Vacationing abroad is good for the soul, good for expanding cultural and spiritual horizons, excellent for a sun tan and ideal for relaxation – but the worst thing about taking a holiday is having to look like a tourist for the duration of your sojourn overseas!

In our own home town and nation we can spot tourists a mile away, and it’s not because they are looking lost or staring forlornly at an upside down map…it has more to do with their uncertain demeanor and their terrible taste in shorts usually! So, if you’re planning to discover la dolce vita and visit Italy for a holiday in the near future, here’s a guide to looking less like a tourist when on holiday in Italy so that you can blend in better and enjoy your time more.

The first thing to do is carry your belongings round in a local carrier bag – a supermarket carrier is ideal rather than one from the local tourism gift shop obviously! This may sound like insanity, but in truth, it’s local people who carry shopping bags not tourists. So by hiding your essential items in a carrier bag rather than a rucksack, you’ll blend in far better when navigating the waterways in Venice for example. Beware to keep valuables directly on your person however, as you never know when the handles might break on your supermarket carrier bag!

The next top tip relates to your attire – if you turn up in a Tuscan town to enjoy the view, indulge in mid-morning coffee and pastries and watch the world go by, don’t be tempted to don your Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts first thing in the morning! Be more inclined to dress as the locals do – in trousers for men, skirts or perhaps trousers for women. If you follow this advice you avoid being stared at and you can blend in and relax more.

If you’re about to hit Rome and take in the fabulous historic sites, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon for example, try learning a few Italian phrases so that you can ask directions, find out where to get a coffee or just order a taxi to take you home when you start flagging after a day’s sightseeing. By making an effort with the language you will be taken far more seriously.

The final tip is to actually rent an apartment rather than stay in a hotel – and if you decide to do this and be self sufficient, why not consider taking an extended vacation and try living in Italy. You could even consider taking a part time job and funding your stay. After all, there is no better way to get to know the language and there is also no better way to get to know a nation than by spending an extended time in it, learning the language and getting to know the people.