- Toilets in stations as usually very clean and cost a €1. Change machines are usually available at the entrance or you often pay an attendant. The flush controls are either at the side of the wall or on the ground.
- Coffee in shops in train stations and on concourses is usually of a high quality. You normally pay at the till and take the receipt to the barista. While most take bank cards, I suggest you have cash for small purchases, like this. Coffee costs between €1-€3 and bank charges can be expensive for small businesses. Personally I like to support these small businesses and hope they can stay in business and not be swallowed up by the global chains. You will pay a little more if you sit at a table, instead of standing by the bar, in some establishments. If you order coffee, you will get an expresso, if you order latte you will be served milk ! If you are looking for a coffee similar to a drip in the US or regular coffee, I suggest you order cafe americano. You can ask for hot or cold milk to be served with it. Getting a coffee in a disposable cup isn’t as common as other places, although you can usually get in at train stations. And some Italians do drink Cappucino after 10am !!
- “Coperto” is charged on a lot of restaurant bills. It’s a small amount €2-€3 for overheads, bread, condiments etc. This is not a tip and is not received by waiting staff. While the tipping culture isn’t like the US, leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated. I strongly suggest tipping for large groups and for evening meals.
- Hotels charge a local tax on all stays. This is always paid directly at the hotel and will not be deducted by booking websites. It’s paid to authorities for local amenities and ranges form €1-€5 per night depending on the city. You must provide a government issued ID for each guest staying in a hotel overnight. Hotels have to submit data on their guests to tourist boards and to local authorities. This is also a safety measure in case of issues. The data collected is your name, DOB and nationality. You will be asked to sign a document to authorise providing this data and hotels have to protect the data under European GDPR. This is non-negotiable so not something to discuss or challenge hotel staff on. You will often be asked to provide your passport / ID for a short time or reception personnel will immediately copy it.
- Trains are a great way to get around most areas in Italy. They are relatively cheap, arrive on time and are clean. There are multilingual ticket machines in stations. If you have a paper ticket, do validate it (small green and yellow machine by the platform). The “Trainline” application is excellent. Do review getting a first class ticket, especially for longer journeys, as you have an assigned seat, room for luggage and they usually have a beverage cart service.
- “Aperitivo” is one of my favourite Italian traditions. This is similar to a “happy hour” (although prices are not discounted) and is available in the late afternoon, early evening. It was originally a tradition in Northern Italy but it has now spread to other places. If you visit a restaurant or cafe offering this, they will provide some snacks with your chosen cocktail. The quality and variety will range from a bowl of chips (potato chips, crisps) to a selection of cold meats, olives, cheeses, pizza slices etc. Usually it is served at your table but some larger establishments may have buffet style available. While it is not meant to replace a meal, it can be a great alternative if you are travelling on a tight budget or do not feel like a large evening meal. This is a lovely time of the day to people watch and to try some of the great Italian cocktails.
- Croissant is called a brioche in Italy and most cafes have a variety from plain, with cream, chocolate, honey etc. While the neighbouring French invented this pastry, the Italian brioche is a strong rival.
- As in most countries Italians will appreciate you trying to speak the native language. I do suggest you are cautious when “greeting people” initially. While you will hear “Ciao” used frequently, it is seen as very informal and usually used by people who know one another. “Buongiorno” means good day and “Buonasera” means good evening. I suggest this is how you greet people. However, “Arrivederci” (goodbye) is widely used !