Avoid these Tourist Scams when in Italy: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pdqahdWIs9mWnZs.html

I taught myself some rudimentary Italian before my visit to Italy. Many times, it got me free dessert and extra scoops of gelato. Most Italians were very grateful for my efforts, and they even helped me with phrases and words. However, while in Venice, the hotel concierge told me, “Just speak English. You’re in Venice. Don’t anyone lie to you. Everyone speaks English here.” Haha! Still, because I love the Italian language and respect the people whose country I’m visiting, I continued practicing Italian every chance I got.

I’m Italian and I can say you make great videos about Italy. One thing to notice: away from those great tourist attractions, there is a beautiful country with no scams, with excellence in food, wine, views, history, etc. I’m from Piacenza, we have great things, so much that many people from Milan come here in our valleys to eat or to have a nice day. Our little town in our province Bobbio is probably the place where the “Gioconda” (monna Lisa) has been painted. Hernest Hemingway called our Val Trebbia “the valley of dreams”, he did like it so much. We have outstanding local food and, best of all, there are no international tourists except a few, so when we see someone that speaks another language we really want to help, genuinely, without any scam (we’re also scammed when we go to tourist places), just because share something of our culture is something beautiful. I like your love for spritz and americano 😜, I mainly drink Campari (bitter) spritz…just a spritz with Campari instead of Aperol. You should try Negroni one time (vermouth, bitter, gin, with orange slice). It’s stronger, but if you drink it little by little is very good (without straw) and has history. Well, as I said in another video, if you plan to visit the province of Piacenza, me and my girlfriend (well, I still have to tell her🤣) will be pleased to host you for free and explain something about our land

It's not an inappropriate inconsiderate way of life at all. It's Italy and this is what I love about them. We should all relax more and not stress the little things. I'm planning to move there asap. Italy has my heart.

I once saw an American girl freak out at a waiter in Milan because he brought her Carbonara with guanciale. Apparently she wanted a vegan carbonara!!😂 I was sitting beside the chef station and overheard them. They genuinely did not know how to make a vegan carbonara ... I felt so bad for them the customer really abused them But honestly just order something else never ask them to change a recipe. Some of these recipes are like a constitutional amendment. It's really offensive to ask for a carbonara with no pork

Just came back from two weeks in italy, Napoli, Amalfi, Venezia, Sorrento, Rome. All those rules must have been relaxed or outright suspended as we broke pretty much all of them, and so did most other people around us. Italians know. Just be polite, and that's pretty much the only rule you need to have an awesome time like we did. 😅

Hi there...my husband and I travel to Italy yearly and have been to Italy over a dozen times. We have done all the public transportation and we have never to date had a train arrive late. We haven't tried regional trains so that might be a different story. I think to say Italians are always late is extreme, every shuttle back and forth to the airports have always been early and we've never had to worry about getting to the airport late. Everything else you've expressed here is accurate and we couldn't agree with you more

When? You are a tourist.Use the bathroom in every location.You walk into you go to a restaurant.Use the bathroom even if you don't really have to go if you're in the airport.Use the bathroom never walk by a bathroom opportunity or you could be in trouble

My wife and I spent 10 days in Italy this past fall, and did a lot of research before we went. We had heard or read in several places (like you said) that Italians don't like it when you ask to modify menu items, which was somewhat of a concern to us as we both eat a plant-based diet (no meat or dairy). While we did see that to be true in a general sense, we found that when we explained about our diet first and then asked for the server's suggestions, they often had items that weren't on the printed menu or they would offer to adjust an item. We never once had a problem and a couple of times we were even asked for suggestions to help others with a similar diet who might come to their restaurant. I think the difference was that it was a dietary need instead of just a preference, and that we approached it proactively with the server as soon as we set down instead of expecting them to adjust on the fly. One thing I would mention is that unless you REALLY enjoy crowds, try to avoid Rome on the first Sunday of each month, especially during the summer, when cultural sites run by the state are free of charge. While that may sound like a great way to save a few euros, you need to decide BEFOREHAND how much its worth to be standing in huge lines and packed in standing-room only. Most of the lines into these sites are out in the hot sun, and by the time you get inside you're already hot and tired. There is a LOT to see, and this may not be your best way to see it.

