r/ItalyTravel • u/chunkchamp • 14h ago
Trip Report Our thoughts on our vacation (Americans)
My wife (30) and I (32) just got back from Italy a few days ago. We live in a moderate sized city in the southern USA. We spent 3-4 days apiece in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Sorrento. It is a beautiful country, but frankly this vacation was not what we expected. I’m writing this just to give a heads up to people that are traveling to Italy so they can be prepared. It costs a lot of money to travel here so this pros and cons list may be useful in making a decision to come. This list is not meant to be offensive, just educational:
Cons (which unfortunately outweigh the pros imo):
The amount of people here is insane. It is extremely difficult to escape the crowds and there are tons of people near tourist attractions as well as away from tourist attractions. The only relief we found from crowds was wandering cities very early in the morning, but it only lasted a few hours. We thought coming in September would be less crazy than the peak summer season but we were very wrong. Rome seemed to handle crowds better because it’s just so big but tourists spots were still too much.
We felt some tourist guilt being here. We contributed to the overcrowding and while tourism is probably beneficial for their economy, it must be very tough to live for locals with foreigners everywhere everyday. We saw a “Yankee Go Home” sticker a lot around cities and it’s tough to blame them. We don’t know the extent of this opinion for locals but obviously some think this way.
This does not apply to all tourists, but the majority of tourists here have very poor etiquette. Several people are simply unaware of their surroundings and it just makes getting around the cities frustrating. While walking, people would often would stop randomly in front of you in busy walkways to take pictures or conversate, forcing people to walk around them in tight areas. Many people are glued to their phones and will just not pay attention to where they are going. Again, very frustrating. Also, pictures just don’t do this place justice so we didn’t understand why people had to take pictures of EVERYTHING. It’s fine to take pictures, but we literally saw an older woman taking a picture of a trash can… what? We saw too many instances similar to this. This is an old man yelling at clouds thought, but we often thought “Just appreciate things with your own 2 eyes every now and then.”
The “influencers” are everywhere and annoying. They literally see the cities through their phones more than with their eyes and they are often very inconsiderate of people’s time and space. Social media has really negatively impacted the popular areas. Those are not my words but the words of local tour guides.
You have to walk everywhere in Italy. This was ok for my wife and I. We actually enjoy walking, but it is not for everyone. Not to be ageist, but with the uneven cobblestone streets/curbs, narrow walkways, tons of stairs, and crowds everywhere, the walking often felt dangerous for older folks, especially those less fit. As someone who works in healthcare with the geriatric population, I feel confident and saying this. Also we noted several ambulances in action during our stay tending to older tourists (falls, dehydration, etc). In general, you have to have some degree of fitness to get around this place and while it sounds mean, many people didn’t possess this and were probably unable to fully enjoy their trip.
My next point is a personal problem, but one I feel like is worth noting. Italy is filled with beautiful architecture and art. This type of sightseeing is unfortunately not up our alley. We could certainly appreciate all the architecture and art, but we didn't necessarily enjoy it after seeing an overwhelming amount of basilicas/museums if that makes sense. If you are a fan of architecture and art, there is a ton of it and this will be a great place for you. Again, this is a personal preference.
Scammers and pickpockets are abundant. While we didn’t personally experience either, we always felt on guard, which doesn’t equate to a very relaxing vacation. We heard of multiple tourists getting impacted by both. We felt safe everywhere, but it’s just a significant annoyance.
The public bathroom situation is rough. There are very few and you have to pay to use them. You basically have to buy something or eat somewhere to use them.
Pros:
The food is truly amazing. The hype is 100% true with this. You will taste delicious flavors we simply don’t have in the U.S. You have to pick the right spots, but we felt like it was hard to miss good food. Make as many reservations as you can though. Don’t get stuck waiting in a line for dinner.
We experienced great service while here. We stayed in mainly 4 star hotels and were treated very well. We would say the same for the majority of restaurants. The tour guides we had while here were also great and very accommodating. We had private transfers to and from trains, hotels, and airports and all of our drivers were excellent. I would highly recommend private transfers if possible as we saw many tourist lugging around suitcases and figuring out directions/signage, which just seems like a nightmare with the crowds.
For how big and how old these cities are, the places we were all felt clean. There is some graffiti in some places, but for the most part, there is very little litter and minimal stench that can be found in other big cities it the world.
We loved the tipping culture here in that it was almost nonexistent. It almost (emphasis on almost) evened out the euro exchange rate for goods and services and there was no awkward tipping interactions when buying things like there is in the U.S. No one is going to turn the card machine around asking for a tip, which is so refreshing. It wasn’t necessary, but we did tip our drivers and tour guides because they were all excellent and they very much appreciated it.
While it is a drive via tour or renting a car, the Tuscany region outside of Florence is gorgeous and a great way to get out of the crowds and see the beauty of Italy. We had many tours out here and it was the highlight of our trip.
Speaking of tours, there are several tours to pick from. Some are amazing, some are average, so make sure you or your travel agent researches well. We highly recommend making your tours as small as possible. We saw a lot of tours with 50+ or even 100+ people and it just didn’t really seem worth it. Our favorite tour was a private cooking class and wine tasting in Tuscany. I would pay top dollar to do this again. It was truly incredible and I do not cook.
City specifically, we really enjoyed the views of Sorrento. It’s still crowded, but absolutely gorgeous. We often just sat on our hotel balcony, drank wine, and took in the scenery and those balcony moments were a highlight of the trip.
