I'm going to Italy next semester from January through April for our 4th year architecture study abroad trip. I'm getting excited about it, but I still have a lot of preparing to do before I leave. I have the passport all taken care of, and our class is getting Visas in mid-October.
We'll be primarily in Rome, but we'll also take trips around Italy and we get some free time off to travel to other countries if we choose.
Anyway, I'm just wondering in general from people who have been to Italy or Europe what it's like? Any tips or things I should know/avoid? I've heard you have to buy a power adapter since their outlets run on a 220V wattage. Also, do ATM cards here in the US work over at ATM machines there, or is there some other good way to get money?
I guess I'll just make a list of some questions I have and see if anyone has the answers:
What's the food like? Can you eat cheap? I hear the wine is cheap and good.
Is it difficult to travel between countries? I've heard you can fly or take the train, but is it costly?
I know they drive on the left...do people walk on the left side of the sidewalk too?
Is there lots of anti-American sentiment? I'll probably blend in well though since I have Italian ancestry.
Are there peddlers/people who try to take advantage of you? Pick pocketing?
Are the people friendly in general?
Is the beef ok to eat with the whole Mad Cow scare?
What are some of the customs / cultural traits of people over there? I've heard people stand a lot closer to one another.
Anything else you want to add, feel free.
That's all I can think of for now!