Viva Italia!
Italy is one of the best travel destinations in the entire world! Home of one of the planetâs finest cuisines, a multitude of luxury retail brands, and a vivacious nation thatâs all about love and happiness.
Where else in the world will you find centuries-old traditions nestled within modern infrastructure and contemporary lifestyles. The country itself is a feast for the eyesâa postcard from all the wonders of the past to the hopes for the future. Italy is also home to âLa Dolce Vita,â a famous cinematic lifestyle all about love and luxury.
With so many things to offer, itâs easy to get overwhelmed even by just the thought of visiting the country. Not to worry, as there are numerous tips you can follow in order to truly and easily experience the heart of the country on your trip.
Here are some Italy travel tips to living âLa Dolce Vita!â
Pack an Umbrella
You might think that since Italy is in the heart of the Mediterranean, you wonât see much rainfall while youâre there. Well, think again! Contrary to popular belief, it isnât summer all year round in Italy.
The country has its fair share of downpours, and a lot of it too. Northern Italy is particularly colder and wetter than Southern Italy, but that doesnât mean it doesnât rain in the towns of Sardina and Sicily neither.
A great tip for traveling to Italy is to bring an umbrella at all costs. It doesnât have to be a large one, but just enough to hold in your carry on so youâll be prepared for any sudden rainfall.
Take the Train
No matter how much easier flights can be, taking the train within Italy, or within Europe for that matter, is a must! Thereâs no comparison to seeing the amazing landscapesâgreen meadows, fairytale-like forests, wide open seasâas your train goes past each and every one of them.
Itâs also a relatively luxurious experience where anything can happen. Even though the trains today are more modern and less classically romantic than they were before, thereâs no replacing riding one throughout Italy.
Think of all the towns, each with its own charms; you might pass on the way. Taking a train is getting to see the heart of Italy, making it a must-follow traveling to Italy tip. Isnât that why youâre there in the first place?
Expect to See Transportation Strikes
Italians can be quite temperamental, a stereotype that theyâve lived with for many years now. They know what they want and are not afraid to fight for it.
With such integrity, itâs no wonder why strikes are common in the country, particularly within those in the transportation business.
Low wages, unfair treatment, and unequal business rivalries often lead many employees going to the streets and demanding fairness. If you have to catch either a train or a flight while a strike is going on, chances are you might miss it.
If you feel that a strike is going to happen, whether you see it on the news, hear it from the people around you, or you see the protesters preparing for it, a tip for traveling to Italy is to fix your traveling schedule as quickly as you can.
Restaurants Open Late
Italians have their own ways in life, especially when it comes to food. One specific to them is that they often eat meals later than others. While the rest of the world eat lunch at around 12:00 noon, they eat theirs an hour later at 1 pm.
Similarly, dinner time in Italy is rarely before the clock strikes 8:00 pm. Because of this, their establishments also open late. Another good Italy travel tip is to be aware of what time restaurants open.
Some open on the dot at 1 pm and 8 pm, while others serve meals much later. Itâs best to pack along some snacks if you feel you canât wait that long for a meal. But itâs also vital that you learn to adjust your body clock to those of the Italians when it comes to eating.
Stick to the Menu
Italians are especially particular when it comes to their food. Itâs part of who they are, their family traditions, and a celebration of their love for their country. Why do you think the country has one of the best cuisines in the world?
With this in mind, another travel tip for Italy is to always stick to the menu. A vital traveling to Italy tip avoid trying to spice things up your way; it might just offend the chef. And if thereâs one thing you donât want in Italy, itâs an angry Italian fighting you over food.
Whatever is stated on the menu, whatever ingredients listed there, those are what youâll have for lunch or dinner. This is all about being respectful, and despite the world having different tastes, none are as strong as the Italiansâ.
Cappuccinos Are for Breakfast Only!
It canât be stressed enough that Italians have their own way of eating and drinking. When it comes to cappuccinos, theyâre strictly for breakfast only! A rarely given Italy travel tip and advice is to not order cappuccinos after 11 am.
Itâs extremely uncommon to see any Italian, or anyone whoâs lived long in Italy, to be drinking the caffeinated beverage when itâs nearing lunch time. For them, itâs a sign of a hangover, sleeping in late, or simply a peculiar practice.
This is especially since their meal times are usually different from those of other countries. If you order one after 11 am, you risk becoming the talk of the town as the weirdo who drank a cappuccino after breakfast.
Water, Wine, or Beer Only!
If you think theyâre strict when it comes to breakfast, just wait until lunch and dinner! For their meals of extremely rich and flavorful dishes, only wine, water, or beer can do. Always remember this as an important travel tip for Italy.
For Italians, thereâs no such thing as sodas, soft drinks, and juices when eating lunch or dinner. Only the three recommended (some might even argue as required) beverages can truly complete the Italian cuisine experience. Similarly, theyâre also particular to what you pair with the said drinks.
While water matches everything, Italian etiquette dictates serving red meat with red wine and white meat with white wine. Beer, on the other hand, is a must if youâre having pizza or pasta.
Conclusion
Thereâs arguably no other country as cinematic as Italy. The La Dolce Vita lifestyle is revered and admired by the rest of the world, and if you step foot in the country, youâd expect to experience it yourself. Now, you can if you follow any of the Italy travel tips mentioned earlier. As they say in Italy, âĂ meglio aver poco che nienteâ (Better to have little than nothing!).
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