French People Arr. Rude Podcast Show Notes
S1, E13: Numbers of Efficiency, Time, Soft to Hard, Distance Between Us
In this episode of French People Arr. Rude, Sean and Brandon blow up the biggest myths about traveling in Italy and hand you a no-nonsense game plan for your first (or next) visit. From important rules of pasta etiquette to the fastest way to hop between Rome and Venice, they’ve packed decades of on-the-ground know-how into 90 minutes. Listen in, then skim these Italy travel tips show notes to avoid classic mistakes and earn valuable points with locals.
Part I
Part II
What We Cover in This Italy Travel Tips Episode
Resources Mentioned in This Italy Travel Tips Episode
- Best Tours in Italy
- Where to Stay in Italy
- Best Museums in Rome
- Top Things to Do in Venice
- Best Restaurants in Florence
- Italy Trip Planning Resources
🎧 Listen on Spotify (Part I)
🎧 Listen on Spotify (Part II)
Italy Travel Tips – Podcast Show Notes
Segment 1: Italy Stereotypes
- Everyone smokes: False. You’ll notice more smokers than in the US, but the cloud isn’t constant, and inside spaces are smoke-free.
- Italian men hit on women: Mostly true. Expect bold compliments and lingering eye contact; it’s cultural, not creepy—just keep walking if you’re not interested.
- The food is incredible: Absolutely true. Italy’s focus on local ingredients and traditional recipes makes even casual meals memorable.
- Sunglasses at all hours of the day: True-ish. Until the sun goes down, the sunglasses stay on.
- Italians are stylish: True. You’ll feel sloppy in joggers, pack smart casual.
- People drink a lot of wine: False. Italians drink often, but not a lot. You won’t see much drunken behavior, just lots of sipping.
- Pasta for every meal: True-ish. Lunch pasta is normal; dinner pasta is usually a first course before meat or fish.
- Italians don’t speak English: False. English is widely spoken, especially up north and in tourist areas. The accent might throw you off, but you’ll get by.
Segment 2: Getting to & Around Italy
- Main Airports: Fiumicino (FCO – Rome), Malpensa (MXP – Milan), Marco Polo (VCE – Venice), and Capodichino (NAP – Naples). These serve most international flights.
- Regional Airports: Many Italian cities have smaller airports (like Pisa, Bologna, and Palermo) that handle budget flights from within Europe.
- Airport to City Transfers: Most airports offer direct train or shuttle service into the city center. Rome’s Leonardo Express gets you from FCO to Termini in 32 minutes.
- Train Travel: Fast trains (Frecciarossa or Italo) are ideal for intercity travel. Rome to Florence takes about 1.5 hours. Florence to Venice is about 2 hours.
- Driving in Italy: Rent a car only if you’re planning to explore rural areas. Cities have strict ZTL (limited traffic zones) where unauthorized driving can result in hefty fines.
- Parking: Paid parking is available in most towns, but finding space in historic centers is difficult. Consider dropping your rental car outside the city.
👉 Book a private driver service for stress-free transfers between cities or airports.
Segment 3: Where to Stay in Italy
Here are our favorites mentioned in the Italy Travel Tips episode. For a detailed list, click on the name of the destination:
Ideal First-Time Itinerary:
- Rome, Florence, Venice: The holy trinity. You’ll hit history, art, and canals in one epic swoop.
- Amalfi Coast: Stunning cliffside towns best visited in summer. Stay in Positano or Ravello for views, or Sorrento for better transport links.
👉 Check out our Amalfi Coast Travel Tips episode for heaps more tips.
Recommended for Second or Third Visits:
- Sicily: Ideal for a two-week itinerary. Base yourself in Palermo, Ortigia, or Taormina.
- Puglia: Stay in Lecce, Ostuni, or Alberobello for a more local feel.
- Sardinia: Best reached by ferry or flight. Coastal hotels offer excellent value outside high season.
- Dolomites: Consider Cortina d’Ampezzo or Val Gardena for skiing and hiking.
- Lake Como: Bellagio, Varenna, or Como town are great bases.
👉 Check out our Sicily, Puglia, Venice, Florence, and Rome episodes for more banter between Sean and Brandon.
Segment 4: What to Eat
Stick to the foodie commandments mentioned in our Italy travel tips episode below—or skip the homework and hop on a local food tour:
Venice Food Tours • Florence Food Tours • Rome Food Tours
Ground Rules:
- No cheese on fish (except Rome’s rebel mussels-and-pecorino).
- Ask your waiter what to eat. They know what’s fresh and best.
- Don’t rush. Food is cooked fresh and meals are an event.
- You have to ask for the check. It’s considered rude for a waiter to bring it beforehand.
- Order in courses, especially for dinner.
- Share dishes when you can.
- No cappuccino after 11 am.
What to Eat by Region:
- Venice: Small seafood snacks called cicchetti, and very drinkable local white wines.
- Florence: Steak (bistecca alla Fiorentina), pappardelle with wild boar, and hearty soups.
- Rome: Iconic pasta dishes like carbonara, amatriciana, and cacio e pepe.
- Naples/Amalfi Coast: Pizza, fried street food, and seafood pasta.
- Puglia: Burrata, raw seafood, and orecchiette with turnip greens.
- Sicily: Pasta alla Norma, seafood couscous, arancini, and desserts like cannoli.
- Milan: Risotto alla Milanese and cotoletta (breaded veal).
- Genoa/Cinque Terre: Fresh pesto and seafood with focaccia.
Segment 5: Your One-Week Italy Itinerary
General Strategy:
- Plan 1 to 2 key activities per day.
- Book popular attractions in advance.
- Use the afternoon for relaxing walks or casual aperitivo breaks.
Day 1–3: Rome
- Base: Near Piazza Navona for walkability and charm.
- Day 1: Land and join an evening food tour in Trastevere.
- Day 2: Morning at the Vatican Museums; afternoon break; evening visit to a smaller museum like Palazzo Altemps.
- Day 3: Tour the Colosseum in the morning, then take the train to Florence.
- Bonus: If you have the time, stay another day and add a Pompeii day trip to your itinerary.
Day 3–5: Florence
- Base: Stay in the historic center. Everything is walkable.
- Day 3: Train arrives midday. Settle in and join a Florence food tour.
- Day 4: Visit Uffizi and Accademia on a combo tour. Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Day 5: Vespa or wine tour in Tuscany. Chianti is less than an hour away.
Day 5–7: Venice
- Base: Cannaregio or Dorsoduro for local vibes.
- Evening Day 5: Arrive and join a Cannaregio food tour.
- Day 6: Morning tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. Afternoon trip to Murano and Burano.
- Day 7: Enjoy a relaxed final day. Sip wine at a bacaro, visit a museum like the Guggenheim, and savor your last Italian espresso.
- Day 8: Depart from Venice.
Final Thoughts: Italy Travel Tips
Slow down, eat seasonally, and leave room for serendipitous moments. Follow this guide, and you’ll find Italy as dreamy as you’ve long believed.
For more intel, check out our most popular city itineraries:
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