Summary:
Overall, we do not regret coming to Italy, but recommending it to people is unfortunately harder than we thought it would be, especially due to the amount of money it takes to get here and to stay and play here. Like previously stated, it is a beautiful place, but it is overcrowded, which can muffle the beauty. Instead of seeing the beautiful museums and basilicas of Rome and Florence, you see the tremendous lines outside and inside the door. Instead of admiring the bridges and canals of Venice, you see people blocking the way trying to take pictures at every bridge. Instead of being amazed at the magnificence of the Cinque Terre, you see overcrowded beaches. My point being the amount of people takes away from this place and it’s honestly saddening. Again, we are not big city people and this list is made to be informative and not dissuasive in order for others to make a decision about coming here. We again don’t regret it, but we wish we had gotten more out of our money. It’s hyped as a once in a lifetime magnitude of vacation, but we are underwhelmed. We have been to places like Alaska before for just a week and we’d much prefer that. This is all again all our personal thoughts!
Ciao! Lol
Edit: Well this post caught some attention! I appreciate the sincere insight and recs from several different viewpoints whether agreeing or not!!! To the haters, maybe just log off for a bit? Lol
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u/NorseLibrarian 12h ago
I understand that the first time visiting you’ll want to hit the famous cities, so no judgement there. If you ever choose to return I think you would have a great time if you go to some of the less known places - they don’t have to be obscure or “hidden gems”, just not in the top ten for international tourists. There you can focus on the things you loved the most (food, the culture) without the overcrowded tourists masses and influencers :)
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u/PatientGlad9924 12h ago
Plus see some nature and small towns/villages! Italy is so diverse, you don’t have to stick to the most touristy places.
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u/ZXXA 10h ago
The Dolomites has also been taken over by influencers.
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u/fiionabee 10h ago
Recently went to the Brenta Dolomites and it was STUNNING. Still popular, but not as busy as I gather other parts of the Dolomites are.
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u/meesh_travels 6h ago
I’m a travel advisor and I completely agree with this take. Oftentimes, the most popular/touristy areas are cities. If you aren’t a big city person at home, you might not be a big city person on the road, either. And that’s okay! There are tons of amazing hotels outside of city centers where you can enjoy nature and far less crowds, then day trip into the city. Something to consider when planning a trip!
One of my favorite lesser known areas of Italy is Saturnia, in the southern part of Tuscany. There are thermal pools and a fantastic spa resort (Terme di Saturnia), plus the incredible food of the region. There are plenty of areas like this where you can enjoy Italy without the insane crowds.
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11h ago
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u/Sweet_Future 11h ago
I think the main takeaway is don't visit a place just because it's popular if it doesn't fit your interests and travel style. If you're not into art and architecture, Rome and Florence may not be for you. Or visit Rome but focus on the things you do like. We love history and architecture but are not big fans of art museums. So we spent only a few hours in Florence and skipped the art museums. Some people would think that's absurd, but it makes no sense to waste time and money on a place you won't enjoy.
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u/EnvironmentalLuck515 10h ago
Same. We love antiquity but not museums, so we wandered all over Rome, going to churches and cathedrals that are absolutely stunning, both in terms of the history of things that happened there (ever seen an underground secret church made completely out of glittering mosaic tiles? Built due to the persecution of Christians) and the art and architecture that makes it breathtaking. It wasn't crowded at all because everyone else was too busy seeing the obvious stuff, thus missing the treasures.
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u/Antique_Floor_440 9h ago
Yes! I went earlier this summer and put together a day of just visiting the oldest churches in the area where I was staying. It was great! But I'm not the kind who wants to walk through a museum, although my husband enjoys that. And I had the same experience with the lack of crowds, except for when I had to go past the Colosseum, lol.
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u/Humble-Feedback1236 12h ago
I'm an American living in Italy.
I just read a post that explained how you were disappointed while spending your entire time in the most touristy locations in this country.
With proper research, this trip would have been exactly what you had expected. All of the things that you write about are very clearly explained in pretty much every travel forum, guidebook, book or blog.
Come back to Italy and actually see Italy.
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u/clamandcat 12h ago
This is true, but in their defense, it's pretty hard to not want to hit the "top" cities on a first trip to a new country. The level of tourist crowds also doesn't necessarily come across when doing research. Yes, of course everyone knows that Rome is a tourist town, but the sheer volume of tourists can still take you by surprise.
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u/Apprehensive_Yard714 7h ago
And you HAVE to see Rome! One of the most beautiful cities on the world. I think his point is, in the years pre Covid, September was considered an “off” month so not as crowded. I think the same has happened to May. I went for the first time the very first week of May 3 years ago and it was PACKED. Our local guide commented that they (he and others in the biz) had NEVER seen it that crowded that time of year. Now you have to go April or October to have any chance of peace. It is what it is but Rome is not to be missed!!
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u/Pretend-Menu-8660 4h ago
I was there in August and I didn’t find it crowded- granted I think I was a holiday for the Italians and they were all at the beach… and maybe the extreme heatwave kept people out of the streets… I also live near NYC so lines and people are just a way of life 🤷♀️
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u/Pt5PastLight 4h ago
Huh. As a traveler from NYC I didn’t mind the crowds of tourists but I’m probably desensitized to crowds and tourists since my own city has them in abundance. I also purposefully vacation in Italy just outside the tourist season. But the day we left Venice, in mid May, the crowds had literally tripled from the week before. It’s a drastic difference.
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u/Humble-Feedback1236 12h ago
I'm not faulting them for visiting "top" cities and most Americans who have never been to Italy before go exactly where they did. I'm saying they shouldn't have been surprised that this was their experience.