Just came back from a first-time, 2 week vacation in Italy. Venice, Milan, Florence & Rome was my route. Looooved every minute it ! Had the time of my life. Will surely go back again. Did my research 6 months ahead of the trip. Your videos helped and guided me throughout. They prepped me so well. Love your energy and enthusiasm. Thank you so much for a fantastic job !!!

Thanks Gregor, I’m off to Luca in September with 3 good friends (The East Coast Outcasts) and your tips will be invaluable, keep them coming, have liked and followed 👏👏👍

Such a great informative video. Thank you.

I'm Italian and I drink cappuccino at any time. if I want I eat spaghetti with a fork and spoon and I try to be as punctual as possible... so we don't all act the same way. There are some basic rules that belong to the culture but we are tolerant especially if you do not belong to this culture

ciao Gregor, da Italiano vorrei farti i miei complimenti. Ci sono centinaia di video simili a questo ma il tuo mi è piaciuto molto, senza stereotipi inutili.......senza MANDOLINO come colonna sonora :-) e dando consigli utili. E quando hai parlato dei nostri difetti (veri) lo hai fatto in maniera molto rispettosa. Bravo!!!!!

Italian here, the video is pretty spot on, I'd say they would be the same advices I'd give to a tourist :) (apart the delays, I'm from Milano and we are pretty in time LOL we are annoyingly picky here)

Thank you for the tips , very helpful!

I’ve gone to Padua and taken the train every day to Venice for 10 years….The train is always on time, maybe a few minutes late but it’s as good as in Copenhagen, maybe even better:)

Love your content! In Florence right now, and enjoying every minute of it!

Another great and imformative video as usual, thanks Gregor ❤

Your videos are a mine of information and superbly presented. Very entertaining and my favourite content to view for Italy. Thanks for the content.

This are some goods advices.

Fantastic video and lots of correct information. I lived in Northern Italy for 2 years and have so much more than you mentioned. I by far had more fun away from touristy places like Padova and Rovigo. like you said, you can do just about anything you want but remember that you are in Italy and should do as the Italians. A BIG one that you missed is ordering a Margarita. You know what I am talking about.

I'm a local from Rome and I truly appreciate your great video! If I may, I'd change your "Buongiorno, parli inglese per favore?" into "Buongiorno, mi scusi parla inglese?" as it sounds more natural. I've also lived in North America for about 10 years and always tipped as if I were in Europe, as I can't stand rewarding overbearing service ha!

great vid thanks

"Parli" is the informal. You should say "Parla" to get off on the right foot: "Parla inglese?" Otherwise, you're basically saying "Do you speak English, honey?" This might work in the south (also in the south of Italy), but not elsewhere.

Grazie per questo video .

thank you for the advice!! going to italy in a few weeks and am trying to learn as much as i can!

Enjoyed your video and the comments were on point. One thing I might mention regarding credit cards it's best to inform your bank in advance of your travel itinerary so youre not blocked. Happened to me once, fortunately I had another card

Thanks it's been over 20 years since I was in Italy. Yep we tried to do to much and then slowed down and enjoyed life. I appreciate all the traditions except my cafe late or cafe alonge with milk, after a meal.

Greetings from Sydney. Great video mate. Loved the capital one venture x. Best credit card!!

G'day Gregor love your work mate 👍 Great tips for Italy, never been to EU and frankly a little nervous but watching your content is helping to ease my anxiety as an Aussie visitor to the region. BTW the Mrs loves your work too, maybe a little to much. Anyway have a good one 👍 Appreciate your dedication to your channel and followers

About credit cards.. visa and master cards are widely used all around Europe, American Express much less.. And you can have a cappuccino any time.. You will look a tourist,but after all you are tourists.. Driving.. In the north it is very different from Rome and Naples

Great video. I’m Australian. I have been to Europe a few times. I went with family last year. Everywhere we went (Especially Rome)waiters asked for tips and were upset when we didn’t give anything. I told them “We’re Australian not American.” Never in previous trips to Europe have I been asked for tips. In Munich a waiter asked me if there was something wrong with the service. I told him no. He said he usually gets 20%. I told him it’s rude to expect or ask for tips. Here’s a tip for Americans, please stop tipping in Europe. They’re expecting it now. You’re ruining it for the rest of us. 😊

Hi Gregor, thank you for depicting so nicely my country. You and all the nice people from the World are welcome here. We are plenty of problems, but most of us tries to be decent. Wishing you a nice stay there!

