Things You Must Know Before Going on Italian Holiday

With millions of tourists visiting Italy every year from all over the world, it is needless to say that the magic and charisma of this country leaves every traveler mesmerized. Native Italian people are known all over the world for their charm and friendly nature and thus contribute towards making this country an easy destination to be traversed and explored by both business as well as leisure travelers.

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The guardians of some of the most magnificent historic treasures, Italian people are usually very calm and friendly towards tourists. Lesser- known destinations often require the travelers to be well- prepared for all types of situations that they might encounter in a foreign country and from a traveler’s perspective, Italy comes across as a friendly and safe tourist destination. However, there are few things which all tourists must take account of before embarking on their Italian holiday.

Empty restaurants does not imply that the place is bad

In Italy, its dinner time starting from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm and majority of the restaurants here will be dead- quiet before that. If you walk across an empty restaurant in Italy, it does not mean that the food is bad and maybe it is not yet dinner time for the native Italian folks. When in Italy, one must check the time before making reservations at any eating place. However, if you are an early eater, you should not at all face any difficulty in placing order for a meal at any of the restaurants here. Italians are known for their late eating habits and in some cities; dinner time usually kicks in only after 8:00 pm. The next time you enter a restaurant in Italy before 6:30 pm and find no one there, feel free to order a lip- smacking meal for yourself.

Learn a little Italian

Your Italian holiday will become more hassle- free and enjoyable with a few common Italian phrases in your pocket. Simply learning a few common phrases as well as words will also make a difference and it will also provide you with a better chance to know more about this country up close. “Parla l’Inglese?” is a common phrase every visitor can keep handy during their Italian holiday.

In Italy, the waiters will leave you alone with your food

Unlike in other countries, Italian waiters will not be standing near your table or visit your every single minute to take orders and to enquire about the food. Rather in Italy, once the food is served to you, the waiter will no longer be seen until and unless you call them. This is an Italian etiquette to leave your guests with their food so that the waiter is not being a hindrance in the conversation taking place at your table. While in some countries, it is expected for the waiter to stand somewhere in the vicinity of your table, you will not see this trend across any restaurant in Italy. Similarly, your check will be delivered to you at the end of your meal only when requested for. The waiter, at no point of time, will cause any kind of hindrance in your meal.

Carry extra cash with you during all times

Italians usually pay for their everyday purchases with cash itself. Starting from their morning newspaper to dinner at night, everything is usually paid in cash and if you are coming from a country where you have cultivated the habit of using debit cards, then it might be a little difficult for you here. While going out, always make sure to carry enough cash with you. It would not be wrong to call Italy a cash- centric country given to the fact that vendors and shopkeepers here may not even have a card machine with them. However, most of the hotel and train stations here do accept both plastic as well as cash.

The Idea of Italian food varies from one city to another

Usually when someone visits Italy, they expect to see an array of pasta dishes, pizzas and other Italian- specific cuisines. The fact that Italy comprises of independent city states with its own choices and preferences leads to some places here breaking the stereotype of the perfect Italian food. Each region and city here has its own definition of Italian cuisine which may vary largely from one another. Before heading towards any destination here, make sure to spend a little time with the locals so that you have an idea about the specific taste and culinary preferences of that region. This is also a great way to avoid spending money at those over- priced restaurants.

Taxi stands are the only place you can hail a cab from

As it is common in other countries to hail a taxi on the streets, this is not at all common in Italy. In fact, you will have to call for a taxi or go to the taxi stand itself to get a cab. Most of the taxi service in Italy is punctual and hassle- free. But as per most of the travelers experience they go for car on rentals. They hire car because of distance between the location they wants to visit and it makes easy for them to carry their luggage.

Shops here remain closed during the afternoons

Do not fret if you see the shops and some of the markets here closed during the afternoons. Majority of the shops remain closed from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm during the afternoons. This is the time Italian shopkeepers and vendors take out from their schedules to spend some time with their family having lunch as well as relaxing.