Practical travel tips for Italy

1. Italy welcomes millions of tourists every year, but don’t expect Italians to speak English. Before you go, it’s well worth jotting down some useful phrases in Italian. Italians are genuinely flattered when a foreign visitor makes an effort to speak their language, and will open their hearts to you.

2. If you stay long-term in Italy, you’ll need a personal tax code (called a codice fiscale, something like social security number in the USA) to get access to various services, or to rent an apartment.

3. August is the worst month to visit Italy (especially after August 15) because all Italians take their vacations at that time – the roads are jam-packed, many places are closed and the beaches are crowded.

4. In many parts of Italy, regional trains (treni regionali) don’t run on Sundays. This inconvenience is usually partially covered by a local bus that stops at each town on the route (but not always at the railway station – don’t forget to ask for the actual location). So if you have to head somewhere on a Sunday, plan carefully!

5. You’ll want to take photos all the time, so getting a second memory card and a back-up battery pack for your camera is a really good idea.

6. When visiting a world-famous attraction, buy your tickets in advance if possible. Leonardo’s Last Supper in Milan, for example, can be visited only with a reservation, and tickets sell out months in advance.

7. Bring comfortable shoes. Italy’s big cities require a lot of walking to get from one attraction to the next, while in small towns streets are often made from cobblestones and are not high heel-friendly.

8. Even if you don’t have much time, spend at least one night in a small, non-touristy town. Your hallowed status as a foreigner will guarantee you a warm welcome from the locals and a deep, genuine sense of communication that is hard to achieve in the big tourist centers.

9. Most shops, supermarkets and restaurants close between 1 pm and 5 pm. On Sundays they are closed all day. My first Sunday in Italy, in a small provincial town, was marked by hunger and desperate roaming around the city in search of somewhere to buy food. I found nothing. In the end, I had two spoons of sugar (the only edible product at home) until one bar finally opened its doors at 3 pm and I filled my kitchen with croissants.

A proverb many travelers swear by!

Food and drink

10. If you eat at a restaurant, you may find two add-ons on your bill – service and coperto (cover charge). They are usually a fixed sum per person. The only region where coperto is illegal is Lazio, which includes Rome.

11. Choosing a small, family-run restaurant or trattoria two blocks away from the tourist area is the best idea 99% of the time.

12. You will recognize good gelato by its bland colors. They don’t put artificial colors or flavors in quality Italian ice-cream. That’s why banana gelato will usually look grayish rather than bright yellow.

13. If you want to try having your morning coffee the Italian way, order an espresso at the bar, gulp it down while you stand and exchange some gossip with the bartender. There’s no sitting at a table or leisurely sipping here.

14. Don’t ask for ketchup or mayo on your pizza. It is considered rude to the cook and a demonstration of bad taste. You’ll be happy to discover that Italian pizzas don’t actually need anything more.

15. Plan a visit to a food market. Most cities and towns have a weekly/monthly farmer’s market (ask at your hotel when and where it takes place) where vendors will be happy to offer you free samples of cheese, olives, bread and cookies. It is usually acceptable to bargain at these markets, especially if you plan to buy in bulk.

16. A typical Italian meal consists of antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno and dolce (appetizer, first and second courses, side dish and dessert). Italians seem to have no problem swallowing this glut of food, while a foreigner trying to compete with them will most probably be sweating and having trouble breathing by the time the tiramisu is served.

Practice dolce far niente

17. Dolce far niente (literally translated as ‘sweet doing nothing’) is the Italian concept of not hurrying, not taking anything personally, taking your time and enjoying life. It’s one of the best things you can learn from your trip to Italy.

18. Let yourself fall in love with an Italian girl/boy. Because what would a holiday to Italy be without a touch of romance?

19. Italians are famous for their transportation strikes, so allow for a few extra hours when you head to the airport.

20. Try hitchhiking in Italy. The last time I did it in Sicily, I was picked up by two lemon-growing workers who took me and my friend to the beach, even though they were not going in that direction. They were so nice that they even offered to come back later and take us to the town where we were staying.

