Southern Italy has it all. There are ancient Medieval towns, peaceful fishermen villages, stretching beaches and swooping mountains. There are even Roman and Greek ruins. We learned about some of the most famous places in southern Italy as children and some of us grew up dreaming of the day we’d visit our grandparents’ homeland. But that doesn’t mean we know it all.

My then-boyfriend/now-husband grew up here in southern Italy and I was still surprised at some of the assumptions I made that were downright wrong!

With that in mind, here are three things I wish I’d known before I traveled to southern Italy.

(c) Leanne (pictured above) of From Australia to Italy

1. It Gets Brrr … Cold

Calabria has this fabulous reputation of being a hot, steamy, tropical getaway for northern Italians and other Europeans. Unfortunately, it’s crap. It gets downright cold here in southern Italy and depending on when and where you visit, you might see a lot of snow.

It’s true. Laura at Ciao Amalfi! recently posted some videos of a thunder snowstorm on the Amalfi Coast and Leanne of From Australia to Italy was recently snowed in near Cosenza (Calabria.)

2. All Restaurants/Trattorie/Pizzerie Were Created Equally

Regardless of what you may have heard, you *can* get a bad meal in southern Italy. I know. I’ve done it. Still, it is surprising to me when I hear people proclaim sweeping generalizations like, “It doesn’t matter where you eat-you are in Italy,” or “You can’t get a bad meal there!”

Trust me. You can.

If you are traveling to southern Italy and don’t want to be victim to an overcooked pizza or tasteless ragu, then search the Internet for recommendations made by locals or consider hiring a travel consultant who can help with the details.

3. Don’t Assume Anything

Seriously.

Anything.

For example, many restaurants in the US offer free soda refills, in Italy, you will pay full price. Also, don’t assume that just because opening hours are posted on a museum’s website that they are correct, or that the museum is even open. Oh yea, and don’t assume that your hotel will have washcloths. In fact, they probably won’t. Italians don’t use them.

What other things do you wish you’d have known before you visited Italy?

Don’t forget to check out Robin’s travel tips today at My Melange.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Traveling to southern Italy? Click here to see how I can help you plan the trip of a lifetime.

Last week Andrew Whittaker of Speak the Culture wrote a post about coping with culture shock. It was interesting because Whittaker didn’t take the stance of an expat or long-term traveler trying to adjust to a new culture but rather that of an average traveler.

Although I’m slightly obsessed with culture shock and the stages expats endure on our path to security, I’d never given much thought to what travelers experience when they enter a new country.

Whittaker is right on when he describes the sensation of disorientation we  experience in their first few days of a foreign vacation. Adjusting to the new sounds, a new language, eating habits, climate and customs can be exciting for some travelers, but most would agree that the vacation really starts once your comfort level rises and feel a sense of security.

Speak the Culture listed five tips for helping travelers adjust to culture shock. I’d love for you to read the article-so I’m not going to list his tips here, but I am going to add a few of my own.

Here are five more tips to help you quickly adjust to culture shock so you can get on with your Italian vacation.

photo credit: acearchie

1. Read Books Set in Italy

Most travelers agree nothing gets them “in the mood” for an upcoming trip more than a good novel or nonfiction book that is set in the country they are planning to visit. While it is a good way to learn history of an area  or get an idea for a new place to visit, books are also a great way to introduce you to the country.

The more you learn before you get here, the easier your transition into Italy will be. To get you started, here is an extensive list of books that are set in Italy.

2. Interact with Bloggers

and don’t dismiss the negative things they say.

Many Italy-bound travelers dismiss negative comments made by expat bloggers and I’ve been personally-well, virtually-attacked for alluding to Italy’s flaws.

However, by reading and interacting with bloggers who are based here, you can be conscious of the country’s eccentricities before you arrive, thus taking the shock out of culture shock.

3. Follow Twitterers and Facebook Fan Pages of People Who Live (or Travel Often) to Italy

Take your research one step further by following Twitter users who live or travel often to Italy or by joining their Facebook Fan Pages.

Here is a list of Italy Twitterers you should follow if you are heading to the bel paese.

