BY GIGI GRIFFIS OF GIGIGRIFFIS.COM

HOW TO TRAVEL LIKE A PRO IN…

ITALY

TRAVEL TIPS FROM 10 PEOPLE WHO LIVE, LOVE, AND ADVENTURE IN ITALY

(Excerpts from Italy: 100 Locals Tell You Where to Go, What to Eat, and How to Fit In

—an unconventional Italy guidebook.)

Crossing the three countries of Mont Blanc—Italy, France, and Switzerland—on foot is a unique and unforgettable

experience. – Magdorys Velasquez, Aosta Valley

Photo by Jean-Raphael Guillaumin

1

If you are…in a restaurant where everyone is from

Sicily…order a Sicilian wine. “If it grows with it, it goes with it,” as Danny Meyer likes to

say.– Alfonso Cevola,The Italian Wine Guy

2

When in Venice, forget the overpriced

gondola rides—take gondola

rowing lessons instead!- Jennifer Dombrowski,

Venice

3

In Florence, sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo (or better yet the Church

of San Miniato al Monte) is always a good idea!

- Georgette Jupe, Florence

4

Cinque Terre is actually a national park and trails connect each of the five major villages. The views

you experience while walking the trails will be amazing. One interesting fact: until about 50 years

ago, the trails were the only roads that locals used to get around (apart from riding in

their boats).

- Miriana Rovaron, Travel Agent, The Cinque Terre

5

Ask for advice from the fine dining

establishments. The chefs in these restaurants

are part of a larger community of excellence that, at times, can only

be discovered by word of mouth. - Chef Massimo Bottura, Modena

6

If it’s sunny in Milan, climb to the top of the Duomo

for a picnic. – Yasha Mohammadi Aghdam

7

Photo by Christopher John SSF

It’s a less usual thing to do, but Tuscany has a lot of natural thermal baths that I highly

recommend. Saturnia or Petriolo, situated in the middle of woods, are natural hot baths and

both are public and free. -Stefania Saba, Florence

8

Unlike the famous pizza from Naples, Roman pizza has a paper-thin crust. Stay out of the

way when arguments over which crust is better heat up.

- Elizabeth Knight, Rome

9

Do not ask for extra virgin olive oil and balsamic to dip your bread in. That is a very American thing. No

Italian does that. - Paul Cappelli, Villa Owner, Terlizzi

10

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InFilled with 100 interviews with people who live and adventure all over Italy, this book will give you:

• Directions to that pizza place that’s always packed with locals and rarely sees a tourist

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