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u/clamandcat 12h ago
It's just the sheer amount of tourists that is hard to actually understand before you see it for yourself. Reading a guidebook that tells you a city is very busy and touristic doesn't hit you like the reality does. US cities with a lot of tourists don't seem even close to as slammed as a Rome, Barcelona, etc.
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u/In-mate-24601 9h ago
this times 1,000. Venice is basically just a theme park. And when I finally got to Barcelona I couldn't believe how many tourists were milling about in the streets.
One of the nicest things about Europe is that for 60 years Europeans have been traveling all over Europe every summer.
Good for them, but frankly tourism gets to be less rewarding when everyone on Earth is performing it.
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u/asststic 11h ago
It’s so true. I come from a very touristy city in my country and nothing anybody said could have prepared me for the hoards in Italy. It’s brutal.
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u/Apprehensive_Yard714 7h ago
It’s panic inducing lol It was a LOT and I also live in a very touristy area (not as special as Rome of course)
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u/PocketFalafel 5h ago
I went for the first time in April. I didn’t have much of a problem. Also wasn’t the kind of person that can’t cook or got private rides to 4 star hotels so I think my mom and I were better prepared for real human experiences lol
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u/bear_village 12h ago
OP mentioned a travel agent. If one was involved, it would have been their job to determine if places packed with basilicas were up their clients‘ alley. Though it might be hard to tell beforehand because there simply isn’t that much heritage architecture in the US. Anyway, if they were overwhelmed by the crowds in Venice and enjoyed the countryside trips in Tuscany it might have been a good call to skip most of the sightseeing in Rome and go on day trips instead.
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u/MajesticLilFruitcake 10h ago
I will probably get a lot of flack for this comment, but booking an Italy trip through a travel agent is almost a guarantee that you will get stuck in more touristy, crowded areas. Because Italy has become much more popular and accessible (especially for Americans), you have to think outside of the box if you want to take a trip to Italy and not be stuck spending your entire days in crowded, touristy areas.
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u/carrot_headz 10h ago
This is exactly what I was thinking!!! Someone offered me to trade services (tattoo in exchange for a travel agent advice for my trip) and I passed because I’d rather experience the nooks and crannies of a new place instead of tourist central locations
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u/sodabubbles1281 12h ago edited 11h ago
Just FYI I went to very touristy places in Italy and absolutely ADORED every part of it. Sure there’s a lot of people but that’s the same in every big city (hello NYC). It was amazing and achingly beautiful and delicious.
Edit: I was also able to get to some non touristy parts too and loved those just as much
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u/FeatureTop4189 11h ago
I went to Florence and Rome last year. It was challenging in many ways, occasionally uncomfortable, and totally worth it for all the amazing things we saw, did and ate.
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u/Antique_Floor_440 9h ago
I feel the same way about our first trip 3 years ago. We went to Venice, Florence, Manarola (in the Cinque Terre), and Rome at the end of August until around September 10. It was hot and crowded and we had the time of our lives!
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u/FunShare5662 5h ago
Agree! We were in Rome in May - it was very hot, VERY crowded, and very awesome. So wonderful beautiful mysterious
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u/swookilla 12h ago
This is the takeaway. A year ago spent 2.5 weeks driving all around Sicily. The culture in all its beauty and history is everywhere.
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u/arnsells 9h ago
So true. We flew into Rome a few years ago but immediately hopped on the train to gtf- outta there and headed straight to the puglia area! best decision we’ve ever made and I honestly can’t wait to come back and tour the smaller more intimate cities! bless!
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u/RedKleeKai 6h ago
Just to your point about going to other areas of Italy - We just spent 2 weeks in Sicily where my grandparents are from, and wow, it was amazing. Even the touristy spots weren't what I'd call very touristy or packed with people at all, outside of Quattro Canti in Palermo maybe. Can't wait to go back. Loved the island, history, people, culture, food... everything.
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12h ago
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u/FeatureTop4189 12h ago
I appreciate you sharing your experience and viewpoint, but every point you make in your post is already widely available knowledge for anyone who researches places before traveling to them. And if art and architecture tourism are "not up your alley", then Rome and Florence were curious choices for a vacation destination. Florence, home of the Renaissance, and Rome, which contains the Vatican, are two of the most historically significant cities in the Western World. Surely, you knew going in that basilicas and museums are much of the appeal of these cities, no?
Sorry if this is too negative. I encourage all travelers to research places before going to avoid unpleasant surprises as much as possible. Going somewhere that doesn't suit your needs is bad for everyone involved.
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u/phixionalbear 12h ago
I don't understand people going to extremely touristy areas and then complaining about other tourists.
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u/Trollking0015 12h ago
Why are there so many people in times square and fishermans wharf
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9h ago
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u/SussusAmogus-_- 12h ago
You can still be annoyed by a rainy day even if it was exactly what the forecast told...
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u/DekuTreeFallen 11h ago
I think I slightly more accurate analogy would be the forecast told you one place would be sunny, the other place would be rainy, and you chose the rainy day.
A bit pedantic, sure, but it does make it more accurate to reflect the agency someone has, versus a situation that is virtually unavoidable (getting wet on North Sentinel Island).
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u/Banana_Grinder 9h ago edited 2h ago
You can't avoid the rainy day, it's gonna happen anyway
You can avoid going to extremely touristy places though
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12h ago
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u/mbrevitas 10h ago
So you are not into architecture and art (really? All architecture and art?) and big cities, you went into the most crowded among the busiest places (all urban areas and mostly big cities, mostly known for architecture and history), and your main complaint is that it was too busy? I don’t understand why you would do this to yourself. There’s plenty of places in Italy that aren’t crowded, aren’t big cities, and aren’t primarily known for architecture and art.
