Although telecommunications and the Internet can bring the far-flung corners of the world to your doorstep, there is still much to learn once you hit the ground of a foreign country. Such is the case with Italy, which, with its pizzas and pastas, may seem instantly familiar but is full of surprises. Some of these surprises are pleasant, such as the little fruit, vegetable and flower markets that spring up in alleyways and on street corners on certain days of the week. However, there are some aspects to Italian travel that are better to know about beforehand, such as a comparative lack of facilities for the disabled and much shorter hours for banks.

Traveling to Italy begins with language. Yes, many Italians in the big cities speak enough English so you can eek along, but bringing a phrasebook and practicing your greetings and polite expressions will open up the secrets of Italy to you. People return your greetings, vendors may give you a better price on that bouquet, the waiter will tell you about the special item that is not on the menu, and the museum guard will share a story about a special painting or statue.

travel tips for Italy can be divided into categories. There is the issue of Italian schedules, even train schedules, where “now” means “in a few minutes or so.” There is driving, which is fast, involves lots of tailgating and honking of horns, and requires that fines for infractions be paid directly and immediately to the police officer. Food is another world. You must ask for the check in restaurants. Meal times are generally later than those in the United States. Espresso is often drunk standing up at a bar, but lunch is more leisurely.

One benefit of traveling in Italy well-prepared is that you will come to appreciate its differences rather than feel inconvenienced by them. In the United States, the availability of fax machines, dry cleaners and 24-hour supermarkets makes life easy, but Italians don’t live by the clock and don’t rush through their errands. Asking around for advice and services is typical, and may involve whole groups of people. What it lacks in efficiency, it makes up for in camaraderie. Just keep in mind that one reason for traveling to Italy is to engage with the culture and its people.

Just because a bottle label says a drug name doesn’t mean it is the mirror image of the drug you take at home. Check for the active ingredient name rather than the brand name, and compare milligrams and recommended dosage. Certain medications are not as common in Italy, but if you ask at a pharmacy, the clerk should be able to find an applicable remedy for general ailments.

Print out your documents, as these are most likely your tickets. Bring the printouts with you to the airport, along with the credit card you used to purchase the tickets and the phone numbers of any customer service representatives from the booking company. Confirm your reservation with the airline, either online or by telephone.

Check to see if your credit card company lets you use reward points for tickets. Remember that some online tickets are not refundable, or charge fees for changes. Last-minute travelers may benefit from airline ticket bidding sites such as Priceline.

Italy is basically a hospitable place for tourists. Women should take basic precautions, however. Don’t wear flashy jewelry and watches. If you find yourself in a situation where you must walk alone at night, do so without heavy luggage, stick to well-lit streets, and try to attach yourself to another woman or group that is walking in your direction.

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