How to Travel in Italy

Traveling has always been a deep passion of mine. Sure, I have not been to as many countries as my oldest sister has, but I pick up on a few things while travelling. The last big trip I did was Italy and what a joyous, busy, fun trip it was, we will remember it forever. So, Dear reader I will grant you access to my travel tips in Italy.

1. Book things in advance: You have to book things in advance, if you want to go to high tourist places you need tickets in advance and if you decide to get them the day of - good luck, because you are not seeing anything. Some places have a QR code but it's best to go directly to the website where they have the tickets on sale. Which kind of ties in to my next step and that is to make sure the landmark or tourist destination you go see is actually open. A lot of tourist destinations maybe closed on Sundays.

2. Avoid the Metro: we avoided the metro at all costs Why? because you get robbed blind every time. Anyone I spoke to in Italy who had taken the metro were robbed it was a passport or wallet or cellphone or sometimes all three. Which is also smart to carry around copies of your passport, but not on you, just in case have it in your suitcase. Don't carry around your money all in one spot, spread it out in your pockets, purse, backpack. This is in case if one thing gets stolen you have others to rely on.

3. Good food: If you want the good food you need to go out of your way down a nook or alleyway that's where the best food is served and away from the tourism. You want authentic Italy go down five streets and you will find the best food there. Go to the towns in the middle of nowhere. We rented a car so it made things very easy.

4. Renting a car? If you are renting a car the highways are easy to navigate if there's a BMW or Mercedes behind you assume they want to go ahead of you and then you just need to create that third lane that Italians like having so much. Do not rent a Panda, that thing goes slow and does not move very fast. You have to be bold and take risks. Italians are good drivers just take everything as a suggestion and you will be fine. You need to make bold moves in order to survive.

5. Be aware that there are many, many tourists.

6. Venice Transportation is unreliable. They go on strike for random causes on a random day, where you might be stranded and need to buy tickets for a taxi-oh and they do not tell you ahead of time that there is a strike before paying three days worth of transit passes to get around Venice. So check with the clerk first before buying anything.

7. Extra tax: Sit down service at a restaurant costs more. A lot of people if they want to have a coffee they actually stand by the bar and that saves a lot of money right there because you don't pay table service. Tip is already included in your bill. Servers get paid a salary not like here where they make minimum wage. It is always appreciated if you do tip though.

8. To see things such as the fountain or Spanish steps, do it either at night like I did at 3:30 am or late at night when tourists are normally asleep. You will get great photos and will remember it.

9. Don't take flowers. Do not take the flowers if someone off the street is offering you one, it is a scam. They will make you pay for it. There are also people out there with bracelets where they will tie it around you and won't let go of you until you pay them something. Be aware of scams like this if anyone asks "do you have a second?" automatically say no and keep walking.

10. Cappuccino is very popular and delicious have one after dinner, it's such a great feeling to experience good coffee. Try the foods from pastas to pizzas to aperol spritz. Everything is good and you will feel healthy and not heavy.

11. Have a great trip!!