Planning a Visit to Italy? Here are 10 Important Things You Must Know

Posted on: May 25, 2022 | 3 min | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Planning a Visit to Italy? Here are 10 Important Things You Must Know

Italy is a southern European country which houses world’s best cuisine, architecture, art, fashion and Mediterranean coastline. Italy is a complex country with its own set of customs and etiquette that differs from what you might have seen or read. Every traveller will tell a different story about Italy, for some its pizzas, while for some it’s the art and paintings. You literally get lost in the beauty of art the country has to offer you. Hence, if you are planning a visit to Italy this summer holidays, it is advisable to know about important things about this country, to ensure smooth travel. Also, while planning journey to Italy, check out the best international travel insurance cover for your journey, as it will secure your trip from financial loses that might incur due to any unforeseen event.

Here are 10 Important Things to Know about Italy

1.Learn Basic Italian

It is always handy to know a few Italian words, which will quickly help you communicate with locals. People in Italy are friendly, so they feel better when someone speaks Italian. Knowing words like “ciao” to greet someone or “gracias” for thanking someone will help you get along with people.

2. Opera in Verona

Whether you are a big fan of Operas or not, the experience of sitting in a Roman amphitheatre watching the show with thousands of people as per the tradition is a must-do.

3. Postpone your shopping till after 4 pm

The post-lunch “riposino” is a sacred time of the day, especially in summer. Any Italian city becomes very hot between noon and 4 pm. Italians know it, so this time of day after lunch is reserved as their daily break. Depending on wherever you are in Italy, it is very likely that shops will be closed during these hours.

4. Restaurants Opens at 7:30 pm

In Italy, the restaurant closes in the noon, as Italians restaurant owners prefer to go home to enjoy the lunch with their families and relax. You should always take this note. Many restaurants will close down from 1-4 in the afternoon. Many restaurants don't open until six or seven in the evening and start its operation at 7:30 pm. Restaurateurs often take a casual approach to business hours, opening and closing when they feel like it.

5. Don't skip the art

It's easy to go to Italy and get distracted by the ancient ruins, shopping, and restaurants. But it would be a big mistake to skip the art scene, both from the Renaissance and the present day. The Vatican houses over 100 art galleries. The Peggy Guggenheim in Venice has an extensive collection of modern works by Picasso and Magritte.

6. No cappuccino is allowed after breakfast

Italians believe in a lot of customs and thoughts around food. And one biggie is that cappuccino or any coffee drink is for the morning only and never to be consumed after a meal. This is because Italians don't like the combination of hot milk and a full stomach.

7. You only need one day in Venice

It is advisable to spend one or two days in Venice during your trip to Italy. One or two days in Venice is enough time to soak in the floating city's ambience and eat gelato in picturesque St. Mark's Square. Unfortunately, the summer months bring high costs and huge crowds, while the combination of cold and closed-for-the-season hotels and restaurants make visiting in the winter a challenge.

8. Don't tip at restaurants

Tipping isn't expected in restaurants, as servers are usually paid a fair salary and are often part of the restaurant's family. That said, your bill will usually come with a few unusual charges. For example, you can find a "servizio" charge mentioned on the bill of almost all tourist areas of Italy. The "servizio" doesn't necessarily go to the staff, and it can be anywhere from 10 to 20 per cent of the bill.

9. Get a Tour Guide

Italy is a big country full of surprises. It has a variety of places, arts, restaurants, etc. If you are new to the country or visiting it for the first time, it is advisable to take a good tour guide. There are also walking tours throughout the cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence.

10.Beware of pickpockets

Roman pickpockets are infamous all over the world. And they especially pick people who are travelling alone and keep their valuables in their outside pockets. Therefore, it’s advisable to put your stuff in your bag while roaming the streets. Also, have travel insurance cover your trip, as it provides coverage against theft, loss of essential documents, etc.

Conclusion

If you are planning a trip in nearby future to Italy, you should note these above-mentioned things before visiting this European nation. Also, since Italy is a Schengen country, it is mandatory to have a travel insurance cover for entering this nation. HDFC Ergo offers an international travel insurance policy with COVID-19 hospitalization cover.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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