How not to be a tourist when you’re a tourist

There is always a story in the news about a group of tourists who were overcharged for coffees, ice-creams, guided tours, etc. whilst abroad – and not just in Italy! But how do you avoid standing out from the crowd and not falling victim to a €100 bill for two espressos and some biscotti?

Bellarome are always looking to enhance your holiday experience and here we have a few travel tips that will help you have the best time possible.

Safety and money
First of all, let me say that Italy is a safe country but, like any other country, the cities and towns have safe areas and not-so-safe areas. If you are planning a holiday to Italy, or have already booked one with Bellarome, do ask us for local information about the places you are visiting and we will be happy to advise you. Alternatively, speak to the staff at your hotel about which areas are safe.

There are specific things that you should be aware of:

-     Pick-pockets can be commonplace so keep your bag covered and your wallet in a secure location (not your pocket!) It is best to avoid wearing expensive jewellery on obvious display. Note that the n.64 bus link in Rome is somewhat notorious for pick-pockets and is best avoided. If you’re worried about getting about during your holiday, speak to Bellarome about arranging a transfer.
-     If you need to change money, avoid those that approach you on the street offering excellent exchange rates and keep in mind that money changers at stations and airports often charge hefty commissions. It may be cheaper to go to a bank or take money out from a cash machine. Alternatively, you can use your credit card to pay for goods but it is always best to check with regards to charges before you go away and make arrangements.
-     Even if you're not sure where you're going, walk like you have a purpose and be discreet when map reading. For example, sit down on a bench or get your bearings over an espresso in a near-by café.
-     It is likely that the locals will be able to spot you’re a tourist from 50 ft but avoid wearing an obvious “tourist” outfit, such as a loud shirt with a camera slung around your neck. You’ll be thankful for our advice to ditch the “summer” shirt and Bermuda shorts when you see your holiday snaps!
-     Consider wearing a money belt under your clothes but avoid wearing it somewhere obvious, such as around your waist. Don’t forget that thieves know about money belts too!
-     A “dummy” wallet is a great idea to deter a would-be mugger. You can fill it with a small amount of cash (or foreign notes) and, if you are directly confronted, hand over the dummy wallet.


On the street
When you are out and about, you should be concentrating on all the amazing sites of your holiday location. So, take note of the guidelines below to ensure unwanted costs don’t ruin your time in Italy:

-     Always use registered taxis with a meter. If the taxi does not have a meter make sure you negotiate your price before accepting the ride. Keep in mind that taxis from the airports can be extremely expensive. You can arrange a private transfer in advance with Bellarome or, alternatively, look out for “Express” trains, which often run regularly between the airport and city centre.

-     Bellarome always recommend that you use an official tour guide, who you’re guaranteed to have the best experience with. Official tour guides are extensively trained and have to sit a detailed exam before they are permitted to provide tours. However, if you are approached by an unofficial tour guide offering to show you the city sites, know that you’re not obliged to pay them any more than a tip. These guides are often training and looking for tourists so they can practice their tour skills and city knowledge. Make sure you ask in advance if payment is involved and at what price and agree the terms before you accept the tour.
-     Tourist sites often have costumed characters that you can have your picture taken with; for example, the gladiators at the Colosseum. Please note that these individuals nearly always charge a fee to have your photo taken with them (around €5). Ask what the fee is before you take the photo.
-     Buying drinks when you’re out and about in any city centre can be a costly exercise. A good option is to purchase water and other drinks from a near-by supermarket. If you choose to fill up an empty bottle from a public water fountain, look out for the term “Non Potabile”, which means it is not drinking water.


Restaurants and bars
Italy is famed for its fresh, mouth-watering and heart-healthy Mediterranean cuisine and you should make sure you sample as many of the local delights as you can on your holiday in Italy. You can even learn to cook the Italian way with a Bellarome cooking class!

When dining out, note that:

-     Restaurants in Italy often display their menus outside, especially in tourist hot-spots. This not only allows you to check out the dishes before you commit, but it also allows you to see the prices. Note that the waiter/waitress may tell you the specials without the prices when you are at the table. Think of these as exactly what they are: specials! And expect to pay around €45 depending on your location.
-     It can be a dilemma when you’re in a foreign country whether or not to tip and, if so, how much? Look out on your bill for coperto (cover charge) or servizio (service charge), which will let you know if you’re already paying a supplement. If you received exceptional service and you would like to tip – go ahead!
-     In Italy, it can be customary to get a receipt (scontrino) before you order a coffee, drink or snack from a bar. This is more likely to be the case if you see the cash desk is away from the serving bar. If in doubt, step back and see what the locals are doing. If it’s still not clear, ask: “Scusi, si paga o si ordina prima?” which means “Excuse me, do you pay or order first?” Don’t worry: the reply will probably come back in English!


One last thing on restaurants…
Don’t be caught out when ordering your favourite pepperoni pizza in Italy! Peperoni in Italian means peppers and not salami! So if you want hot salami on your pizza, order a pizza diavola or look out for salame piccante as one of the ingredients.





Travel
Negotiating a big city in a foreign country can be a daunting experience, but Italy has a truly wonderful and well-organised public transport service that includes buses, trams and trains and it’s easy to get around cheaply. If you would like to travel by train, let Bellarome know. We are an official partner of Trenitalia (Italy’s primary train service provider) and we may be able to pre-book your train tickets at a discounted rate.

If you are planning to get about the city via public transport, take heed of the following to avoid embarrassment or, worse still, hefty on-the-spot fines:

-     The big cities in Italy (think Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence) require you to buy your bus or tram tickets from a newspaper stand (Edicola) or tobacco shop (Tabaccaio or Tabacchi) before you board.
-     If you’re planning on using public transport on a Sunday it is always best to buy your ticket the day before – your favourite Tabacchi may well be closed on Sundays.
-     On public transport, such as buses, trams and trains, you need to validate your ticket. You can do this using the machine abroad the bus/tram or on the platform at the train station. Just pop the ticket in and the machine will print the date and time used so it can’t be re-used. Failure to validate your ticket can result in a fine!


Shops
A great way to save cash when visiting Italy is to buy snacks from a supermarket but there are some things to keep in mind:

-     It’s a common misconception that Italians shut up shop to take a siesta in the afternoon. No Italian will appreciate you referring to this closure as a siesta! In fact, as most Italian businesses are family-run, the store closures are often so the owner can collect their children from school and run errands; these stores normally stay open later as a consequence.
-     Keep in mind that it is relatively common in some parts of Italy for stores to be closed on certain days and is known as the “day of rest” (giorno di riposo or riposo settimanale). Shops in Italy are also often closed on Monday mornings so check local opening times and make sure you get your souvenirs in time!
-     In supermarket fruit and veg sections you should see plastic gloves and bags near the scales. To avoid disapproving looks, make sure you use them! Also keep in mind that you may be expected to weigh your fruit and veg and stick a barcode label on the bag before heading to the tills.

-     Open-air markets in Italy are great fun and well worth a visit, even if it’s just for the experience! However, if you would like to buy produce, note that you are not expected to handle anything yourself. Leave this to the fruttivendolo and don’t touch! Also note that the greengrocer will consider you quite rude if you try to dictate exactly which fruit you would like. Go with the Italian flow and enjoy the delights you’re provided with!

Enjoy travelling!