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Why Choose Genelabs This December?
As an expat living in Athens, finding reliable medical services that meet your specific needs can be a challenge. At Genelabs, we are here to
December 2, 2024
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Article Written By Brian Tomaine
11 Essential Tips For Travel To Italy
The pace of Italian life is slower, and that’s the best way to enjoy it. Not a problem when you’re on vacation! Italian culture is all about family, music, food, art and architecture – all things that you will experience in one way or another while you’re there. Here are a few things to know before you go:
- Learn the 24-hour time format – At least be somewhat familiar with it. In Italy, they use the 12-hour form, but many businesses list their opening and closing times using the 24-hour format – as does public transportation, so if you need to catch a train that leaves at 7:00 P.M., that’s 19:00.
- Don’t order a cappuccino after 11 A.M.! Well, you can, this is less frowned upon nowadays than it was a few years ago, but native Italians consider this cup of frothy coffee goodness more of a breakfast beverage.
- Dinner time! – Italians, like many Europeans, eat dinner much later in the evening than Americans; if you show up at a restaurant at 7 A.M., they’ll be happy to serve you, but know that you’re a bit early! Dinnertime is usually between 8 P.M. and 9 P.M.
- Customer Service – In Italy, it may be slightly different from what you’re used to in the States. Store clerks, ticket vendors, restaurant employees, etc., may seem curt or disinterested – know that this is the way they are and try not to take it personally.
- Bars – Italy has almost as many bars as they do, people! Well, maybe not, but there are a lot of them, and they’re not quite the same as they are in America. In Italy, a bar is where you stop to grab a quick espresso, cappuccino, and a pastry. It’s a place to hang out for a bit, have a quick chat with your neighbor or the waiter/owner and be on your way. Yes, they sell alcohol, but it’s not the bar’s core business.
- Tipping – Tipping is not required or even expected in Italy. This may seem odd at first to an American because it’s entirely normal for us to tip our waitstaff. Still, the pay scale for Italian waiters and waitresses is altogether different than in the U.S. If you’re impressed with the service you receive (or can’t help yourself), it’s okay to leave a tip.
- Visiting Churches or Cathedrals – Italy has some of the most beautiful and architecturally impressive churches globally; they are something not to be missed, even if you’re not religious. Just remember that there is a dress code when you enter one, and they do enforce it. Your shoulders and knees must be covered for men and women alike, or you will not be permitted inside. Sometimes this is hard to remember, especially during the hot summer months. If you do forget to dress accordingly, you may find some enterprising young men at some of the more enormous cathedrals who will be more than happy to sell you a scarf to cover up but save yourself some money and try to remember the dress code.
- Check your voltage! Don’t forget that Europe uses 220 volts; most of the appliances and electronics in the U.S. are dual voltage, but some still run only on 110 volts, so be sure to check before you plug something in.
- Speaking of plugging things in, be sure to bring plenty of outlet adapters. These are easy to find online and can be purchased in sets of 2 or 5.
- Pack wisely. Try to pack as much as you can into as little space as possible but remember to leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs. One trick that I’ve learned is to stuff them with socks and underwear if I’m bringing along an extra pair of shoes. Many people bring old undergarments and throw them out after wearing them, so they don’t have to bring them home. Another thing you can do is roll your clothes instead of folding them; this makes it easier to utilize the space in your bag. Consider carefully what you want to bring, you don’t need as much clothing as you think!
- Travel size everything. You probably already know that you can’t carry more than 3.4oz (100ml) of liquid per bottle on an airplane, but you wouldn’t want to bring more. When you’re traveling, space is at a premium and weight matters. You don’t want to be lugging a 200lb suitcase around all over the place. The only thing you may run out of is toothpaste so bring a few travel-size tubes.
Italian City Guide
Italian cities are among the worlds largest and most crowded cities. It is also a beautiful country to visit and it is right up against France, Germany, Japan and a few others. With a population of around 60 million people in the capital Rome (Gaudi’s work) or tickets from Naples to Capri island, from Milan to Venice or with some of the best hotels in Italy (Padiglione Italia Bonomeo), it can be easy for people living outside Italy to get lost with all these factors.
Italian Food
One of the unsung facts of Italy is that they only serve very specific, traditional dishes. Only the villages have this penchant for small shops serving ‘bonsai’ (small snail-like vegetables), everyday farmer’s markets have delicate seasonal vegetables, and fancied gentrified restaurants serve cured gorgonzola and caviar. Those are just a few examples of where avant-garde food is uniquely Italian as we know it today.
The goal here is to introduce key Italian words to look up when traveling to Italy you might use: ‘balsamic’ for traditional Italian vinegar ‘Orzole’ for liquor made from white wine mixed with extra-virgin olive oil (elluizia) Example carefully sourced research materials to “Italie – Role des entrep
Rummo Pasta
If there’s one thing that truly defines the essence of Italian cuisine, it’s pasta. Italy is the birthplace of this beloved culinary staple, and when you find yourself living in this beautiful country, you quickly realize that pasta is more than just food; it’s a way of life. Amidst the vast array of pasta brands available in Italy, Rummo stands out as a true gem for both locals and expats alike. Rummo pasta is a testament to the rich tradition and passion for quality that Italians pour into their food.
Small Towns of Italy
Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world due to its historical sites and rich culture. There are hundreds of cities in Italy, but seeing one ‘exception’, just a couple of them are known for their energy and charm: Umbria and Tuscany in central Italy and Provence in the southeast are two famous tourist areas which attract generations from all over the globe.
Big Cities
The Italian capital city has many attractions like museums, monuments, and ancient streets that can be explored by tourists on foot. But there are also big cities like Milan and Rome that are worth visiting for their history and architecture. .Here are the 10 most beautiful cities in Italy to visit in 2022.
- Rome.
- Milan.
- Naples.
- Turin.
- Palermo.
- Genoa.
- Bologna.
- Florence.
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