1) Can I see Florence in a day?
2) Is seeing the tower of Pisa worth it?
3) When you say that some towns in italy are not designed for cars what do you mean?
4) I want to get to the Cinque Terre, what should I look at when I get there.

Ok these are some of the worst.

The secrets of a good trip, learn a little Italian (top 50 words may do), slow down you are on holiday not in an inane movie about touring Italy. World class museums require research, make sure any guide book has some advice at least.

Use the train for getting around and then buses. Use cars as a last resort.

Understand the geography, a bit of the politics and make sure your plans make sense, as someone above says, Italy is regional.

Do not hesitate to ask for help in the town square, often the GPSs are bored out of their brains looking for something to do and helping a lost tourist can be fun, though I suspect those in Rome and Florence have probably had enough.

I think Fodors, could give some basic advice on how to order in a cafe, it is a little odd.

One thing that does worry me is that most people on Fodors want to go to the big three, Rome, Florence, Venice. Once you get beyond the next 4 of naples, pisa, siena, cinque terre there are so many great cities to see. Giving advice you feel that you are pushing water up hill about going anywhere outside these top areas, which is crazy.

I'm not an expert but a question I see a lot "how do you get to the Amalfi Coast from Rome?

I'm not proclaiming myself as an expert either, but I see lots of people seeking advice on their respective proposed itineraries who seem to have failed to consider that there is (sometimes significant) travel time required between destinations. If adequate time is figured in, that leaves them with half a day to see, e.g. Rome.

I don't know about being an expert but I have been more than a dozen times and sometimes colleagues or neighbors ask questions.

I think Venice is the hardest thing for people to get. Even when you explain there are canals instead of streets they still ask questions that make it apparent they don't really get it. One neighborkept insisting that there had to be a taxi t oher hotel. I said a water taxi - but since her hotel didn't have a private dock perhaps not the best choice. I finally had to print out a bunch of photos before she accepted there are NO streets.

Another thing that should be mentioned not just for Italy, but most European cities, is PACK LIGHT! It can be a total nuisance to drag heavy suitcases on and off trains etc.

Also leave the high heels at home! You'll be walking on cobblestone streets.

What everyone above said!

Don't say 'ciao' to strangers--it is overly familiar. Say 'arrivederci' to most and 'arrivederla' to older folks to show highest respect.

Step out of the way of others if you are having a problem--don't block the folks who do know what they are doing. Use the TI when you need help. Especially in the train station.

Don't be alarmed when no one forms a line!

Don't be alarmed when no one forms a line!

TDudette-LOL!!!

Reminds me of the B&B owner in Florence who had participated in the NY Marathon some years before. When I asked him what he liked best about his NY visit, his reply "how everyone queues".

"What are some things you think every Italy traveler should know?"

From my own errors;

Check to see what type of gas the rental car takes.

Have them show you how to put the car in reverse (The "pull up on the ring" effect).

AND..

although I've never screwed this one up, make sure they know there are forbidden zones in cities where you can pay a hefty fine if you make the mistake of driving in them.

((H))

Two questions - one often asked, one grumpily implied in later moans - crop up often. There's a dearth of hard data easily available.

1. The topography of the Vatican, and the practicalities of movement between St Peter's, the Vatican Museum and the excavations widely thought to be around the tomb of St Peter (often called the Scavi here). The current official policy on Basilica-side (as opposed to Piazza-side) passage into St Peter's from the end of the Scavi tour and from the Sistine Chapel changes every year or so. Explaining the current policy (and layout) and how to exploit it can easily save an hour in a busy day.

2. The problem of ZTLs, fines and hired cars. Especially important for Americans (less familiar than Europeans with icon-based road signs) and in the summer (when foliage often makes signs invisible anyway). The costs of ZTL fines, and the inaccessibilty of lucid bureaucrats to submit appeals to, probably cause more sour tastes in American tourists' mouths than any other aspect of an Italian holiday.

A very good point about the Vatican, flanneruk. It's rather a walk from St. P's to the Vatican museum. And when one takes it only to find a line longer than feasible, it can, be a downer.

Most folks are overly optimistic about the whole time-management thing!

And then "Walk me through arrival at Venice Marco Polo airport " pops up!

maitai, thanks for the memory about your trip! Thanks, Margaretlb.

Thanks for all of these great suggestions everyone and please keep them coming!

