Things We NEVER Do in Italy (After 30 Years)
Our Big Italian Adventure
191,483 views
You don't have to make the mistakes we've made in Italy over 30+ years of traveling here — the ones that waste your time, drain your wallet, or land you with a fine you never saw coming.
This is our running list of everything we've learned to stop doing — from tourist traps almost everyone falls for to small etiquette slips that quietly change how you're treated.
🧭 ITALY TRIP PLANNING GUIDE
If you want to avoid mistakes like these across your whole trip, not just the ones on this list, our Italy Trip Planning Guide (PDF) gives you a simple framework for getting the big pieces right—when to go, which cities to combine, and how to avoid an overstuffed itinerary. Learn more:
https://payhip.com/b/PTZO7
==== WATCH NEXT ====
🍝 Italian Restaurant Etiquette - Avoid These Embarrassing Mistakes!: Italian Restaurant Etiquette - Avoid These...
💶 10 Money Wasting Mistakes Tourists Keep Making in ITALY: 10 Money Wasting Mistakes Tourists Keep Ma...
🎒 How to Avoid Being a Pickpocket Victim in Italy (10 Essential Tips!): How to Avoid Being a Pickpocket Victim in ...
🚗 NEVER Do THIS Driving in Italy When Renting a Car: *NEVER* Do THIS Driving in Italy When Rent...
==== LINKS MENTIONED ====
🍦 Our full video all about real gelato: 24 Hour Gelato Challenge in Italy's Hottes...
==== TRAVEL GEAR WE USE & LOVE ====
Osprey Daylite Backpack: https://amzn.to/3IaADuE
Anne's AWAY Bigger Carry-On: https://amzn.to/3Tjp8mD
Ed's Samsonite Carry-On: https://amzn.to/40uM0TR
Large Packing Cube Set with See Through Mesh: https://amzn.to/3KBfsmt
Anker Nano Travel Adapter: https://amzn.to/4pKRYu3
Clutch Pro Power Bank: https://amzn.to/47m6Vw3
Magnetic Portable Charger: https://amzn.to/4ti8nZ4
Bose Headphones: https://amzn.to/3VMW1co
More travel gear 👉 https://amazon.com/shop/ourbigitalian...
==== SERVICES WE TRUST ====
Saily (travel eSIM) — Buy a local eSIM before you leave home. Cheaper than roaming, works the moment you land: https://go.saily.site/SH10u
NordVPN — Protect your data on public WiFi in hotels, airports, and cafes. Especially important when traveling: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id...
GetYourGuide — Book tours and experiences in Italy: https://getyourguide.tpx.gr/ekNysdyx
Viator — Another great source for guided tours — worth comparing both to find the best fit: https://viator.tpx.gr/3B65aseb
==== CHAPTERS ====
00:00 Introduction
00:20 The Money Mistake You'll Make Before You Even Leave the Airport
01:18 The Button You Should Never Press at the Register
01:55 The Tipping Habit That Frustrates Italians
02:38 The Cheese Rule Nobody Warns You About
03:09 The Etiquette Slip That Changes How You're Treated
03:51 What You're Missing By Ordering the Usual
04:29 The Hours Everyone Gets Wrong
05:19 The Water Habit That's Wasting Your Money
05:53 The Shoe Mistake That Ends in Sore Feet
06:34 The "Italian" Dish That Isn't Italian
07:23 Why Taxis Won't Stop For You
07:48 The Souvenir That Could Cost You a Fine
08:32 The Document Your Rental Company Won't Mention
09:20 The Coffee Order That Gets You a Glass of Milk
09:44 The Spontaneity That Doesn't Work Anymore
10:30 The Table With a View You Should Skip
11:17 The "Free" Gift That Isn't Free
12:03 The Fine That Shows Up Six Months Later
12:47 The Season We Stopped Traveling In
13:18 The Souvenir That Could Cost You Thousands
13:51 Why Your Server Won't Bring the Check
14:46 The Outfit That Gets You Turned Away
15:37 How to Spot Fake Gelato
16:25 The Charge on Your Bill That Isn't a Scam
16:59 The Ticket Rule That Gets Tourists Fined
17:41 Why Cash Still Matters
18:15 The Highlights Reel vs. the Real Italy
18:40 The Sneaker Mistake That Ruins Day One
19:16 The Line You Shouldn't Wait In
19:57 The Photo That Comes With a Price Tag
==== ABOUT US ====
We're Anne and Ed from Our Big Italian Adventure. We live part-time in Italy and help travelers — especially those 50 and up — enjoy Italy with confidence, avoid common mistakes, and have smoother, more enjoyable trips.
==== CONNECT WITH US ====
Subscribe: @ourbigitalianadventure
Best Contact Method: Email: info@OurBigItalianAdventure.com
Website: https://ourbigitalianadventure.com
==== ABOUT OUR LINKS ====
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we personally use and trust.
#OurBigItalianAdventure
20 Comments
These two nice guys have a fantastic and fair way of talking about our country. I wonder why I still haven't met them on the streets
Perfect tips for tourists, you did a great job 👍.
