Make The Most Of Your Italian Holiday

Its people are passionate, and they are loving. Its food is fabulous. It is both a lively and peaceful place – depending on where you are at that moment. And it is beautiful, atmospheric and romantic.

And like any country, it has its own ways and habits. And here at Avventure Bellissime we’ve had the pleasure of living here forever and running tours and holidays in Italy for over 17 years, and in that time we’ve learned a few things about how to get along in Italy. We thought we’d share them in our blog. So, here are some top tips on how to make the most of your Italian holiday:

Language

The Italian tours we run at Avventure Bellissime are delivered in English. Similarly, anyone booking one of our Italian holidays will be dealt with in English, if they wish. Most Italian businesses that are connected to the tourism industry will speak other languages, however in general terms, you will really benefit from learning a few words of Italian, even from a phrasebook. The Italians love to hear that you’ve made an effort and will redouble their efforts if you’ve attempted to speak their language – whether its asking a question or ordering a drink at the bar etc. Give it a go during your Italian vacation!

Food and drink

If you’re spending your holidays in Italy, it’s worth remembering that restaurants will probably be closed one day per week. They will also close for a short time during the day – for example they’ll open from around 12noon-3pm and then open again from 6pm until 11pm. There are regional variations to this general timetable, so if you are planning to eat at a certain time, plan ahead.

When it comes to choosing a restaurant, don’t worry if you can’t peruse the menu outside. Many authentic restaurants will verbally describe what’s on the menu when you ask. And if you do read a menu, it may be that this is an abridged version of what’s on offer and you may find more choice inside. Don’t be afraid to ask the cost of the meal either if it’s not displayed.

If you are after a drink or a coffee on its own, copy the locals and stand or sit at the bar to avoid paying for table service.

Tips / Service

There are no rules on how much to give and for the most part, tipping isn’t expected in Italy. But most Italians will tip a couple of extra Euro per head with their bill.

In restaurants geared towards tourists, there will sometimes be service added to your bill but this should be noted on the menu. So make sure you check this before you buy. It’s usually no more than around 2 Euros per person.

Opening times

Like restaurants, many tourist attractions may close from lunchtime until around 3pm. The further south you travel in Italy, the longer the afternoon lunch break extends - sometimes beyond 3pm. Either way it is best to check the opening hours before you visit. And you will often find that in summer, there are longer opening hours in the evening to make up for being closed during the hottest part of the day.

Also – some attractions and shops are also closed altogether on a Monday. So the general rule is, double check opening times before you travel.

Taxis

When you are on your Italian holiday, always take a taxi from the rank, not when someone offers a ride to you by shouting ‘Taxi’. If you are traveling a sizeable distance by taxi, perhaps from the airport to your hotel, it’s best to understand how much it will cost before you get in.

Always make sure the meter is working. Or ask for an idea of how much the journey will cost before you set off. You can even practise your Italian phrases on the driver and ask in Italian!