I’ve wanted to visit Italy since I started taking Latin in the 6th grade. I’d end up taking the “dead” language throughout the rest of middle and high school which led to my fascination with the immense history and culture of the country. Over a decade later, and after making it one of my 2019 travel goals, I am finally getting the chance to travel there! In a split installment of blog posts, I will be sharing the details of my trip, starting with how I planned and packed for it. Even if you’re not necessarily going to Italy anytime soon, a lot of these tips are transferable to travel to Europe and abroad in general.
Determine Which Cit(ies) You Want To Visit
Italy is a huge country with many options of cities to visit. Milan. Rome. Venice. Florence. Amalfi. Capri. Cinque Terre. Naples. Siena. Verona. Pisa. The list could go on but I think you get the point. Do your research on each of the cities and what they are known for.
Be sure to factor in weather at the time of your visit as that will largely impact the tourist crowds you’re competing with.
Your interests will determine the specific cities you visit. If it is your first trip to Italy, chances are you want to hit up Rome as you’ll be able to hit a lot of famous cultural and historical spots in a short time span. If you’ve have a longer amount of time or you are back on a second or third visit, you may want to spend more time in the country side or in smaller cities. Just be sure to factor in weather at the time of your visit as that will largely impact the tourist crowds you’re competing with and the activities that are available.
Make Plans For a Day Trip & Activities
You may be disappointed that you can’t visit all of the cities in Rome on your trip but day trips are a viable option for seeing a little bit more of the country. There are plenty of options on trip advisor and third party tour group sites. Just be sure to do extensive research on from both the information provided and reviews from past attendees. If you’re staying in large cities, a day trip to a vineyard in the countryside may be something your interested in. Or perhaps your summer visit wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a beach town. Once again, be sure to find what works for you as long as the distance between cities is reasonable for a day trip.
Do Your Research On Food
There are A LOT of amazing food options in Italy. In fact, the options can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s probably best to do your research on restaurants that you want to visit during your trip. Are you fine primarily eating at tourist spots? Do you want the local eating experience? Maybe you want to stop by a market to buy some fresh ingredients to cook for yourself. Would you consider taking a cooking class? All of these should at least be on your mind before you step off the plane, especially since some restaurants and markets aren’t open everyday. Ask friends who have been to Rome or handy dandy reviews via travel bloggers or on yelp and trip advisor to make decisions. To be safe, secure reservations in advance to avoid waiting in long lines that may throw off your itinerary for the day.
Leave Room To Be Spontaneous
Even though I’m an avid planner, I know I can’t plan everything to the very last minute, most especially when I travel. You may find that it’s a beautiful day and you want to sit in a park and relax. I can almost guarantee you that you will want to take time to soak in the experience. But also, there’s a chance you didn’t make it everything you had planned for the day. Have backup plans ready to go so you can still get the most out of your visit!
A Note on Packing
I am an overpacker by nature. I’m not sure if there is anything I can do to avoid or change that. While it’s not really necessary to go into close detail on everything I packed, I will mention some of the items that stand out as essential items to pack:
- Comfortable but trendy sneakers: You will be and should be walking a lot. You want to prioritize your comfort but it’s also clear that people care about their looks. Classic white sneakers from Adidas, Nike, or Reebok, for example, seem to be popular options for both tourists and locals alike.
- An umbrella/raincoat/rain shoes: The weather seems slightly unpredictable. I also have a tendency to not travel anywhere without a small umbrella so that I am never caught slipping.
- Medicine for stomach: Most don’t mention this because let’s be honest, it is not a fun topic to talk about. The reality is though, the food in Italy is very rich compared to food in the U.S. Your body may be overwhelmed by this so be prepared with a little sparkling water and maybe some TUMS so that you can be prepared if you need them.
Final Thoughts
I’ve only been here for a day (granted, the day was VERY packed) and I already love this city so much. I can’t wait to check back in next week with a full recap of my trip!
“As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him” Romans 10: 11-12
