I've been a tour guide in Rome for 16 years. Here are 9 of the biggest mistakes tourists make.

• Tourists visiting Rome often make mistakes that detract from their experience in the city.
• I've worked as a tour guide here for 16 years, and many people forget to plan their trip in advance.

My husband and I have 25 and 16 years, respectively, of guiding experience in Rome. He's a licensed guide who leads cultural, archeological, and art tours, and I am a certified sommelier who leads food and wine tours.

When visiting Rome, tourists often make several common mistakes that can detract from their experience in the Eternal City — ranging from simple cultural misunderstandings to more serious breaches of etiquette.

My husband and I often discuss some of the more frustrating things we wish guests knew before they visited. Here are the top mistakes we've seen.

Disregarding dress codes

Tourists often fail to adhere to dress codes when visiting religious sites, such as St. Peter's Basilica or the Sistine Chapel.

Wearing revealing clothing can be seen as disrespectful in these sacred spaces, so make sure to look up guidelines beforehand.

Typically, at least the knees and shoulders must be covered.

Ignoring local customs

Many visitors overlook the importance of local customs, such as greeting people with a polite "Buongiorno" in the morning and "Buonasera" in the evening.

Small gestures like this can go a long way in showing respect for Roman culture.

Not tipping their servers

Tipping is less customary in Italy than in some other countries, and it's not expected or mandatory. But leaving a few euros per person on top of the bill is considered polite in Rome.

I don't know why so many guidebooks and articles state that the
"coperto" is a service charge that goes to the server. This is untrue — it covers things like the bread, olive oil, and vinegar for the restaurant.

But if you see the word "servizio" on the receipt, that money goes to the server.

Booking too short of a trip

Rome is more than just the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, and Trevi Fountain — it deserves time. It's the Eternal City with over 2 millennia of history to get through, after all.

Confining yourself to the most heavily touristed areas usually means missing out on some authentic local experiences off the beaten path.

Many tourists are only in Rome for two or three days, which doesn't give them much time to visit lesser-known sites like Ostia Antia or contemporary museums like Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna.

As we say in Rome, "Roma, non basta una vita" ("In Rome, a lifetime is not enough"). I know people's holidays are limited, but instead of trying to visit four Italian cities in a week, maybe slow down and give Rome at least five days.

Relying solely on English

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but learning some basic Italian phrases or using a translation app can significantly enhance your interactions with locals.

It's also a way to demonstrate respect for the host culture.

Not planning ahead

Visitors often need to pay more attention to the time and effort required to visit Rome's most popular attractions if they want to avoid long lines and frustration.

Tours of the Colosseum or Vatican often sell out months in advance.

One of my favorite websites for up-to-date advice for travelers planning trips to Rome is Rome Wise. You can find information on anything from the best cocktail bars and hotels to art exhibits and even general helpful information.

Visiting at the wrong time

If you're deciding when to come, most guidebooks and travel sites advise people to skip Rome in August.

But I think July is more unbearably hot and crowded — August is much cooler. Since more Italian people tend to be on holiday in August, it can also be less crowded.

Disrespecting art and architecture

Tourists occasionally disregard the rules against touching artwork, leaning on ancient structures, or sitting on historic fountains, which can damage these important cultural treasures.

You don't want to end up on the local news as a tourist who took a piece of marble from the Roman Forum or left graffiti on the Colosseum.

Missing out on the local cuisine

Tourists often stick to familiar dishes or opt for restaurants in high-traffic areas — missing out on the incredible diversity of Roman cuisine and the charm of neighborhood trattorias (small restaurants).

Italian food is seasonal. Rome might be famous for artichokes, but if you're eating them in June, they probably aren't local (the vegetable is only in season from February until April).

I recommend following advice from the local food experts at Casa Mia. They have excellent information on seasonal cuisine, and they offer food and wine tours.