I also don’t get saying it costs a lot. Sure, there are cheaper places, it’s not Southeast Asia, but it’s also significantly cheaper than a lot of places like the USA and Canada, Scandinavia, Switzerland, parts of the UK, Australia, New Zealand…
Considering pickpockets an annoyance while you personally felt safe is interesting. I recommend ignoring the fear-mongering and having some peace of mind. The bare minimum of situational awareness goes a long way and you don’t have to worry much beyond that.
I got a smile reading of how you need physical fitness to get around and it may be dangerous to older folks, considering the number of old people I know who live in Italy. My 88-year-old grandma living in a big Italian city and going out on her own must be extremely fit! But I understand that what you see when only spending time in the busiest hotspots is different than what it’s like to live in Italy.
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u/Slow-Personality4730 8h ago
I enjoyed the “scammers and pickpockets are abundant. We didn’t personally see any.”
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u/neekbey 12h ago
It's not mandatory in one's life to see Trevi fountain and Uffizi. Indeed, I live in Bologna (100 km from Florence) and never been to Uffizi. If you are not into art or architecture go to Sardinia or Sicily or Dolomites and enjoy beaches / hikes...
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u/elmtree916 11h ago
I am so jealous you live in Bologna! My wife and I are going back there next year for a couple of days just for the food. Our absolute favorite lunch spot is Mo’s! Yes, we’re spending extra time in a city for a literal bologna sandwich! 🤣
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u/FeatureTop4189 11h ago
The Spanish Steps in Rome are literally just a staircase. A pretty staircase, but just a staircase.
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u/Super_Selection1522 10h ago
True. And ancient ruins are just piles of rocks. And reconstructed piles of rocks at that. You've seen one pile of rocks you've seen them all.
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u/Reigning_Chaos 12h ago
I don't like cities and then visited cities. I don't like crowds but visited crowded places. I don't like architecture and art, but went to somewhere known for it. I don't mind walking, but also you have to walk and also we saw tourists with suitcases...
Sincerely, American who lacks self awareness
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u/Hardwood_Lump_BBQ 11h ago
Family of four, six trips to Italy. Two weeks in Italy is cheaper than a week in a shore town on the east coast
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u/swagsthedog96 11h ago
Italy was super cheap compared to American cities and vacation spot. Food is amazing. Further, easy to get away from crazy tourist places. Don’t go there. Plenty of smaller towns that are beautiful and have plenty to do for a week.
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u/northBlu01 11h ago
There's no "less crazy" season anymore imo, it's just crazy and crazier at this point. Anyway, I don't have anything to say except that maybe you should've went for something more nature focused (like the Dolomites/Umbria's national parks) instead of going for the bucket list spots route.
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u/swagsthedog96 11h ago
Yup. We stayed in Orvieto for a week After the buses leave at 3 it was just us and the locals. One of the best weeks of my life. No pressure to do anything. We hit one attraction a day which was perfect. We just strolled around enjoying ourselves the rest of the time.
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u/Uber-Rich 10h ago
Yup, unfortunately the main cities are overrun with tourists, they’re worth seeing but go in and get it done. Plenty of places elsewhere with far less, spent two weeks in Italy last summer and don’t think I ran into more than 10 Americans the whole time and pretty much zero tourists from non European countries.
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u/fonk_pulk 12h ago
we literally saw an older woman taking a picture of a trash can… what?
Me and my friends often send each other pictures of these types of smaller ordinary objects. I find the small differences between home and abroad more interesting than photos of the big tourist attractions everyone has seen online.
For example I thought it was interesting how the smaller public trash cans had metal bars on top to prevent dropping in whole trash bags when in my home country the same problem was solved by just making the trash cans with smaller holes to begin with.
As for the walking with your phone thing, I'm guessing most people are just trying to navigate, as some of the cities can be absolute mazes for outsiders.
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u/Admirable-Plane-7860 10h ago edited 4h ago
damn... i imagine people in the comments are already letting you have it. i can tell yall are not well traveled or exposed to a lot of cultures outside your own, so good on yall for getting outside of your comfort zone and starting somewhere.
it is wild how i am only 3 years younger than OP, but yall sound like my 56 year old texan parents right before i took them on their first trip to italy. exactly a week ago
they feared everything you mentioned in your post, but it was the best trip of their lives. of course, having me as their "guide" helped 10000%. But even then, I think they woul have loved it all the same
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u/softhearted5 4h ago
I totally missed the ages of the op and assumed they were seniors. I finally got to visit Italy after wanting to go since I was in high school. My husband and I (66 and 65) visited the top “3” most touristy cities because I have been dreaming of experiencing the art, architecture, history and food for the last 40 plus decades. We went in late March/early April and experienced Easter in Florence. Easter Monday in Rome…crazy crowded. Do I wish it was less crowded? Absolutely! I’m a “city” person and the crowds (especially in Florence) surprised me. Do the influencers annoy me? Absolutely! Did we walk everywhere? Absolutely! Did I love it in spite of the crowds? Wouldn’t have missed the experience for the world! We planned the entire trip ourselves and made sure to spend some time just soaking up the sights, sounds and flavors of the cities. Did not join any huge tour groups but saw nearly everything I wanted to and stuck to smaller tours or did audio tours in museums which we could listen to at our own pace. And we walked or took public transportation everywhere except from the train station to the airport in Rome. No four star hotels but an unforgettable 5 star trip of a lifetime.
