#7 When you get locked in the bathroom, don’t panic. Door opening devices have a tendency to turn when you think they should slide, and slide when you think they should turn. Also, when locked in the bathroom of your hotel, and the skeleton key just doesn’t seem to be working, keep turning it every which direction calmly. Eventually, something with click — hopefully before you’re late for dinner.
#8 When it’s raining, make sure to bring an umbrella, not because getting wet is so terrible, but because when the rain comes out, dozens of people suddenly appear on the streets hawking rain repellant devices. I can’t imagine that they really make a lot of money at this, or that many people actually stand in the rain long enough to pull out money and choose a color instead of scampering home through the downpour; but regardless, if you’re the only one in a crowd of thirty without an umbrella, they all inevitably descend on you.
#9 Maps make everything look farther away than it actually is. Italy’s really quite a small place.
And remember, no matter what your host brothers try to tell you, they do not eat dog in Italy.
