EyeItalia

Built in 1956, this Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Touring is a marvelous expression of Italian Style of the 50’s.

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”.

Few things – or aromas – are as closely associated to Italy as coffee – caffé. Yet in Italy there isn’t just “il caffé”: there is a multitude of ways to enjoy your coffee; every Italian generally has a preference for one kind or the other. When in a bar ordering a caffé, what you will get is a “caffé espresso”. However you might ask for (and hear people around you asking for) a “caffé lungo”, which is an espresso diluted with a little more water, or for a “caffé ristretto”, which is exactly the opposite (an espresso with even less water than in the regular one – basically a dose of pure caffeine).

In the 1920’s, this little car made a considerable statement in Italy, from a car being a necessity to a source of fun – the spyder. Fiat delivered the 508 model frame and engine in a variety of body styles: utility pickup truck, van, 4-seat sedan, the 1000 Miglia race car and this spyder model (4 cylinders just under 1000cc).

Bella figura can mean many things, but at its core is presentation…how one looks, how one comports oneself, how one makes the best possible impression in all things. That such a concept is hardwired into the Italian psyche is no surprise: what else could be expected from a country that’s been creating beauty for centuries?