Surviving Italy or any of it's counterparts!

Learn a little about the place you're going to ...

I know that statement seems pretty obvious but it’s actually not. You can plan and plan for a trip but the moment before you jump on to that plane, you probably won’t remember much of it.

I entered Italy thinking it was going to be amazing because I knew enough French to fake Italian but I guess that just didn’t cut it.

My advice: Go get yourself a dictionary of the native language or take a class. You’ll learn enough of the language to at least ask the right questions to make it through dinner. Plus, language books/class always warn you about any cultural dos and don’ts that you need to know too!

So now, about your baggage

So with the downfall of the stock markets and the economy reaching a brick wall, frequent travelers such as I have hit an all time low. We have been forced to pack as lightly as possible to avoid being charge the extra $50 or so for going a pound over or paying an outrageous amount to have a third piece of luggage (you’re allowed 2 for international travel and 1 for domestic). However if you’re going to pack that much stuff for a two week vacation, you might as well buy your luggage a seat next to you on the plane. At least then no one is going to fight with your for the armrest.

Key things to remember:

1. Whoever you’re traveling with, won’t care if you’re waiting the same outfit twice during one trip.
2. There is such a thing as accessorizing and last time I check, scarfs and jewelry take up less space then packing 3 other outfits that you may not need.
3. Use wrinkle-free materials, you never know if that hotel of yours will have an iron or if you’ll have enough time to use it.  
4. Buy luggage that have wheels and are easily mobile. Save yourself the change and don’t get one of those carts. You’ll need the extra dollars for that coffee just in case your flight gets delayed. 
5. If you only bring one piece of luggage when you fly internationally, you can always buy another piece at the host country if you have too many souvenirs. It’s better to go with less then with more!

Final advice and probably the most important one!

If you learn nothing about the country you’re heading into. Learn this: what alcohol is the best and most popular in that country.

This way if you’re really hating the trip, drink yourself silly and remember what you can and forget what you can’t. It also helps you blend in more with the locals and make new friends.

Always remember though, don’t drink alone, always have a friend to help you get back to the hotel and save you from the STD screenings when you come home! Crime does not disappear just because you hop on a plane and head away from home.

On to my favorite part .. food

I found it especially hard to enjoy the food when I was in Italy. I blame it on spending majority of my life mislead on what true Italian cooking was. The food was very gamy and vegetables were not as fresh as I expected. I did enjoy prosciutto, the hanging meat from every restaurant I went to.  It was something I didn’t expect to have or like!

Give me a bratwurst, snails or unknown meat jerky anyday!

So…

My advice: Don’t expect to be eating what you had back home. The chances of it tasting anything like it will be slim to none. Don’t learn the hard way.

Oh yeah, if you find a marketplace or convenience store during your travels, buy your bottle water, fruits and vegetables there. Save yourself the money and the feeling of malnutrition if you’re anything like me and need the vitamins.

Protect yourself and your valuables!

Okay, so I was told there were going to be Gypsies in Florence and I did see a couple but I did the best thing I knew and kept my money wallet underneath my clothes. I didn’t lose any money or my passport so I will say that was the smartest thing I did.

Those of you who travel with backpacks in foreign countries, god speed to you. I’ve lost a camera before while traveling with a backpack. If you have pockets, USE THEM. It only takes seconds for someone to unzip your backpack and pull out the first valuable they see. Don’t give me the excuse that you need to put your water bottle or jacket in to your backpack because it’s easier then carrying it. If you are going to bother bringing a jacket, PUT IT ON. No one likes to crowd with people who carry giant backpacks. It’s annoying for those around you and screams, ROB ME

Stay Healthy!

If you’re going to pack your entire closet you might as well throw in a drugstore. I was one of the lucky ducks that caught the “Italian Rhino Flu” and thought that my life could not get any worse. I was wrong. Apparently not being familiar with foreign colds, it got bloody. I kid you not. Most people vomit their dinner, I vomited blood. Lets hope it was my body trying to heal itself and rejecting the bug!

Lucky for me, I brought lots of Tylenol PM and AM.

My advice: If you’re going to be sick at least bring the tools you need to be able to enjoy the trip and be sick. Tylenol AM has the necessary antibiotics to keep you wide awake and function able till you pop a couple of the PMs for bed!!!