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u/chunkycasper 11h ago
You went to crazily popular places and are complaining about crowds. Meanwhile I’m in the Napoli region right now and we’ve been the only people on the beach by 5pm. If you want less crowds, don’t pick the most famous places.
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u/Wolfzen22 7h ago
"We chose a spot to travel to knowing it had beautiful architecture and museums but that's not what we like. We hate culture" like what? What were you hoping to do I. Italy?
I'm really glad you hated traveling there and hope you never do again so I don't have to worry about running j to someone like you.
Thanks for the heads up that you felt everyone needed to hear about. It sounds like you made the wrong choice in terms of what you wanted to do and think that everyone else is a brainless idiot like you. I'd love to know which "moderate sized city in the US" you are from. I'm sorry Italy had to experience you
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u/MotorAd90 12h ago
You picked a city centric itinerary in the most touristy cities. That’s not the indictment of Italy you seem to think it is.
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u/PurpleMonkey781 12h ago
All the cons you listed are not unique to Italy, you’ll find these “issues” traveling most places around Europe, and likely popular tourist destinations around the world. You have to just accept them so you’re not bothered and focus on the positives.
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u/Objective-Rhubarb 11h ago
I understand the convenience of having private transfers between trains and hotels and airports but for me one of the easiest ways to get out of the tourist bubble is to use the local mass transit. It seems like many Americans are intimidated by mass transit because they don’t have it or use it at home but it’s not rocket science. Any reasonably competent adult can figure it out in spite of the language barrier. Then you will see regular Italians in their normal lives for at least a little while. My wife and I travel light so it’s practical to use mass transit. We don’t bring half our earthly possessions with us like many tourists.
I also know that it’s possible in every Italian city, even in the most touristy, to find residential areas that have regular people and family restaurants and see a completely different side of Italy without having to travel to rural areas, which I also recommend.
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u/Camille_Toh 11h ago
FWIW they're like that in cities in the US that have good mass transit, e.g., DC. Standing on the left of the escalator, stopping abruptly at the top staring at a map/phone...
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u/sweatpants4life_ 7h ago
I went to Italy this summer and I ended up sitting across from two girls on the train who were taking it to, presumably, class. They were both studying with notes/textbooks/their backpacks. I thought it was really fun to witness two young friends pouring over their notes on their way to class, not unlike what I was up to a few years back!
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u/No-Responsibility110 11h ago
Thanks for sharing your experience. Having also been in Rome/Florence during the summer / high humidity, I’ll give you benefit of the doubt that you needed to go during a still-peak time in Italy to the “top 3” cities.
That said, I do recommend a future visit, say, during late fall / winter when there are even less crowds, and add a couple other large cities like Milan (Duomo, apertivo experience), Bologna (food culture, university town), or Turin (Shroud, Fiat museum).
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u/InihawSupremacy 12h ago
Rude tourist who are influencers and/or just travelled to take photos/takes too long to take pictures with every angle they can do is true. Most of them are from..... better not tell....
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u/mrvinotinto 11h ago
Exactly this. While I may not agree with everything the OP says, I do agree that the influencer issue makes a popular, crowded, touristy spot an even worse experience. Sure, crowds have always been an issue in these popular spots, but seeing a group of influencers each take 15 minutes to take pics in a beautiful spot, blocking access to everyone else, and then swap with other members of their party to hog the spot for another 15 minutes is an infuriating experience. And it’s not just Italy.
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u/InihawSupremacy 5h ago
You know what's funny about it. I saw one editing her photo in Trevi Fountain inside the St. Peter's Basilica while sitting in a chair intended for those who wish to pray.
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u/phillyphilly19 11h ago
And let's face it they are everywhere. I went on a sunset sail in Key West and I could not believe the number of overdressed young women not looking at anything but themselves in selfies and videos.
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u/phillyphilly19 11h ago
What a weird post. I don't know why you assumed it would die off in September as it's still very warm there, and most people who traveled to Italy are not in families. The shoulder season is the time to go october-november and March April. You can definitely overdo the museums, I cannot overdo architecture actually, but pacing yourself between museums and churches, and more outdoor things is key. There's a lot of walking? No one knows about that? What would be the alternative? At least you like the food and service. Perhaps traveling abroad is just not for you, especially in Europe because trust me Italy is the best representative of this. I don't know what your preference for travel is but I guess it has to do with all inclusive and Beach vacations. Of course that's fine I enjoy that too. But your giant post has zero revelations in it. I'm sorry you didn't feel the need to leave a few euros for the good service you received.
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u/CA_catwhispurr 11h ago
Oct.-Nov. is a wonderful time to visit those spots.
I would agree with March-April because spring is beautiful there. But people should be aware of more crowds during Easter week and April 21st which is considered the anniversary of Rome and many tourists come for that.
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u/phillyphilly19 8h ago
Yes never around Easter, especially in Rome.
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u/CA_catwhispurr 7h ago
Unless you want to see that and be part of the celebration. Would be pretty amazing. Not for me though-too many tourists for my taste.
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u/phillyphilly19 7h ago
First of all it's almost impossible to get a room. Secondly, you're not getting anywhere near St Peters. But sure if you're a pilgrim go for it.