This video is awsome I'm going on Eurail trip in September

Excellent video! New subscriber ☺️ (more about Italy: Florence, Milan, Naples, Rome, Sicily)

In italia certe cose non le facciamo ma siamo molto tolleranti percio' puoi mangiare gli spaghetti aiutandoti con il cucchiaio bere il cappuccino a ogni ora ecc ecc . Non ti capitera ' nulla di male😅😂 buone vacanze

Grazie, very good and practical advice. Dov'e' il bagno (where is the bathroom) a good phrase to know. Pronunciation: doe vay eel banyo is the best way I have found for English speakers. Knowing few key phrases really helps and is very much appreciated when you at least try. I have had some shocking experiences in public Italian bathrooms. If you pay you are more likely to find a clean bathroom with toilet paper and a toilet seat. Carry a bit of TP just in case. I love Italy and will be going back for my fourth trip this fall. Best to do your homework, know the scams when you see them and go knowing you will have a great time.

This was a funny video for me. I’m not Italian but I was raised by European parents and most of the things you mention are just normal in my family of origin. Also I’ve never worn a baseball cap in my life.

What rules are you talking about? These are just habits, you can have what you want, just together with a weird look.

Ciao Gregor, hai detto tutto perfettamente, bravo! Amo il tuo paese e mi piacerebbe scambiare opinioni con te. Bacio

👏 BRAVO - this was one of the BEST Helpful video I have seen. Excellent. I’ve shared with family that is traveling this fall to Italy

Such practical tips! Thank you!

Looking forward to visiting Italy 🇮🇹 one day. Bucket list item.😊

And when someone gives you thanks - Grazie (eg because you were courteous towards them) you reply - Prego

We’ve been to Rome 34 times twice every year. Your video is spot on. Forza Roma

Never had a problem with punctuality of trains.

Great video 😊 I'm italian and I think your Italian is great! You're absolutely right about cappuccino 😂 Never order it with you food, please😂

One more advice: pay attention to pickpocket in big city like Milan, Rome, Florence, Naples, Bologna, Trieste; expecialy in the metro.

Thanks!

Please, when trying to learn a few Italian phrases, at least, use Google Translate to use the microphone for the correct pronunciations.

Great info, thank you! I'm planning a trip to Rome in October and i would like to fly my dji mini drone. I have a licence, but i don't know how it works there. Can you give some advice per favore?

So many good ones here. My number 1 is road safety. Don't be in a daze when walking around - stay alert to cars, buses, scooters, trams, and, especially, bikes!

There is a tipping culture in Europe. Not that much like in the US but there is. I`m from Germany and the most people in Service are at minimum or low wage. And often the tips were summarised and split at the end of the day between all workers. Including the kitchen staff. It is common to add tip around 5-10 percent or up to the next 10th or fith number. For example your bill is 23 you will say "make it 25"

The fountain that suddendly got "non drinkable" probably was fine untill a few days, maximum weeks, before. They get checked for bacterial counts and chemical residues at regular intervals, as sometimes water quality can drop for various reasons, agricultural issues, dry weather or very wet weather. I used to work in a lab doing these controls, a couple of people had the task to tour all the little fountains around the villages and countriside..

Wish I would have watched this before my trip!

I did duolingo for two months or so before coming to italy ( I am here to study for a short time and holiday) and following your advice my mum and I are having a great time here. My tip for museums and galleries is mention you are a student if you are as admission is usually free or cheap. They waved my entrance fee at several galleries and even special access to more fragile artworks this week when I mentioned I am here to study art :)

As a tourist enjoy your vacation the way you want to. That’s should be it.

17:16 I am Italian and I am always drinking spirtz, even eating a pizza. You were in Tuscany and the spritz is not a typical local drink there... In Italy, if you don't like beer or wine, order just a Prosecco before the pizza. It is fine! The spirtz is a common drink in the North East, I mean from Padova to Trieste, because of austro-hungarian occupation of the Lombardo-Veneto during the 1800ish. For austrians the local wine was too strong so they diluted it with "seltz water" inventing the spirtz (wine plus water). Nowadays the Aperol Spritz Is the common Spritz young Italians use to drink.