4. Don’t Dive In

As I’ve said before, you shouldn’t jump into your Italian vacation without taking a day or so to get settled.  Don’t plan anything big the day you arrive in Italy. Instead, get settled into your hotel, then take a stroll around town, enjoy an apertivo at a nearby bar or sit in a busy piazza and people watch.

While this helps you feel more relaxed and ready for your adventure, it also serves as a way to slowly introduce you to Italy’s culture.

5. Document It

Journaling is therapeutic for many people and can serve as a way to help you connect your home culture to the new experiences you are having in Italy. It can help you release any frustrations by getting them on paper and will later serve as a fond reminder of your vacation.

What other tips do you have for travelers wanting to quickly acclimate to Italy?

Don’t forget to check our My Melange’s travel tips today.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

A few days ago I received an email from a guy who is planning his first trip to southern Italy. He’ll be visiting his grandfather’s homeland in Calabria-just about 50 minutes north of me in Catanzaro-and like any would-be international traveler worth his passport, he’s researching the area.

He bought my Calabria travel tips ebook-thanks, Robert!-and browsed through the travel tips and Calabria travel sections on this site.

But he still had a problem.

“I saw your post on How Not to Look Like a Tourist in Southern Italy,” he told me, “but that seemed more geared towards women. Do you have some tips for guys? I get the sense my Pittsburgh Steelers t-shirts won’t be a good choice!”

Well, Robert. You are right. I’d leave the Steelers t-shirt out of my bag. Of course, I’m a Cowboys fan, so I’d leave the Steelers out of any bag, for any trip, regardless of the destination, culture or climate.

But maybe that’s just me …

With that in mind, here are three more travel tips for men traveling to southern Italy.

1. Follow Robert’s Rules

and by that, I mean the Robert who mentioned the sports shirt. He was right on target with that idea, but in addition to ditching American sports paraphernalia, you guys should also leave out graphic t-shirts that talk about how much beer you can drink, when you went to Hard Rock Cafe and why or why not you voted for “the other guy.”

And really, nobody cares if you are with “stupid,” or if she’s with you.

2. What’s Good for the Goose

also goes for her well-dressed gander. Even though the post about dressing in southern Italy seemed like it targeted women, many of the tips apply to men. They still dress in season-translation: no shorts in winter months, carry bags instead of backpacks and are pretty big on designer sunglasses.

Men in Italy take pride in being well-dressed and rarely go out in slouchy sweats.

3. Think Solid Colors (and long pants)

I knew a guy who came to southern Italy last year who was hell bent on fitting in with the locals. The problem? “I’m American,” was stamped on his forehead (and no amount of over-the-counter bronzers or hours basking in the Calabrian sun would fade it).

Personally, I think that is ok. I love American tourists, remember?

But if you really want to look the part, wear long pants, dark-colored jeans and solid colored t-shirts or polos. (Please forgo the red and purple pants, even they can’t pull them off all of the time!) Add dark socks and dark shoes and you’ll be on the right path to southern Italian style.

What other tips do you have for men who want to blend in with the locals in Italy?

Be sure to check out Robin’s travel tips today.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

A couple of months ago I was contacted by a producer at KPAM Portland Radio. He wanted to know more about my favorite little region in Italy and asked if I’d be interested in talking to them about Calabria.

Me? Talk about Calabria?

Now, that’s not fun at all.

photo credit: Dave Kleinschmidt

Due to time zones and sleeping habits, we decided to do the interview once I was on American soil, so one day after my flight(s) home for Christmas, we got down to business.

Via the great telecom system of AT&T (and least on my end), I met with radio talk show anchor and host of The Azumano Travel Show, Pat Boyle.

The segment aired the day after Christmas in Portland, but for all the rest of you, it is right here.

Enjoy!

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Congratulations! You’ve saved your pennies and set a date and now you can start planning your trip to Italy. You are bubbling over with excitement and can barely pull yourself from your laptop at night to cook dinner or tend to your children-or answer your boss’s emails, for that matter.

You are in my favorite stage of travel planning-the pre-trip planning-where your options are endless and everything you do, see and eat remind you of your upcoming trip to Italy. Just don’t make these five common mistakes in the process.

photo credit: Ed Yourdon

1. Not Researching Well

If you are reading this in preparation for an upcoming trip to Italy, then this tip is akin to preaching to the proverbial choir. However, you’d be surprised how many people spend thousands of dollars-not to mention their hard-earned vacation days-on a trip they fail to properly research.