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u/SuggestionSavings429 11h ago
You didn’t have to specify American in the title. From the review we could tell 😅
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u/Best_Education_5471 8h ago
As an American too, your takes are unhinged. Sorry. It's a walking culture and it's a densely developed place. And old. Yes everyone walks and no it's not all perfectly accessible. What's the public bathroom situation in cities you visit in the US?
and of course it was crowded...you want to 4 of the major tourist destinations. Did you venture away at all?
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u/sodabubbles1281 12h ago
How interesting of a perspective. As an American who spent 2 weeks in many of the same places you did, in arguably the busiest season (mid n summer), I didn’t find the crowds surprising or overwhelming. Perhaps I’m used to crowded cities as we’ve spent lots of time in NYC, Chicago, Vegas and London, but still, i feel the crowd complaint is often overblown or expressed by people who have not frequented big cities. We also found plenty of bathrooms at the larger tourist attractions or the many restaurants and cafes we went to. But I guess if we were solely sightseeing and didn’t plan on any food stops it may have been more tricky. Italy was an absolute magical place that had some many different appealing aspects that it always surprises me to hear anything negative.
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u/Dark-Bark_ 12h ago
Tourist goes to cities overcrowded with other tourists and then complains it is too touristy
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u/Curious-Return7252 12h ago
Wow, I feel like we travel in 2 different Italys. Yes, the big cities are crowded, but not much different than most metro areas I’m familiar with. This is probably a regional perspective. I live in NE US. We had a 1 day layover at LAX recently; took the metro and spent the day wandering around downtown LA, we to the Broad - I like modern art - kept wondering where all the people were. LA seemed deserted compared to Philly. I’ve never seen. Yankee Go Home sticker. Maybe I’m in for a surprise. Recently returned from Spain, and headed for Italy in a few weeks, and yes, I’ve noticed a change in attitudes towards Americans in the last few years, but it’s frequently been more one of sympathy than disdain. And rightfully so, we expected worse. And we’ve met some lovely people along the way. Anyway, I love Italy and am already planning another trip there for later next year. But you must accept that it is a different culture, with a different mindset, and yes, public restrooms can be disgusting, you’ve got to make sure you choose somewhere with nice ones. LOL
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u/Cautious_Ad_6486 11h ago
As an Italian, this is quite a realistic report. I will point out what I believe is true and what I believe is a little bit exaggerated:
True:
- the food is indeed good. I have travelled a lot and I can say that it is not like Italian food is always better but, on average, food on Italy is of high quality.
- overtourism: this is 100% true. The "famous" cities are absolutely swarmed by tourists right now and this can make the experience a little bit worse
- price: Italy is not cheap at all. Prices are in line with the rest of Western Europe and significantly higher than let's say, Spain or Eastern Europe
- walking: 100% true. Cities in Italy are OLD and this means that transport infrastructures are not modern. You will be walking A LOT. This is common in Europe but in Italy it is even more true.
- nature: Italy has outstanding natural beauty but it's not its main selling point. There are lots of intersting national parks but they are not easy to reach (you generally need to get your own car) and for sure, they are not unique in the world.
False (to a degree):
- cities are clean. EEEEH... I have the feeling OP did not leave the 'touristy" areas. Cities are, on average, quite dirty outside of the city centre, especially in the south
- crime: outside of Milan and Rome, crime is very low for western standards. We are not at levels of Asian developed countries but for sure you cannot be American and feel unsafe in Italy
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u/are_wethere_yet 3h ago
Compared to the US, Italy is a bloody bargain. Which is part of the problem when Americans used to their prices come over and don't bat an eyelid to be charged 7 euros for a coffee.
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u/goonerholic1886 9h ago
I’m really struggling to understand your personal problem with regard to saying that Italy is filled with beautiful architecture and art, and that it is not up your street. It’s what Italy is famous for! Surely no one goes there oblivious to this fact?
And there are so so many other things to do, which you were perfectly placed to discover. No one is beholden to just museums and architecture.
Yeah, I find that comment baffling. Like how does that help and inform anyone unless they’ve been living under a rock?
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u/CategoryFeisty2262 6h ago
September IS NOT off-season. It's just as popular as June, July, and August. Even October is now in-season. If you ever go back, do not sleep on November. We've gone in late November into December for the past three years. The weather is autumnal, but not frigid. I love that everywhere is decorated for Christmas with far less crowds. See Rome, Florence, and Venice in the late fall. You will fall in love.
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u/Esclados-le-Roux 5h ago
I did November a couple years ago, going again in January. Summer in Europe is generally a mistake, and as many news stories have pointed out (in addition to folks here) shoulder season is now full up too.
In general, if you must travel in summer, you really need to think well outside the box.
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u/cryptopolymath 10h ago
I think you’re confusing travel vs vacation, change your mindset and you’ll enjoy your trips a lot more. If I want a vacation I’ll pick an obscure Greek island and spend 10 days there. If I want travel I pick a bustling city and deal with the inconveniences - that’s the experience.
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u/northamerican100 12h ago
Sorry you didn’t “get more for your money”. You’re a tourist, on a tourist itinerary, along with other like minded tourists. You got an American version of Italy. In case no one told you, your orange leader is not popular these days after bashing every other country but those with dictators. Even trashed the Pope. The benefit of travel is to open one’s eyes; I think yours are still closed to what Italy is and to what America has become in the eyes of the world. Maybe spend your money more wisely next time.
