I’ve visited a few cities in Italy during my last vacation. MILAN, VENICE and ROME. Overall it is a beautiful country with a lot of historical artifacts. Italy is famous and no doubt attracted tourist from all over the world. Though I didn’t enjoyed Italy as much as other countries I’ve visited from my last trip, it was a great experience being able to step foot into this country and cities. Here are some of the tips/guides/experience that I would like to share with all of you:
Duomo – Milan, my first stop in Italy. This Cathedral is one of the most famous ones in Milan, and it is always full of tourists. The view is spectacular indeed, but what more important to take note are the gypsy that are in front of Duomo throwing out corns on your palm without your consent. We actually saw a Chinese couple (from China) being bullied/con by the gypsy. While we were happily taking photos in front of the lovely cathedral, we witness a Chinese couple who wasn’t aware of the scandal they are lead into when they accepted the dried corns, and were taking with the pigeon at their hands. After the photo shooting, we overhead that the corn-man requested for 20euro for his service. I was shocked! how could a handful of corns + his service of 5mins cost 20euro? This was ridiculous. There was a struggle, finally the Chinese couple had to gave in, as that men bravely snatch over 20 euros from them.
Lesson learnt:
Never, never, never accept anything/any service from anyone you don’t personally know when u are in Italy.
After we completed our MILAN venture, we took Eurorail to Venice – Italy’s romantic city. The view was superb. 
A city surrounded by water with gondolas/boats all around venice. Nice nice….
A gondola ride cost 90euro during my visit and we dint opt for it, since it was over our budget. During our stay in Venice, we’ve stayed in leonardo hotel.. We experience pretty bad service there, the hostel stated that they accept credit card (from online webpage), but in actual fact they will not accept it for the complete payment (even-though they have a credit card machine readily available.), even the personnel in-charge was rude in treating their guest. This cause us to be short in cash, as we thought we could settle the payment through credit card initially. Since the weather is still warm in venice, we have a hard time sleeping due to the non-working fan that was provided and air condition rooms which is not available.
Lesson learnt:
Even though the hotel stated they accept credit card, always email them in advance if they really do accept credit card for the remaining payment. If you are travelling to venice in the summer, always check if they provide air-condition room.
Next Stop: Rome
Days later, we head over to the no.1 well known city in Italy, ROME.
There were tourist everywhere! and due to the fact that there are so many historical sites in ROME, there is only 2 main line of subway available. We were inform by one of the locals that subway upgrades are often abundant halfway due to the historical artifact that was found during the construction, and not long after that site was turn into a museum instead. In ROME, the easiest mode of transport is your very own no.11 transport, thus its very important that you have a pair of comfortable shoes with you.
There are so many historical sites to visit in ROME that you will need many days to just visit them. Not to mention that you would like to visit the world’s smallest country – Vatican City which is also located inside ROME, and visit this small city/country by itself will take a full-day. For those catholic friends visiting, you might want to check out if the pope is in before planning your trip. I was not able to meet the pope in person while I was there, as he was in Spain that time.
While we were travelling in ROME, there was another terrible incident which happened while we were taking the subway. As usual the subway was crowded and we had to squeeze ourselves into the train to let more passengers board. Taking advantage of the crowd in the train, the famous Italian pick pockets strike again, just in front of us! during one of the stops, the pick pocket pop a wallet out from a tourist back pocket and jump out of the train when the door was closing! It all happen too quickly that their target a Chinese couple who was standing in front of us, didn’t notice who took his wallet even until the door closed. It was a terrible lost to the couple as besides his personal identification card, credit card, bank card etc, he also lost 3200euro of cash! I wonder why is he carrying so much cash with him?
Lesson learnt:
Never put your wallet in your back pocket, especially when you are travelling in Italy.
Summary of Tips for travellers:
1) Internet service are hard to get in Italy, even in MCD the free internet access are only available to those who have a contact number. There are paid service, but they are costly too. My personal advice is, if you are backpacking and you need internet access, always try to find a hotel/hostel with free internet access to stay in.
2) Bring an umbrella and your sunglasses if you are travelling during Summer. The Sun is just too freaking HOT!
3) Keep all your belongings in a safe place. Wallets, passport etc should always be kept close with you. Never put your wallet in your back pocket. Always separate your cash into different portions and keep them separately to ensure that you have back-up cash available even though undesirable event happened.
4) Bring a empty water tumbler while travelling to avoid the need to buy mineral water for consumption. Drinking water is available all over the city at the water fountains. You can save a lot from the amount of drinking water you need at such weather. (if you are travelling in summer)
5) Do not accept any service of any kind from anyone you don’t know if you are not willing to pay for it. There are too many gypsy in Italy that even local Italians themselves hate. The cops are too corrupted in Italy too that not much could be done to prevent their not so legal activities. You can see them almost everywhere trying to earn a living by taking advantage of tourist who visit Italy. Example: When you take the subway, buy the tickets yourself if you do not want to pay additional to the gypsy who is standing by the ticket machine to help u buy the tickets. The machine does operate in English thus, don’t be fooled by them.
Rock Melon QQ Jelly RM5.80, the ice blended is smooth and fruit is fresh and sweet, do take note that the QQ jelly is sour rather than sweet. Too bad they only have a few melon cubes included in the servings.
Mango Sago 西米露, not as sweet as the rock melon QQ jelly servings, the base has a thick mango flavor, the mango pieces was sweet though 