Also "hi" to @bobthenavigator. I am doing well, thank you. I had a feeling you'd be popping up on this thread :-)

I may have missed it but didn't see anyone asking the #1 question everybody asked me--Do Italians speak English? In my opinion based on 6 weeks there, mostly Tuscany but also Rome and Venice--with the exception of Venice, most Italians do NOT speak Italian. I found that the Italian I had studied for a few months before my trip was absolutely necessary, esp. because I was traveling alone without a tour guide. I am good at languages though and not very worried about making mistakes. But it's always polite to learn to say Buongiorno, Signora, Signore, etc. Grazie, prego, etc. Italians are very appreciative at any attempt to speak Italian. Bring a phrasebook and practice a bit before you go. Che bella lingua!

Also learn the Italian names of the cities you're going to, like Firenze, Napoli, Venezia, Genova, Torino, Livorno (though I don't think anyone says Leghorn any more).

Margaretb, I'm reminded of the time we flew from Catania to Gatwick, having spent 10 days in Sicily. In the airport before the flight I couldn't understand why there was such neat queues in the gift shop, etc. Then the light dawned; it was because the passengers were all Brits.

Livorno (though I don't think anyone says Leghorn any more). >>

except when we're talking about breeds of hen, mimar.

Great responses I get many of the above and more.
My favorite is "Can you keep me from getting pickpocketed"
and
"I have 7-10-14 days can I do just about every (name cities)in Italy in that time"

I invariably tell people to get a guidebook or two. I don't understand how anyone travels without consulting guidebooks. I even got a guidebook for our driving trip to our neighboring state of Montana--and I've lived in Montana.

I even got a guidebook for our driving trip to our neighboring state of Montana--and I've lived in Montana.>>

ditto me, Peg. last weekend we went to somerset - about 150 miles away - and we took the guide book. actually my ancient copy of the Michelin Green guide to the West country, which I bought about 30 years ago when we visited cornwall, where we now live.

i usually have a guide book to the next place that we are going to by my bedside to dip into as i find that I need quite a long time to get the "shape" of a new place into my head.

My favorite questions being asked on the airplane as a flight attendant on the way to any city in Italy(particularly Rome) are:

Do I have to know any Italian to get around?
Can I use my credit card for everything?Because we don't want to carry any money with us.
Do you know of a hotel with a vacancy for this week?(as we are practically landing)
Do you have a favorite restaurant? How much? Why do I have to wait to eat so late there?
Do you know where can I get an ice tea with sweet and low in Rome?
Will they let me put ice in my wine?
Heard many times in restaurants-"how come they don't have hot sauce or salsa?"
Which guided tours should we take? Again,"how much?"
Have you ever been to________?
Do you have any idea where we can get a wheelchair for my mom for a week's stay when we arrive in Milan,Rome, Venice,etc.?
Do you think that we will be pick pocketed or robbed at night in ______?
How much time should we allow for Pompeii?
How much is the train to Cinque Terre?
I only brought flip flops-are the cobblestones really that bad in ______?
Whats the cheapest way to get to the cruise ship from FCO?
Do you have any idea how we can bypass the line for the Vatican because we don't want to wait? We only have 7 hours for Rome.

Well you get the idea.
On the contrary, I really do like to hand out business cards of some of my favorite restaurants in certain cities;tell them where to get a great deal on something or which red wine they might like.I always tell people about ordering from menus over there;buying bus,metro or tram tickets and validating them before and other things that people didn't read up on.I really like sharing special museums or daytrips that they might not have thought about- the town of Fiesole above Firenze or the science museum with Gaileo and DeVinci's science equipment behind the Uffizzi.
Unfortunately there are so many that quote nothing but Rick Steves's books and never go outside of that box of guidebooks!

Having just gotten back from a 5 day mini vacation in Rome with my daughter, the things that I would tell people to do would be to dress like you are in a Catholic country(more modestly)so maybe if you are a teacher leading a "People to People" group and you are over 200 pounds, you might not want to show off your cheesy thighs in "Daisy Duke" type shorts.Perhaps a nice tailored pair of capris? I have never seen such overweight tourists in their wife beater undershirts;shorts up to their cracks,etc.but maybe it was because it was so darn hot?

Flip flops are the stupidest shoes to bring to any major city in Italy (don't get me started on the number of people we bring back on our return flights with broken ankles or legs,sprained ankles,etc.)

Read up on the places you are visiting before you land in Italy-don't expect a Cliff Note version to hit you from a stranger.
Understand what a bread charge is and how much Americans particularly overtip in a country where the waiters make really great money and have healthcare!

I had better get off my soapbox as I could go on-forgive me as I do love "newbies" to Italy and the thrill on their faces whenever we land on their vacations.I also enjoy hearing about their travels when we return from the US .Italy is the one place in the world where I have never heard anyone say they wouldn't go back!

Where can you get the best gelato?