When you think of Italy, you probably think of melt-in-your-mouth pasta, the Colosseum and chucking a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. However, these popular associations are only a small piece of what this beautiful country has to offer – and you’ll want to see them all. But with so many places to see, where do you even start? And if you’re a first-time traveller, how do you even begin to comprehend the idea of navigating your way around? Below are some helpful tips to put your mind at ease.
Do a Tour
Travelling overseas can be overwhelming. If you’re a first-time traveller, it can be even more nerve wracking. Italy is a big country in terms of sites, locations and history, and you’ll want to fit everything in! This is why doing a tour could be your perfect navigation option, as you will get the chance to see and experience a little bit of everything while having it all organised by someone else. For example, visiting the websites of tour companies like Albatross Tours will give you a good overview of what your options are.
Know Your Sites
The best way to navigate your way around Italy as a first-time traveller is to have a dedicated plan. Before you leave, do some research and chat to people about the best locations and sites to visit. By formulating a list of sites and locations you want to see, you won’t feel like you’re treading water when you get there. Having a list will allow you to prioritise your destinations if you’re running out of time, and it will also make it easier to group items together if they’re in nearby locations or cities.
Don’t Overdo It
With so much to see and do, it’s easy to get carried away with trying to squeeze too much into a small timeframe. This is the quickest way to ruin a holiday. To combat this, do your research on travel times, how busy the sites might be, and how long you’ll need to spend at each. You’re on a trip of a lifetime, so try picking a handful of key places and spend a decent amount of time at each one; don’t rush through it or you won’t appreciate it.
Research and Prepare
If this is your first time in Europe, prepare to have your eyes opened! Rich cultures, diverse customs and a mixture of personalities dominate Italy and can potentially leave its visitors with a fair bit of culture shock. Do plenty of research before you leave. How common is English? What are the tipping expectations? How safe will it be? Being aware of questions such as these will make navigating your way through Italy that much more enjoyable.
Italy is a country that offers a little bit of everything, including fine dining, museums and churches, stunning coastlines, and heartbreaking history. As a first-time traveller, you’ll want to do everything in the one trip, but this isn’t practical when it comes to navigation. By following the above tips, you may not get to see everything in the one go, but you will have a more enjoyable and memorable time.
What are the place or sites you want to visit the most in Italy? Leave your choices in the comments below.
