There aren't many countries that rank higher on the collective must-visit lists of Americans than Italy. With its combination of romance, history and mouthwatering food, this country has long captured our imagination. No matter where you go and what you do in Italy, you are destined to have a dream trip, but you should definitely know the following 30 things before set off.

The Rome-Florence-Venice triple play is a tried-and-true itinerary and while it won't disappoint (especially if it's your first visit), you'll have a much richer experience if you dig a little deeper. Bologna is the perfect city to mix into a 'Big 3' itinerary as it is a foodie mecca that owns architecture that can stand toe-to-toe with any city in the country. For landscape lovers, time spent at the gorgeous Italian Lakes or deep in the Tuscan or Umbrian countryside will satisfy your soul and recharge your batteries.

Most European countries have one blockbuster city (London, Paris, Prague) that makes you feel like you've strolled straight onto a film set, but Italy has three of them. Rome's ancient streets and sights offer an unparalleled insight into the past; Venice's canals are like nothing else in the world; Florence flutters the heart with its architecture and art. Make sure one of them is on your itinerary.

Speaking of those lakes, whether your first brush with their beauty came during a trip to the Bellagio in Vegas or while reading an article about George Clooney's lake house, rest assured that they are every bit as great in person. Villas and idyllic villages ring these placid beauties and whether you visit Como, Maggiore or Garda, you'll fall in love at first sight.

All over Italy, you will stumble across small towns perched atop prominences and you should make a beeline for one of them. During centuries past, their elevated location helped keep them secure and preserve their unique architecture and art, but it now serves to enhance their charm. Famous examples are San Gimignano and Montepulciano in Tuscany and Orvieto in Umbria but they can be found in nearly every region.

Everything you've heard about the food in Italy is legit: it's unbelievably delicious. Expect your pasta to be perfectly cooked and lashed with just the right amount of luscious sauce. The tomatoes will change your life and the gelato will be the most decadent dessert you could ever imagine. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

The flip side of the foodie coin is that in a country full of fantastic ristorantes and trattorias, there are plenty of places surviving on selling average food to tourists. Do your research ahead of time, stop a local on the street when you are in Italy (hey, it works) or just sign up for a food tour to lower your chances of a poor meal.

Simply put, Italian-American food is not Italian food. Many of the staples you see on menus in the States (Spaghetti & Meatballs, Cheesy Garlic Bread, and Chicken Parmesan) are creations of Italian immigrants and not served in the home country. You won't miss them though as Italy is full of dishes waiting to be discovered.

Italy stimulates all the senses but it can also overwhelm the underprepared. Trying to figure out the departures and arrivals inside a busy train station can make your head spin and navigating the backstreets of Naples will disorient. What to do when feeling swamped? Step back, take a deep breath and then do your best to embrace it.

Why embrace those sometimes-overwhelming experiences? Because waiting for you on the other side of them is an unmatched sense of exhilaration and accomplishment. Trust me, those moments spent conquering something slightly out of your comfort zone become the most cherished of travel memories.

That quintet of pastel-painted towns clinging to the cliffs of the Ligurian Coast are no longer for just those in the know. Thanks to word-of-mouth and cruise ship arrivals, Cinque Terre is currently in the throes of a huge surge in popularity Arrive in the offseason for the best experience or do your inter-village hikes exclusively in the hours after sunrise.

Italians take their fashion seriously. In fact, this writer has never felt more out of place than when he waltzed into a first-class train compartment there wearing cargo shorts and a "worse for wear" white t-shirt. Don't be like him, stick to collared shirts and slacks most of the time but on those first-class trains, dress as if you're heading out for a nice dinner.

Many restaurants in Italy charge a "cover fee" which frees visiting diners up from the whole "should we tip, should we skip" debate. If the venue your dining at doesn't do this, then know that tipping certainly isn't compulsory, but it is considered polite to round-up the bill to the next increment of five as opposed to tackily waiting around for your change.

While you wouldn't know it by watching travel shows and movies, the truth is that Italy fully experiences all four seasons. Things certainly vary by region, but even the southernmost parts of the country experience chilly temperatures in the winter. Bottom line: don't show up in Florence in January and expect to be dining al fresco.

When it does get hot in Italy, it gets really hot and there's no better way to beat the heat than a trip to the beach. With all the attention we pay to Italian grand cities it can be easy to forget that the country is nearly completely encircled by sea. Head for the Italian Riviera for posh seaside resorts and the beaches of Calabria and Puglia for more secluded escapes.

