Those who have not dreamed of seeing Rome, Venice, the Adriatic coast may lose hope of seeing even a small part of the world. Italy is rich in history from ancient times to the present, a beautiful country with the most valuable historical monuments and traditions. And some traditions and rules must be taken into account when traveling in Italy.
One of the traditions in Italy is the time from 12:00 to 15:30, called the siesta.
Shops are closed during this time. You should not postpone the lunch break until later, after 15-30 restaurants and bars are closed for cleaning until 19-00. In a cafe, you should not rush to sit down at a table if you do not feel like lingering. A glass of juice and even a snack at the bar is 2-3 times cheaper. Customer service is done with due respect and attention. You should not be familiar with the staff of this institution, as well as at the dinner table to conduct business conversations with a colleague. It must be taken into account that the cost of lunch may include not only service, but also table setting. Sticking to the rule that the customer is always right will not bring pleasure to the buyer and future respect from local Italians. You can also bother with disrespectful glances in a pizzeria when “tips” are left. It is customary to leave a “tip” in restaurants if there is no service item on the bill and you were not at the bar. In monetary terms, they are about 10% of the amount of the completed order or depending on the generosity of the client. If you want to celebrate the work of the cook, you should pick up the remaining sauce on the plate with a slice of bread.
The factor that should also be given importance is that, having a desire to satisfy one’s natural needs, the ability to find specially designated places or a secluded corner on the street can be difficult. Such places are in the field of activity of bars and cafes. To avoid unnecessary costs, it is enough to buy a glass of water or “chewing gum” there, which will allow you to ask for the key to the desired room without undue embarrassment.
In the northern part of Italy, public drinking fountains have been installed to quench their thirst. In more southern areas, it is advisable to use bottled water. Fountains are most often used for washing.
Smoking is strictly prohibited in public places. Only in the recent past they received permission to smoke “electronic” cigarettes.
On Mondays, you should refuse to visit museum attractions, as they are closed. You can pre-familiarize yourself with the schedule of their work, so as not to be in an uncomfortable position.
In Venice, in order to avoid an unwanted encounter with the police, pigeons should not be fed in the city squares.
Communication in Italy can create some difficulties, as English is not in vogue. It is better to learn a few words and common phrases in advance or buy a phrase book on the streets of Italy. The streets of Italy are also good because it is cheaper there and you can bargain.
On public beaches, sun loungers are purchased, under which a certain place is reserved. Only a small area, in the region of 5 meters from the water, is considered free. You should not linger on the beach after midnight, as a meeting with the police is inevitable, which, with undisguised joy, issues pretty good fines.
In Italy, as in some European countries, there is an opportunity to slightly reduce the cost of shopping. This savings can be up to 15%. When purchasing goods using the Tax Free system.