I've been there quite a few times (like almost every year
nowadays), but there were always people bringing me around and
paying for me, so I can't give you any advice. 
Basically:
- People are friendly and casual, without much of that white
supremacy attitude (they're not really white anyway, but more
latino), but watch your belongings....especially in the Vatican
itself.
- Things are reasonably expensive, but not that unaffordable. Some
cheaper than here, some 'expensiver' than here. Hotels are quite
expensive, even boutique hotels in the countryside. Pizza is
S$10-20 each. Coffee is S$1-2 per 'shot' (they don't drink what
they call "American coffee" in a normal cup, which is what we get
in hotels here).
- Branded goods are cheap. Florence is great for leather.
- When out of the city area, get used to some people staring at
you.
- If you like big bazookas, watch free-to-air TV everynight after
10:30 pm.
- If budget is a problem, avoid Venice at all cost.
- Get ready to eat pasta pasta pasta, cheese cheese cheese, olive
oil olive oil olive oil.....hardly anything else. Not a good place
for health freaks. Pasta is eaten as the dish before the main
course (and that leaves most of us hardly any space for the main
course).
- They are like Asians, very formal with hierachy systems. So when
addressing a group of people, always greet the most senior first.
Also, if someone buys you a meal, you have to finish everything -
from appetizer to antipasti to main course to dessert to
wine.
- Their timing is like Asian timing at wedding dinners. So when
they say meet at 3 pm.....feel free to go to 3:30 pm. Chances are
they'll not be there yet.
- When in Rome, do like the Romans do. Learn a few clean curse
words....like FUNKULO! Means bullshit. And learn also to gesture
with your hands a lot when talking.
- Oh, just like anywhere else in Europe, get ready to be checked
like hell upon entry at the airport (if you're Asian). Unlike
Germany, the Italians will also check other people...and not only
Asians. They sometimes have undercover cops at the airport, wearing
round-necked t-shirts and jeans who will pick you out. They're not
that inflexible though....whatever they ask you, just speak English
for a long time, very quickly....and they'll give up and let you
pass (trust me, I know from experience when I was caught with 3 new
handphones going into Rome Presents for my friends lah).
- Don't take taxis, unless you have a big budget. At 6 am, a 30
minute taxi ride could cost a shocking EUR 110!
- If you smoke, I have bad news for you. Italy's anti-smoking laws
are much stricter than here. You can only smoke at home, or on the
streets. No where else.
If I make a trip this end of year to Rome, and if you happen to be
there too, lets meet up.