I’ll be writing more about how to prepare for and research your trip to Italy in the next few weeks, so be sure to subscribe to my feed or receive updates via email so you won’t miss that.

2. Listening to Too Many People

… but not listening to yourself.

When your friends returned home from their Italian vacation, they gushed over the sites they saw, cities they visited and museums, ruins, beaches-hey, we are Italy, so fill in the blank-of things they most enjoyed. It is natural for them to recommend you reenact their trip and is a good idea for you to take notes.

But let it end there.

Listen to what they say and let them get you even more excited about your trip-if that’s possible-but remember their personalities and preferences are likely different from yours. Plan your trip based on what you want to experience-not on what your friends did.

3. Not Allowing Enough Time in Each City

Few people travel to Italy-especially on their first trip-and decide to spend their entire vacation in one area. However, the biggest mistake you can make is believing you can visit various parts of north, central and southern Italy-all within a few days-and really enjoy it. You might get to physically “see” everything on your list, but you won’t get to explore them-and that’s where the real fun begins.

4. Over-planning Activities

This mistake is closely connected with mistake #3 and often happens when vacationers try to squeeze as much as possible into their two-week Italian trip. I understand this dilemma, really I do, but you will have a more enjoyable and memorable vacation if you slow down. Here are four tips to selecting your Italian destinations and the first five things you should when planning your trip to Italy to help you get started narrowing your options.

5. Not Believing the Experts

You’d be surprised how many people email me with questions about traveling in southern Italy, then decide they know better. As I said earlier, it is your vacation and you shouldn’t let your friends or your travel consultant encourage you to do things you aren’t interested in. However, if someone from your hotel or B&B tells you it is four hours from ABC to XYZ and Google Maps tells you it is two, you should listen to the experts. After all, they live in the area and know much more about the ins and outs of a foreign country than a search engine.

What other mistakes have you seen people make when visiting Italy?

Be sure to check out Robin’s travel tips today.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Although most people consider Calabria a warm-weather destination, the lakes, mountains, ruins and medieval villages are actually year-round attractions. In fact, many people travel to Calabria in the winter months to meet their long-lost relatives or to save money on low-season flights and accommodations.

While it is true you won’t need to pack your summer trunks and tiny two-piece the following five things could make the difference between your trip-of-a-lifetime and that miserably cold Calabrian vacation you took one year.

Remember, layering is the key to successful winter dressing in Calabria-think long-sleeve t-shirts, sweaters and vests. And just to get you started on your list, here are five things you should always pack for a Calabria vacation in the winter.

photo credit: Maxwell GS

1. Good, warm boots

Despite what you’ll read in some guide books, Calabria is down-right cold in the winter, and you will need a good pair of warm boots. It is likely your journey will entail walking through cobble-stone streets, trekking up steep hills and sloshing through muddy, wet ground.

Carry (or wear) a good pair of warm boots. Your feet will be grateful.

2. Wool socks

Speaking of thankful tootsies, wrap those bad boys up in some wool socks. Be sure to carry an extra pair (or some furry warm slippers) to wear at night. There isn’t a lot of carpet in Calabria and the marble floors are C-O-L-D. If you are planning an extended stay in Calabria, plan to hand-wash your socks every few days and hang them to dry.

3. Umbrella

Sadly, sunny Calabria turns wet in the winter, so be sure to pack a small umbrella or raincoat you can carry with you on your excursions. This is especially important if you are traveling to less-touristy destinations where shop-keepers won’t run outside to sell umbrellas at the first site of rain.

4. Sunglasses

Contradictory to #3?

You might think so, but the sun often precedes (or follows) the rain in Calabria, so make like a Boy Scout and be prepared.

5. Scarves, hats, gloves

These accessories will diversify your winter wardrobe and keep you warm as you scout out family ancestors and explore Calabria’s castles. Additionally, Catanzaro, Calabria’s capital city, is known for its fierce wind. These accessories will protect you for the elements.

What else do you suggest people pack for winter vacations to southern Italy?

Hop on over to Robin’s and see what travel tips she is offering today.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

It is 2010 and time for all good travelers to pull out their journals and start making travel goals.

Where do you want to go?

