The 12 Things You Probably Don't Know About Italy
I have compiled a list of the things I believe are either taken for granted in the US or the things that are different between the US and Italy. Here they are, in no specific order:
1. A lot of Italian cities take a siesta from around 1 pm until about 4 or 5 pm, which means shops, restaurants, etc. are closed during these times!
2. The medicine here is very different. If you are traveling for any amount of time, I suggest bringing medicine for almost any situation. There have been a few times I needed things that I could not get.
3. Breakfast here does not include eggs, toast, and bacon. An Italian breakfast is a pastry with a coffee. The pastry is usually a cornetto (or croissant) filled with chocolate, cream, or is just plain. The coffee or un cafe', is what you would order as a espresso in the US. To order a coffee like the regular ones in the US, it is a cafe' Americano, but it is usually just a watered down espresso.
4. The international travel size of your carry on is different than traveling in the US. This is important, especially when traveling from region to region in Italy because the tickets only include a carry-on and checked baggage is a different ticket or an extra cost.
5. Things like feminine products are different here than the US, so make sure you bring enough for the amount of time you are traveling.
6. When you are in Italy, remember you are on Italian time, meaning that things move a lot slower here. So, when traveling, you may want a little extra time than you would think.
7. With number 6, comes the fact that MOST airports you get in through security in about 5 minutes... yes, 5 minutes. I have traveled from the Brindisi, Bari, Rome, and Bologna airports and with each, you do not need a lot of time to get through security. You also do not need to take off your shoes!
8. When traveling to Italy, I find it very helpful to know some phrases that can really help. I have seen so many people only speak English and they often get stuck. I took 2 semesters of Italian and find it difficult to formulate a quick answer, but at least I can usually understand what someone is saying to me. Here are a few helpful phrases:
- Until 4 pm, use the phrase Buongiorno to greet someone and when you leave.
- From 4 pm on, use the phrase Buona Sera.
- Ciao means hello!
- Quanto costa? is the phrase for "How much does this cost?"
- Dov'e' il bagno? is used to ask where the bathroom is
9. Remember, a euro is worth more than the US dollar. So, when you try and figure out how much you are spending, multiply the cost by about 1.26 to get the price in dollars.
10. Furthermore, with money, when you pay for something in Italy, there is usually a little tray where you put the money, not in the person's hand. They will then put your receipt and change in the same tray. Also, receipts are given everywhere and it is important you take them because shop owners are required to give them to you.
11. When going to restaurants, do not go to the ones close to the tourist areas because they are usually not authentic. Go to the restaurants that are a little bit of a further walk because it will be worth it! Not only will the food be cheaper, it will taste a lot better and be authentic for that area.
12. Laundry detergent is different here as well. There is only usually one kind at each store and that is it. Same goes for fabric softener and bleach.
Have any more questions about Italy? Ask in the comments below!
With love,
Baylee
1. A lot of Italian cities take a siesta from around 1 pm until about 4 or 5 pm, which means shops, restaurants, etc. are closed during these times!
2. The medicine here is very different. If you are traveling for any amount of time, I suggest bringing medicine for almost any situation. There have been a few times I needed things that I could not get.
3. Breakfast here does not include eggs, toast, and bacon. An Italian breakfast is a pastry with a coffee. The pastry is usually a cornetto (or croissant) filled with chocolate, cream, or is just plain. The coffee or un cafe', is what you would order as a espresso in the US. To order a coffee like the regular ones in the US, it is a cafe' Americano, but it is usually just a watered down espresso.
4. The international travel size of your carry on is different than traveling in the US. This is important, especially when traveling from region to region in Italy because the tickets only include a carry-on and checked baggage is a different ticket or an extra cost.
5. Things like feminine products are different here than the US, so make sure you bring enough for the amount of time you are traveling.
6. When you are in Italy, remember you are on Italian time, meaning that things move a lot slower here. So, when traveling, you may want a little extra time than you would think.
7. With number 6, comes the fact that MOST airports you get in through security in about 5 minutes... yes, 5 minutes. I have traveled from the Brindisi, Bari, Rome, and Bologna airports and with each, you do not need a lot of time to get through security. You also do not need to take off your shoes!
8. When traveling to Italy, I find it very helpful to know some phrases that can really help. I have seen so many people only speak English and they often get stuck. I took 2 semesters of Italian and find it difficult to formulate a quick answer, but at least I can usually understand what someone is saying to me. Here are a few helpful phrases:
- Until 4 pm, use the phrase Buongiorno to greet someone and when you leave.
- From 4 pm on, use the phrase Buona Sera.
- Ciao means hello!
- Quanto costa? is the phrase for "How much does this cost?"
- Dov'e' il bagno? is used to ask where the bathroom is
9. Remember, a euro is worth more than the US dollar. So, when you try and figure out how much you are spending, multiply the cost by about 1.26 to get the price in dollars.
10. Furthermore, with money, when you pay for something in Italy, there is usually a little tray where you put the money, not in the person's hand. They will then put your receipt and change in the same tray. Also, receipts are given everywhere and it is important you take them because shop owners are required to give them to you.
11. When going to restaurants, do not go to the ones close to the tourist areas because they are usually not authentic. Go to the restaurants that are a little bit of a further walk because it will be worth it! Not only will the food be cheaper, it will taste a lot better and be authentic for that area.
12. Laundry detergent is different here as well. There is only usually one kind at each store and that is it. Same goes for fabric softener and bleach.
Have any more questions about Italy? Ask in the comments below!
With love,
Baylee
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