Curated by Cath
Before You Go: Italy
A practical reference for your journey — Spring travel edition
Prepared by Cathleen Richards, T+L A-List Advisor 2025 & 2026
Prepared by Cathleen Richards, T+L A-List Advisor 2025 & 2026
Before You Fly — Checklist
Go over this list 2 weeks before departure and again the night before you leave. Most pre-trip anxiety is really just a handful of five-minute tasks that haven't been done yet. It happens to all of us.
Documents
- Passport in a trusted and safe location Put a note in your phone to remember where you put it. Or, text the location to your travel partner.
- International Driver's Permit (IDP) for rental car Required in Italy alongside your US license when you're driving. Keep it with your passport and be sure it travels with you anytime you are driving.
- Copy of passport accessible to you We have a scan of your passport securely on file. Other options include emailing a copy to yourself, or keeping a photo on your phone in your 'Hidden' photo album that requires your face ID to unlock.
- Enroll in STEP at step.state.gov The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program connects you to the US Embassy automatically in an emergency. Takes 10 minutes and will ask for the address of your first hotel.
- Download Allianz Global Assistance Allyz app — puts your travel insurance info in the palm of your hand
- Use your email to create an account and your policy will populate in the app.
Money & Connectivity
- Bank and credit cards notified of travel dates and destinations. Ask about charges for international ATM usage. Ensure that your ATM card gives you access to an account with a limited amount of funds.
- Phone plan confirmed for Italy, or international eSIM purchased HolaFly and your carrier are both reliable options. Easier to handle before departure than on arrival.
- Universal power adapter packed (Type F, two round pins)
- €100–150 in cash on hand before landing Blue and gold private tourist ATMs branded "Euronet" charge high fees. You can bring Euro cash with you from your bank at home, or take it out from a traditional bank ATM, which in Italian is 'Bancomat'(pro-tip, look for the Italian names like 'Banco BPM', 'UniCredit', 'Intesa San Paolo' and 'BPER'. Always decline conversion and choose EUR as currency.
Before You Leave Home
- Offline maps downloaded for your destinations Google Maps offline works well. Download city maps and Tuscany map before you leave your hotel each morning.
- US Embassy Rome saved in your phone: +39 06 46741
Spring Packing List in Italy
Spring is arguably the best time to visit Italy — manageable crowds, extraordinary light, and temperatures that reward layers. Mornings and evenings can be genuinely cool, especially in Tuscany and the north, while afternoons reach proper warmth. The goal is versatility: clothes that take you from a hilltop village in the morning to an aperitivo at dusk without a full change.
Clothing
- 3–4 tops (mix short and long sleeve) Linen or cotton blends; breathable and packable
- 1–2 lightweight sweaters or cardigans Essential for cool mornings, evenings, and air-conditioned restaurants
- 1 light jacket or packable rain jacket April can see showers. A jacket doubles as wind and rain protection.
- 2 pairs of pants or jeans
- 1–2 dresses or skirts (optional) Mid-length works for sightseeing and dinners both
- 1 pair smart casual trousers For nicer dinners — Italians get dressed to go to restaurants.
- 1 lightweight scarf Required for churches. Doubles as a layer and looks intentional.
- Underwear & socks (5–7 days) All hotels have laundry services.
- Sleepwear
Shoes
- Broken-in cushioned walking shoes — your most important packing decision Cobblestones are unforgiving on new shoes. Wear these before you leave.
- Low block heels or smart flats For dinners and evenings out
- Sandals For coastal stops and warm afternoons. Not ideal on cobblestones.
Toiletries & Health
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ Spring sun in Italy is stronger than it looks, especially midday
- Lip balm with SPF
- Light insect repellent Useful in Tuscany.
- Basic pain relief (ibuprofen, antacids)
- Blister treatment - Band Aid blister bandages, etc. Pack it even if you're confident in your shoes
- Hand sanitizer & small tissues Some public restrooms charge or have no paper. Always keep a small tissue packet in your bag!
- Any prescription medications + copies of prescriptions. If you have a lot of pills/supplements, a doctor's note to keep with them is a wise idea for international travel.
- Small packable umbrella Great for touring.
International Travel Suggestions
- TSA-approved luggage locks, if not included on your bag.
- Laundry detergent sheets (for trips 10+ days) Most hotels can arrange laundry; sheets let you hand-wash in a pinch
- Reusable water bottle - your preference. Water is inexpensive and delicious in Italy. You can always find a bottle for 1 Euro or less. Rome has excellent public drinking fountains (nasoni) — free, clean, cold
- Comfortable earplugs Italian cities are lively at night. Historic centers can be noisy.
- Small coin pocket/purse 1 and 2 Euro coins are used more than you'd expect — restrooms, tips, small purchases
Tech & Documents
- Passport (+ IDP if renting a car) Keep passport in hotel safe; carry a photo on your phone while out. I also keep a spare credit card in the hotel safe with my passport so I know I have a backup if I needed it.
- Universal power adapter — Type F
- Portable charger / power bank Full days of navigation and photos drain a battery fast
- Earbuds or headphones
- Cross-body bag for daily use Worn in front in crowded areas. Carry your wallet in your front pocket, not your back.
- Small day pack for longer excursions
- Hotel addresses in your phone or written down.
- Camera
At a Glance
Currency
Euro (€)
Cards widely accepted. Keep cash for markets, smaller towns, and churches. ATMs plentiful in cities.
Time Zone
CET / GMT+1
6 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. Daylight saving runs late March through late October.
Electricity
230V / 50Hz — Type F
Two round pins. Most modern electronics are dual-voltage — for these you need the adapter, not a converter. Check your device label to confirm. American hair dryers, hair straighteners, etc. use 110v and will be fried if plugged into a European socket.