21. It’s no use arguing with Italians about whether they did or did not invent pizza, pasta, football or fashion… Facts are powerless when it comes to national pride. Just enjoy the delight on their faces when you agree that Italy is the best country in the world!

22. Or simply forget everything and follow the wise man’s advice: visit Italy at least once a year!

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Incas.

Lamas.

Coca tea.

Peru. There are things in this world that are worth traveling tens of thousands of miles to experience at least once in your lifetime. Peru has so many of these things, places and people that if you are a first-time visitor, you might be overwhelmed by the choice. Here’s a list of the most amazing things to do in Peru.

1. Set foot on the floating islands in Lake Titicaca

The Quechua people have been living on the floating islands in Lake Titicaca for centuries and they still use a form of natural economy, exchanging fish, corn and reed for other goods they need. You can spend at least a few hours sailing between the islands and getting in touch with how the locals live.

2. Drink coca tea

The leaves of coca are used to produce the base for cocaine when the alcaloids are extracted chemically, but when you soak them in boiling water, the effect is similar to a strong coffee – refreshing and helpful for coping with the thin air. The taste is similar to green tea or mint tea. It’s a typical drink in the Andes and it’s even used as medicine by the locals.

3. Ride the Machu Picchu train

Adding to the thrill of traveling to one of the most amazing Inca-era venues in the world is the transparent ceiling of the train, which makes it possible to enjoy more complete views on the way.

4. Let Machu Picchu leave you breathless (literally)

Machu Picchu was abandoned by the Incas to be conquered by the jungle. Located more than 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level, it will leave you breathless both literally and metaphorically. The thin air will remind you that all actions you consider normal, like running up three stairs, should not be taken for granted. Make sure you arrange a visit with a guide or a group tour because with the last changes in Peruvian laws, it is now forbidden to visit the archaeological site on your own.

5. Discover the treasures of Cuzco – the archaeological capital of the Americas

In the language of the local Quechua people Cuzco means “navel, center of the world”. Save a place on your route for this well-preserved colonial city built around the remains of the Incan civilization and embraced by the majestic Andes. I’ll only mention the Sacsahyuaman Fortress, whose gigantic stone blocks were arranged centuries ago with laser-like precision.

6. Try the local delicacies (have you eaten llama meat?)

Peruvians grow so many kinds of corn that you won’t be able to try even a tiny fraction of them. But that’s not all, folks! Llamas are cute but if you aren’t a vegetarian, you should try them cooked, too.

7. Sleep in the Amazon forest

If you want to see tarantulas and caymans, while also discovering what the Amazon rainforest means to the planet, visit it yourself. If you’re even more adventurous, spend a night deep in the jungle. There are many accommodation options – from luxury hotels and resorts to basic bungalows and tents offering nothing more than a bed and a mosquito net. I’d recommend the latter as it will give you the unique opportunity to hear the sound of the jungle, which wakes up when you are about to fall asleep.

8. Fly over the mysterious Lines of Nazca

Who created the Lines of Nazca (and how) remains a mystery – aliens, mythical civilizations and ancient astronomers are among the hypotheses. Some of the figures spread as far as 300 m (1000 ft) and are more than 2000 years old. Most of the lines are visible only by plane, but given the many plane accidents in recent years, consider your options carefully and make sure you fly with a reputable company.

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Floating bungalows: hear the sounds of the jungle at night

Kayaking to our floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park, Thaialand | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

A night in a floating bungalow will easily turn into a highlight of your trip to Thailand. There are popular 2 day/1 night tours in Khao Sok National Park in Southern Thailand, where you’ll explore Cheow Lan Lake and sleep more than an hour by boat from the nearest shore. The bungalows are very basic: essentially just a floating box containing a mattress with a mosquito net over it. During our stay the raft house gently swayed, while the whole jungle orchestra performed a lullaby for us, including monkey calls, insect mating cries, and the roars of indistinguishable beasts. The views at sunset are magical and the night sky makes you believe it’s the first time you’ve really seen the stars.

