I was born in Italy and, although I now consider myself a citizen of the world, I think that Italy is one of the most beautiful countries you will visit.
From the delicious food to the spectacular story, there is so much to do and see that it's easy to get lost.
Whether you are planning your first visit to Italy or traveling on a regular basis, you should definitely know some things that will make your trip to Italy easier.
Italians are lovely and warm people, but they tend to be very traditional in certain habits.
1. There is a time for coffee
Italians love their coffee. But there is an ideal time in the day to drink it.
You never drink coffee during a meal. But you can have coffee after a meal.
Cappuccino is only for breakfast and you should never drink it after 11:00. If you ask for a cappuccino after a meal in the restaurant, or worse, with a meal, do not be surprised if you look like you're coming from Mars.
Latte in Italian means milk, so if you order a latte in a bar, you'll just have a glass of hot milk ... not very exciting. If you want what you call a latte, you have to order a latte.
We gave this tip to many friends and they told us it was the best travel tip for eating well in Italy.
This trick works mainly if you plan to go to popular tourist places, such as Rome, Florence, Venice or the Cinque Terre.
And it only works there, because nowhere else in Italy will you ever find an English menu!
Although the food in Italy is simply amazing, you can still find places that serve awful food. If you want to eat really good Italian food, avoid at all costs restaurants that display an English menu outside (especially if they have food photos too!).
Do not forget this: the best Italian cuisine can only be found in restaurants offering Italian menus.
3. Do not ask for tap water in a restaurant
Or ... I should say: you can ask for it, but you will not get it!
In Italy, restaurants will always serve bottled water, and if you ask for tap water, you'll get a horrible look. Most places just will not give it to you and will charge you only bottles of bottled water.
You are much better drinking wine. In addition, you are in Italy anyway and the wine tastes better than water.
If you want cheap wine but good, always ask for "vino della casa". It normally comes in half-liter jugs or a liter and it's local.
The most famous ice cream in the world is Italian ice cream, and there is a reason for that! It's just amazing and you can not stop eating it!
So there is no reason to resist! Go at any time of the day. You can have an ice cream for breakfast, after lunch, a morning or afternoon snack or after dinner.
5. Ciao is not for everyone
Everyone knows Ciao, but remember that Ciao is a very informal way to say hello. When entering stores or greeting seniors, be sure to use them properly
- Buongiorno (hello)
- Buona Sera (good evening)
Some other words to remember are:
- Grazie (thanks)
- No capisco (I do not understand)
And you should only say Bravo to men. If you want to rent a woman, do not forget to say Brava!
Even if you barely know someone, do not be surprised if two kisses greet you on the cheeks.
Italians are very warm and affectionate people and they are used to kissing someone. Sometimes you will find that the youngest ones even go for three kisses!
But certainly not one!
Most Italian shops will close for lunch. If you try to go shopping between 1pm and 4pm in Italy, you might as well make a riposino yourself, as you will not find many places open for business.
This can be annoying for you, especially if you live in a busy city, but if you visit the Italian countryside you will have to get used to this way of life. Italians always think that lunch is an important part of the day and they will go home to enjoy a good meal and relax during the hottest hours of the day.
8. Trains follow their own schedule
The trains have massively improved in recent years in Italy. There are impressive modern high-speed trains that connect major cities such as Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples.
But if you move to less touristy or more rural cities, especially in southern Italy, do not be surprised by the delays.
Allow enough time to get to the right place, especially if you take a train to the airport. Also check if the train is stuck, as this could affect your travel plans.
The month of August is the summer vacation month of Italians, many companies are closed, schools are closed and many Italians will leave the cities to go on vacation.
- You will find a lot of closed shops, even in big cities like Rome and Florence. Especially some of the most authentic shops.
- If you decide to visit the most beautiful beaches of Italy, in regions like Sicily or Sardinia, everything will be cluttered and expensive and the service will not be as good as if you go there in June or September.
- In August, it can be very hot in Italy, and if you want to visit the country, it might be quite tiring to walk around.
Most hotels and great restaurants accept credit cards, but it's still pretty normal in Italy to pay cash in many restaurants and small shops.
Make sure you always have money on you to pay for your meals or purchases, especially if you plan to buy food at the market.
Vital Italy Travel Tips: