Do women traveling alone get harassed? Five myths about traveling in Italy

By Rita

Italy is a dream destination for many, but its immense popularity has also led to numerous stereotypes and misconceptions.USATodaySpoke with Elizabeth Minchilli, a Rome resident and author of Eating My Way Through Italy: Tasting the Eternal City, as well as Italian expert Kathy McCabe. The two discussed severalmythsabout Italy and offered better travel advice that might be worth considering before planning your trip.

▲ Travel Venice’s gondolas smartly (Photo / Darzz / Illustration)

1. Don’t take a gondola, don’t go to Piazza di Spagna...?
Many travel guides claim that taking a gondola or visiting Piazza di Spagna is too touristy, but the problem is that these iconic sights are simply unmissable. Minchilli suggests visiting during the off-season, such as between November and March when there are fewer tourists. Hiring a local guide is a good idea—they can help you buy tickets and save you from a lot of unnecessary hassle. You could also hire a gondolier to take you along less crowded canals. Small tweaks can make a huge difference.

McCabe agrees and also recommends spending some time interacting with locals. She suggests taking at least one cooking class or using the Home Food website to find opportunities to enjoy a meal in an Italian home.

2. Will women traveling alone get harassed?
Thirty years ago, that might have been the case, but things have changed. “Italians have a slightly different definition of harassment. For Italian men, staring at a woman is often seen as a form of compliment,” says Minchilli.

▲ Beware of pickpockets (Photo / Darzz / Illustration)

3. Are pickpockets everywhere in Italy’s big cities?
Minchilli believes the main issue is that travelers often let their guard down when surrounded by the beauty of major landmarks. Many come from countries or cities where pickpocketing isn’t a major concern, making them more careless. She advises keeping credit cards, important documents, and cash in your hotel whenever possible, or staying constantly vigilant.

4. Is it hard to eat healthily in Italy?
Minchilli argues that Italian cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world—so much so that she could write an entire book on it. She says you don’t need to order a full meal in Italy; just a main dish with vegetables or a starter is usually enough. McCabe adds that you can ask the waiter what fresh vegetables are available that day and order those.

▲ Naples pizza is widely regarded as the best (Photo / Darzz / Illustration)

5. Is Italian pizza exactly the same as Pizza Hut?
Italian pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven, and it rarely has more than three toppings—unlike American pizza, which is often overloaded with cheese. McCabe believes Italian pizza is far superior, with some saying Naples pizza is the best in all of Italy because it uses local water. Others credit its incredible taste to ingredients like fresh mozzarella and local tomatoes.

Minchilli says pizza varies by region—Naples pizza is softer with a thicker crust, while Rome’s is thinner and crispier. But pizza isn’t very popular in northern Italy.

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