Six Ways To Travel Better In Italy

• Travel Slowly: Italy is a country, like all others, that is impossible to visit thoroughly in one trip (or one lifetime). A whirlwind vacation through its highlights is physically possible, but travelers will miss all the cultural nuance and treasures that make Italy such a rewarding place to visit. Focusing on one or two cities and giving yourself time to visit nearby towns and villages is a much more rewarding and relaxing experience than spending 24 hours per location, amounting to a full camera roll but very few real memories of a place. This also gives travelers time to visit less famous sites that may be equally noteworthy but less hyped.

• Go In The Off-Season: Every city and region in Italy has a low season and a shoulder season, usually October to March, while major metropolises vacate in August when locals head to the beach. Rome maintains its temperate climate in the late fall and gives visitors some of the year’s best sunsets; Capri is fresh and cool in the late spring, making it the perfect place for nature hikes and touring the island before the arrival of the summer heat; the crowds have significantly decreased in Cinque Terre by the beginning of September, though the water will stay warm enough to swim all month. When you visit in the low-season, you help put less strain on the cities, enjoy lower prices, and can take in a more relaxed atmosphere, immersing yourself more fully in the local context.

• Explore A Region: Italy was only unified 150-years ago, so regional identity is strong and extremely fascinating to explore. Consider sticking to a region and visiting multiple cities within it to experience its subtle differences through local dishes, regional dialects, or village festivals. One of my favorite territories to explore is Campania, which offers highlights such as Naples and Pompeii, but also lesser-known destinations like Procida and Ischia – both short ferry rides away. With 20 diverse regions, there is a lot to experience and options for every type of traveler – foodie, nature enthusiast, culture buff, or beach bum.

• Support Local Businesses: Italy is replete with local artisans, slow food restaurants, heritage properties, and more. I love the longstanding tradition of farm stays and sleeping in a rustic agriturismo – many have even started to go luxe in recent years if that’s your scene. Staying in this kind of property not only gives you that quintessential Italian experience so many people crave, it also helps give to the local community. These properties are often inherited by family and tourism helps sustain their maintenance and restoration.

• Be Curious: Italians are warm, hospitable people who love to practice their English, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek local advice, or strike up a conversation. The best way to peel back the layers of a place is by learning about it through locals, many of whom adhere to strict cultural traditions. Ask about their favorite place to eat (not “What is the best place to eat in the city?” but “Where do YOU eat in the city?” – the answer will vary), their local beach, where they get coffee, et cetera, and you’ll be surprised these usually aren’t listed in the top 10 lists you’ve been scouring online.

• Stay Open-Minded: There are many cultural norms and inconveniences that travelers will face when traveling in Italy, from stringent food rules and Sunday closures to a cash economy and frequent strikes. Many cultural sites are closed on Sundays and trains are reduced, so why not enjoy a leisurely Sunday lunch at a local trattoria? Most trattorias don’t stir up a cocktail at dinner, so why not ask for a local wine to pair with your dish to bring out the flavors the way they were meant to be enjoyed? Although some rules and traditions may seem inconvenient at first, taking a cue from the locals will help root you in Italy’s heritage and give you a more authentic experience in the country.

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