Hello,
If you were headed to Italy next week, and had to pack VERY light, what two pairs of shoes would you carry?? (We can afford to wear one pair and pack another.)
FYI, we are one male and one female and tend to dress as casually as possible, yet have done enough research to know we need to dress decently and modestly for most of our destinations. (Which include Venice, Firenze and Tuscan countryside, Sardegna, and Roma.)
We will be doing a LOT of walking/hiking/biking. (I surmise sneakers are a definite faux pas. If so, what do Italians wear during active pursuits?) But we'll also be visiting several museums and churches. We can do without upscale restaurants/clubs.
Also, trying our best to avoid shoes/dress that will scream "obnoxious American tourist." (No offense to fellow travelers who call the States home, but we all know we don't have the best reputation abroad.) I know people will soon figure out my nationality from my accent, etc., but I try my best when/wherever I travel to avoid fitting the stereotype by speaking softly, learning some language basics, dressing modestly, etc.
Thanks for your help...
1 pair technical sandals (e.g. Teva's), 1 pair hiking boots (Vasques are my favorites). I'd even skip the sandals, but it gets pretty hot this time of year. BTW, good on you learning the language basics. Italians especially respond really well to any attempt at communicating in their language.
Oh, the great shoe dilemma! How I recognise this one! It's the thing I agonise over before every trip too. I think it's worse for women, somehow, because if there is any chance you will want to wear a dress or skirt, then the said shoes/sandals have to be suitable for this purpose yet still be strong enough to survive all the walking. Hence my dilemma - I prefer very feminine, pretty sandals but can never justify taking them!
Based on what you've said, I would suggest you wear some sturdy walking shoes to travel in and take a lighter pair of sandals in your luggage. N.B. Some advice a friend gave me when I was in the midst of my last shoe-travel crisis was that you can always buy a cheap pair of trainers/sneakers/plimsolls whilst you are away, if the worst comes to the worst. (If they are cheap enough, you don't even need to bring them back home with you!).
Advise above are fine. Do not be too scared about the "Shoe dressing code" - unless you are eating at posh goumet restaurants you will be OK in leather sadans, and tevas and preobably even is (clean) snarkers.
"we all know we don't have the best reputation abroad" - do not mix the attitude towards the US as a country with the attitude toward individuals. You will be OK - since it seems that you are considering that you should try to abapt a bit to the local code of conduct. And remember that Italy is incredible full of tourists - in many of the palces you probably will go it is more "normal" to be a tourist than a local :-)
I don't know what flip flop are but they sound like shoes to be used on the beach; consider you can simply buy any kind of shoes you need here in Italy and if you avoid Ferragamo or Valentino your shopping can be very convenient. Now the temperature is hot in the morning but please avoid to seem someone who is going to the beach, this attitude of many tourists in Rome is offensive.
Enjoy your stay!
I would take one pair of walking boots or sandals (ie Birkenstock type) for travelling and general sight-seeing, and one pair of smarter sandals / flip flops for occasional day time and evening use. I tend to run around in a pair of flat gold gladiator style flip flops that are comfy for general shopping and for going out in the evening.
If you hit the main cities, then you can pick up a cheap pair of plimsolls in places like Zara for less than 20 Euros. I was in Rome and my shoes were killing me, so popped into Zara and got a pair of sparkly plimsolls for 20 Euros and threw the other ones away.
Flip flops are called thongs, I believe, in other countries. I lived a couple of years in Italy and have travelled extensively and have worn flip flops everywhere. They're comfortable and informal. I never had any problem with anyone regarding my footwear - obviously I'm a Brit, so I'm a fashion-free zone and proud of it :-)
Why should they be "offensive"?!
What do you mean with "decently and modestly"? I don't think you have to dress more decently or modestly than other european countries. Being nicely dressed will be well perceived but you can dress as you want and not have any problem whatsoever.
A nice pair of leather sandals (rather than plastic flip flops) that you can use also at night and a "semi-gym" shoes (say Merrell's) to do the walking will do
Semi-serious manual for foreigners
If you don't want to look American DON'T:
1) Wear white snikers with white socks up to the knees
2) Do not wear light brown shorts
3) Do not wear your college's hooded sweater
4) Do not wear a baseball cap
5) Do not chew gums
6) Don't scream when you talk
it takes some work not too look american... ;-)
If you don't want to look German DON'T:
1) Don't wear sandals with socks
...that easy!
If you don't want to look British DON'T:
1) Don't drink beer at 11am in the morning sitting at an outside cafe' while the local sitting next to you is drinking his cappuccino (he might throw up at the scene)
2) Don't get drunk
3) Don't look like you are going to the beach even in the centre of Milan (plastic flip flops, short-sleeves multi-color shirts etc)
4) Don't be loud
5) Do not wear a Man U shirt (neither an AC Milan shirt, just in case you are trying to mimetize): italians don't care who you support
6) Don't call the football team AC Milan but just Milan
7) If you are a girl do not drink the beer from the bottle
8) Do not lick your fingers when eating
...quite a bit of work here too...
For all nationalities
1) DO NOT use a spoon the eat spaghetti!!!
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