1. There is no tipping:
Tipping in Italy is not very common although many of the restaurants you will encounter will include a “cover charge” or ‘coperto’ which almost acts as a tip. This is because unlike in the US Italians are paid a bit more money as restaurant workers and they are used to not counting on tips as part of extra income. It’s just not the usual. Although tipping is not common you can feel free to leave a few euros if you feel like you received great service. Tip: try to keep coins because this makes for easier tipping when out.
2. You must always validate your tickets for public transport:
Such as buses or trains your tickets must be validated, period. Usually this involves inserting your ‘biglietto’ or ticket into a machine that punches a teeny tiny hole in it. If you forget to do this, expect that you could get a hefty fine which would be super upsetting on a so far amazing vacation.
3. Many Italians take mid-day breaks:
From about 1-4 in the afternoon, you can expect that many shops and restaurants will be closed. This is due to ‘riposa’ which is Italy’s mid-day nap or relaxing period where they will likely go home and enjoy a lunch or time with family.
4. Plan to eat late dinners:
Since a fair amount of restaurants close for ‘riposa’ expect that they will not open again until at least 7 if not 8 pm. For my husband and I this was not a problem as we typically eat later meals but for family’s with children or those who ate an earlier lunch, be prepared with snacks!
5. Don’t expect to say “Ciao” to just anyone:
Yes, “ciao” does mean hello or goodbye, but for people you have just met, it usually isn’t appropriate to use. It is meant for individuals you have a familiar relationship with or are on a first name basis with. However, if someone does say it to you first, do feel free to say it back.
6. Expect to pay for water at restaurants:
Almost every restaurant I ate at while in Tuscany I had to pay for water. Many Italians do not drink the tap water so they don’t usually expect you to either thus having to pay for water. There will likely always be a choice between still or sparkling so be prepared to 1. pay for water and 2. choose which type you prefer.
7. Be prepared to have scammers target you:
Luckily during my time in Tuscany, we were not targets of a pick-pocketing crime. With that said, we were unfortunately targeted for two scams, one of which we half fell for. The one that we didn’t fall for was the ‘posters on ground’ and the one we did was the ‘bracelet on arm’ scam. Don’t let the risk of scammers or pick-pocket-ers deter you from travel, just be aware of your surroundings and diligent with common safety measures.
8. There will likely not be A/C in summer months:
Many hotel rooms will provide their guests air conditioning within their rooms but do not expect to have it throughout the rest of the hotel. Restaurants, shops, and museums typically do not have air conditioners, or at least adequate ones, either. During my time in Italy, it was quite hot, as in 98F+ every day we were there and quite a few times we had to suffer through very hot dinners inside of restaurants and tours through museums. So, just come prepared with the notions that if you choose to visit in hot weather, there likely won’t be air conditioning many places you go.