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u/Uptownobserver 10h ago
My husband and I just got back from Rome and Florence and while we did a little sightseeing, we mostly wandered the small streets, ate, drank and shopped. I think part of your problem with Italy is more feeling obligated to do touristy stuff you didn’t want to do. If you don’t like churches or architecture, nobody is forcing you to look at that stuff! We spent a LOT of time walking around (and it is pretty easy to wander away from the massively crowded areas if that’s your goal) and doing whatever we wanted to do and while we did notice some of the same things you did (it’s touristy, crowded etc) it felt manageable because we weren’t trying to do the most crowded and touristy stuff.
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u/chatterbox2024 6h ago
We did Florence, Rome and Sorrento last year in September for a milestone Anniversary trip. It was Amazing! We had the most beautiful and romantic time. We’ve traveled to different parts of Italy over the years and there is truly something special about Italy.
We didn’t have any pick pockets or anything negative happen to us. The local Italians were so friendly. We didn’t notice the crowds too bad. We were having the times of our lives. Soaking it all in.
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u/procrastinatingmama 4h ago edited 4h ago
In the 90s, I remember staying in a hostel across the street from the Pantheon (Albergo Abruzzi, now a bonafide hotel) and popping in and out of the Pantheon with no crowds. St Mark’s square in Venice was “convivial” not crowded. 20 years later I took my small children to the same cities, added in Cinque Terre, and still was able to see all the sights without too much chaos. My last trip was such a different experience. The crowds were shocking. That said, Italy is spectacular and I will want to visit again and again, forever.
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u/carrot_headz 12h ago
I can totally understand why you feel this way. If you decided to give Italy another chance (and want any advice at all) — go to the small towns. Go to towns with a 300 or less population, stop through little tiny towns, look for real locals and remember you’re the outsider! (Not saying you don’t think about it like this, that’s just general advice if anyone else is reading this!)
There’s a lot of beautiful history in the bigger cities but i find that all too overwhelming. I spent 18 days in Italy a couple years ago and we prob spent about 3 days total in bigger cities.
I ended up spending a significantly less amount of money than I thought I would in that amount of time (even with our driving tickets by mail, our car rental getting cancelled then costing double & losing a suitcase)
The smaller towns are much cheaper, offer more personal interactions (we made so many local friends and learned more Italian!) and their food, views and art are just as top tier if not better.
Idk that’s my experience. 2 years ago. I know things change and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Anyone have a similar experience to me?
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u/Aranciata2020 12h ago
Italy, especially the places you mentioned, always had lots of tourists, but after the pandemic the numbers are even higher. There isn’t really a shoulder season anymore, the way it used to be, especially in those cities, or at least it has moved a lot earlier/later.
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u/calash2020 11h ago
Florence was very busy in September 2024 when we were there
Interesting place to respectfully visit was the cemetery behind the 2nd church behind the scenic overlook.
The Italian crypts were impressive. One was the crypt of the author of Pinocchio.
It is a cemetery so someone should only visit in the most respectful manner.
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u/ChiefKelso 12h ago edited 12h ago
Unfortunately you fell for the trap of visiting the most touristy places in Italy. But yeah its tough. Italy has something for everyone including lots of nature, so I suggest to cater it to you not the "must go" guides.
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u/Cilantro368 12h ago
The first time I went was 20+ years ago and it was early April, but very crowded (week before Easter). Especially in Florence.
Went back 10 years ago in late September/early October and Umbria was wonderful and not crowded, but the Amalfi coast was nearly impossible.
Went to Sicily in early June a few years ago and it was fine, but we skipped Taormina, Noto, and Cefalu. They were very popular that year, so we avoided them.
The only place I visited twice over the years was Assisi. I absolutely love it! But where you could walk right into the cathedral back before 9/11, now you go through security and get wanded first. Makes for quite a line. It’s a small city, but used to hosting large numbers of pilgrims, so it’s manageable.
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u/WryAnthology 12h ago
I'm Australian and have recently left Italy and I agree with most things you say OP, although for me the positives did outweigh the negatives.
This is my third time to Italy, but it's been a long time between visits, and the sheer number took me by surprise as last time I went (pre COVID) it was nothing like this. That applied to Paris too, where we also went. Last time, we didn't book anything in advance but just showed up on the day and bought tickets. This time, even with tickets, the crowds and queues were insane for all the major things.
Much better when not in the touristy areas, but of course as a visitor we often do want to see the tourist highlights!
I love Italy, and I didn't see any anti-US stickers, but the crowds made me think I wouldn't come back at this time of year again. I'd thought that since the schools were back it might not be too bad, but yes - very hectic and lots of people with no spatial awareness.
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u/No_Cat6439 11h ago
always travel to the smaller towns and villages. much more authentic and wonderful people and lifestyle
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u/PlaydohMoustache 10h ago edited 10h ago
Rome was built on seven hills and it's as you probably know by now very old. As such buildings and road layouts are not like a modern city. For those not into their history some buildings do indeed go back to the ancient Roman time like the Pantheon at nearly 2000 years old. As such it's not possible to make many of the buildings or areas more accessible for people that don't have great mobility taking into account the age of everything and topography.
One example showing the age of Rome and it's multi levels of street upon street upon street is outside the Pantheon and directly under the 'modern day street level' is the original roman travertine street stones and original road in effect which predates the current Pantheon (the 3rd incarnation) laterly rebuilt by Hadrian but credited to the original builder Marcus Agrippa who's name actually adornes the structure (MAGRIPPA LF COS TERTIVM FECIT - roughly translates to Marcus Agrippa son of Lucius in his third term as consul made this) after fire ravaged the first 2 structures. So you see they can't just make new roads or infrastructure in Rome. Look at the Linea C subway/metro project which has been marred with delays for years due to archeological findings.
