I don't care about you anymore, I'm in Italy
🌍Complete Italy Travel Guide🚀
1. Preparation
• Documents: Passport (valid for more than 6 months), Schengen visa (apply in advance, allow enough time to prepare materials)📝.
• Clothing: Spring and autumn (April-May, October-November) have pleasant weather, recommended to bring light jackets and windbreakers; summer (June-August) is hot, bring light clothing and sun protection; winter (December-February) is cold, bring heavy coats🧥.
• Daily necessities: Toiletries, skincare products, umbrella (rainy season from June to October)☔.
• Medicine: Cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine (some areas have many mountain roads)💊.
• Electronics: European standard power adapter, power bank, camera📷.
• Others: Google Maps (essential for navigation), paper map (backup), cash (some small shops do not accept cards)💶.
2. Best Travel Time
• Spring and autumn (April-May, October-November): Pleasant climate, fewer tourists, suitable for in-depth exploration🍂.
• Summer (June-August): Plenty of sunshine, suitable for swimming and outdoor activities, but crowded with long waits at attractions☀️.
• Winter (December-February): Few tourists, cheaper hotel prices, suitable for skiing enthusiasts, but some restaurants and shops may be closed❄️.
3. Transportation Guide
• External transportation:
• Airplane: Direct flights to Milan from Beijing, Shanghai, Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong; direct flights to Rome from Beijing, Shanghai, Wenzhou, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen🛫.
• Train: Traveling to Italy from other European cities is most convenient by train🚂.
• Internal transportation:
• Train: Italy has a developed railway network connecting all major cities and provincial capitals. Recommended to buy tickets via "Trenitalia" or "Italo"🚆.
• Bus/Metro/Tram: Suitable for short trips within cities, tickets can be purchased at tobacco shops (Tabacchi) or newsstands🚌.
• Special transportation: Venice gondolas, Cinque Terre small trains, etc.🚤🚂.
• Self-driving: Renting a car requires a notarized driving license (in English), small or economy cars are recommended🚗.
4. Recommended Attractions 🌟
1. Rome:
• Colosseum: A symbol of ancient Rome's glory, standing among the ruins feels like traveling back to the passionate gladiator arena🏟️.
• Vatican Museums: Book tickets in advance to avoid sold-out during peak summer season🎨.
2. Venice:
• St. Mark's Square: The heart of Venice, a landmark to check in⛪.
• Bridge of Sighs: The bridge connecting the Doge's Palace and the prison, legend says prisoners sighed here🌉.
3. Florence:
• Uffizi Gallery: Houses masterpieces by Botticelli and other masters, a must-visit for art lovers🖼️.
• Florence Cathedral: Gothic architecture with exquisite interior decoration🏰.
4. Cinque Terre:
• Five colorful cliffside towns: Nestled between mountains and sea, hike along the coastline and encounter stunning Mediterranean scenery🌊.
5. Other recommendations:
• Leaning Tower of Pisa: Visit on the way, great for photos📸.
• Tuscany: Self-drive to explore vineyards and countryside scenery🍇.
• Dolomites: Hiking and skiing destination hidden in dense mountain forests🏔️.
5. Food Experience 🍜
1. Must-try snacks:
• Margherita pizza: Thin crust freshly baked, sweet and sour tomato sauce paired with mozzarella cheese🍕.
• Tiramisu: Creamy mascarpone cheese blended with coffee liqueur, sweet to the core🍰.
• Squid ink pasta: Rich seafood flavor with black chewy noodles, unique and delicious🍝.
2. Recommended restaurants:
• Rome: Giolitti Ice Cream Shop (pistachio flavor is amazing), Pietro Inn Restaurant (authentic Roman cuisine)🍦🍽️.
• Florence: Osteria Restaurant (T-bone steak), Ricetta Restaurant (Tuscan style seafood)🥩🦞.
• Milan: Iginio Massari Pastry Shop (cream bread), Zia Esterina Sorbillo Restaurant (fried pizza)🍞🍕.
6. Accommodation Recommendations 🏨
1. Luxury options:
• Hotel Passalacqua: Located by Lake Como, ranked first in the world's top 50 hotels in 2023🏆.
• Le Sirenuse Hotel: An 18th-century royal palace in Positano, vintage and elegant🏰.
2. Cost-effective options:
• Borgo San Felice Hotel: Converted from a Tuscan vineyard and winery, enjoy a secluded private pool🍇.
• Local homestays: Experience local life, more affordable🏠.
7. Itinerary Planning 📅
📌 Classic 7 days 6 nights tour:
• Day 1-2: Rome (Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Trevi Fountain)🏟️🎨.
• Day 3: Florence (Uffizi Gallery, Florence Cathedral)🖼️🏰.
• Day 4: Cinque Terre (hike the coastline, check in colorful towns)🌊.
• Day 5: Venice (St. Mark's Square, Bridge of Sighs, gondola ride)⛪🚤.
• Day 6: Milan (Cathedral, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II)🏛️🛍️.
• Day 7: Free activities or shopping, prepare for departure🛍️.
8. Notes ⚠️
1. Safety:
• Popular attractions are crowded, keep valuables safe and beware of pickpockets👜.
• If encountering drunk people or beggars, wave your hand and walk away🙅♀️.
2. Culture:
• Respect local customs and culture, keep quiet in public places🤫.
• Follow traffic rules, pedestrians have priority, slow down near crosswalks🚶♂️.
3. Others:
• Some Italian tourist cities have restricted traffic zones (ZTL), non-local cars are not allowed, or face heavy fines🚫.
• After paying at parking lots, you must insert the ticket back to exit🅿️.
• Italian highways charge tolls, take a ticket and pay at the exit🛣️.