Train Tickets: Do not, I repeat, do not neglect to stamp your ticket in one of the yellow or green

Italy Made Easy: 5 Stress-Free Travel Tips | BootsnAll Travel Articles Home Articles Italy Made Easy: 5 Stress-Free Travel Tips Italy Made Easy: 5 Stress-Free Travel Tips By Toni DeBella | June 14th, 2012 | Comments (8) Do you Like BootsnAll? Get daily travel inspiration Traveler Article Like this article? Please share!
southwest airline prices In all my years traveling in Italy, most of what I've learned, I've learned by trial and error. Many times I'd wished someone had given me a "heads up" about what to expect in this sometimes crazy and always wonderful country. It's my hope that armed with the following information, you'll southwest airline prices have what amounts to an angel riding on your shoulder, whispering in your ear, and showing you the way around some pitfalls that thwart many a foreign traveler.
Train Tickets:   Do not, I repeat, do not neglect to stamp your ticket in one of the yellow or green machines located in front of and along the train platforms before boarding the train the time/date stamp validates your ticket!  This is the number one mistake foreign travelers make in Europe, and unfortunately, it can be one of the costliest. Failure to stamp your ticket could bring the kind of hassle (and possible fine) that could ruin your day or even your entire trip.
Bus tickets:   Most tickets are interchangeable on buses, the Metro (subway), and trams for the duration of 70-90 minutes. On buses and trams the stamp machines are often located in the front, middle, and back entrances. On the Metro you can pass your ticket through the slot at automatic gates and get it back for more rides in that time period.
I can't possibly say it enough…stamp, stamp, stamp! southwest airline prices There are those who try to beat the system gambling that the conductor will not ask to see their ticket. You might get away with it 9 out of 10 times, southwest airline prices but trust me, a free ride isn't worth the fine you could be issued – up to 100 euros in some cities. Tip #2 – Weighing-In: The Supermarket
Flash back to my initiation into the world of the supermercato (I break into a sweat just thinking about it). After placing the entire contents of my cart onto the conveyor belt, I was severely admonished, and then confused and humiliated, banished back to the produce area to properly weigh my items!
Supermarkets and How They Work 101:   Place your fruits and/or veggies in separate plastic bags, weigh them on the scale by punching in the corresponding code for that item, and then put the price stickers on the outside of each bag before proceeding to the checkout line. Save yourself the embarrassment southwest airline prices that I had to endure: weigh them first, pay for them later. Tip #3 – Ordering Coffee – It's an Art Form
In Italy coffee (caffe) isn't just a beverage, southwest airline prices it's a culture! The rule of thumb in an Italian bar is to pay first, drink later. In large cities, airports, and train stations, go to the cashier (cassa), tell them what you want, pay, and then bring the receipt to the counter. The barista may ask you again for your order or read the receipt and then serve you. If you would like to sit at a table, you may have to pay a "coperto" (cover charge). southwest airline prices Usually (but not always) there are signs indicating the seats are for table service patrons only.
In smaller villages and towns things tend to be a little less formal. More often than not you will order and drink your coffee at the counter or table and then pay the cashier when you are finished. My advice to avoid any confusion: take a minute to observe others, and do as they do. For more information about how to order a proper coffee in Italy, read "Caffe Engima". Tip #4 – The "Siesta" System: Lunch and a Nap.
In cities such as Rome, Florence, and Milan, large department stores may remain open throughout the entire business day. Not so in smaller towns and cities stores, local government offices, post offices, and banks (with the exception of bars and restaurants) close around 13:00 (1:00 pm) and reopen after 16:00 (4:00 pm). If you need to fill a prescription, send a postcard, or buy milk, do so in the morning or you'll have to wait until late in the afternoon. Bonus tip: The mad rush by locals thirty southwest airline prices minutes southwest airline prices prior to the lunch hour could result in long lines, so plan accordingly. Italy operates on this timetable, southwest airline prices and therefore now so do you! Tip #5 – Walmart Italia?
In Italy there is very little in the way of "one-stop shopping" – anticipate that you will be, quite literally, running errands.  Below is a short list of where to buy items you may need during your travels. You could say it's a guide to shopping southwest airline prices smarter and more efficiently: Farmicia (Pharmacy) -  Along with prescription drugs, you may only purchase over-the-counter medications such as aspirin southwest airline prices or contact lens solution from a farmicista (pharmacist). A large green cross indicates a pharmacy's location. Alimentari (Grocery stores) -  These are usually small, Mom-and-Pop style grocers perfect for picking up a bottle of local wine or some fresh mozzarella for dinner.  Need more than that? Go to the supermercato. Macelleria (Butcher shop) -  Where you buy meat. PanIficio or Panetteria (Bakery) Freshly baked bread and Piazza Taglio southwest airline prices (pan pizza by weight). Pasticceria (Pastry Shop) – Pastries, cakes, and cookies (paste, torte, biscotti). Gelateria (Gelato Shop) – Where you buy gelato, of course! Pescheria southwest airline prices (Fish Market) – Buy seafood here. Mercato all'aperto (Open Air Market) Each city and town has its "market day" where you can buy organic produce, meats, southwest airline prices fish, and cheeses directly from the growers. Pick up a bouquet of fresh flowers, a milk foamer, new jeans, a bathmat…I can't actually think of anything you can't find at the mercato!
