Want to travel from Rome to Tuscany on a day trip? Lonely Planet writer, Paula Hardy, tells you how to make that happen.
09.03.2024 - 14:09 / insider.com
My husband and I have 25 and 16 years, respectively, of guiding experience in Rome. He's a licensed guide who leads cultural, archeological, and art tours, and I am a certified sommelier who leads food and wine tours.
When visiting Rome, tourists often make several common mistakes that can detract from their experience in the Eternal City — ranging from simple cultural misunderstandings to more serious breaches of etiquette.
My husband and I often discuss some of the more frustrating things we wish guests knew before they visited. Here are the top mistakes we've seen.
Tourists often fail to adhere to dress codes when visiting religious sites, such as St. Peter's Basilica or the Sistine Chapel.
Wearing revealing clothing can be seen as disrespectful in these sacred spaces, so make sure to look up guidelines beforehand.
Typically, at least the knees and shoulders must be covered.
Many visitors overlook the importance of local customs, such as greeting people with a polite "Buongiorno" in the morning and "Buonasera" in the evening.
Small gestures like this can go a long way in showing respect for Roman culture.
Tipping is less customary in Italy than in some other countries, and it's not expected or mandatory. But leaving a few euros per person on top of the bill is considered polite in Rome.
I don't know why so many guidebooks and articles state that the
"coperto" is a service charge that goes to the server. This is untrue — it covers things like the bread, olive oil, and vinegar for the restaurant.
But if you see the word "servizio" on the receipt, that money goes to the server.
Rome is more than just the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, and Trevi Fountain — it deserves time. It's the Eternal City with over 2 millennia of history to get through, after all.
Confining yourself to the most heavily touristed areas usually means missing out on some authentic local experiences off the beaten path.
Many tourists are only in Rome for two or three days, which doesn't give them much time to visit lesser-known sites like Ostia Antia or contemporary museums like Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna.
As we say in Rome, "Roma, non basta una vita" ("In Rome, a lifetime is not enough"). I know people's holidays are limited, but instead of trying to visit four Italian cities in a week, maybe slow down and give Rome at least five days.
English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but learning some basic Italian phrases or using a translation app can significantly enhance your interactions with locals.
It's also a way to demonstrate respect for the host culture.
Visitors often need to pay more attention to the time and effort required to visit Rome's most popular attractions if they want to avoid long lines and frustration.
Tours
Want to travel from Rome to Tuscany on a day trip? Lonely Planet writer, Paula Hardy, tells you how to make that happen.
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