How to plan a more enjoyable holiday in Italy

For many Italy lovers, planning a vacation to Italy is almost as enjoyable as the trip itself. Italy isn't a country you simply visit. Each region has its own unique character, cuisine, landscape, and rhythm. The trick is not to check off as many highlights as possible during your Italian vacation, but to make choices that suit your travel style. With these tips, you'll get more out of your Italian vacation, whether it's your first, third, or tenth time.

Look beyond the familiar classics

Rome, Florence, and Venice remain impressive, no matter how often you visit. But like the major cities in all other countries, they don't offer a good impression of the country as a whole. To truly get to know Italy, combine cities with lesser-known regions or villages nearby.

• Puglia It's perfect for those who love sun, sea, and authentic villages. Think whitewashed towns like Ostuni and Locorotondo, olive groves, and long coastlines.
• Basilicata is rougher and quieter, with Matera and its ancient cave dwellings as the highlight.
• Piedmont is a paradise for wine lovers and gourmets, with hills, truffles and Barolo villages.
• Le Marche is a wonderful alternative to Tuscany, with equally beautiful medieval hilltop villages and stunning beaches.
• Trentino Alto Adige feels almost un-Italian, with Dolomites, mountain lakes and a mix of Italian and Austrian culture.
• Or, if you still want to visit a big city, check out the intense and raw Napels, at the foot of Vesuvius.

Tip: Choose one region for your vacation and really take your time. Italy becomes even more beautiful when you slow down.

Travel like the Italians: slow and local

One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is trying to see too much in too little time. Italians themselves travel very differently: they stay in one place longer and take day trips from a fixed base.

• Rent a rural agriturismo instead of changing hotels every night.
• Or book an Airbnb in a nice city or village and stay there a little longer.
• In the morning, head to the local bar for a cappuccino (before 11am!) and observe village life.
• Visit a market and cook yourself in the evening with local ingredients.
• Try a pasta cooking workshop or take some language lessons at your destination.
• Keep in mind that in smaller towns, shops often close between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM, and dinner (especially in the south) doesn't start until after 7:30 PM. Adapt to that rhythm.
• Travelling outside the usual summer season can also be surprising here.
• This also applies to the journey itself: perhaps you could take the train and slow down further that way.

This way, you don't experience Italy as a fleeting tourist, but as a temporary resident. Admittedly, it helps if you have a bit more time to do this.

Enjoy the regional cuisine

Yes, pizza and pasta are delicious. But Italy is all about regional cuisines, not a single national menu. So, it's best to avoid ordering spaghetti bolognese (that doesn't exist either), but let yourself be guided by what is typical for the region.

• In Rome.: cacio e pepe, carbonara and amatriciana.
• In Milan: braised veal shank with gremolata (lemon zest, garlic and parsley).
• Op Sicily: arancini, pasta alla Norma and sweet cannoli.
• In Lombardy: risotto alla milanese and ossobuco.
• In Liguria: pesto, focaccia and fish dishes.
• In Le Marche: olive all'ascolana, stuffed, fried olives, are the regional dish.

A simple rule of thumb: if a dish appears on many menus in the same region, you're in good hands. (But not if that menu features pictures of the food; then it's just tourist fodder.)

Order what made the region famous. Avoid international dishes and let the menu, the season, and the waiter's advice guide you. This way, you'll experience Italy as it was meant to be.

Practical, but also important

Of course, you would rather not think about that, but things can also go wrong in Italy: a fall on the slippery cobblestones, car trouble in the mountains or a stolen bag on a busy square.

• Your Dutch health insurance only covers healthcare in Italy up to the Dutch rate, which is not always sufficient.
• Check if you Travel Insurance covers medical expenses, theft and delay.
• Do you travel several times a year (not just to Italy)? Then annual travel insurance is often more cost-effective. But what does continuous travel insurance cost?That depends on factors such as the term of your insurance and the coverage. You can usually quickly calculate your premium online. 
• If you are traveling by car, check whether your roadside assistance abroad is also covered.
• Also check what you mandatory in your car must have.
• Check for any ZTL (resident-only) zones at your destination. A fine is never a pleasant surprise after your vacation.

Learn a little Italian (and you'll get a lot in return)

You really don't need to speak fluent Italian to make an impression. A few basic phrases can literally open doors, especially if you're vacationing outside the big cities.

• Good day / Good evening (Good day / Good evening)
• Per favore / Grazie (Please/Thank you)
• May we sit down? (May we sit down?)
• The bill, please (The bill, please)

Italians really appreciate it when you make an effort. You often get friendlier service, extra explanations, or even tips you would never have received otherwise. A language app, a short online course or just a list of sentences might be enough.

Don't see your vacation as a checklist

Italy isn't a country you just play through. Every trip leaves you wanting more. Perhaps this holiday you'll discover a region you'll want to return to, or a village you unexpectedly fall in love with.

So leave room for spontaneous decisions, detours, and days without a plan. Those are the moments that often linger the longest.