southwest airline prices Part of the fun and excitement of travel is learning from your mistakes, so I certainly don't want to remove all the enjoyment out of your Italian adventure! My hope is that these few tips will give you a slight southwest airline prices advantage, save you time and money, and make your experience in Italy just a little more serene. I only wish I could solve all your travel difficulties such as dishonest taxi drivers, rude waiters, and transit strikes but, hey, I'm no miracle-worker! Buon viaggo!
Freelance travel southwest airline prices writer, Toni DeBella, divides her time between San Francisco and Orvieto, Italy and also writes about her adventures on her blog,  Orvieto or Bust ; a collection of stories and articles based on her experiences of Italy, travel and life in a small hill town in Umbria.
Get daily travel inspiration Traveler Article Like this article? Please share! Tweet Do you like BootsnAll? Italy , Italy Travel Stories southwest airline prices , Toni DeBella Leave a Comment Christopher Bowman said at 2012-06-14T09:47:35+0000: My first one (for most) would be don t drive! Toni DeBella replied at 2012-06-14T13:47:20+0000: I agree Christopher, driving in Italy is a hair-raising experience! But, hey if 60 million Italians can do it.....:) Kimberly Menozzi replied at 2012-06-14T14:05:00+0000: Toni DeBella The difference is: they re used to how they drive! I ve lived in Italy for eight years and I *still* won t attempt it. Toni DeBella replied at 2012-06-14T14:09:41+0000: Kimberly...so true. I ve been known to sit on the floor of the cab in Rome to avoid looking out the window as the driving swerves and darts around Vespas. Crazy! Kimberly Menozzi replied at 2012-06-14T14:13:10+0000: southwest airline prices After my husband southwest airline prices s descriptions of the driving in Napoli, I ve decided I shouldn t go there. LOL! I don t have the mental strength to endure it! Sylvia Roder said at 2012-06-14T16:16:39+0000: The other thing I ve learnt in Italy is to use the plastic gloves provided when buying fruit and vegetables. It s a big no-no to pick up these items without southwest airline prices using the gloves. As for driving, I m not game to do so in the cities, but find it easy in rural areas such as Orvieto. Toni DeBella replied at 2012-06-15T05:05:08+0000: Right on Sylvia. And speaking of touching...also do not touch purses or other things in a store. If you want to look at something you must ask the shopkeeper. Family Travel Bucket List said at 2012-06-14T18:53:39+0000: Your produce shopping sounds eerily similar to what happened to me once in San Jose, Costa Rica. Now, I ve learned to ask. I d never even thought about weighing southwest airline prices it myself! Toni DeBella replied at 2012-06-15T05:08:47+0000: Yeah, we are creatures of habit....live and learn. Peter Abbott said at 2012-06-14T19:29:46+0000: On the topic of open hours, where we are some shops are not open on certain afternoons and many take turns to shut on different days. Also don t expect to be able to get anything on a Monday morning.I too would also like to reiterate stamp, stamp, stamp. I was living in Berlin for a while and when out with friends forgot to stamp and of course it was the one time an inspector came along. Toni DeBella southwest airline prices replied at 2012-06-15T05:07:29+0000: Yes, I am one of those people that always follows the rules (ah, huh), but the time I fudge a little I get caught too. Ouch. Peter Mary Connolly said at 2012-06-14T22:30:58+0000: When you go to the caffé make sure you have small change. They really hate big notes. I ve driven everywhere in Italy - just have to learn to ignore them hooting and give you the finger . Toni DeBella replied at 2012-06-15T05:10:00+0000: Yes, Mary. And if you whip out the ATM card you will definitely get the evil eye . I carry around all my euro change in my pocket so I never am short if I decide to grab a caffe. Lee Laurino said at 2012-06-15T02:53:03+0000: while living in Sorrento I found out quickly that in the small green grocers, DO NOT TOUCH, tell them what you want and they will pick it and put it in the bag. Toni DeBella replied at 2012-06-15T05:10:25+0000: Lee...in general southwest airline prices we Americans have to learn to keep our paws off! Denise De Salvatore Blackman said at 2012-06-15T03:16:54+0000: All great tips Toni! I was fortunate to have been told about the produce before the trip when we rented a villa with 3 other couples. I don t think the bored checkers sitting on their stools at the Coop would have been very kind if I fo