10 things to know before traveling to Italy

Italians love to eat well and talk about food at length, so don't be surprised if they ask you what you had for breakfast or dinner. First and foremost, of course, they are interested in their national cuisine. Incidentally, Italy cannot boast the same variety of restaurants serving cuisines from different countries as its neighboring European countries — the vast majority of establishments here serve pizza, lasagna, and all kinds of pasta.

Another interesting fact is that the vast majority of restaurants operate on a schedule: breakfast (8:00-10:00), lunch (12:30-14:00), and dinner (18:30/19:00-22:00). The establishments are closed at other times.

In all shops and many institutions in Italy, Saturday is a shortened working day and Sunday is a day off. Some of them are also closed on Mondays, under the pretext that salespeople need to "rest after Sunday." In large tourist cities such as Milan, however, you can now find several stores that are open on Mondays, but this causes extreme confusion among Italians themselves.

Also, keep in mind that on other days, most shops in Italy, especially in small towns, close for siesta from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. In general, it is not necessary to say that Italian salespeople and consultants work overtime.

For those who are used to using the metro, the Roman metro may seem somewhat disappointing. It is small (only two lines), the trains are covered in graffiti, and some routes only run until 9 p.m. Buses in Italy are just like the Italians themselves — unhurried and unpredictable! You can wait half a day at the bus stop, only to find out that they are not running due to another strike. However, you can always count on night buses, which run in many large cities.

The Italian mafia has become a kind of brand for visitors, but stories about its influence in the modern world should not be taken at face value. In terms of safety, Italy has a fairly good reputation.

But this does not mean that you should not take any measures to protect your valuables — street thefts are not uncommon here. One of the most common tricks is when thieves on scooters snatch a tourist's shoulder bag, so we recommend carrying a backpack or a bag that can be worn across the shoulder.

In Italy, you can truly learn what pushy salespeople are like. As soon as you enter a store, you are immediately "glued" to a sales assistant whose main goal in life is to not let you leave without making a purchase. Therefore, if you just want to look around, we advise you to immediately inform the staff. By the way, in the vast majority of cases, purchases cannot be returned, so choose carefully.

We also recommend learning the names of numbers in Italian. In many stores, especially in rural areas, salespeople do not know English, which means that it will be much more difficult to bargain with them to get the price you want.

Italy is one of the countries where tipping is very much welcomed. In restaurants, the traditional 5-10% may already be included in the bill for service. It is customary to leave less for maids and porters — €5-10. When you visit a public restroom, you should understand that the person working at the entrance is also likely to expect a small tip from you.

You can book a hotel in Italy with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

It would be criminal to be in Italy during its famous fairs and not attend one of them. To make sure you don't miss out, keep an eye out for posters with the words Feste or Sagre. Most of them take place during the summer. Each one is dedicated to a specific type of food — and, of course, you can taste everything as you go.

You've come to the perfect place to kick your bad habit — at least, everything you need to do so is right here. For example, buying cigarettes in Italy is expensive and difficult. A pack costs €5.5-6.5 on average, and due to the monopoly, they can only be purchased in specialized tobacco shops. The country also has a ban on smoking in public places, including train stations and bus stops.

The country is recognized as a trendsetter, so its residents dress stylishly and in line with the latest trends. However, don't think that they flaunt or show off fashionable brands — the locals tend to be more reserved and elegant.

Remember that the last place to show off your extravagance is a Catholic church. There are strict rules regarding the appearance of parishioners: familiarize yourself with them before you go there.

The Italian police are extremely strict with speeders. Speeding fines contribute significantly to the country's budget every year. But don't expect to be followed by patrol cars or men with striped sticks hiding in the bushes — this is done perfectly well by inconspicuous gray boxes that take photos of offenders, which are then sent (along with a fine) to the car owner. Communication with the local police is difficult because officers usually do not speak English, and you will have to explain yourself using gestures.

We wish you pleasant travels and unforgettable experiences!