Phone & Connectivity
Country code: +39
Wi-Fi widely available. Confirm international coverage with your carrier, or purchase an eSIM before departure.
Entry & Documents
US citizens do not need a visa to enter Italy for stays up to 90 days. What you do need: a passport with at least 6 months of validity from your date of travel — and yes, that means from departure, not return. New for April 2026 - upon arrival, you will be required to set up biometric fingerprint/facial scanning - a new EU entry procedure.
Passport validity
6+ months required
Vaccination
None required
No compulsory vaccinations to enter Italy. Check your travel insurance policy for any health requirements.
Tipping in Italy
Tipping in Italy is not the 20% obligation it is in the US — and over-tipping can feel out of place. Italians tip modestly, but in the hospitality sector, it is more expected. Here's what to know so you can navigate it with ease.
RestaurantsRounding up to the nearest 5-10 Euro at a big meal or leaving €1–2 per person is appreciated. Cash is required, you cannot leave tip on a credit card in Italy. Check if servizio is already included.
Cafés & barsLeave coins on the counter — €0.10–0.50. Locals do this habitually. A gesture, not a requirement.
Private guides€10–20 per person for a half-day; €20–30 per person for a full day of excellent service.
Hotel staff€1–2 per bag for porters. Housekeeping: €1–2 per night, left daily. Concierge: €5–10 for significant help.
Taxi / transfersRound up to the nearest euro. For private drivers, €5–10 for excellent service on a longer transfer, a little more for luggage assistance.
Coperto vs. servizioCoperto is a cover charge (bread, table setting) — not a tip. If servizio is listed, no additional tip is needed.
Safety & Awareness
Italy is safe. A few simple habits let you stay fully present instead of vigilant — which is the whole point of being there.
- Store your passport and extra cash in your hotel safe when you're out. Carry a photo of your passport on your phone — you rarely need the original.
- The Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and train stations are the highest-risk areas for distraction-based theft. Stay aware in crowds.
- Always ask permission before photographing inside churches or religious sites. Many prohibit it entirely. When in doubt, put the camera away — it's the respectful call.
- Italian traffic operates by its own logic. Use painted crosswalks and make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street.
Emergency Numbers in Italy
112
911 Equivalent
113
Police
118
Ambulance
115
Fire
US Embassy in Italy
US Embassy Rome
Via Veneto, 121 — 00187 Rome
Tel: +39 06 46741
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–1:00pm
Register your trip at step.state.gov before you leave. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program connects you to the nearest US Embassy in an emergency — lost passport, civil unrest, natural disaster. It takes ten minutes and it matters.
Tel: +39 06 46741
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–1:00pm
Register your trip at step.state.gov before you leave. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program connects you to the nearest US Embassy in an emergency — lost passport, civil unrest, natural disaster. It takes ten minutes and it matters.
Useful Italian Phrases
A few words offered genuinely — especially outside of tourist centers — open doors that staying in English keeps closed. Italians notice the effort, and they respond to it warmly.
| Phrase | Italian & Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Hello / Hi | Ciao (chow) |
| Good morning | Buongiorno (bwon-JOR-noh) |
| Excuse me / May I pass | Permesso (pehr-MEHS-soh) |
| Thank you | Grazie (GRAHT-tzee-yeh) |
| You're welcome | Prego (PREH-goh) |
| Goodbye | Arrivederci (ahr-ree-vah-DEHR-chee) |
| Yes / No | Sì / No (see / noh) |
| My name is… | Mi chiamo… (mee-KEY-ah-moh) |
| Where is…? | Dov'è…? (doh-VEH) |
| How much is this? | Quanto costa? (KWAN-toh KOS-tah) |
| Do you speak English? | Parla inglese? (PAR-lah een-GLEH-zeh) |
| The check, please | Il conto, per favore (eel KON-toh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) |
| Very good / Delicious | Ottimo / Buonissimo (OH-tee-moh / bwon-EES-see-moh) |
Italy in Context: A Brief History
One of the things I love most about traveling Italy is how much the history is still physically present — you're not reading about it, you're standing inside it. A little context changes everything you see.
2400–600 BC — Early settlements and trade across the peninsula among Phoenicians, Etruscans, and Greeks
600 BC – 476 AD — Rise and fall of the Roman Empire; the infrastructure, law, and language of modern Western civilization takes shape here
800 AD — Absorbed into the Carolingian Empire; centuries of struggle between papal and imperial power follow
1300–1500 — The Renaissance. Florence, Venice, Genoa, and Milan rise as dominant city-states. Art, architecture, and thought are transformed.
1500s–1700s — Spanish, French, then Austrian rule across much of the north
1861 — Unification. After decades of revolution, the Kingdom of Italy is formally declared in February
1946 — Italy becomes a Republic by popular referendum, following WWII and the fall of Mussolini's dictatorship
The Italy you're visiting is the product of thousands of years of layering — Greek temples, Roman forums, medieval towers, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque churches often occupy the same city block, sometimes the same foundation. Traveling slowly enough to feel that layering is one of the great privileges of being here.
Geography & Landscape
What region you visit shapes climate, food, pace, and architecture entirely. Italy rewards those who resist the temptation to see everything in one trip.
Capital
Rome
Land area
301,338 km²
Climate
Continental inland/north — hot summers, cold winters. Mediterranean coastal — warm dry summers; mild rainy winters.
Official language
Italian. Regional dialects vary significantly — Venetian, Neapolitan, and Sicilian can feel like entirely different languages.
Regions worth knowing
Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Lake District (Como, Garda, Maggiore), Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia
Active volcanoes
Mt. Etna (Sicily), Stromboli (Aeolian Islands), Mt. Vesuvius (Naples) — all continuously monitored