Things We NEVER Do in Italy (After 30 Years)

You don't have to make the mistakes we've made in Italy over 30+ years of traveling here — the ones that waste your time, drain your wallet, or land you with a fine you never saw coming. This is our running list of everything we've learned to stop doing — from tourist traps almost everyone falls for to small etiquette slips that quietly change how you're treated. 🧭 ITALY TRIP PLANNING GUIDE If you want to avoid mistakes like these across your whole trip, not just the ones on this list, our Italy Trip Planning Guide (PDF) gives you a simple framework for getting the big pieces right—when to go, which cities to combine, and how to avoid an overstuffed itinerary. Learn more: https://payhip.com/b/PTZO7 ==== WATCH NEXT ==== 🍝 Italian Restaurant Etiquette - Avoid These Embarrassing Mistakes!: Italian Restaurant Etiquette - Avoid These... 💶 10 Money Wasting Mistakes Tourists Keep Making in ITALY: 10 Money Wasting Mistakes Tourists Keep Ma... 🎒 How to Avoid Being a Pickpocket Victim in Italy (10 Essential Tips!): How to Avoid Being a Pickpocket Victim in ... 🚗 NEVER Do THIS Driving in Italy When Renting a Car: *NEVER* Do THIS Driving in Italy When Rent... ==== LINKS MENTIONED ==== 🍦 Our full video all about real gelato: 24 Hour Gelato Challenge in Italy's Hottes... ==== TRAVEL GEAR WE USE & LOVE ==== Osprey Daylite Backpack: https://amzn.to/3IaADuE Anne's AWAY Bigger Carry-On: https://amzn.to/3Tjp8mD Ed's Samsonite Carry-On: https://amzn.to/40uM0TR Large Packing Cube Set with See Through Mesh: https://amzn.to/3KBfsmt Anker Nano Travel Adapter: https://amzn.to/4pKRYu3 Clutch Pro Power Bank: https://amzn.to/47m6Vw3 Magnetic Portable Charger: https://amzn.to/4ti8nZ4 Bose Headphones: https://amzn.to/3VMW1co More travel gear 👉 https://amazon.com/shop/ourbigitalian... ==== SERVICES WE TRUST ==== Saily (travel eSIM) — Buy a local eSIM before you leave home. Cheaper than roaming, works the moment you land: https://go.saily.site/SH10u NordVPN — Protect your data on public WiFi in hotels, airports, and cafes. Especially important when traveling: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id... GetYourGuide — Book tours and experiences in Italy: https://getyourguide.tpx.gr/ekNysdyx Viator — Another great source for guided tours — worth comparing both to find the best fit: https://viator.tpx.gr/3B65aseb ==== CHAPTERS ==== 00:00 Introduction 00:20 The Money Mistake You'll Make Before You Even Leave the Airport 01:18 The Button You Should Never Press at the Register 01:55 The Tipping Habit That Frustrates Italians 02:38 The Cheese Rule Nobody Warns You About 03:09 The Etiquette Slip That Changes How You're Treated 03:51 What You're Missing By Ordering the Usual 04:29 The Hours Everyone Gets Wrong 05:19 The Water Habit That's Wasting Your Money 05:53 The Shoe Mistake That Ends in Sore Feet 06:34 The "Italian" Dish That Isn't Italian 07:23 Why Taxis Won't Stop For You 07:48 The Souvenir That Could Cost You a Fine 08:32 The Document Your Rental Company Won't Mention 09:20 The Coffee Order That Gets You a Glass of Milk 09:44 The Spontaneity That Doesn't Work Anymore 10:30 The Table With a View You Should Skip 11:17 The "Free" Gift That Isn't Free 12:03 The Fine That Shows Up Six Months Later 12:47 The Season We Stopped Traveling In 13:18 The Souvenir That Could Cost You Thousands 13:51 Why Your Server Won't Bring the Check 14:46 The Outfit That Gets You Turned Away 15:37 How to Spot Fake Gelato 16:25 The Charge on Your Bill That Isn't a Scam 16:59 The Ticket Rule That Gets Tourists Fined 17:41 Why Cash Still Matters 18:15 The Highlights Reel vs. the Real Italy 18:40 The Sneaker Mistake That Ruins Day One 19:16 The Line You Shouldn't Wait In 19:57 The Photo That Comes With a Price Tag ==== ABOUT US ==== We're Anne and Ed from Our Big Italian Adventure. We live part-time in Italy and help travelers — especially those 50 and up — enjoy Italy with confidence, avoid common mistakes, and have smoother, more enjoyable trips. ==== CONNECT WITH US ==== Subscribe: @ourbigitalianadventure Best Contact Method: Email: [email protected] Website: https://ourbigitalianadventure.com ==== ABOUT OUR LINKS ==== Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we personally use and trust. #OurBigItalianAdventure