1.  Eternal patience - no one is in a hurry except when driving a car.

2.  The best walking shoes - you will need them.

3.  A great camera - an extravaganza of beauty waits to be photographed. (click here for our equipment)

4.  A face cloth - unheard of in Italy - bring one with you.

5.  Expert driving/parking skills. The speedways are great. They are without intersections which actually make them quite safe even at excessive speeds. The inner cities are a different story. The drivers are completely mad yet accidents seem to occur less frequently than in the wide clear streets of North America. Parking is a nightmare in Italy. Get used to using the emergency brake, they are a MUST here ! 
Pedestrians have the right of way but this law is rarely respected. You need to have eyes on the back of your head to navigate the roadways and streets.

6.  If you wish to look like a tourist bring running shoes (Italians wear running shoes only for running - the one exception seems to be teenagers). Italians are the most well dressed fashionable people I have ever met. Even toddlers wear designer clothes including the best footwear available. Many children wear fur and suede - natural fibres instead of polyester blends so common in North America.

7.  3-star*** hotels are great but baths are scarce (most hotels have only a small shower). Room service is rare and hotel dining facilities are open only to hotel guests.

8.  Public bathrooms are few and far between.

9.  Coffee bars offer a delicious variety of sweet pastries and light lunch items. If you want American style coffee you must ask for cafe Americano. Pizzerias are on every corner. Small bars serving alcohol are also very common.

10.  A basic knowledge of the language and/or a good dictionary are essential for travel.

11.  If you are on medication bring a supply with you.

12.  Shops close in early afternoon and open again early evening. The street markets are wonderful and offer a variety of fashions and novelty items, many imported from Asia & China.

13.  Supermarkets are not the same as in North America. Italians like fresh food and consume very little processed food.

14.  McDonalds is still McDonalds even in Italy.

15.  The food in Italy is divine - no other word describes the specialities and plentiful supply of fresh fish, fruits and vegetables. The famous Italian wines and cheeses are incredibly good. It is said it takes 7 days for your body to become accustomed to olive oil and this oil is used here for almost everything. If you want butter for bread you have to ask for it in a restaurant.

16.  No wild animals of prey so a walk in the woods is pleasant. (Isolated parts of Italy report a few wolves and brown bears).

17.  Never ask for a cup of coffee before or during a meal. You will insult the waiter or host by doing so. Wine or water with meals and coffee after lunch or dinner. Tipping is not expected although you can do so if you wish.

18.  Laundromats are not easy to find in Italy so you may have to use hotel laundry service or find a dry cleaner for heavier items. Italians have all laundry flying in the breeze. You will see laundry everywhere in this country. Where there is laundry there is life !

19.  All hairstylists in Italy think they are artists. Be careful when you go for a haircut. Asking to have hair coloured or permed would be a great risk and a new passport photo might be needed for your flight home

20.  Travelling with children or handicapped persons could pose a challenge because not everything is wheelchair accessible. Most elevators are not big enough for wheelchairs and baby change facilities are non-existent in public washrooms. 

21.  Italians always say good morning and good evening to each other. "Buongiorno" and "Buonasera" are the first words to learn. A thank you goes a long way too - "Grazie"

22.  Italians are high spirited and loud. What may sound like an argument or disagreement may only be a friendly exchange of words.

23.  Weather and temperatures vary here....hot in summer and some very beautiful sunny winter days with mild temperatures.

24.  If you are on extended travel it is wise to leave pets at home. Italy fiercely protects animal rights and responsible pet owners are not given priority in the decision making process to eliminate a pet. Protecting the life of an aging animal is a first concern even if an old animal is suffering in some way or compromises the well being of its human owner.

25.  If you don't have an eye for beauty you will certainly have one after visiting Italy...The whole country is a garden by the sea. The art, restoration and excavations are spectacular and the charm of the people is an art work in progress.

26.  If you are a smoker from Canada you will be pleasantly surprised. Even Canadian brands are half price here showing the level of taxation in Canada. While Canada is busy educating the public about the dangers of smoking it is selling the cigarettes to other countries for less than half the price it is charging Canadian consumers. Shoes and other goods made from imported Canadian skins are also half price in Italy.

27.  Italian men adore women and why not? Women do all the work here. Of course Italy does not have the exclusive on this but what is noticeable is the fact the work seems to keep everyone very healthy including elderly people. It is amazing to see so many elderly people with such great endurance. For them, navigating the steep hills and stairs common in most Italian cities, seems a pleasant stroll in the park.

28.  Ohhh nooo.. the hairstylist again

29.  Television programs are very different in Italy. The sound studios and visuals seem a bit outdated. The content however is excellent. News programs appear more concerned with news reporting instead of massive marketing strategies used by north american stations. Natural beauty and confidence means no need or demand for cosmetic enhancement. The Italian people have a natural beauty so even in less than perfect circumstances they look wonderful. 

30.  The coffee bars and supermarkets offer high fat pastries. No one makes an issue of the high fat levels in food as they do in other parts of the world. Instead common sense is used. If you consume a lot of these high fat items it would be considered absurd to blame the baker for your declining health status due to your own willingness to consume. The point being.. take your lawsuit elsewhere because in Italy people don't sue for ridiculous reasons. 

31.  You have not tasted ice cream until you experience Italian ice cream. It is unlike any other but reminded me of my childhood. Living those first few years in Scotland we often visited Polenti (or Valenti?) Ice Cream shop in Leith: now I know why it was the best Edinburgh had to offer. Owned by an Italian who knew the secret method of making this dessert, his shop was very popular offering the BEST ice cream made with natural products. I wonder if this shop is still in business today.

32.  Still in progress…..

Expect to be delighted by this wonderful magical place !

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