Many travelers don't make it further south than Rome, and that's a big mistake. Located at the heel of the Italian boot, Puglia is full of fascinating historical sights, lively towns and miles of magnificent coastline. Visit Lecce for a lesson in Baroque architecture, Alberobello to discover the fascinating trulli houses and Torre Guaceto for a turquoise-tinged seascape you have to see to believe.

While making your way to Puglia, pull the car over or make a train detour to this mesmerizing place. Matera is a maze of a town, full of cave dwellings, underground passageways and sun-faded facades. It rises from the countryside like a mirage and you are sure to enjoy the show-especially at twilight when it looks enchanting.

Italy is synonymous with coffee, but before you order a cup, you need to know they do things a little differently than you're used to. Italians typically don't sit and savor as their joe is usually just taken as a shot of espresso at a stand-up bar. Do as the locals do as one of the best immersive experiences you can have here is joining them for a morning shot.

Italy is made up of 20 regions and five of those are semi-autonomous. Many of these places were previously their own kingdoms and that means that travelling between them, you will experience distinct differences when it comes to dialect, food and lifestyle. Generally speaking, the north of the country feels more Central European while the south feels more Mediterranean.

You know those two big islands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea between Italy and France? The southern isle is Sardinia, and it's more than worth a look-see. The pace of life here is slow, allowing visitors time for the finer things in life like good food, outdoor pursuits and unbelievably pretty beaches.

Been exploring Italy on your Eurail pass and now fancy a skip over to Sicily? Guess what? You won't need to leave the train. No, through what is surely one of the most fascinating European train travel tricks, trains are loaded onto a ferry in Reggio Calabria and then carried across the sea to Sicily. On the other side, you'll find a fascinating mix of cultures, history and the best street food scene in Italy.

In Italy, dining establishments will typically be described as one of the following: trattoria, ristorante or osteria. Ristorantes are best described as proper restaurants (expect printed menus and professional service); Trattorias are more casual spots; Osterias are wine-focused venues that also serve up a small selection of food. Oh, and if you see and enconta that's a wine tavern.

There is no "early bird" special in Italy. When it comes time to sit down and break bread, Italians wait a little longer to take a seat. Typically, lunch is served from 1 o'clock and dinner service starts after 7 o'clock. And don't plan on rushing away from the restaurant either, as meals are meant to be savored here.

If you're pining for a big bowl of pasta like you get at home (and perhaps thinking of taking some back to the hotel in a to-go box), you will probably be disappointed. Pasta is a "primo" here, which means it's served after the appetizer but before the main meat or fish course-and the portion is appropriate as opposed to over-the-top.

Sure, you could get by with English (especially in touristy areas), but there's no fun in that. Hearing spoken Italian is like a small symphony to the ears and speaking it for yourself is just as pleasurable. Learn some phrases before you go and know you'll probably grin every time you say "grazie", because Italian is that fun to speak.

As fun as it is to get off the beaten path, don't ever skip doing touristy things you want to do just because they may seem a little cheesy. That means going to Pisa and seeing that Leaning Tower because it is a true travel thrill. While you are there, think about staying a night or two as the city has much more to offer than just the tower.

Italy's fourth-largest city, Turin tends to get overlooked when it comes to itineraries. It shouldn't though, as is this city at the foothills of the Alps is a foodie and coffee lover's dream come true. Sip espresso and nibble on cakes at the town's grand cafes before making your way to the home base of the world famous Eataly. This is to say nothing of the sights connected to the city's starring role in the Italian cinema and automotive industries.

Exploring Italy is an unforgettable travel experience, but it can be tough on your feet. That's because you are going to be doing a lot of walking, so definitely pack a pair of worn-in walking shoes for exploring during the daytime and a set of dressy-yet-comfy shoes for the dinners out.

Located near Turin-and hidden at the far northwest corner of Italy-the Aosta Valley offers an unmatched allure. This autonomous alpine region is home to steep mountains, sprawling valleys and a unique culture that comes in part from the fact that it shares a border with France. Sure, it takes a little extra work to reach, but it will be more than worth the effort.

Italy is one of the world's most renowned wine producers and your visit will likely be filled with lots of glass-clinking. You need to know that the beer is pretty good here, too. From the famous big brands like Birra Moretti and Peroni to scores of up-and-coming craft outfits, you'll find the suds very solid and that they are the perfect libation to sip under the sun.

From Michelangelo's David to St. Mark's Basilica, most of the highest profile-and most popular-tourist sights in Italy can be booked beforehand. This is a true timesaver and will only serve to enhance your experience.

Last but not least, be aware that you may have to pay to use the toilet in Italy-especially at train stations- and in some cases, the facilities might be more basic than you are used to. Also be aware that it's not a given that a smaller restaurant will have a bathroom for public use, so plan accordingly.