How are you gonna get there?

How much is this gonna cost?

All set?

Now all you have to do is work a few dozen weeks, save up some dough and plan your trip without blowing your stash of cash.

And that my friends is the hard part.

Think you can do it? These three tips will help you keep your 2010 travel goals in sight and ensure you have the motivation to make it through the rough times.

photo credit: homo_sapiens

1. Wallpaper, Posters, Pictures

or anything other constant visual reminder of your next vacation destination will help keep you on track. When coworkers are frivolously spending money on lunches out, grande lattes or new clothes, you can look at pictures of where you are going and know your financial sacrifices will be worth it.

2. Study the language

Enrolling in a language class is your best bet for staying on track with your 2010 travel goals. You will meet other like-minded enthusiasts and be even more motivated to work overtime, not call in sick or accept outside gigs that can help pay for your trip.

If there are no language classes in your area, then consider taking online classes or self-taught lessons. Immersing yourself in the language and culture of the country you plan to visit will help you envision yourself there and help keep you focused on your travel goals.

3. Watch, Listen, Learn

Reading books or novels set in the country you plan to visit will help keep you motivated. In between books, consider renting movies, watching foreign-language programs or attending cultural programs offered in your area. When all else fails, eat out at an authentic restaurant that specializes in your destination’s cuisine.

What other tips do you have for ensuring you reach your travel goals?

Be sure to check out Robin at My Melange for other travel tips.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Even with the Grinch mandating baggage restrictions, Scrooge in the security lines and the inevitable airport delay, traveling this season doesn’t have to lose its merriment. Here are five holiday travel tips to help you stay in the spirit of the season.

photo credit: RachelH_

1. Book Early

It makes sense the best way to avoid holiday travel stress is to book your trip early. Additionally, if you have any overnight stays-like we do in Rome this year-book your hotel, rental car or any other transportation options early. Also, be sure to check-in for your flight online and choose your seats as early as possible.

2. Scratch That-Do Everything Early

or at least do everything you can.

In addition to booking your flight early, it is a good idea to make your packing list, pack your bags and leave for the airport earlier than you would for non-holiday travel.

Why should you pack early?

Since holidays often require additional packing of gifts, cards and other holiday-related items, you can’t always use your traditional packing list. If you start your list early, you will have extra time for adding to your list and ensuring you don’t run late the day of your flight because you are worrying about last-minute details.

3. Pack Well

What is worse than opening your checked luggage at your holiday destination and discovering that many of your beloved gifts or broken? Hmmm … Not opening your checked luggage because it never arrived.

Both of these are possible scenarios if you don’t pack your bags well.

Although I advocate traveling carry-on only, it might not be possible during the holidays if you give-or receive!-a large number of gifts. To help prevent any holiday disappointments, pack your most precious items in your carry-on. Wrap items that must go in checked luggage with extra padding, divide them among all checked bags and lock them with TSA-approved locks. I’d also cellophane-wrap the luggage at the airport, just in case.

4. Know Your Airline

Airlines are changing their checked luggage and carry-on restrictions faster than most people can keep up. Read the luggage restrictions for your airline before you head to the airport so you aren’t met at the counter with any unwelcome charges that damper your holiday.

What other holiday travel tips would you suggest this season?

Don’t forget to see what travel tips Robin has today.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Last week I listed five things every traveler should pack when heading to Italy. There were a few additions included in the comments and one suggestion for a WHAT NOT TO PACK list.

So today, I am sending out a big Travel Tip Tuesday thank you to Paula Russell, co-owner of Time of Your Life Tours who made the suggestion I am following through on today.

You see, most travelers aren’t adept at packing for Italy. It is true. They cram every pair of pants they own into their suitcase, throw in useless electronics and overindulge in socks and undies.

I know. I used to be one of them.

However, years of international traveling-and countless amounts of wasted space-have taught me what I really need to pack and what I can afford to leave at home.

Here are five things you can skip when packing for Italy.

photo credit: JasonRogersFotographie

1. Blow Dryer

You’d be amazed-I am amazed!-at the number of people who visit our bed and breakfast and bring their own blow dryer. That is just throwing valuable suitcase space out the finestra, people. Email the B&Bs you will be visiting and ask if they have blow dryers in the rooms. Most likely they will. If they don’t-and you can’t make it to the next place without blow drying your hair-then pack a cute weather-appropriate hat and go with it. You’ll look trendy and you won’t weigh yourself down with a useless appliance.

