It seems like everyone on my social media stories is having a European summer, and given my travel experiences, I thought I’d share the BEST tips I give to any of my friends traveling to Europe during the summer months. I am starting with Italy, one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. Italy – where my great grandmother’s family is from, where my college bestie has dual citizenship, where Stassi Schroeder got married, where Love & Gelato takes place, where Mike the Situation had to wear his iconic neck brace… It truly is a magical country.

Here are the essential details I learned by living there for 7 weeks, so you don’t have to waste any time learning them by yourself and instead, make the most of your trip!

Gelato

Beginning with the most important… A local’s secret is to only get the gelato in silver tubs with a lid – it’s higher quality than the tourist traps overflowing the tubs in their windows.

Florence rec: Sbrino or La Carraia

Water

Get a big plastic water bottle to carry and refill at public water fountains, especially in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. Just be mindful that “con gas” means sparkling water! You can use a reusable bottle, too, but those can be heavy and get dirty.

Food

You can eat an entire pizza by yourself. Trust me. My favorite lunch with another person is 2 pizzas (different flavors so we can swap half) with a 1/2 liter of the “vino della casa bianco” (house white wine).

If you order the “Insalata di Pomodori,” be prepared to get a plate of fresh tomato slices. I’d recommend the Caprese salad instead!

If you want a snack you can go into any supermercato and buy fresh fruit or premade salads.

If you happen to find yourself in Volterra, please get a sandwich from Panineria Al Vicolino. It is the best sandwich I had in all of Italy! (And that includes the world-famous All’antico Vinaio… not worth the line!)

Buying tickets

Trains: Use the Omio app to buy train tickets, even day of. The only train that actually checked our tickets was the speed train from Florence to Rome. Most local trains do not check tickets, and they really pack in people, especially those going to the beach like from Florence to Viareggio.

Coliseum: I think the Coliseum is worth it! Just get tickets ahead of time, and you’re good to go! They are not strict on the time slot you choose.

Florence: I recommend buying tickets to tour the bell tower instead of the Duomo. Why? The same reason why climbing the Eiffel Tower isn’t worth it: your pictures of the city skyline won’t have its iconic landmark! Inside the duomo is super cool, though, and if you have time, do both! (I saw someone get proposed to at the top of the Duomo!)

Bars

Bars = Cafes = Bars. Get your caffè in the morning, aperitivo at happy hour, and sometimes gelato after dinner all at the same place! An aperitivo is a pre-dinner drink. It comes from the Italian word “aperire” which means “to open.” It “opens” your stomach for your meal! Try a limoncello spritz 🍋

Florence recs:

• Ditta Artigianale Neri = my favorite local bar
• View on Art rooftop bar = view of the duomo, probably need reservation I can’t remember
• Red garter = bar (Americans)
• Lion’s fountain = bar (college shots)
• Kikuya = bar (coffee beer that’s 10%)

Rome recs:

• La Botticella of Poggi Giovanni = My only bar rec on the list is a PITTSBURGH STEELERS-THEMED BAR! It’s so worth the visit to see the Italian terrible towel and sign the Steelers banner!

Getting Around

Permesso = excuse me/can I get through

This word is particularly helpful on public transit!

Google maps: Google maps has a feature that allows you to download maps for use offline. This means that you don’t have to pay Verizon $10 a day for international service if you already have your map to get around and rely on wifi for the rest!

Rick Steves: No trip would be complete without Rick Steves’s “Best of Italy.” He has some GREAT restaurant, hotel, and transport recs. My favorite parts of his book are the guided walks – he takes you on the most efficient walk through cities like Rome (including Ancient Rome) while hitting the major landmarks with a blurb and fun facts.

Comment if any of these tips were useful, or add your own!

Xoxo,

KC