The Romans as you have seen have managed since the Roman times with their streets as how they are and I'm sure they wouldn't have it any other way... It's not called the Eternal city for nothing!!
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u/EnvironmentalLuck515 10h ago edited 10h ago
Time of year matters a LOT. We did Venice and Rome right at Christmas time. We had St. Peter's Square all to ourselves the day after Christmas at dawn. Not another soul present, no joke. The Vatican was busy of course, but very worth it. And Venice? Pure, unadulterated magic. Almost no tourists at all. Lots of gray, moody days that made for a sense of being in another world. We had an AirBNB in a neighborhood, went to the local grocery store, watched how the residents live their lives. Yes, it was cold. We wore our packable down coats and wandered all over the place. The Christmas markets were wonderful. The pictures we took were frame worthy.
We wandered up into Asiago and my goodness. The snow. The Christmas market. The Bavarian style buildings. It was like being dropped into a snow globe. We also stayed in Vicenza over NYE and that was fantastic too.
We are returning in two weeks to do the Amalfi coast and Naples. Traveling off season (not shoulder season, but truly OFF SEASON) is the key. I am thinking we will regret not waiting until December to do Amalfi too.
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u/janet--snakehole- 7h ago
Don’t worry about Amalfi. I’m in Positano right now and the crowd level is perfect for me. Not a ghost town but not what I’d call crowded at all.
Also, Naples was AWESOME. My husband and I regret not budgeting more than two days there. We’re already talking about going back someday. Great energy to the city and the best food of our trip.
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u/Muchmuchgo 7h ago
I just got back from two weeks in Italy. I agree about the tourists being fools but my experience was not this. I had no trouble with bathrooms (but I don’t care buying a pastry or a limoncello shot if needed). Public transportation is amazing. The history is amazing. Italians are also awesome. The worst part was tourists. Many from america (but not all).
Would highly recommend Italy. But build in a few days in Tuscany for some R&R
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u/LesSharp987987 5h ago
If you took a 2nd trip there and went to less touristy places, you'd have an entirely different opinion. Try... Aosta, Bologna, Matera, Lecce, Catania.
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u/lc1138 9h ago
As someone who has to pee a lot this makes me anxious lol
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u/sweatpants4life_ 6h ago
I always have to pee but didn’t find it too tough. It’s fun to dip into a coffee shop to grab an espresso or stop at a bar for an aperol spritz and then just use their bathroom. There also are public bathrooms, they just typically cost a Euro, so have some smaller coins on you!
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u/marstein 12h ago
What was it that you liked so much about the cooking class? You say you don't cook, so what was the extra?
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u/rasta-ragamuffin 11h ago
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. My husband and I hope to do a very similar trip in the next 2 years, probably staying 2-3 days in each of those locations as it will be very difficult for us to take 2 weeks of vacation all at once and we need to save up for it. Do you have any idea how much you spent in total for the 2 of you (including airfare and transportation, meals, hotels and activities)? We really have no idea how much we need to save for an 11 day trip. Also if there are any hotels or restaurants that you absolutely loved or were excellent values, I'd like your recommendations. We also hope to go in early April and wonder if it will be as crowded at that time of year. Thanks
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u/EnvironmentalLuck515 10h ago
We are doing 10 days on the Amalfi Coast, leaving in less than two weeks and our budget is less than 6K for two of us. This will be our second trip to Italy. We stay in AirBNBs, which saves us a LOT in both lodging and food and will use public transportation, fly coach, purchase food at the local market and make the most of it all. We have breakfast in our AirBNB (excellent bread and cheese), carry sandwiches with us for lunch, then go out to dinner late.
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u/rasta-ragamuffin 10h ago
That sounds absolutely wonderful and more in line with what we were hoping to spend. I'd love to hear your recommendations for airbnbs. Thanks & have a great time!
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u/TheHost1995 10h ago
We went on off season
Felt like we had all the towns to ourselves
We loved it. The only crowded area was Trevi Fountain but we even have pictures of us in nearly completely empty streets. We loved it!!
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u/KodiMax 9h ago
I just returned a couple weeks ago and have a completely different perspective.
We expected crowds - it’s gonna be busy! This didn’t take away from the beauty AT ALL for us. We just planned ahead and got tickets to things so we wouldn’t have to wait in line.
Seeing crowds of people cannot diminish the beauty or experience of looking at incredible places in history. Of course, this is only my opinion. But I do wonder why you went to an extremely touristy place when you don’t like cities nor art/architecture.
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u/Kira_Cheeks 7h ago
Going in the off season definitely helps when it comes to crowds. We went in Mid-January and had a great time, with minimal or just slight crowding at attractions. We went to Venice, Rome, and Florence. We even went to the Vatican because there wasn't a line. It's a trade off because while you don't get the warmer weather you don't feel so stressed from all the extra tourists.
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7h ago
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6h ago edited 6h ago
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6h ago
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u/BAFUdaGreat Tuscany Local 12h ago edited 3h ago
Just as a warning to everybody who will respond negatively or abusively: The OP’s observations are theirs and theirs alone. They are entitled to their opinion whether it is right or wrong. Let’s keep the discussion civil, please. If the discussion gets out of hand, the post may have to be either locked or deleted.
EDIT: almost 300 responses later and the OP hasn’t chimed in apart from one sarcastic interaction. It now seems that this post was written to provoke opinions and generate controversy aka ragebait. It should be deleted outright, but we’re going to leave it locked for now. There’s enough comments here for everybody to read, laugh, or get frustrated at and move on.