10 Surprising Things You Must Know Before Travelling to Italy

You probably know that I recently got off the trip of a lifetime to beautiful Italy and I’ve got the pictures to show it!

My recent trip to Italy was beautiful — and a pretty memorable one at that. But a new country means a new culture and there were quite a few significant differences that I noticed.

Here are a few things that will surprise you (because it certainly did, for me) if you find yourself travelling to Italy for the first time…

1. Cars Don’t Stop at Pedestrian Crossings

Noooooo. They might stop if they feel somewhat inclined, but as rule, they will totally ignore the fact you want to cross the road and will just keep going.  My tip?  Head up, look confident, find a break in the traffic and stride across (warily) but confidently.  If they know you are serious about crossing, they will stop!

2. Sometimes You Have to Pay to Go to the Toilet

Carry a few Euros around with you.  If you are staying at a hotel you will be fine, but in the city you will need to have money on you.

3. Latte Does Not Equal Coffee

Ordering a latte in Italy will result with you receiving a glass of milk!  Coffee in Italy is also not very strong compared with Australia — so if you want a decent cup — order a double!  Here is how to order your coffee in Italian:

• Caffe’, or coffee, will get you an espresso in a demitasse, or very strong coffee served in a tiny cup. The best espresso is one with crema or the strong caramel coloured foam on top
• Ristretto, or restricted coffee, is one with less water and thus more potent than the caffe’
• Lungo is a diluted form of espresso which is then served in a tall cup
• Caffe’ Hag is used to refer to decaffeinated coffee named after the largest producer of decaf coffee in Italy
• Latte will result to you being served a tall glass of milk
• Caffe con latte, or coffee with milk, has a shot of espresso, double the amount of milk and topped with foam
• Cappuccino will get you equal parts espresso, milk and some foam but this is usually breakfast coffee
• Caffe macchiato is a shot of espresso with a small amount of milk, served in a demitasse cup
• Caffe corretto is coffee served with a small amount of liquor such as Irish cream, cognac, amaretto or grappa

4. Italians Are Friendly People

They really are. Especially if you smile and are friendly to them.  They also really appreciate it when you actually try and speak their beautiful language.  So grab a phrase book or download an app – and learn the basics before you go:

Italian Phrase Books:

• Lonely Planet Italian Phrasebook
• Lonely Planet Italian Phrasebook and Dictionary
• BBC Italian Phrase Book and Dictionary

Italian Phrase Book Apps:

• Learn Italian by Codegent (iOS or Android)
• Lingolook Italian by Lingolook Publishing LLC (iOS)
• Learn Italian. Speak Italian. by ATi Studios (Android)

5.  Most Hotels Have a Bidet in the Room

Yes. A Bidet. I had actually never seen one until I went to Italy.  I thought it was to wash one’s feet or something. No. They are there to wash your bumhole. Have fun with that!

By the way, I tried lots of Italian food, too! See next page..

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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