Tips for tourists

“Un viaggio di mille miglia comincia sempre con il primo passo”. Lao Tzu

As in all countries, even in Italy it may be useful to follow simple measures to make the visit more enjoyable and avoid difficult situations. A short list of tips for those visiting our beautiful country.

Before doing anything else, make sure you have enough money for the trip including all the extra expenses you will make abroad.

Photocopy and scan all the most important documents (such as passports, tickets, hotel booking confirmation emails, etc.). Leave a copy to someone you trust and take the other with you.

Send an email with all your most important personal information, including passport, phone numbers and information of this kind. If you were to lose your wallet, you could get yourself out of an unpleasant situation.

The organization of your trip can certainly provide you with all the information on good medical / travel insurance coverage, so take advantage of their expertise and experience.

Learning new things about your final destination and discovering the opportunities it offers is probably the most beautiful part of the journey preparation phase.

Check on the maps the geographical position of the places you want to stay and calculate the distance between the arrival stations and your hotel accommodation. Learn about housing costs, do not trust a single photo.

Buy travel tickets for public transport only from authorized retailers. Buying online often allows you to take advantage of discounts and promotions. Use only authorized taxis with signs and identifiers. Ask the cost of the race in advance, read the rules inside the vehicle, check the costs on the taximeter. Remember that almost always the first baggage transport is free. Ask how much it costs to transport the other luggage. Always ask for a receipt of the price paid. Pay with tools that allow you to track your expenses (smartphones, ATM cards, credit cards, checks). Always ask for a receipt of payment, it is your right, check the amounts and the presence of the tax symbols.

If you visit a city, go to an information point to get directions, maps and tips. Always check opening and closing times and access conditions to museums, galleries and archaeological sites. On some holidays they can be closed, many of them allow free entry for European citizens under 18 or over 65.

Do not buy entrance tickets to archaeological sites and museums from people without identification cards and be wary of those who want to blow you up. Remember that access to open public places (squares, streets, parks, gardens, beaches and paths) is always free. Do not show valuables to strangers and get away from people and groups of people who cling to you for money or information.

Keep track of your personal effects (documents, phones, computers), preferably in a closed bag and do not entrust it to those you do not know. At the restaurant or pizzeria, always ask to see the menu with prices and remember that the table service is more expensive than the counter. Exhibitors are obliged to display menus with an indication of costs and service.

Except in a few cases, the use of the toilet is free in bars and restaurants. In some cases a tip may be requested. If you want to use the toilets in the train and bus stations, make sure you have coins to pay for the service. It is not always free. The water that flows from the municipal fountains is always drinkable. Pay attention to any warnings that prevent you from drinking it. To have a glass of running water at the bar it is almost never necessary to pay. If something does not convince you, if you feel in danger, if your right is not respected, immediately notify the police, work to protect and serve you.

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