Things We NEVER Do in Italy (After 30 Years)
Our Big Italian Adventure
191,483 views
You don't have to make the mistakes we've made in Italy over 30+ years of traveling here — the ones that waste your time, drain your wallet, or land you with a fine you never saw coming.
This is our running list of everything we've learned to stop doing — from tourist traps almost everyone falls for to small etiquette slips that quietly change how you're treated.
🧭 ITALY TRIP PLANNING GUIDE
If you want to avoid mistakes like these across your whole trip, not just the ones on this list, our Italy Trip Planning Guide (PDF) gives you a simple framework for getting the big pieces right—when to go, which cities to combine, and how to avoid an overstuffed itinerary. Learn more:
https://payhip.com/b/PTZO7
==== WATCH NEXT ====
🍝 Italian Restaurant Etiquette - Avoid These Embarrassing Mistakes!: Italian Restaurant Etiquette - Avoid These...
💶 10 Money Wasting Mistakes Tourists Keep Making in ITALY: 10 Money Wasting Mistakes Tourists Keep Ma...
🎒 How to Avoid Being a Pickpocket Victim in Italy (10 Essential Tips!): How to Avoid Being a Pickpocket Victim in ...
🚗 NEVER Do THIS Driving in Italy When Renting a Car: *NEVER* Do THIS Driving in Italy When Rent...
==== LINKS MENTIONED ====
🍦 Our full video all about real gelato: 24 Hour Gelato Challenge in Italy's Hottes...
==== TRAVEL GEAR WE USE & LOVE ====
Osprey Daylite Backpack: https://amzn.to/3IaADuE
Anne's AWAY Bigger Carry-On: https://amzn.to/3Tjp8mD
Ed's Samsonite Carry-On: https://amzn.to/40uM0TR
Large Packing Cube Set with See Through Mesh: https://amzn.to/3KBfsmt
Anker Nano Travel Adapter: https://amzn.to/4pKRYu3
Clutch Pro Power Bank: https://amzn.to/47m6Vw3
Magnetic Portable Charger: https://amzn.to/4ti8nZ4
Bose Headphones: https://amzn.to/3VMW1co
More travel gear 👉 https://amazon.com/shop/ourbigitalian...
==== SERVICES WE TRUST ====
Saily (travel eSIM) — Buy a local eSIM before you leave home. Cheaper than roaming, works the moment you land: https://go.saily.site/SH10u
NordVPN — Protect your data on public WiFi in hotels, airports, and cafes. Especially important when traveling: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id...
GetYourGuide — Book tours and experiences in Italy: https://getyourguide.tpx.gr/ekNysdyx
Viator — Another great source for guided tours — worth comparing both to find the best fit: https://viator.tpx.gr/3B65aseb
==== CHAPTERS ====
00:00 Introduction
00:20 The Money Mistake You'll Make Before You Even Leave the Airport
01:18 The Button You Should Never Press at the Register
01:55 The Tipping Habit That Frustrates Italians
02:38 The Cheese Rule Nobody Warns You About
03:09 The Etiquette Slip That Changes How You're Treated
03:51 What You're Missing By Ordering the Usual
04:29 The Hours Everyone Gets Wrong
05:19 The Water Habit That's Wasting Your Money
05:53 The Shoe Mistake That Ends in Sore Feet
06:34 The "Italian" Dish That Isn't Italian
07:23 Why Taxis Won't Stop For You
07:48 The Souvenir That Could Cost You a Fine
08:32 The Document Your Rental Company Won't Mention
09:20 The Coffee Order That Gets You a Glass of Milk
09:44 The Spontaneity That Doesn't Work Anymore
10:30 The Table With a View You Should Skip
11:17 The "Free" Gift That Isn't Free
12:03 The Fine That Shows Up Six Months Later
12:47 The Season We Stopped Traveling In
13:18 The Souvenir That Could Cost You Thousands
13:51 Why Your Server Won't Bring the Check
14:46 The Outfit That Gets You Turned Away
15:37 How to Spot Fake Gelato
16:25 The Charge on Your Bill That Isn't a Scam
16:59 The Ticket Rule That Gets Tourists Fined
17:41 Why Cash Still Matters
18:15 The Highlights Reel vs. the Real Italy
18:40 The Sneaker Mistake That Ruins Day One
19:16 The Line You Shouldn't Wait In
19:57 The Photo That Comes With a Price Tag
==== ABOUT US ====
We're Anne and Ed from Our Big Italian Adventure. We live part-time in Italy and help travelers — especially those 50 and up — enjoy Italy with confidence, avoid common mistakes, and have smoother, more enjoyable trips.
==== CONNECT WITH US ====
Subscribe: @ourbigitalianadventure
Best Contact Method: Email: info@OurBigItalianAdventure.com
Website: https://ourbigitalianadventure.com
==== ABOUT OUR LINKS ====
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we personally use and trust.
#OurBigItalianAdventure