Italy Travel Skills

We went to Perugia last year, and found a restaurant on our street, pretty hole-in-the-wall type of place. So we go in there, ask for a menu. The old dude (who's like the main waiter and probably the owner as well) says «menu? io sono il menu» (I am the menu). So we sit down, without a menu, and no idea of the price. He starts brigning us (and everyone) piatti after piatti after piatti, everybody eats the same thing. Then the waitress and some clients take turns on the piano, singing for everyone. All of the patrons sing along. It is MAGICAL. The music is so great (especially with vaulted ceilings) that the middle0aged guy sitting next to us is crying his eyes out. The food, of course, is delicious, and he keeps serving us house wine in a pitcher. He tops it off with some grappa at the end. Mind you, we are beyond full and a little drunk, and I'm dreading the pricetag at that point. As we line up to pay, I hear someone say «50». I'm like «man, 50 euros per person for this? that's a bargain». Turns out, it was 50 euros FOR TWO PEOPLE. Taxes and tip included. Completely crazy. We probably tipped 30% and they couldn't believe and couldn't stop thanking us. We shook everyone's hands, thanking them for a great evening. That, right here, is Italy.

Italian here, I should say that this presentation is very accurate. Listen to Rick and came to visit!

Italy was beautiful. We hired a taxi cab driver who became our uncle for the day. He was awesome

I spent more than two hours watching this... and I am Italian

Love Rick! I watched him as a child and now as an adult. He implanted a joy of travel, curiosity, history and authenticity of a favorite family member. He’s a living legend and the salt of the earth caliber of human. Thank you Steve times infinity!

There are so many travel vlogs or whatever but Rick Steves gets it right. He's knowledgeable and respectful of the country he's talking about and it's not about HIM. It's about the country.

Italian here. Watched 15 minutes. Rick knows Italy well and his advice is sound and solid. Great video!

Italy, France, Spain & Portugal are 4 of my favourite European countries, so too, for my nearest & dearest. These countries, for the most part, possess the richest, most interesting history, respective cultures, the best scenery, weather, people & the list goes on & on. Many talk about NW & Northern Europe, but in all honesty, as much as i also love & appreciate NW & Northern Europe, so too, Central & Eastern Europe etc;, my preference is Southern Europe. For eg; Rome's history & historical architecture. so too, its remaining historical/ancient ruins are simply mind blowing! It's hard to believe, that such ruins can still be seen in local streets as you walk around. Pompeii's very interesting and the Southern Italian islands are simply stunning & you'll meet countless friendly & welcoming locals. You'll also be treated to superb local cuisine & much of it, home made, if you know exactly where to look. Almost always in the back streets, or where many would never think to go. Those adorable & cosy, wee family run establishments. Many will even make you feel like extended family & not just feel like the mere tourist. Southern Europe is sometimes ignored & is often underrated & this should never be so. Thanks for sharing this talk, because it's very interesting & informative. Rick Steves really helps us all, to better understand & appreciate human diversity, but equally, human similarity everywhere, within this world in which we all live.

I live in Italy and I tell friends the same. You just need to go with it and enjoy the ride. Well said Sir!

Went there twice, in the North, and Italians were simply amazing. The rest (architecture, history, you name it) is just as stunning.

Rick Steves! You are the man that ignited my desire to travel. I've been traveling with great enjoyment and desire for 8 years now, and now I feel like a citizen of the world and its people. Thank you.

Thank you Rick for your presentation of my Italia... Who wants to come in Italy is welcome... So I think my country is beautiful but has also many imperfections that we try to solve. Thank you so much.

I went to Rome in 2018 — LOVED it. We ate in the small local deli’s down side streets as often as possible. Ate in a small town near Florence — OMG - the best food we could imagine. We had a lot of fun and met a lot of locals. I’d go back in a heart beat!

I think Rick Steves just expressed everything I think. I'm watching the food part. I absolutely agree with him on how to choose restaurants, etc. I am not American; I am a Brit who only discovered the joys of Italy a couple of years ago. Walking around, I stumbled on Trastevere. I had no idea that Raphael had worked on the Villa Farnesina there. It is full of restaurants but right next to fancy ones for the tourists you can find cheap ones. Always look for cheap ones, preferably with no English menus. I have been back to Rome twice, and soon will be going to Florence. Avoid cars. Walk or use public transport. Avoid the summer.

I visited the Cinque Terre in late May and it was lovely; my favorite place I visited in Italy. I hiked from Monterroso Al Mare to Vernazza just before sunset. I’m told this is the most difficult hike. The beginning was a bit difficult, but the view was spectacular and I had the trail almost totally to myself. I watched the sunset at Vernazza’s Harbor and bought wine and truffles for next to nothing. I was so pleasantly surprised by Manarola, but I didn’t get to two of the towns, so I have to go back. I loved it. ❤️

I stumbled across this video 2 years ago and decided to go to Europe for 3 months. Spent 2 weeks in Italy and Naples was my favorite. Florence second favorite

Da viaggiatore e da italiano un Grazie grandissimo Rick. Hai parlato dell'Italia come mai l'Ente del Turismo Italiano ha fatto.

I was lucky. I got to visit Rome in the mid 1980's, before it was as crowded. We also went for the Christmas holiday, as opposed to the height of tourist season, so we breezed in and out of all the iconic sights. That said, what I treasure most is the memories of knocking around in my dad's hometown, further south on the coast, and time spent just wandering in the Italy most Italians actually live in, or car rides with my brother in the surrounding hills. Lots of WWII history in those places.

02:45 Train + driving tips 11:40 Pickpockets 12:42 Dining 21:58 30:38 Cruising 43:17 Northern Italy 44:03 Cinque Terre 45:57 Vernazza 54:43 Bellagio 55:05 Milan 1:03 Venice Florence Tuscany and Umbria Montalcino 2:04:00 Assisi 2:06:10 Rome

I gotta give him credit for his excellent speaking abilitys