Ten things everybody needs to know before visiting Italy

With Google searches for “Italian holiday” seeing a 1414.3% uplift, Wizz Air has put together a handy guide on what everyone needs to know before visiting Italy and how to make the most of time abroad. 

No milk in coffee after breakfast

Coffee in Italy has its own culture, with many Italians following strict rituals to get their caffeine fix throughout the day. Traditionally, to get the day started, Italians like to pair their breakfast with a hot milky coffee, for example, a cappuccino or a caffe latte, however, beware that these are purely breakfast drinks. Ordering a milky coffee after mid-morning at the latest is the easiest way to raise eyebrows and be branded as a “clueless tourist.”

Talking of coffee…

Every region in Italy has its twist on the standard caffe, which is what other countries would call an espresso. In Sicily, their coffee has an Arabian-inspired twist, flavoured with cinnamon and cloves, whereas in Naples, coffee is served piping-hot, with a mandatory glass of water to cleanse the palate before sipping within two minutes.

Coperto is not a scam

Tipping isn’t expected in restaurants, as servers are usually paid a fair salary and are often part of the family that owns the restaurant. That said, a bill will usually come with a few unusual charges. The “coperto” is often the most confusing to diners – this is essentially a per-person charge for sitting at the table. The price must be listed on the menu or in the restaurant, and it can add up for larger groups. A “servizio” charge is usually found in the most touristy areas of Italy, and it also must legally be listed somewhere obvious, like on the menu. The “servizio” doesn’t necessarily go to the staff, and it can be anywhere from 10 to 20% of the bill.

It may be hot, but there is a dress code

Known for its Mediterranean climate, especially if one goes during peak times, Italy guarantees basking in glorious sunshine and heat, however, there is an unspoken dress code visitors must adhere to, whatever the weather. Generally speaking, shoulders and knees should be covered, along with the possibility of needing closed-toed shoes – and this is especially true when visiting religious relics and places of worship. Most churches and cathedrals will simply not let people enter without the correct attire.

Ham and pineapple pizza or a spaghetti bolognese? Not in Italy

Tourists in Italy may be surprised by what is considered traditional Italian cuisine and what has been adapted for taste buds elsewhere. Italians are exceptionally traditional when it comes to food and drink, and some of the most popular so-called Italian food found all over the globe would never be seen served in a genuinely authentic Italian eatery.

Although a Hawaiian pizza is already considered a controversial choice in the UK, in Italy it is simply unheard of, with this variety being too far away from the typical Margherita pizza. The spaghetti bolognese, though it’s a well-known favourite, is not actually an authentic Italian meal. While bolognese is a traditional Italian sauce, which originates from Bologna, it is not referred to as “bolognese” but instead a ragu alla Bolognese, which translates as “meat sauce from Bologna”.

Factor in riposa

Some may already be familiar with the Spanish siesta, where towns and cities seem to shut down for an hour or so every afternoon, but do they know Italians have their own version: pennichella? Similar to the Spanish origins, pennichella is a much-needed respite away from the peak heat hours.

So, those who hope to visit some Italian stores or rest their legs after a long morning of exploring a city must remember that many places will close until the late afternoon, so it’s best to make sure to factor this in. If you want to discover more of the Italian lifestyle, you may consider moving there for a while and live ”la dolce vita”.

WiFi? 30% of Italians have never been online

This may seem like an unbelievably high percentage but it’s true – 30% of Italians have never used the Internet. However, this number is decreasing as more in Italy embrace the web. The reluctance could be down to the older population or more remote towns, where there’s simply no access to Wi-Fi, but those visiting a larger town or city then will most likely have access to Wi-Fi and good mobile Internet when out and about, it’s just worth being wary of being charged extortionate rates. When visiting a more remote area the Internet is likely to be hit-and-miss.

Don’t expect to work in a coffee shop

With Wi-Fi being somewhat hit and miss in Italy, it’s not easy to work remotely in Italy. Although bigger cities, such as Rome and Milan, are now welcoming more remote workers and improving their Wi-Fi in numerous coffee shops and co-working spaces, it will still take a bit of shopping around before finding a place that can be relied on.

Italy is only ranked 57 out of 68 countries around the world for their Internet connectivity, with many rating Italy as the “worst in Europe” for its web speeds. As this isn’t particularly promising, it’s a good idea to do some research before heading out to guarantee there will be a good place to work.

Validation for public transport

Unless it’s in a bigger city, such as Rome, public transport will take a bit of pre-planning. Tickets for city and town buses are normally cheap but cannot be purchased on the bus itself, instead, one needs to buy tickets in newsagents and have them validated once on the bus. As this system is based on trust (there’s no need to show tickets to the driver and one simply needs to tap it to validate) it’s best not to try and get away without buying a ticket. Spot checks for fare-dodgers occur regularly, with huge fines issued when they’re caught.

There’s always a need for change

Italy is still mostly a cash-based society, especially compared to other European economies in Europe, however, there’s no need to be alarmed. Many shops, restaurants and tourist attractions, especially in larger cities, will accept card payments, however smaller towns and independent shops will be less likely to accept cards. For public transport, again, most cities will accept payment for travel in cards, but it is a must to bring at least a bit of change to cover things.

Vino is cheaper than acqua

Italy is famed for its wine production, so it may not be surprising that a bottle or carafe of wine can often be cheaper than a bottle of water for the table, however, this is not a guarantee. The average cost of a glass of wine is around €3-6 but can be as low as €2, depending on where the eatery is – and even then, the wine is likely to be perfectly delicious.

To avoid paying more for water, it can work to simply bring a bottle and refill it with tap water. Italian tap water is, generally, absolutely safe to consume, with many cities even offering free refill points. In rare cases where tap water isn’t deemed safe to consume, bottled water is simply the only way to get around it. Buying bottled water from a supermarket will undoubtedly be cheaper than buying in a restaurant, so it is advisable to stock up and avoid getting a bottle of water for the table.

Ciao

After even just a few hours of immersing in Italian culture, visitors may notice Italians greeting each other with “ciao”. This, however, is reserved for greeting people one knows, for example, colleagues or friends, so it’s best to try to avoid it with strangers as it come across as over-familiar. Instead, it’s normal practice opt for “buon giorno” – meaning good morning – or “buona sera”, meaning good afternoon or evening. As a rule of thumb, Italians do appreciate it when tourists at least try and speak Italian with them, so it’s worth making sure to learn the basics to see the trip through.

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