EyeItalia

Italy can be perplexing – if not downright exasperating – to those of us living on “tempo Americano“. If you’re a first-time traveler to Italy, here are a few handy (and tongue-in-cheek)  tips that will help prepare you for the challenges and eccentricities of visiting “il bel paese“.

Driving:

1) Upon arrival at any Italian airport, be prepared to spend an inordinate amount of time renting your car….and finding it.

2) If possible, rent or purchase a portable GPS unit (one with Europe software pre-installed) before leaving home; it will save time and your sanity.

3) If relying on maps to find your way, make sure you have a calm and confident navigator, and be prepared to take some “detours”.

4) Stay in the slow (right) lane on any autostrada or superstrada, and try your best not to look in your rear-view mirror.

5) Don’t be afraid to ask for help from anyone within yelling distance of your car; Italians love giving directions!

6) Refilling your gas tank is usually an adventure. The method of pumping and paying varies from station to station. Generally (and we use that term loosely), if the station is self-service, you’ll pay first by inserting bank notes or a credit card. You’ll pick your pump (pompa) number next, then choose the amount of gas you want: normally offered in choices of 10 or 20 euros, or “pieno” – a full tank. Each gas station and the design of their pumps are different, so prepare to be confused. We’ve found it easier and less stressful  to pay a little more and get full service (where available), where your tank will be filled by a friendly attendant who will also take your payment.

Banking/Money:

The best way to get euros (and at the best exchange rate) is from ATM (Bancomat) machines. Don’t convert money before leaving home, or use foreign exchange storefronts or booths (though these are increasingly rare).  Caveat: the ATMs usually limit your daily withdrawal amount to 250 euros, so plan ahead.

Grocery shopping:

1) To get a grocery cart, look for the several stands of carts outside the store; you must insert a 1 euro coin to release your cart. Upon returning it, lock it  back into the chain of carts in order to retrieve your euro coin.

2) You must either take your own grocery bags or buy them at checkout for a few cents each; ask for “due buste” or “tres buste“, etc. You will pack your own groceries, by the way.

3)  Touching produce with your bare hands in any Italian market is “non va bene”…if in a supermarket, always use the disposable plastic gloves provided, weigh your own produce and and print and attach price labels before checking out. If at a smaller vendor or outdoor market, let the proprietor handle the produce for you.

4) Many supermarkets and food markets still don’t take credit cards; always have cash on hand.

Shopping/sightseeing in general:

Unless you’re in a major city, 99% of all Italian businesses, shops, museums and churches close down from around 1:00 until 4:00 -5:00 p.m. Don’t fight it….have a nice long lunch and a siesta, and head back out in the late afternoon.

Ordering & Tipping in Bars & Restaurants:

1) In a bar you order first and pay only after you’ve been served and have finished eating or drinking. The exception is in busy food-service places such as airports and train stations where you must pre-pay: decide what you want first, inform and pay the cashier, and take your receipt to the counter where you’ll be served.

2) Service is always included in the price you pay for your snack or meal, but it is still appreciated (if not expected) to leave a few coins for una birra e un panino (around 5%) in a bar, or if in more sophisticated surroundings, leave a 10% tip (but never more).

3) In a restaurant, trattoria or osteria, you will never be given your check – il conto – until you ask for it.

Internet:

If you’re taking your own laptop you may use wi-fi hotspots (sometimes free) or hotel access. Internet storefronts can be found in most towns and all larger cities; you’ll use provided desktop computers and be charged by the minute. Beware: Italian keyboards vary from American ones; you will most likely be frustrated by an inability to find the @ symbol, among others!

Mindset:

When faced with frustration or confusion, take a deep, cleansing breath and go with the flow. Remember that you’re  in one of the most delightful and beautiful countries in the world, and that you’ve blessedly escaped the manic pace of your everyday life. Italy moves at a leisurely pace, so embrace it.

EyeItalia wishes you buon viaggio & buona fortuna!