Love a good spritz or americano, but in the US a lot of bartenders add too much club soda. Also like Negroni or a Milano-Torino in the evening. Salute!

People sometimes arrive late and that sucks. But people being late has nothing to do with traians being late 😂 Go to Germany and you'll find people being more punctual but trains arriving just as late. I think that is a complicated issue, having to do mostly with crowded train lines and lack of redundancy - which boils down to basically "more investments in rail needed". Good advice about credit cards and cash! I would add: get your cash at an ATM. ATM of a bank would be preferrable, because the ones you find at the airport often have huge commissions and bad exchange rates. If you have to use those, select the option to have your own bank do the conversion, not them. Also, AMEX cards are not often accepted by small shops and restaurants, the commissions for them are too large. For that it's better to also have a Visa or Mastercard.

if you have to eat outside our lunch/dinner time, just look for a "pizzeria al taglio" where you can have all the slices you want, sometimes (especially in rome) they are great (naples is another story, pizza there is on another championship, even outside dinner time. maybe fried. pizza fritta). you'll not staying here for so long: avoid mcdonalds if you can, we have a lot of alternatives.

We may not have a 24 hour store in my town, but we do have beer and wine vending machines in a pinch!

Never go to a gelateria where the pistachio and mint chip are dyed green. That stuff is made in a giant factory. Every city has natural, artisanal gelato, and the price is about the same as the mass produced stuff. The shops are less crowded, too.

Very informative! The only point that isn't 100 percent true is tipping. In some parts of Italy, in particular Naples, the locals tip, but not like the U.S, no percentage method, they just leave what they want.

Thanks

i like your sun glasses . what brand is it ? i would like to have one 😎

In (parts of) Europe we do tip, though not to such extremes as in the US. In Germany you can add a couple of Euros to the restaurant bill to round it up, or add about 5%. In the UK 10% is about right, although I may not be fully up to date on that. In France I would tip aeound 10%, though the rule is if it a a small place and the owner serves you you don't tip.

Aperol Spritz! But, good to know that you can drink them only 9n certain hours.

Last week I was in Rome all these facts are true. They are not punctual at all. Sometimes one hour late is very natural.

Buongiorno up to 12 Buon pomeriggio up to 18 Buona sera up to 22/24 Buona nottata up to 6 am

When my daughters friend first visited Italy, she ordered an espresso martini with her dinner and was told NO, only after dinner! LOL

Yep..the Loo is not free..Amex is not acceptable in many places..I had Visa MC and Amex....love Roma...all of Italy ❤. This video is Such a wealth of information!

Curious on your thoughts about adapting a menu item for a severe food allergy? I have a dairy and peanut allergy (like, I'll die if I eat it). We're travelling to Tuscany for our wedding (the hotel/villa isn't a worry as they will adapt anything for us), then up north to Lake Como, the Alps, and potentially Switzerland as well. Then to Scotland, but we aren't worried about going there as much

Great video. However, you are quite wrong about Europe being non-tipping. We are tipping in all the European countries I have been and lived. Besides this - great informative video 🤗

Will you visit Vernazza at some point?:)

In Italy it is not a good thing to have your food served with speed ... It has to be served with correct timing, not to long and not to fast.

What you said about spritz is correct. Instead in USA it's very confusing. I met some friends in Texas, it was almost 7 pm and we went to a restaurant, the waiter came and took the orders for drinks. They told me the local was famous for its piña colada. I assumed we were going to have aperitivo so I asked for one. Next, the waiter began to take orders for dinner 😮 every one was ordering meat.... at that hour... ! While drinks were to arrive to the table! What? I said: "Meat is ok, but.... will I have time to drink my drink before they bring the meat?" Nobody understands my worries, so I had my wonderful beef ... and I was supposed to eat it WITH PIÑA COLADA!!! Oh guys, the sweet drink wasted the first piece of meat, so I put my drink away and asked for red wine, while the others were surprised. They said, "What's the problem about sweet drinks with meat, don't you ever eat a hamburger with milk shake?" 😂😂😂 I said never, not even if you point me with a gun... I just couldn't!.

You can leave out "per favore", it's implicit in a conversation, it depends on the tone of your voice.

