I have been to Italy maybe 25 times, and I dearly love it. I have not been in a couple of years and am taking a group of 8 in October. If you have been this year, did you feel any effects of the new US foreign policies directed toward American tourists. No politics, please.
Posted by
Chicago
8490 posts
No, worse it is just suffering from over-tourism.
We went to the great Umbria Jazz Fest this year which has always booked the best musicians happening in the world today mostly American born as headliners (Lionel Ritchie actually sang the "We are the world" song did not get booed for being American and the locals were singing along) and the shows were sold out.
However, according to the USA State Department your biggest threat is being a victim of terrorism:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/italy-travel-advisory.html
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8710 posts
No, I haven't experienced anything negative about being an American in Italy. A few people mentioned that the new pope is American; that was the extent of the comments.
Posted by
Chicago
8490 posts
Wear a Chicago White Sox hat the pope is from the Chicago burbs and a fan of the team.
The town of Dolton outside Chicago bought his childhood home.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Leo_XIV_childhood_home
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16806 posts
Nope. Nobody cares.
My friends and relatives jokingly make fun of me for our choice of POTUS, and at most they ask me to pay extra as tariffs when I buy a glass of prosecco or a panino with prosciutto at the bar, but they generally give up when I threaten them to invade and annex the island of Capri and rename the Gulf of Naples Gulf of America.
Posted by
Alpharetta, Ga, USA
353 posts
Think this is true everywhere. Have been to France and Switzerland in past 8 months, no one mentions politics. Wish it was that way here!
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thank you! I am trying to make this trip so perfect for my 7 friends. We are not political in any way!!
Posted by
Green Bay
22461 posts
As far as Italians are concerned, they said we elected our own Berlusconi and are sympathetic.
Posted by
6025 posts
Travel requires a strong sense of humor and ability to not easily take offense, good for any situation that might come your way!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3361 posts
The people who have survived Mussolini and Berlusconi are in sympatico with Americans who they realize are stuck—for now—with our own version of a not-so-funny madman.
After all, they have thousands of years of history for background.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1107 posts
After dinner one night in Siena, a man at the next table (with extended family and friends), asked if I liked Trump. I pretended to vomit. They all laughed and invited me to join them for a drink. When Bush was in office, a group I was with was asked if we voted for him. We said no. That was one great party we were invited to! Italians like Americans. It's our choice of leaders that they question. They've been through that problem themselves.
Posted by
Munich
936 posts
Italians like Americans.
Definitely, and the Germans do too. I love how Italians deal with the topic and wish there was more Italy in me personally right now. What a wonderful way not to be anxious, but to approach the topic with humor.
Posted by
9122 posts
We visited three months ago and found NO issue with our being Americans.