Be a responsible tourist in Rome

Instead of just talking about theoretical “tourist ethic”, maybe just listing few practical tips can help the cause of responsible tourism:

1. pick off-season whenever possible (in Rome from November to March, excluding the Christmas holidays). Avoid visiting main sites on weekends.
2. travel slowly, take a bit extra time in each destination of your itinerary and include less sites.
3. go off the beaten path: ask yourself which are your interests and which experience do you wish for, maybe the colosseum is not necessarily a must!
4. book local services directly: the margins of international platforms don’t go to local business nor to local taxes. Contact hotels, BB, tour guides to make your reservations as much as possible, and make a little research about restaurants or shops which are family-run businesses instead of chains
5. learn a bit of the local language, it is always a kind attitude
6. ask permission before taking pictures involving people or holy places
7. prepare to walk more than your average and maybe consider a bike to move in town, it’s fun and eco friendly (we can also rent e-bikes since we live in a hilly city!)
8. bring a bottle and refill at drinking fountains, we don’t need extra plastic.
9. Take coffee at the counter in a ceramic small cup, embrace the local habit and avoid useless packaging: you are on holiday, you do not need a coffee to go!
10. Dress appropriately: Rome is not a beach city and even if it gets hot, we always wear shoes (not slippers) and a full outfit (also, churches are everywhere and they require covered shoulders and knees)

In the end, Rome is a welcoming city, but remember to  treat a city like a city, not a resort or a theme park. Thank you!