The Top 5 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Italy
If you’re going to visit Italy, there are a few things you should know before you get there so you can take full advantage of everything the country has to offer and experience all it has to offer in the best way possible. After years of exploring this wonderful country, we have learned the following five things that you need to know before visiting Italy. Here they are
Eat il dolce far niente
In English, eating il dolce far niente translates to eating sweet idleness, and it's a concept that Italian culture is all about. Dolce far niente has almost turned into an excuse for not working or thinking of anything at all. However, in doing so, Italians have mastered everything that one needs in order to enjoy life: delicious food and wine; good company; sports (any kind); good weather; fresh air; sea views and sunsets. In short, all that's needed to feel great. So, if you are going to visit Italy anytime soon, be sure to take advantage of every opportunity you get in order for you to enjoy life just like Italians do!Go on a hike, not on an excursion
Traveling to Europe can be quite expensive and if you want to see as much of it as possible on a limited budget, then you should go hiking. Hiking gives you a great chance to explore new and beautiful places at a relatively cheap price. A lot of people use their local travel agencies for booking day trips around Europe. While these excursions are also very scenic, most of them cost an arm and a leg - especially if you book during peak season! If you plan your trip wisely, you won't spend any more than 250-300€ per week if your accommodation is close to where your hike will take place. With that amount of money, one can stay in Europe comfortably while doing extreme sports activities like swimming in hot springs or hiking through national parks with breathtaking views.Enjoy the flowers and gardens
While it may be less of a trend and more of a stereotype, Italy is known for its lavish gardens and towering floral arrangements. Don’t be surprised if you feel like you walked into a scene from The Sound of Music when walking through Pisa’s Leaning Tower and seeing roses, ivy, grapevines, and other flowers up close. Why is flower-power such an important part of Italian culture? Blame it on ancient Romans who were big on painting their interior walls with colorful frescoes in vogue during that time period. Colorful flowers have been a symbolic reminder to do so ever since. If you find yourself visiting Rome or Sicily or any major city in Northern Italy during springtime, don’t forget to take pictures!Use your hands when eating pasta
There’s nothing wrong with eating pasta in a country where it was invented, but remember that you should use your hands to eat most Italian dishes. The exceptions are cibo da pasto, which is food for lunch or dinner and should be eaten with a fork, and ravioli (pasta with meat), gnocchi (potato pasta) and tortellini (filled pasta), which all should be eaten with a spoon. If you want to save face at your next date night in Little Italy, go ahead and use those utensils—but know there will be judgment. And don’t forget to slurp your spaghetti! Many restaurants provide special spoons made specifically for digging out every last strand of deliciousness from those glorious heaps of noodles.Indulge in gelato
Gelato is an integral part of Italian culture and it can be found just about everywhere. If you want to experience authentic, world-class gelato, you should make a trip to Florence. At its best, gelato is fresh and light on your palate while still being rich in flavor. In Florence, you’ll discover gelato made from locally sourced ingredients that complement both chocolate and fruit flavors perfectly. (Look for flavors like pistachio and ricotta.) There are several artisanal gelaterias around town where you can sample a variety of options or pick up some cannoli for dessert. Either way, don’t leave Florence without having at least one cup—or three—of heavenly creamy goodness.