Tree houses: see how monkeys live

What better place to live like a monkey than in jungle-rich Thailand? In a recent collaboration post, Alexandra Black Paulick from the Positive Impact Journey blog told the story of her stay at Pai Treehouse Resort.

Night trains: watch the sunrise out the window

The night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

If you’re traveling on a budget (although you don’t really need a lot of money to travel in Thailand) and you’re struggling to find cheap flights to the far-flung destinations on your list, you’re sure to experience Thai night trains at some point. During the high season, tickets for long-haul trains on popular routes such as Bangkok – Chiang Mai and Bangkok – Suratthani sell out very fast, and you’ll have to book your seat/bunk bed a week or two in advance.

The sleeping cars in Thailand come in two varieties – with AC and with fan (cheaper). The fan option was quite bearable despite all the bad reviews we had read about it (and we also met Santa Claus from Australia in that car, but that’s another story to be told some other time). When the sun sets, the attendant unfolds the seats into beds and gives you linen and pillows. When the sun rises, make sure you wake up to see the majestic light and mist show out the window.

Sleep in a riverside hostel tent for as little as €2.50 ($3)

The view from this hostel says it all | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Our $3 riverside camping spot in Mapping Hostel, Chiang Mai felt so much like home that every day we woke up with the irresistible urge to stay for another night, and in the end we prolonged our stay four times. The hot weather in Thailand makes it pleasant to sleep outside at night – a mosquito net is all you need and it’s crazy cheap.

Become part of the family at a family-owned hostel

Family is important in Thailand | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

I got the impression that most hostels in Thailand are family-owned, which means that from day one you are considered a family member and treated as such.

True story: Our first night in Bangkok was a nightmare with a happy ending (not that kind!). We arrived from the airport late in the evening and took a tuk-tuk, handing the address of our booked hostel (Love Hostel) to the driver. But what a sense of adventure overwhelmed me when, already at the desired address, we discovered there was no such hostel here. After 10 minutes of wandering around, we were sure this supposed hostel did not exist anywhere within a radius of 10 streets. I called the hostel’s telephone number and nobody answered. We continued searching in the hope that we’d notice a hidden tiny sign to our hostel, and in the process we accidentally entered a Buddhist monastery, which was fun but not really helpful. In my despair, I called again and this time the owner answered. After 20 minutes of discussions and zigzagging the streets, he finally found us and took us to our refuge for the night.

At first, we thought he and his wife didn’t speak English, but a day later we realized they spoke English with Thai pronunciation, i.e. not pronouncing a single consonant (or so it seemed). Just try to speak this way and get the message across that there’s a leak in the upper-floor bathroom… Anyway, once we started understanding them, we also came to understand that they were constantly joking about us, themselves and everything else around. We loved these people and prolonged our stay with them by two additional days.

Then, two weeks later, we had to stay another night in Bangkok and chose the same hostel. Not only did the owners give us a huge discount on the already cheap room, but they also supplied us with free bananas for our night train ride the next day. From time to time, they still send us photos of their family and cats on Facebook.

With this oversized story, I’m putting an end to this post and wishing you a homey and adventurous stay in Thailand!

Read more: 7 quotes that explain why everyone loves Thailand

See more information about Thailand tours.

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But this is not the only epic train you can hop on. Here are several more ideas about great adventures on a train:

The Ghan, Australia

The Ghan Train, Australia | Photo credit: Gary Bembridge

The train crosses almost 3,000 km (1,860 mi) through the Australian wilderness, passing through Darwin, Alice Springs and Adelaide.

El Chepe, Mexico

The El Chepe Train, Mexico | Photo credit: Justin Vidamo/Flickr

The train connects Chihuahua and Los Mochis. The railway crosses the desert to the north to reach as far as the Pacific Ocean. You will enjoy splendid views while traveling, such as Barranca del Cobre canyon.

Flam Railway, Norway

Flam Railway, Norway | Photo: Visitnorway.com

Very short, at high altitude, the Flam Railway connects Myrdal and Flam in Norway. While traveling you will enjoy Aurlandsfjord as well as many wild waterfalls, cascading down into the mountain hollows.