2. Flat Iron, Curling Iron, Rollers

I know you think you need this, ladies, but resist the urge to pack your flat iron, curling iron, rollers or any other electronic hair-altering device. Even though they should work with the appropriate adapter or converter, that is not always the case. I have a dead Chi to prove it.

photo credit: Markusram

3. Formal Clothes

Unless you have tickets for the opera or reservations at a black tie restaurant, leave your formal clothes at home. You won’t want to wear high heels-or for the guys, a tie-when touring the Roman Forum, sightseeing along the Amalfi Coast or taking the ferry into Sicily. Even though Italians do tend to dress up more than Americans, you won’t need your finest formals. For more tips on how to dress in Italy, read How Not to Look Like a Tourist in Southern Italy or check out Jessica’s What to Wear in Italy series on WhyGo Italy.

4. Daily Change of Undies and Socks

It makes sense if you are going on a 15-day Italian vacation that you should pack underwear and socks accordingly. But you don’t have to pack a different pair for each day. Plan on doing laundry if you will be in Italy for more than a week and consider buying a small bottle of laundry detergent-once you have arrived in Italy-and hand washing some of your garments.

5. Expensive Anything

Men, forget about packing that expensive watch and ladies, leave your best jewelry and expensive bags at home. Nothing will wreck your once-in-a-lifetime Italy vacation faster than losing precious jewelry, and expensive bags draw attention to you, making you an even bigger target for pickpockets or train-traveling thieves.

Consider buying inexpensive costume jewelry to accent your clothes and use small messenger bag as your purse. You’ll be glad you did.

**Bonus Tips: Paula Russell of Paula’s Tour Talk blog who inspired this post has three more items to add, or is remove?-from your list.

- High Heels–Walking on the narrow sidewalks and uneven pavement in high heels is an invitation to disaster. If you sprain your ankle, you might as well go home. Even for dinner in a special restaurant wear flats. Once you are seated no one can see your footwear anyway.

- More Than One Guide Book–Choose one with practical information on such things as museum hours, bus and train information and sights with a clear map, large enough for you to easily read. Tourist information offices and your hotel staff can help you with everything else such as restaurants and entertainment.

- Your Computer– Unless you absolutely must be in email contact at all times, leave your laptop at home. You are on vacation after all. Plus, for about one euro per hour, you can log in at any Internet cafe check your Inbox as needed.

What else do you think travelers can leave off of their Italy packing list?

Let’s see what Robin has to say over at My Melange.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Vacation stress? Sounds like an oxymoron, right? Not always. In fact, anyone who has ever traveled to the bel paese and met face-to-face with a transportation sciopero knows better. While I can’t do anything about those annoying train strikes in Italy, I can offer you three tips to help reduce your vacation stress and help ease you  back into working world reality.

photo credit: sflovestory

1. Take a few days “off” during your vacation

Many of us-current company included-like to maximize our vacations and experience as much of our new surroundings as possible. However, to minimize your vacation stress, plan a couple of days “off” into your schedule.

Over-planning is one of the major causes of vacation stress, so plan a few days when you can sleep in and not have to rush to museums, catch another train or make another dinner reservation. You might not see everything on your first trip to this new place, but you know, in reality, you wouldn’t have seen it all anyway.

photo credit: pfig

2. Don’t Work

This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many non-travel industry folks (writers, photographers or travel bloggers) I’ve seen working while they are on vacation. People tote their laptops, respond to emails and stay connected to work instead of enjoying their family vacation.

If you are one of those people who has to be connected, then set aside time every evening when you can respond to emails or phone calls and turn your cell phone off when you are having lunch with your family. Those emails will still be there when you get around to reading them.

photo credit: Charles Williams

3. Plan Your Reentry

Take off at least one extra day after you arrive home and use it to rest, unpack, wash clothes and unwind from your vacation. You might think you’d prefer to spend every last minute on your trip, but you will be glad you planned ahead and allowed yourself time to reenter the real world.

What other tips do you have for reducing vacation stress?

Let’s see what Robin has to say.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!