Venice Travel Tips
Venice Facts
Official Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: Central European Time (6 Hours ahead of EST)
Population: 270,000
Venice Travel Tips
Passports are necessary for U.S. citizens.
Venice is a wonderful city to visit any time of year. If you want to save money and see fewer tourists, then visit during the winter and fall.
The currency is the Euro with major credit cards accepted by most establishments.
Italian is the official language, and some English is spoken by locals.
Use Whatsapp for your international calls.
Post office hours are 8:15am-7pm (Monday-Saturday).
Banks are open from 8:35am-1:35pm and 2:45pm-4pm (Monday-Friday). ATMs are plentiful and the most convenient way to get Euros. Some ATMs may only accept PIN numbers with 4 digits.
Most large stores are open 4pm-7:30pm (Monday), 10am-1pm and 4pm-7:30pm (Tuesday-Saturday).
Electricity is different than in America, so bring an adapter.
Holidays are New Year’s Day, Easter, Easter Monday, Liberation Day, Labor Day, Assumption Day, All Saints’ Day, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas and Santo Stefano.
Bring an Italian Phrasebook and memorize Italian pronunciation for: Sir, Madame, Hello, Please, Thank You, Excuse Me, Goodbye, I don’t understand, Where is?, How much?, Do you speak English?
Venice hotel rooms are very small compared to the U.S. Air conditioning is not available in many older hotels.
Make a copy of your passport/flight itinerary/hotel reservations and leave it with someone at home. Also, carry an extra copy with you.
Confirm whether the breakfast buffet is included in your hotel broom price.
If you need to cancel a hotel room, confirm the cancellation policy and get it in writing to avoid unexpected cancellation fees.
Many hotels are very old and use unusually large keys. You are expected to leave these keys at the front desk before leaving for your excursions.
Attractions are crowded and there is some chaos when using Vaporetto boats.
Venice uses a Military Time 24-hour clock and dates are spelled as Day/Month/Year.
Before leaving the U.S., find out if your health insurance covers an unexpected visit to the doctor in Venice and the locations of the hospitals covered by your health insurance.
Bring at least one debit card to get Euros, since they usually have a better rate than many currency exchange offices. Your ATM card should have a code of 4 digits.
Exchange dollars into small bills (5 Euros, 10 Euros, etc.). Cash is more commonly accepted than credit cards at many small businesses.
Store your passport, extra money, plane ticket, list of credit card/debit card customer service phone numbers, and other valuables in the hotel safe. Place your money, debit & credit cards, driver’s license and a copy of your passport in hidden pockets.
Pack anti-bacterial wipes, good walking shoes, a compact umbrella, and an expandable bag for souvenirs/gifts.
Some restaurants add a cover charge to bills. Don’t be alarmed if the restaurant owner yells at regular clients. The Italians can be loud and expressive.
Speaking to Italians
Bring an Italian Phrasebook with you. You will use the Italian equivalent for the following English words/phrases often so memorize their Italian pronunciation before your trip:
Sir, Madame, Hello, Please, Thank You, Excuse Me, Goodbye, I don’t understand, Where is?, How much?, Do you speak English?
Charm and good manners are appreciated by Italians. You are expected to greet small shop owners and elderly people. The more you use (Sir, Madame, Hello, Please, Thank You, Excuse Me), the more help you’ll receive. If you start every interaction in Italian, then follow with English using a pleasant voice, you will receive assistance from most Italians when they understand English.
Communication
Use the Internet or WhatsApp for inexpensive communication with the USA. Don’t call the U.S. using your hotel’s phone service unless it’s an emergency.
Hotel Rooms
Most Rome hotel rooms are small compared to America, so pack accordingly. Air conditioning is not available in many older hotels. English-language television stations are limited. Confirm that the breakfast buffet is included in your room price before going to the breakfast room.
Always clarify if the bathroom is located inside of the room when reserving budget accommodations. It is common for bathrooms to be located down the hallway.
Confirm the hotel’s cancellation policy in advance and get the cancellation in writing to avoid possible cancellation fees at a later date.
Money and Valuables
Bring at least one ATM card and credit card from the U.S. Use the ATM card to get Euros, since they usually have a better rate than many currency exchange offices. Your ATM card should have a code of 4 digits. Cash is more commonly accepted than credit cards at many business establishments. Exchange dollars into small bills (5 Euros, 10 Euros and coins), since you need small change when out and about.
Locals don’t wear money belts. If you choose to wear a money belt, you stand out as a tourist. Also, wear your money belt around the waist or neck as it is meant to be used. If you don’t use a money belt, place your money in hidden pockets or deep inside your bag, so that it’s hard for pickpockets. Put only things that you are willing to lose in your visible pockets.
When walking around Rome, carry little cash, a credit card, a driver’s license, and a copy of your passport with you for identification. It’s easier to replace a stolen driver’s license than a U.S. passport.
Store your passport, extra money, plane ticket, list of credit card/ATM card customer service phone numbers and other valuables in the locked hotel safe.
Clothes and Packing
Pack a compact umbrella, magnifier for reading maps, and expandable bag for souvenirs/gifts. The expandable bag is great for last-minute repacking at the airport, since the Italians have stricter weight limits than the U.S.
When shopping for clothes in Italy sizes are smaller than in the U.S. A petite sister who wears a size 4 in America had problems getting one hip into some clothes.
Meals
Find the nearest grocery store and consider purchasing food for a picnic. Also, stock up on your favorite drinks, so that you don’t need to buy the expensive drinks in your hotel’s mini-bar.
When dining with a mixed party of men and women, the men are usually addressed and served first.
Tipping in restaurants is typically 10-15%, but a service gratuity is often included. Ask your waiter beforehand, if paying by credit card.
Men & Safety
Before leaving the U.S., find out if your health insurance covers an unexpected doctor visit in Rome and the locations of the hospitals covered in Rome by your health insurance.
Depending on where you live in America, black women may notice a significant increase in the number of sisters dating European men compared to the U.S.
Public display of affection among couples is more common than in America.
Compared to major U.S. cities, Rome is safer. But you should use common sense when walking around. Sisters traveling alone should assume they are traveling in a major U.S. city and take the necessary precautions. Pickpockets don’t fit a profile. Anyone can pick your pocket, so use care when in tourist attraction areas and on public transportation. Seek travel help only from official train station agents, tourist office, tour bus drivers, airport information desk, airline employees, and hotel desk clerks.
Venice uses military time or the 24-hour clock and dates are written day/month/year, so don’t get confused by the difference.
Bring plenty of anti-bacterial wipes.
Have a general understanding of the Metric System; it’s used for everything.