El tren de la Sierra, Peru

El Tren de la Sierra, Peru | Jorge Gobbi/Flickr

The train passes through the Andes and is usually called El tren de la Sierra. It connects Lima and Huancayo. This is the world’s highest railway. You will see 54 bridges, 68 tunnels and make more than 1150 turns across Peru.

Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

The Rocky Mountaineer Train | Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

The train flies between Vancouver and Calgary, resting at Banff and Jasper Stations. Mountains, lakes and forests take turns behind the train’s window. You can spend between five and 13 nights on the train.

Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy

Bernina Express | Photo: Rhaetische Bahn/swiss-image.ch/Christoph Benz

From Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, Bernina Express offers four hours of magnificent mountain landscape views through the Alps. Almost 200 bridges are scattered along the route.

Orient Express, Europe

Orient Express | Photo credit: Simon Pielow/Flickr

A train crossing routes, which make you daydream: Paris – Venice in one night or Paris – Istanbul in five nights, passing through Bucharest and Budapest. Read more about Orient Express.

Put comfortable shoes, underware and hot jacket and go 🙂

Featured image: Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

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Nowadays, however, the elegant carriages, designed in Belle Époque style, embark on a five-day trip, which starts in Paris, passes through the snowy Alps, Budapest, Bucharest and ends up in Istanbul only once a year.

The most eminent train in the history has inspired tens of novels and movies, and even a foxtrot! When you get on the Orient Express, you take a step into the past, experiencing the best the railways could offer during the 1920s. The train is notable for its highest quality interior (Art Deco carved wood panels, luxurious armchairs in the three dining cars), service and food.

In Paris, the train sets off from the very same station where the first Orient Express took off on October 4, 1883 – Gare del’Est. The feeling of prestige is enhanced by the contrast coming from the passengers loafing about on the platforms, the piano and the historical music in the bar car – a whole other world, different from that of nowadays Parisians and their iPods.

When to go: Today the train runs from late March until early November, on different routes that last from one to six days, while the classical Paris-Istanbul trip is only once a year. Spring and autumn are the preferable seasons.

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Take a Cruise Over Flying

Flying is considered one of the biggest pollutants, and many are pushing for less air travel. Of course, this is not viable in today’s world, but you can try alternative options over flying to your destination. Why not consider taking a cruise to your vacation spot? You can make the journey just as much of a holiday as the actual holiday itself! Plus, you can spend more quality time with your family making new memories in a sustainable way. A cruise is a fabulous way to lower your carbon footprint while also showing your family different ways to travel.

Consider a Romantic Train Ride

Trains are an easy way to lower your footprint as well. Plus, you do not have to arrive four hours in advanced like you for a flight. You leave from the center of the city and arrive hours later in the center of your destination. Of course, trains are limited to land travel, but they provide a great escape for those who do not want to fly. Plus, traveling by train is a romantic idea that the kids will love. Not many people use trains anymore, but why not be the exception to an otherwise growing trend of embracing sustainability? You will show your family how to travel in style while also keeping your eco effort high.

Long Term Travel in a Luxury Villa

One of the arguments against travel is that many trips are short term. The act of using many types of transportation for a week-long trip does not seem pragmatic to many eco-warriors. If you must take an airplane, why not extend your trip for a longer time? You can easily set up shop in luxury villas at your ideal destination for easily a month or more. By staying in one place for the long term, you have more time to explore, but also stay at home enjoying your villa.

Vacation should be a time where you get away from the stress of everyday life. You can easily accomplish this by staying for a long term vacation at a luxury villa. Your family can integrate into the local culture and enjoy meals at home while also escaping reality. Consider taking on this sustainable option for your next holiday instead of doing quick tours of cities changing to a new location every 2 days. You will be more relaxed and enjoy your trip more than if you were forced to keep your destination time short and sweet.

As you can see, there are several ways to keep travel sustainable. You can alter your way of travel, but also staying longer increases your ability to make a difference. Everything we do affects the planet, and if you can make a small change in how you vacation, then it can add up in the end. Think slow and steady as opposed to racing to finish your trip because, in the end, it will be a slow way that will finish best.

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