Travel Style: Take My Advice Please

  It's almost summer and that means the travel season is upon us. For those of you planning on traveling to Italy, I can't express enough the importance of traveling in style. Why is that so important you ask? Because Italians take style seriously and if you don't have it you will be spotted from a mile away. Stylishly blending in will help you to avoid pickpockets. It will help you to be treated better and it's always good to represent your country in a smart and stylish way.
                                            
                                             Avoid and Switch
                                             
1. Avoid: White sneakers and flip flops. Leave them at home. Italians wear sneakers but usually hip colored Converse or Adidas. Italians (and most Europeans) do not wear flip flops. Too casual. You will stand out wearing them.

Switch to: Any of the stylish and comfortable following, ballet flats, Born sandals, driving moccasins or loafers.

 

2. Avoid: Backpacks. I know, I know backpacks leave your hands free to take pictures and read guidebooks but unless you are hiking Vesuvius, don't walk around Naples with a giant unattractive sack on your back. Even Italian children carry bookbags, not backpacks. 

Switch to: The other hands free idea, a cross body or messenger bag. You can still watch and protect your items but at the same time, it's easily accessible for you to grab you camera or guidebooks.

3. Avoid: Shorts. Unless you are at the beach in which case you might even be overdressed because at Italian beaches men wear speedos and the women are often topless.

Switch to: A jersey wrap dress. A dress can take you from a museum to a nice restaurant without ever having to change. A wrap dress looks good on all body types, thank you Diane Von Furstenberg, and a jersey fabric doesn't wrinkle in your suitcase. It is also good for keeping cool and comfortable.

4. Avoid: Being seen with Rick Steves. When I was last in Florence, I couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a dozen people walking while reading Europe Through the Backdoor. Don't get me wrong, I love Rick. I have been to his lectures, subscribe to his YouTube channel and I even had my picture taken with him, but everyone walking around with the same exact book is like carrying a big bright arrow pointing right at you.

Switch to: The Rick Steves App! Less to carry, easy to use, same Rick. Find the app here.










Follow this guide, travel safe, and if you are in Italy this summer, CHECK OUT TORINO (Turin)! You will love it.