Want to visit Italy as a "local"? A guide from a true Italian.

I see many posts on this chamber asking about Italy and how to visit it in the best way. Now, this is obviously not an exhaustive guide and it's mainly based on my region, Emilia Romagna, which, in my very biased opinion, is one of the best places in Italy.<br><br> <br>**Pronunciation and expressions**<br><br>First of all, let's start with the pronunciation. I've heard Americans calling it Eye-tah-lee while the correct pronunciation is more like Ee-tah-lee, closer to the "e" in "pet". The "i" is silent, almost. <br><br>The most important expression is obviously "grazie" (thank you), but I guess you already know that one, as every basic phrasebook would teach you that. Here are some expressions you might not know:<br><br>* Per favore (please)<br>* Scusa / mi dispiace (excuse me / sorry) - these are not interchangeable. Scusa attracts the attention, Per favore is more polite. "Mi dispiace" can also be used as an apology, as in "sorry". For example: scusa, what time is it? (excuse me, what time is it?) versus mi dispiace, I've just accidentally pushed you and I'm apologizing (sorry I've just pushed you, sorry about that).<br>* Si (yes) <br> No (no)<br>* Dove posso trovare... (where can I find...)<br>* Posso avere il menu, per favore? (can I have the menu, please?)<br>* Il conto, per favore (the bill, please) - you might also ask for "il conto alla carta di credito?" (bill to the credit card) or "posso pagare con carta di credito?" (can I pay with credit card?). Some places might not allow this, especially smaller restaurants.<br>* Un caffè / cappuccino / the, per favore. Posso pagare adesso? (a coffee/cappuccino/the, please. Can I pay now?)<br>* Il bagno dov'è? (where is the bathroom?) <br> You might also simply say "scusa" in the direction of someone and mimic the act of peeing.<br><br>Some expressions you might encounter:<br><br>* Ciao (hi/bye) - not a real greetings, more like "hi, what's up" or "bye, see you soon"<br>* Buon giorno/buona sera/buona notte (good morning/good afternoon/good evening) - the equivalent of "hi" or "bye".<br>* Buon appetito (enjoy your meal)<br>* Buona fortuna (good luck)<br><br>Some expressions you might find useful:<br><br>* Posso pagare qui? (can I pay here?) - to be asked at the cash register of a supermarket. If they're not the ones in charge of the payment you'll be told "alla cassa" (at the cash).<br>* Un biglietto per..., per favore (a ticket for..., please) - to be asked at the ticket office. Remember that the ticket offices at the train station are usually shut on Sundays, so if you want to take the train on a Sunday be sure to buy your ticket beforehand. At the airport you can ask at the information desk.<br>* Questo biglietto è valido per...? (is this ticket valid for...?) - you might ask this at the ticket office or to whoever is selling the tickets. You might also ask "questo biglietto è valido fino a...?" (how long is this ticket valid for?) e "questo biglietto posso usarlo su...?" (can I use this ticket on...?)<br>* Posso scendere alla prossima fermata? (can I alight at the next stop?) - to be asked on public transports. "Posso scendere alla prossima stazione?" if you're on a train. You might also say "scendo alla prossima fermata" (I'm getting off at the next stop).<br>* Ma quant'è? / Quanto costa? (how much is it?) - to be asked at the cashier.<br>* Vorrei una birra, per favore (a beer, please) - to be asked in a pub. You might also ask "birra alla spina?" (draft beer?) if you want to specify that, often the answer can be negative, as most pubs don't have draft beer, especially outside of the main cities.<br>* Mi scusi, ho una prenotazione a nome di... (sorry, I have a reservation in the name of...) - you might say this when you arrive at the restaurant. Remember you should always make a reservation, especially during holidays.<br>* Un caffè / cappuccino / the, per favore (a coffee/cappuccino/the, please)<br>* Il conto, per favore (the bill, please)<br><br>**Precautions**<br><br>1. **Pickpocketing** - be extra careful in crowded areas, especially tourist hotspots and public transportation. Secure your belongings and be mindful of your surroundings.<br>2. **Traffic** - Italy has a chaotic road culture. Be aware of cyclists, scooters, and pedestrian traffic. Always use crosswalks and be careful when crossing streets.<br><br>**Food and Drink**<br><br>1. **Breakfast** <br> Coffee, croissant, and brioche are the most common breakfast combination. Breakfast is not a big meal in Italy, usually you can find these 3 things at every bar, plus some pastries, biscuits, yogurt, fruit salad and juices. There isn't usually a full English breakfast, as it's not very common here.<br>2. **Lunch** <br> Aim for **family-run trattorias** or **small, authentic eateries**. Avoid overpriced places. Also avoid places where there are photos of the plates, as this is more of a tourist thing.<br>3. **Dinner** <br> Get into a **hidden gem** or a **local favorite**. Ask your hotel concierge or a local for recommendations. Don't eat at a restaurant with someone outside inviting you in. Most likely you'll be paying way more than the normal price of the dishes.<br>4. **Drinks** <br> **Water** is the best choice. Tap water is fine, as it is everywhere in Italy, so you might ask for tap water at the restaurant too. Coffee and wine are also available, but both have calories, so if you're on a diet you might want to avoid them.<br><br>**What to see**<br><br>1. **Main cities** - **Rome** (the Colosseum, the Vatican), **Florence** (the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio), **Venice** (St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace), **Milan** (Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II), **Naples** (National Archaeological Museum, Pompeii)<br>2. **Small towns** - **Cinque Terre** (five colorful coastal towns), **Amalfi Coast** (Positano, Amalfi, Ravello), **Tuscany** (San Gimignano, Siena), **Lake Como** (Bellagio, Varenna), **Puglia** (Alberobello, Trani)<br>3. **Islands** - **Sicily** (Valley of the Temples, Greek Theatre), **Sardinia** (Costa Smeralda, Cagliari)<br><br>**Travel tips**<br><br>1. **Transportation** <br> * Rent a car for **flexibility** and **exploration**. Italy has a well-connected highway system, but be prepared for **aggressive drivers** and **parking challenges**. Be prepared to pay a toll for the highways.<br> * Train is the best choice to avoid traffic and parking issues. You might also ask for the fastest train, which is more expensive but takes a lot less time.<br>2. **Language** <br> Most locals speak basic English but it's always appreciated when you **speak Italian**. Download the **Google Translate app** for help with more complex phrases. Please do not approach an Italian speaking French. We are two different countries with two completely different languages.<br>3. **Respect** <br> Italy has a **rich cultural heritage**. There might be dress codes in certain churches, you can usually find this information on their website, so be sure to check it before going. <br> Respect **local customs** and **traditions**.<br><br>**Souvenirs**<br><br>1. **Food and wine** <br> Bring home some **authentic Italian treats** like extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, prosciutto di Parma, Parmesan cheese, and good-quality pasta.<br>2. **Handmade crafts** <br> Look for **local artisans** selling handmade goods like ceramics, glasswork, leather bags, wooden decorations, and textiles. You might find artisans selling their products at the local market. <br>3. **Fashion and accessories** <br> Italy is famous for its **fashion**. Look for **high-quality leather goods**, shoes, clothing, and accessories like silk scarves, hats, and jewelry. You can usually find these things at the local market as well.<br><br>In conclusion, Italy is a **treasure trove of history, art, architecture, fashion, and delicious food**. By following these tips, you'll be able to experience it like a true "locale".