ITALY: 32 Things We Wish We Knew Before Visiting

Video Description

We’re not embarrassed to say it: we were new here once, too. Our first Italy trip in 1989 came with surprise rules, odd hours, and a few fines we’d like back. (In our defense, we like to say we were researching for the YouTube channel we’d start 35 years later.) Here’s what we wish someone had told us before that first trip. 🧳 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ✦ 💶 How to tip in Italy — it’s really different ✦ 🍝 How to not be surprised by menus — expect the right dishes ✦ 🧾 How to handle special requests & allergens — decipher the menu ✦ 🚕 How to actually get a taxi — don’t be left on the side of the street ✦ 🚆 How to avoid getting stuck in a train strike — the 30-second check we use ✦ 🕐 How to plan around Italy’s hours — midday closures, late dinners, Monday museums RAIL STRIKE INFORMATION: https://scioperi.mit.gov.it/mit2/public/scioperi https://www.italiarail.com/strike-information ==== ABOUT US ==== Hi, we’re Anne and Ed from Our Big Italian Adventure. We live part-time in Italy and help travelers see the beauty, culture, and everyday magic of this country without stress. If this helps, drop a comment with the tip you wish you had known! If this video is helping you avoid our early mistakes, our Italy Trip Planning Guide (PDF) goes one level higher: it walks you through the big choices—route, timing, budgets, and reservations—so your first (or next) trip feels intentional instead of patched together. Learn more: https://ourbigitalianadventure.com/your-italy-trip-planning-guide/ 📄 FREE RESOURCE: RESTAURANT VOCABULARY CHEAT SHEET - https://ourbigitalianadventure.com/key-vocabulary-for-italian-restaurants/ 📄 FREE RESOURCE: ITALIAN VOCABULARY CHEAT SHEET - https://ourbigitalianadventure.com/italian-useful-words-and-phrases-cheat-sheet/ Our most requested freebie! Use this printable sheet to understand the menu, communicate your order, and ask for the check like a pro. ➡️ https://ourbigitalianadventure.com/key-vocabulary-for-italian-restaurants/ ==== MORE VIDEOS TO HELP YOU EAT & TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL ==== 🍝 Ordering Food in Italy (What to Expect, What to Say) – WATCH: https://youtu.be/_-3DmItuslA ☕️ Ordering Coffee in Italy – WATCH: https://youtu.be/wccHmLbnAvc 🍴 Italian Restaurant Etiquette – Avoid These Embarrassing Mistakes WATCH: https://youtu.be/xAnSHqegjk4 ❌ 10 Mistakes Tourists Keep Making in Italy WATCH: https://youtu.be/lM7pTKdGqPo ==== FEATURED PRODUCTS WE LIKE & USE ==== Osprey Daylite Backpack: https://amzn.to/3IaADuE Bose headphones: https://amzn.to/3VMW1co Packing cubes: https://amzn.to/4mjGyLV Universal adapter: https://amzn.to/46vN6Cl Power bank: https://amzn.to/4nzQTEB Anne’s AWAY carry-on: https://amzn.to/3Tjp8mD Ed’s Samsonite carry-on: https://amzn.to/40uM0TR More picks 👉 https://amazon.com/shop/ourbigitalianadventure ==== SERVICES WE TRUST ==== AutoEurope (car rentals): https://autoeurope.tp.st/xIjSIbM5 NordVPN (online security): https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=125367&url_id=902 Priority Pass (airport lounges): https://prioritypass.tp.st/1rjjZEZz Airalo (travel eSIM): https://airalo.tp.st/aH7zLEI4 EatWith (meals in local homes): https://eatwith.tpx.gr/Zt5SWcI 🩷 CONNECT WITH US ⭐️ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@OurBigItalianAdventure?sub_confirmation=1 📧 Email: [email protected] 📍 Website: https://ourbigitalianadventure.com 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OurBigItalianAdventure 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourbigitalianadventure ==== ABOUT OUR LINKS ==== Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products/services we personally use and trust. #ItalyTravelTips #FirstTimeInItaly #OurBigItalianAdventure #ItalyPlanning #TravelSmarter