I know you are looking forward to your trip to Rome. Believe me you will love it! I loved it so much that I stayed and I am currently on my third year here. This city is like starring in a movie. I am not joking. The loud Italians becomes the extras and the architecture the scenes. Whichever emotion, flavor or weather condition, be sure that Rome will bring it to its extreme. Don’t be overwhelmed they are just being Italian.

So before you hit the Italian soil, here are some useful advises for your trip:

1. Bring Cash. You know that story about the Italian grandmother who kept her savings in cash in her mattress. Well, there is no smoke without fire. Italians prefer to make transactions with cash. Personally I like it because it gives me a greater opportunity to get an overview over my spending because they are physically in my pocket. And since you will probably spend a different currency than your own during your stay in Italy, it is even more convenient since you don’t have to convert each time you use your card in order to know how much you spent.

2. Plan ahead and give yourself more time than you need. The biggest mistakes people make when coming to Rome is that they expect it to be like other European big cities. It is not. There is no other place like Rome (that is why you will fall in love with it). Getting around this city can be struggling if you are short of time and only focused to get to your final destination. What I will ask you to do is to give yourself that extra time and the crowded and busy Rome will be your best friend. If you allow yourself to take some time Rome will give you the most beautiful setting and path to explore until you reach your endpoint. There is no other city in the world that provides ancient ruins, renaissance palaces, bridges and Fascist architecture along your way. So enjoy it!
3. Do some research, but not too much. As you are probably already imagining, Rome is a spontaneous and unpredictable place, so don’t make it too difficult with a tight schedule. When coming to a new city it is always good to read ahead and Google for some nice restaurants and cool sites to visit. I am all fore to arrive informed and prepared to a new/or not so new place. But don’t kill your visit by bringing a checklist. Instead I would rather suggest bringing a list of recommendations, rather than obligations. You can’t find what is best to do in Rome from a far, especially since Rome is not a city where restaurants or Romans update information online as frequently as expected. Not to sound super selling, but we at LivItaly Tours actually sell all kinds of Walking Tour and also Food Tours, always in Small Groups (max 6 ppl), or private. That could be a great way to begin your visit to grasp the city, and also an opportunity to ask our local guides about restaurants and other local things to do in Rome.

4. If visiting a site or a museum then try to create a focus. Since Rome is flooded with archeological sites, art history, museums, and masterpieces it would be impossible to see and learn it all. Believe me, I am still exploring. The list is endless of historical sites. So my advice is for you to maybe think of a theme or a period for your planned tours or visits. Instead of just rushing through what “one should see”, I recommend to do a few but do them well. If it is Ancient Rome and the time of Emperors and gladiators that interests you then focus on the Colosseum, Forum Romanum and maybe the Catacombs. If it is the Renaissance and/or Baroque then do a guided tour of the Vatican Museum and notice how having a guide helps you to read and unveil the complex language and symbols or the art.

   

5. Last but not least… Bring your international smile. There is nothing that enables your trip to be what you dream of more than bringing a smile. Greeting Italians with a smile will make your transition into this culture much easier and it will not only make the Italians smile back, but it will also make your vacation photos look great!