Authentic Travel in Italy

Authentic & Sustainable Italy Travel Guide

Planning with Purpose

Budgeting tips

The best way to save money in Italy is to stay in agriturismi, agricultural bed and breakfasts, and eat where locals eat. Most local restaurants are half the price of tourist hot spots.

How long should a trip to Italy be?

Plan on at least 10–14 days of travel in order to balance big cities with day trips to slower, regional villages.


The best time to go to Italy

Early Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are the best months to travel if you want fewer crowds and mild weather. It’s worth noting that businesses close for several weeks in August due to the Ferrogosto holiday. I would consider August the worst time to travel in Italy.

Getting Around Italy the Eco-Friendly Way

Trains in Italy

Italy has two major rail networks, Italo and Trenitalia, that offer high-speed trains between major cities. There is also Trenord, a regional train that is a bit more budget-friendly (and slower). If traveling during the summer, be sure to check if there are any scheduled train strikes.

Local transport

Aside from trains, cities usually have their own bus line, and you can typically pay on board with a credit card. 

Ridesharing

Uber, the ridesharing app, isn’t in Italy, so if you need to get around, I suggest downloading BlaBlaCar. This app is more for carpooling. 

Bike sharing apps

Major cities, like Milan, Florence, and Rome, have bike-sharing options where you can rent a bike by the minute.  

Cultural Tips

Surviving slow travel in Italy requires being a bit of a culture chameleon. Some cities are historic and traditional, and the people living there may expect you to adhere to certain lifestyle rules. Here’s a crash course guide to Italian etiquette, especially pertaining to eating and sharing meals.

Respect the midday riposo

Similar to how the Spanish are known for their afternoon nap (siesta), many Italian restaurants practice a similar activity called riposo. This is when restaurants, bars, and cafes close between the hours of 1-3 pm. If you’re planning to have lunch out somewhere, take note of these closing times and be sure to plan ahead.

Understand the antipasti, primi, and secondi

When Italians eat at a restaurant, they usually enjoy their meals in three or more courses. The most common courses are: antipasti, a salad or a selection of meat and cheese eaten before the meal, primi, a small plate of pasta, and secondi, a heartier plate of meat and vegetables. The equivalent in the English-speaking world would be: appetizer, first course, and second course.

Relish in la Passeggiata

After dinnertime, you’ll usually see people strolling around town. This post-dinner walk is called ‘la passeggiata‘ and is a beloved cultural experience that locals perform religiously, and travelers gladly adopt. La passegiata aids in digestion, circulation, and plus, it’s simply fun. Spark a casual chat when you’re contentedly full; there’s no better way to connect with locals!

Where to Stay: Authentic Accommodations

Whoever dreamed of going to Italy and staying at a Holiday Inn? Skip the cookie-cutter hotels and stay somewhere that tells a story:

Agriturismi

Farm stays where you can taste olive oil, wine, and meals straight from the land.

Boutique guesthouses

Locally owned, often in historic buildings.

Eco-lodges & certified green hotels

For travelers focused on sustainability.

Eat Like a Local

Contrary to what some restaurants will have you believe, Italian cuisine is not all just pasta and tiramisu. After visiting a few different regions in Italy, you’ll find that the cuisine can be fiercely regional. As for wine, be sure to travel to Italy’s lesser-known wine regions, Franciacorta and Sicily.

Northern Italian Cuisine

Hugging the Alpine mountains, northern Italian cuisine leans on hearty breads, stews, and meats. The cuisine is almost Germanic. Popular dishes like Polenta and risotto originated here. 

Central Italian Cuisine

This is the agricultural heart of Italy, and where you’ll find an emphasis on good quality olive oil and lots of wine. Come to central Italy for handmade pasta, olive oil, truffles, and Tuscan wines. 

Southern Italy & The Islands

Southern Italian cuisine aligns more with the quintessential Mediterranean diet, with lots of fresh seafood and citrusy flavors. Southern Italy is best known for grilled octopus and pizza. Sicily is Italy’s dessert capital, as the proud inventors of the cannolo.

Travel tip: Eat seasonally, visit open-air markets, and seek out sagre (small-town food festivals).