I'm not an avid traveler. First time to Europe.
I'm gonna post my thoughts here. It might help someone.
1. You can get an Uber in Rome, but it's Uber black. I was told no Uber at all in Rome. Wrong.
2. Forget the taxi hailing apps, like itTaxi, in Rome. You will not get a taxi using them. I tried numerous times and never got a taxi. To get a taxi, go to the nearest taxi stand and wait.
3. I've been in Italy two weeks, Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi Coast. In Venice, it was blistering hot. Florence, very hot. Rome, very hot. It's just hot here even this time of year! The temp range in Venice was 60-75, but it's hot. One morning it was 54 in Florence and felt pleasant with shorts and a polo shirt. Then it got very hot during the day. I am sitting in the train station in Rome. It's 70. It's hot! Bring shorts. Bring shirts that wick sweat and are lightweight. No polos. No jeans. I brought a light jacket I never unpacked. I brought jeans. Mistake. I brought polo shirts. Mistake.
4. Do you like to wear ball caps? Bring one. Wear it. I was told people don't wear ball caps in Italy. LOL. I was misled.
5. Use Google reviews or something else to decide on restaurants. If it's not 4 or better, don't bother. I made the mistake one day after visiting the Accademia Gallery to just pick a spot in a very heavy tourist area without checking. Bad decision.
6. There is no complementary water here like the US. It's 4 euros for a bottle at the restaurant.
7. There is a 4 euro cover charge at each restaurant. It covers things that you need to eat like napkins, utensils, etc. LOL
8. I was warned about pick pockets. I never witnessed anyone around me doing that, even to females with open bags .
9. For females, don't bother with a scarf. They sell them cheap around town if you need one.
10. I wore shorts in the St Peter Basilica They simply have to cover your kneecaps.
11. If I had to do over again, for a two week trip, I would bring 2 pair of shorts and 3 shirts. I washed my stuff in the sink and hung dry. I over packed.
12. Getting on the trains are super easy. The only issue is that it lists the final destination. Just go by the number and time.
13. For two weeks, 2.4 ounces of shampoo/conditioner. Two tubes of travel toothpaste. One face wash for females.
14. Bring some wet toilet wipes. Each person carry two per day. I never encountered a toilet with no tissue, but just in case.
14a. Toilets, both private and public, might not have soap and the dryer is more likely to not work than work.
15. Raincoat just in case.
16. Get the best walking shoes you can buy. Important!! You will walk until you drop.
17. Two pair of shoes in case one gets wet.
18. You will probably be rolling your luggage over cobblestones so make sure it's good quality so.you don't lose a wheel.
19. The best wine is in Tuscany/Florence. Chianti Classico is good but depends on the vineyard.
I'll add more later.
I'm gonna post my thoughts here. It might help someone.
1. You can get an Uber in Rome, but it's Uber black. I was told no Uber at all in Rome. Wrong.
2. Forget the taxi hailing apps, like itTaxi, in Rome. You will not get a taxi using them. I tried numerous times and never got a taxi. To get a taxi, go to the nearest taxi stand and wait.
3. I've been in Italy two weeks, Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi Coast. In Venice, it was blistering hot. Florence, very hot. Rome, very hot. It's just hot here even this time of year! The temp range in Venice was 60-75, but it's hot. One morning it was 54 in Florence and felt pleasant with shorts and a polo shirt. Then it got very hot during the day. I am sitting in the train station in Rome. It's 70. It's hot! Bring shorts. Bring shirts that wick sweat and are lightweight. No polos. No jeans. I brought a light jacket I never unpacked. I brought jeans. Mistake. I brought polo shirts. Mistake.
4. Do you like to wear ball caps? Bring one. Wear it. I was told people don't wear ball caps in Italy. LOL. I was misled.
5. Use Google reviews or something else to decide on restaurants. If it's not 4 or better, don't bother. I made the mistake one day after visiting the Accademia Gallery to just pick a spot in a very heavy tourist area without checking. Bad decision.
6. There is no complementary water here like the US. It's 4 euros for a bottle at the restaurant.
7. There is a 4 euro cover charge at each restaurant. It covers things that you need to eat like napkins, utensils, etc. LOL
8. I was warned about pick pockets. I never witnessed anyone around me doing that, even to females with open bags .
9. For females, don't bother with a scarf. They sell them cheap around town if you need one.
10. I wore shorts in the St Peter Basilica They simply have to cover your kneecaps.
11. If I had to do over again, for a two week trip, I would bring 2 pair of shorts and 3 shirts. I washed my stuff in the sink and hung dry. I over packed.
12. Getting on the trains are super easy. The only issue is that it lists the final destination. Just go by the number and time.
13. For two weeks, 2.4 ounces of shampoo/conditioner. Two tubes of travel toothpaste. One face wash for females.
14. Bring some wet toilet wipes. Each person carry two per day. I never encountered a toilet with no tissue, but just in case.
14a. Toilets, both private and public, might not have soap and the dryer is more likely to not work than work.
15. Raincoat just in case.
16. Get the best walking shoes you can buy. Important!! You will walk until you drop.
17. Two pair of shoes in case one gets wet.
18. You will probably be rolling your luggage over cobblestones so make sure it's good quality so.you don't lose a wheel.
19. The best wine is in Tuscany/Florence. Chianti Classico is good but depends on the vineyard.
I'll add more later.
