An Authentic Italy Vacation
Rebecca asked me to write this post since I’m an expat in Italy, I've lived for 30 years here, and I face the same problems as everyone (post written with a bit of a smile)
Rebecca from The Expat Concept asked me to write this post. Since I’ve lived in Italy for 30 years as an expat, I face and understand the same problems as everyone else. However, I’m passionate about history, other curiosities, the beauty of nature, and animals, so I write about my passions and ways of living in Italy. For the same reasons, I always participate in the work of cultural associations like Archaeological Groups of Italy, Legambiente, and Italian Environment Fund (FAI).
Many people like how I talk about places of interest, and they always tell me, “You have to tell all you know to the people!” So, I began working with tourists.
You can imagine that not all Italians know many things and many particular places, just like not all of us know the “secrets” of where we live all our lives. It’s normal.
One friend who lives in Moscow (the capital of Russia) wrote that she goes to other countries on vacation because there is nothing to visit in Moscow and the nearby area. (!!!!!) What is it possible to say more about it? Open your eyes! Look at a map, I wrote her. If you do not know what to visit in Moscow, one of the biggest cities with a millennial history, how can I help you?
Once, I got lost in St. Petersburg (Russia) on Nevsky Prospect, the city's main street, looking for a museum, specifically the Russian Museum. Smartphones, the internet, or other modern conveniences did not exist back then.
I was in the crowd running back and forth, not far from a subway station from which I exited. I started stopping people and asking where the museum is. They quickly replied, continuing to run: Excuse me, I'm not from here.
I tried another way: Excuse me, are you from Leningrad? (That was the name of the city at the time) — Yes. — Please tell me where the Russian Museum is located. — Oh, I don’t know… Finally, after an hour of this amusing activity, someone said to me: Turn around. That over there is the Russian Museum. I was 164 ft (ca. 50 m) away from it. :-) :-)
The VERY first thing you must understand (especially in Italy) is that you must know precisely where you want to go, how, and what you want/have to do.
If you have any problems, 1/ look at the map (this is why it is handy to have a paper map), 2/ then consult your smartphone, and finally, if you still don't find the solution, 3/ ask someone. It's better if it's a policeman, a tobacconist, or a bartender; they often know many things about the location (keyword “often”). Remember that signs frequently show opposite directions in Italy, and people often say something just to say something: if you ask them, they feel compelled to answer.
If you are in the car and use the navigator, be careful, especially in the old parts of the towns, where the streets are too narrow, and the vehicle can get stuck between two walls of the houses. I have not only found myself in such a narrow passage, but also seen a truck stuck in one town.
Although rural roads are often and willingly reported as roads, they are abandoned, and you can find yourself in terrible situations. For example, it can be a road in the middle of the farms, all destroyed by tractors, cyclists, and motorcyclists, where a normal car cannot pass, and there is no way but to continue your “mortal” journey.
Well, I have to end with the useless jokes.
So, you dream of going to Italy once in your life.
What to do?
First of all, try to avoid the over-advertised places. If they shout from every iron that Venice is wonderful and the Cinque Terre is everyone's dream, it’s a clear sign that you must avoid this place as much as possible. Think about the ten 4,000-person full cruise ships that will be there daily, in Venice, Naples, other ports, plus hundreds of thousands arriving by train and bus daily.
Look for the hashtag # overtourism in Italy on LinkedIn. It has become a tragedy for this country in recent years. They invent entrances to the town and other taxes, limited entrances, etc. But now, the problem is not solved when I write this post. If visiting “Cinque Terre” or Venice is a dream of your life, and you can’t live without it anymore, your solution is the low season.
As I said in my comments, if I were to visit Italy for the first time today, I would plan to see all three parts of the country: the North, the Centre, and the South. They are very different, that is why.
I would spend one day in a mountain region (like Aosta Valley -1 day) and then one big city (Turin, for example) -2nd day. The centre is about the Roman Empire, so I would visit something in or near Rome to see and feel like an ant near those enormous monuments (Fori Romani and the area nearby in Rome -3, and the Villas of Tivoli -4). Then I would stop in Naples/ Salerno (5-6), and at the end, Sud - Alberobello, Matera, Sicily, or Sardinia, to mention some names (7-8).
If I have to go somewhere for the first time, it doesn't matter whether I visit a town, a burg, or another tourist attraction. My goal is to have fun, first of all. It’s impossible to see all the most well-known places in a few days anywhere. So, I try to visit beautiful places and have fun.
If I follow this plan, in 8 days, I will see more or less the whole country. Impossible? How do I want to organize? By traveling on night trains. I sleep on the train at night and go for a walk during the day. By the way, it’s not only my idea, but I’ve also seen tourists who have traveled this way. I don’t want to say that it’s a plan to follow, it’s raw, but it’s a valid idea to consider.
Such a trip is hard, but if I want to have an opinion about this country, it’s good enough. If I want to cross the ocean to visit this country once in my life, it’s not bad. Then, I may fall in love with one part — so, maybe I will know clearly where I want to go next time. If not, I can say that I have seen many beautiful sights in Italy.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OTHER STORIES?
You can find my books here: https://bit.ly/MysteryinLife
Good Cause: By purchasing my e-books, you help me to continue creating content. Thank you.
Good tips! Overtourism can be a problem indeed. I would also add to maybe ask a local (surely everyone knows an italian from whichever country they're from). I like your trip plan, however I would not necessarily recommend it. If someone only has 7 days I would suggest to focus on one city and do day-trips around it. Travelling in Italy can be overwhelming, especially with luggage.