful. They usually take place somewhere from 6-9 pm. If you are in Venice, you have to try and Aperol spritz and cichetti. Limoncello spritz is also another fantastic choice.
Customer service at restaurants in a lot of the bigger Italian cities was mediocre compared to American restaurants. Notice that I say service and NOT THE FOOD. The food was amazing and I still dream about it to this day. Now that I got that disclaimer out of the way...my theory as to why the service is not as good is because servers in Italy are paid a living wage and do not have to rely solely on tips for their income. This isn't to say our service was terrible, but we really only interacted with our server when an order was taken. Servers in Italy also won't give you the check until you ask for it - it is seen as rude to leave the check before the party is done with their meal. All that said, we did have a couple great customer service experiences at restaurants in Southern Italy along the Amalfi Coast for which we tipped. Remember: tipping is not required or expected in Italy since servers have a fixed salary.
Life is slower in Italy (I think this is true for many European countries). I think this is amazing in many aspects. It's nothing like American "hustle culture". We found that most touristy things closed somewhere between 5-6 daily (with the exception of restaurants). Which brings me to my next point....
Nobody gets up early. Most coffee shops don't open until at least 8 am. We also booked a few tours earlier in the morning and we had two get pushed back by 1-2 hours for absolutely no reason at all other than just because. For the both of us, that was a big adjustment since we are used to a more regimented schedule. Everything ended up being fine, but for the sake of planning I wouldn't pack your schedule in case something similar happens! If you are visiting something on your own or without a tour, take the opportunity as an early riser to enjoy smaller crowds :)
We found a lot of things in Italy are still very manual or done by hand. Most of the time our tickets or QR codes for events/tours weren't even scanned - just looked at. Many receipts also weren't digitized. It was like taking a step back in time.
Air conditioning is hard to come by - so if you are traveling to Italy in the summer, you have been warned! We got there in late May and it was unseasonably hot for being so early in the summer. I don't mind heat at all, but if you are someone that does maybe opt for a trip in the fall! Your hotel room will probably have a window unit, and most museums will have AC as well but it won't be like in the US where you have to bring a sweater. Most restaurants and shops we went to DID NOT have AC but just had windows open.
I panicked about pick pockets before we came to Italy, but we were fine. The truth is, pick pockets will be easier to recognize than you think. They will be on the commuter trains, busy city centers, etc. Just be smart, stay vigilante, and most importantly DON'T keep things in your pockets. For guys, get a money belt (yes they are dorky, but they help) and for girls get a belt bag and have it on you at all times.
A lot of people may speak English but will appreciate if you learn some Italian phrases such as hello, goodbye, and thank you. Showing that you are trying goes a long way!
And last but not least....the water in the toilets....iykyk. If you've never been to Italy and are going, you will soon find out!
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