Travel guide: Italy

Whether you’re wondering what to pack, what foods to try, or anything else while on an EF Italy tour, our travel guide has you covered.

The basics

Weather: Fall 50-72° F | Winter 37-56° F | Spring 45-67° F | Summer 61-87° FLanguage: ItalianCurrency: € EuroCash or card: CashExchange Rate: $1 = €.85What that really means: $20 = €17.05 EuroWhat €1 will buy you: An espresso€ to bring per day: €25

Packing

Spring/summer packing list: Sunscreen, hat, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, breathable clothing, something to cover shoulders/kneesWe wished we packed: A quick-dry towel—dryers don’t really exist in Italy. A water bottle—the water they sell near the Colosseum is a robbery, and almost all of the water fountains in Italy have safe drinking water (Trevi not included)!We wished we left behind: Uncomfortable shoes. You may want to fit in with all the fashionable Europeans, but it turns out walking on cobblestones is HARD.Fall/winter packing list: Comfortable/warm shoes, a jacket, layers, hat, scarfWe wished we packed: Water resistant shoes, thicker socksWe wished we left behind: A heavy jacket—it's really not that cold

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Ian Espinosa/ via Unsplash[/caption]

The food

Average cost of lunch: €15–€20Tipping: There’s really no need. Feel free to round up or leave a euro or two.Atmosphere: Food is life. You are encouraged, if not expected, to take your time while eating.The best place to have lunch: Any restaurant in any piazza in any city. Definitely worth the higher prices!You HAVE to try: Gelato, pasta, pizza, cannoli, cappuccino. I could go on.Advice: You’ll have to ask for the bill. Cappuccinos are usually just for the morning. Meatballs don’t exist. Don’t ask for extra cheese. Pizzas do not come by the slice. [caption id="attachment_20001" align="aligncenter" width="696"]

Bertrand Borie/ via Unsplash[/caption]

Everything else

Total spend on souvenirs: €30–€50Coolest thing you bought: Lava jewelry from Pompeii, a bag from the leather market, super cool pants from a local boutique, and pasta (obviously)Free time: Go shopping! There’s tons of markets depending on the city, and Italy always has the newest trends first.Best cheap/free thing to do: Grab a cup of coffee and people-watch—your feet could definitely use the restTips/advice: Aggressive Italian drivers are not a myth—be carefulBest part: That first bite of gelato after a super hot day