Italy is one of the most romanticized travel destinations in the world—but if you’re planning your first trip, there are a few surprises waiting for you. From unpredictable public transport to old-school hotel rooms with barely-there air conditioning, some things might catch you off guard. After 20 years of living here, I’m sharing 15 things I wish every tourist knew before coming to Italy.
Whether it’s navigating airport choices, figuring out train strikes, or realizing you can’t get dinner at 5:30pm, this video is packed with real talk and first-hand stories to help you plan smarter. And yes—I’ll tell you why your Airbnb might feel like a sauna and why tipping 20% is just… awkward.
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35 Comments
Another great video! Also we really enjoyed your excellent Italy Insider Travel Tips PDF. Well worth the modest price. Thanks Gregor
Air conditioning is for the weeks. Europeans are strong 😂
In a well designed city no one needs a car.
One thing more about over packing: pack the essential, if you really need an extra shirt you can buy it here. Also we mock turist with big luggages. 😅
Never tip for anything in Europe. This is a civilized place where there os a decent minimal wage u like in the US.
Italian here…ok italy is not a perfect country, but which one is? If you are a tourist you have to adapt to the culture , traditions and customs of the place you visit without complain about everything, i mean…if you come i. Italy in July or August it's normal to find the heat as it is hot almost everywhere in Europe. If you expect to find exactly the same things you are used to at home, well…don't travel or stay home!
Flying into one city and out of another works fine if you book flights as “multi-city”. I got flights from US into Venice and out of Naples for the fall for under $700 total.
Just came back from our trip thanks to your top 3 cities to visit video! ❤🎉🤌
We spent 2 weeks in Sicily (does that count?!). I was most surprised at how bad the bathrooms were. Most didn’t have TP (BYOP) and toilet seats seemed hit or miss—good quad workout!
What surprised me most: when I lived in a grand villa in Sienna, we figured out that we could go to the roof with deck chairs we found and Fashion some awnings to screen us from the sun during riposo where we had a nice breeze and lots of wine. We made it through the hot deadly summers that way. We also shared the roof with linens drying! Thanks for another great video Gregor!
Your channel is so informative, advice always on the mark. I have traveled to Italy several times, mostly on my own. As I get older I realize there are different considerations when booking accommodation and travel. I have no problem asking if there are sturdy handrails going up the stairs if there is no elevator. I request no more than 1 flight of stairs, and Europe the first floor is what we would call the second floor. My most recent visit I came with a friend, it was assumed that we were a couple and would be sleeping in the same bed so there was no bedding for the sofa bed in the Florence and the Venice apartments where we stayed. It is always advisable to ask before hand even if you think it seems obvious so that you have the best possible experience.
I can't think of anything that really surprised me as I did a lot of research before my first trip and continued between each trip. YouTube channels like yours are a wealth of good, honest information. I also made a point of learning some basic Italian, also through a number of different YouTube channels, absolutely free. As I see it, when we encounter tourists from all over the world here in my city, they don't expect that I will speak their language so I won't assume that all Italians will speak English.
Thank you for all the wonderful advice and I really enjoy watching you as you walk around Florence and I recognize and have walk those streets. In Italy it is all about the charm. Salute 🥂🍾
Stumbled onto your channel. Been visiting Italy since 2014 and moved here in 2022. Wanted to live in Europe since 2009, (started with France), but ended in Italy after making friends with someone living outside of Venice.
Is May 1st a holiday?
My first car was a Ford blue large car 🫢
Please use Hotel and avoid airbnb. There are hotel for all the pockets. You find all service in the hotel. It's not the same for the apartments on airbnb.
He is right about restaurants. Only trapsfor tourists are open all day long..
We head off in mid May to Italy starting in Venice can’t wait 🇮🇹🌺🙏🏼✨ We are from Australia 🇦🇺 Great tips, love your vid’s and feel they are going to be very helpful
Gli stranieri sono fissati con Firenze!! in Italia vi sono migliaia di città e piccoli paesi bellissmi e pieni di storia millenaria. L bellezza e la storia si respirano ovunque.
Great information, thanks so much! I love that people recognize you and say that they followed ypu prior to their trip!! If i happen to see you durring my 2 weeks in Florence, I'll wait til you put the camera away and then say hi 😊
Hi Gregor. Im going to Italy in May so have been watching your videos. Tell me, is it possible to get travel health insurance at 72 years old?? Love all your advise!
Been 4 times to Italy, coming another 2 times this year! Absolutely love the place ❤ It’s just the feeling you get when you arrive, like coming home!
A yellow Plymouth Duster with a black roof! It looked pretty styling back then.
Your mom looks cool.
80's Mercury Cougar my first car. 😳
Hi Gregor
First car 79 Monte Carlo, thank you for your videos ,going to Italy in September 4th time . Your tips have been crucial for our enjoyment. We love Italy, 2026 we’re going to wedding in Greece and then to Italy 🇮🇹 again 😊. Being courteous and respectful has helped us immensely, while we don’t speak fluently but we know enough
For traveling .
Thanks again
Caio 🇺🇸
Triumph Spitfire- red convertible ❤
My first car was 1996Fiat Panda of my mother bro 😂😂but she bring me and my friend everywhere never a problem.
My first car (1985) was a 1977 Datsun B210 hatchback. It was mustard brown with sexy brown, orange and tan "racing stripes". It was a complete dog and wouldn't go any faster than about 65-70 (speed limit was 55 back then) Not exactly a chick magnet.
Just came back from a week in Rome with family. Did a day trip to Florence too. We had a fantastic time!
hey great vid..my first car was a 71 ford maverik…what happens if you get a ticket and you dont pay and how long does it stay on your record,,,,thanks
i live in Canada if rent a car 3 years later will it show that i still owe the traffic ticket?
coming to Italy in August
Hi, after going twice to Italy in the past two years and now since finding you, I have enjoyed watching your take on things after your 20 years there! Absolutely loved Florence, one of my favorite cities. The two things that amazed me the most was how much walking was involved every day and this unknowingly turned out to be my best diet plan ever! I could eat anything I wanted the entire two weeks both times!! Another thing that was amazing to me was how you could go to a city or village made up of only historical ancient buildings with no new construction, like stepping back in time! Gorgeous cities!
PS my first car was a Datsun Fair Lady!
Heading to Sicily in late May. Thanks for the videos!
Buongiorno thanks for this video 💚 My go2 MXP airport 2go2 Italy from SEA. I enjoyed the convenience of the bullet trains and the public transportations to go everywhere in Italy. I’m missing Italy’s food and La Dolce Vita.