- Italy requires a passport!
- Cell phones: Tim and Vodafone sim cards are cheap and you can pick them up at the airport. If you’re staying more than a week, it may be a good idea to pick one up. You can also put your phone in “Airplane Mode” and only use when you have WiFi to save on data and cell phone fees.
- Call or go online to make your credit card companies aware you will be in Italy. Most CC’s don’t have International fees, however, DEBIT CARDS DO!!
- Get some Euros from your bank before you leave! Banks offer good rates and usually, when you take out $350 or more there is no fee. There are ATM’s as soon as you get to the airport, however, you will be charged fees!
- Closed-toe shoes are required during your cooking lesson.
- Bring comfortable shoes to walk in the countryside.
- Bring tissues if you carry a bag. Sometimes the bathrooms run out of toilet paper
- Put your medications in your carry on bag in case your luggage is lost
- European appliances run on 220 volts, in America, we run on 110. Purchase a couple of adapters to charge your phones and such.
- Mosquito repellent, the wipes are best, (found in the camping section), at times the villa will have some bugs at dusk.
- Hair dryers are provided in each bathroom; you will want to bring liquid soap and personal items.
- Bring a light rain jacket rather than an umbrella.
Tipping: Tipping is not required in restaurants. Cabs and personal services are ok. For instance, you may tip the chef at the villa if you find it appropriate.
Il coperto charge: This is a “cover charge” that will appear on the bottom of your receipt. Usually just a few Euros.
Splitting bills: Italians are not very flexible when splitting your bill. Make every attempt to pay your friends back through Venmo or cash and avoid an annoyed waiter.
Church Dress Code: Cover bare shoulders and knees when entering a church Churches such as St. Peters Basilica in Rome, the Duomo in Florence, and St. Mark’s in Venice have strictly enforced dress codes. Basically no bare shoulders, midriffs, or knees. And while there isn’t a doorkeeper at every single church in Italy, these are still places of worship and you should be respectful when entering them. It’s a good idea to always carry a scarf.
Riposo: Like siesta in Spain, Italians also take a break in the middle of the day. Riposo is Italy’s midday siesta. From 1-4 p.m. you can expect to find many shops and restaurants closed. Italians like to take time in the afternoon to go home, have lunch, and relax with family before heading back out to do business.
Coffee: Standing at the bar is cheaper than sitting down. So order your cappuccino (ONLY BEFORE NOON) al banco (at the counter) and enjoy it standing with the rest of the crowd!
Would you like pepperoni on your pizza? Pepperoni means sweet peppers in Italian. If you want American pepperoni, order a pizza with salami picanti (spicy salami).