I often hail taxis on the street in both Milan and Rome. Also, most people now do understand English, if you speak slowly. Unfortunately, yes, trains and buses tends to be late. 😞

Ciao, sono italiana di Roma. Mi è piaciuto molto il tuo vlog e hai descritto benissimo le abitudini degli italiani. Soprattutto le passeggiate 😅

The cappuccino/spritz thingy are, as you said, not enforced rules or rules at all. Simply put, we can talk about having or not having taste buds. If you go to a restaurant and just order dessert, you can order a cappuccino without any problem, but if you are eating a normal dish... cmon. For example, imagine carbonara paired with cappuccino. It isn't heavy on your stomach; that's a way to be polite, and don't say you have the same taste buds of a four-year-old.

What about exchanging foreign currency? Best place to do it? In home country or when we arrive in Italy? ATMs? Banks? Airport?

So, I have a medical condition that doesn’t allow me to consume any amount of alcohol. I mean non at all. No drinks, and no e in my food. Literally just a few drops will kill me. With this said, will I end up dying if I go to Italy?

Cappuccio on Saturday and Sunday is ok even up to 1230

This video give me a major confidence boost about my pronunciation 😂

So I can only have beer or wine with dinner? I don't drink, so I get nothing?

Well its time now finally off to Italy .. Rome is my first stop I wonder what will happen if someone doesn't eat cheese at all what food can he get in Italy hehehe Hey Gregor I hope to see you there in couple of days ;) Any secret recommendations places other than the ordinary tourist list please list it below ... ciao

Good video, well done! Just a couple of things. Not ALL italians aren't punctual. I am and most of the time it's true I have to wait for my friends, who perhaps aren't. But don't assume ALL of us aren't punctual. Maybe in the south more than in the nrod, but it's more a "personal" thing. Trains can be late, true, but not all of them, especially the fast ones. If you assume they're all late and you pop up late at the platform, you just loose it! Tippig: very true that it's not an Italian thing (such as it's not a European thing in general) but if the service or the food was really good and you feel to tip, you can do it and they'll be more than glad about it, just don't think about a 15/20%, let's say that if the check is 100 euro, 5 euro tip is consedered "very generous" (becasue everybody has a fair salary and don't rely on tips to live). So true the Cappuccino thing! If we Italians see somebody drinking a Cappuccino after lunch or, even worse, after dinner, we immediatly spot the person as a foreigner. Don't ask me why, but it's a "unsaid" rule here, that almost every Italian (99% at least) follow as if it's a sacred thing.

omg id be totally shattered not being able to order my coffee after 11am. i usually have a latte around 4pm or even later. im not sure how i would even go with my coffees as i have a small skim milk , triple shot coffee latte. i dont even know how i would order that

immediately I'm thinking you sound like John Malkovich!

The hat thing is a problem. The Mediterranean sun is fierce and most women would consider it logical to wear something with a brim to shade their face. On the other hand, hats take up room in your luggage. A smaller baseball cap, a newsboy cap, or a golf visor makes sense even if it marks us out as tourists.

Can anyone direct me to the pdf links he mentions? Thanks in advance. 🙏

Well, the least 'a tourist' should do is ..don't expect to find the land that you are vacationing "from". Example: don't go to Milano expecting to find New York! And "please" don't take it for granted that the places that you are visiting, were dying ... to see you go there!

Me being italian watching some advice for tourist 🗿:

I know that Italy accommodates gluten free, but does every restaurant provide gluten-free options? Bread, pasta and pizza are a nightmare for me bc I have celiac.

There are cafés on the streets that are open all day, don't worry. They are also used to world wide tourist that like cappuccino anytime. Drink an Aprol Spritz when you want!! OMG!NO grappa! They ask us always! They do think you'll tip. DON'T! Cash is king in Europe. Listen to the tips, remember them but explore and experience it at for yourself! We did (being here in Germany for 6 yrs) and we do great. Look around and do as the Italians do! They are very friendly! Cheers! Ciao!🇺🇸🇩🇪❤️🇮🇹

Where do you cross a street without looking both ways?

I have never heard about not ordering a cappuccino after 11 p.m.

Currently visiting now, and I can say this: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Try to adapt to the language, culture, and mannerisms. I almost feel bad when I see other Americans acting like a tourist, it’s embarrassing. Just try to fit in and know your place.