We're getting ready to travel to Italy for our spring tours and are knee-deep in clothing decisions and attempting to pack lightly. It occurred to us that some of the tips we've learned through the years might be helpful, so here goes!
Number one rule is Pack Lightly! You are going to be carrying that luggage up stairs and maybe on and off trains, or trying to put it all in a car that's smaller than our US cars. You really are not going to need that special dress and shoes that look like you stepped out of a Fellini movie! Use packing cubes, roll your garments and go for a small to medium size suitcase. You will deeply regret using the suitcase that can fit a human body.
Lots of people ask us how to dress more like an Italian so they don't stand out as being from the US. Leave the ball caps and T-shirts with your alma mater at home. Dress appropriately when going into churches.
We also get a lot of questions on how to tip in Italy. It can be a little tricky sometimes. If you over tip, you look like the ugly rich American just throwing their money around. Italians have told us it is demeaning. But if you under tip, you come off as a cheapskate. Can we win here?!? In restaurants, they charge a coperto, which covers the bread and linen/paper products. Usually servizio is also added to the bill, which is the service tip. You can leave a few euros on the table, no more than 5 or 10%.
Private tour guides usually get 10%. Group tour guides, if you feel a really good job, you can give them 5-10 euros. Private drivers, if they help with bags and are friendly, you can give them 10-15%. Taxis round up a couple euros. If you're in Rome or another city with lots of tourists, be careful and always ask before you get in "how much?" "Quanta costa?" Make sure they have a meter!
If you're in Venice, take advantage of the guys with the trolleys who want to help you with your bags! They work hard and don't really charge that much so tip them!
Don't order a cappuccino after a meal in Italy. The hot milk doesn't sit well on a full stomach and Italians absolutely never do it! Take a tip from an Italian and finish your meal with an espresso or an amaro!
Please don't ask for a plate of olive oil to dip your bread in. That practice was invented by Maccaroni Grill in the 1980's and is never done by Italians. If you are given a plate automatically, you are in a tourist restaurant and they've been conditioned by Americans to do it. A good friend once explained that you really don't need all the extra calories of oil, just enjoy your meal and use the bread to clean the plate and get the last bit of the sauce!
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Buon viaggio e buon appetito!
Gina and Mary
