Food, heat and time: 11 mistakes tourists make when visiting Rome

When travelling to the Italian capital, travellers often fall into tourist traps. This city is one of the main travel destinations in the world.

How to spend all the money and not die from the heat, Yahoo writes. The publication has collected the main mistakes of tourists based on the recommendations of Internet users.

1. Buying water

Tourists often buy water, making a mistake because it is free and fresh. The historic centre has about 90 fountains, the most famous of which is built into the wall on Via della Fontanella di Borghese.

Blogger Diana De Lorenzi notes that they are made of cast iron, but some models are made of travertine (local marble), and there are rare examples, such as the dragon-shaped Fontana delle Tre Cannelle, dating from 1872, located on Via della Cordonata, near Via Nazionale.

2. Plan a lot of things

Don't try to cram everything into one day when travelling to Rome. Enjoy "il dolce far niente" - the sweetness of doing nothing - and keep your pace, bloggers recommend.

"Plan one or two activities a day, but then leave time for a leisurely outdoor lunch and wander the city's small alleys, stopping by shops and galleries," writes Livia Hengel, founder of The Italy Edit.

3. Ordering a cappuccino for lunch or dinner

True locals do not drink cappuccino in the afternoon. The Romans drink cappuccino only in the morning with a delicious cornetto (we call a croissant in France cornetto, literally "little cone"). At the same time, you can order espresso, which Romans can drink every hour.

4. Underestimating the heat

Take into account the very high heat and situations when you have to stand in line. For example, in the queue for the Colosseum or the Pantheon and Vatican museums, you may faint from the overwhelming temperature and stuffiness.

Tourists are advised to plan their time to get to the beach and relax during the day. For example, Rome is located close to the beach with good train connections.

"Plan a day that includes a seafood lunch and a nap under an umbrella in one of the nearby towns of Anzio, Ostia, or Santa Marinella," recommends blogger Longworth McGuire.

5. Misunderstanding the local food culture

Each region of Italy is unique, and it is a revelation for tourists that there is no such thing as "Italian cuisine". For example, risotto is better in Rome, but you have to try it in Milan. Instead, you can try Roman cuisine - artichokes, carbonara and lamb.

Note that lunch in Rome starts anytime between 13:00 and 15:00 and dinner is never earlier than 8 pm.

In addition, Romans do not eat pizza at lunch, and do not drink Aperol Spritz during the day. Remember that this combination is for dinner only.

6. Visiting in peak season

Users recommend avoiding travelling to Rome in the summer, when many travellers are travelling with their children during the holidays.

"I would advise avoiding Rome during the high season. The best time to visit is the first half of December, when Rome is festively decorated. And I love Rome in January and February. You can have the main sights like the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and St Peter's almost all to yourself," says Elizabeth Minchilli, a tour guide and writer.

7. Eating in tourist traps behind attractions

Tourists are often not interested in places where they can eat near historical monuments. According to experts, there are often bars near museums that sell mediocre food at inflated prices.

"Take some time to do your research in advance and make a game plan. Have your own list of places to go for lunch, dinner, or just coffee or ice cream near the places you might be visiting," says Mincilli.

8. No searching and booking in advance

Book early, don't expect hotels to be available.

"A common mistake tourists make when visiting Rome is that they don't take the time to do proper research. Taking the time to understand important aspects such as navigating public transport, booking tickets for attractions in advance and researching dining options will ensure a much more memorable experience," writes Diana Simon, blogger at Browsing Rome.

9. I miss the delicious vegetables

You can order delicious vegetables if you read the menu. Look at the offer at the back of the menu, where seasonal vegetables are listed.

"You can ask for them to be served as a starter before your main course to add some green to your diet, or even order a pile of vegetables as your main course to enjoy a plant-based lunch. Roasted chicory with garlic and crushed red pepper and braised Roman artichokes stuffed with herbs are staples on menus all over the city," says Hengel.

10. Expectations that everything will be just like at home

Many tourists are too lazy to learn phrases in Italian.

"Don't think that everyone in Rome speaks English. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Another mistake is to think that public transport is always on time. Unfortunately, this is also not true," says Melania Migliozzi, a lifestyle blogger.

11. Planning a short visit

It is better to devote a whole week to Rome to combine the magnificent monuments that cannot be missed with places that are less prone to mass tourism, but no less beautiful.

"Leaving the centre means discovering so much more of the beauty of life and unforgettable historical sites like the Parco degli Acquedotti and architecture, as well as immersing yourself in the real life of the Romans," writes De Lorenzi.