Italy is a magical country – it’s true. The culture, food, and overall vibe is unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else in the world. My husband and I spent two amazing weeks traveling through Italy this past August, after years of planning (and multiple setbacks – I’m looking at you, Covid.) And although we were prepared, or so we thought, to be in an entirely new country, there were definitely some “culture shocks” that still threw us for a loop. If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible! To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of 5 things to expect during your first trip to Italy:
- No Tipping
Being from the U.S, the custom of tipping is an everyday part of our lives. Whether it’s a waiter, bartender, or someone preforming any type of service, tipping is the norm. I knew ahead of time that this was not the case in Italy, but actually being there and experiencing it firsthand was a huge culture shock. Sitting down at a restaurant, being served a meal, and not tipping your server? What a wild concept. However, the truth is that Italians almost never leave a tip, and when they do it’s usually just a few euros rounded up as a way of saying “thank you.” Tipping is also NOT expected – so you shouldn’t feel guilty for not leaving that 20% after each meal. I won’t lie, this took us a few days to really wrap our heads around. However, that’s not to say that a small tip is not greatly appreciated after exceptional service. On a few occasions when my husband and I felt like someone had gone above and beyond, we offered a tip as a sign of our gratitude – which every person graciously accepted. Ultimately though when it comes to tipping in Italy, use your best judgement and do whatever you feel most comfortable with.
2. Early Dinners? No such thing
Meals in Italy are an event. An experience. And Italians are extremely passionate about long, leisurely meals that take hours to enjoy. Hours that stretch into the late night, in fact. If you’re looking to have an early dinner in Italy, it simply does not exist. Most restaurants in Italy do not open for dinner until 7pm, if you’re lucky. Most of the ones we visited opened around 8pm, with dinner service stretching into the late hours of the night. Remember – long, leisurely meals. It’s not unusual for dinner to take 2+ hours or more, meaning it could be midnight before your meal is finished. If you’re used to dinner at 5pm, this is definitely something that you’ll need to adjust to and plan ahead for.
3. Wine is acceptable 24/7
A bottle of wine with lunch at noon? Absolutely. Italians love their wine. There’s no other way to put it. And it is never too early to enjoy a glass or two… or three… or four. Walking through the cobbled streets of Castellina one late morning, my husband and I decided to pop into a small restaurant for an early lunch. As we sat down, a group of 3 men in business suits who appeared to be on their lunch break, sat down at the table next to us and promptly ordered 3 bottles of wine. They consumed every last drop over the course of the next hour, before heading off on their way. A completely normal and acceptable practice in Italy, we learned as the days went by. Whether it’s with lunch, during aperitivo (think: happy hour), or dinner, wine is an everyday custom, no matter the time of day.
4. Public Restrooms
Absolutely nobody could have prepared me for the concept of public bathrooms in Italy. I had done my research, yet my naive self still refused to believe anything I had read was true. Let’s start off with free public restrooms – they don’t exist. Alright, that is a slight exaggeration. However they are rare and EXTREMELY hard to come by – during our 2 weeks in Italy I never came across a single one. Public restrooms in general are not very common, but most of the ones you do find you must pay to use. The cost is usually around 1 euro, meaning it’s a smart idea to have coins on you at all times for this purpose. But don’t let the purpose of paying fool you – most bathrooms are not very clean, almost always lacking soap or toilet paper. Plan accordingly.
However, the craziest thing I experienced with public restrooms in Italy was the lack of toilet seats. You read that right. Toilet seats are an apparent luxury, one that does not exist in most restaurants, museums, or any public place for that matter. Imagine my surprise when I popped into the bathroom inside of the Accademia Gallery in Florence, only to find the toilet bowl and nothing more. This trend continued throughout our entire trip, no matter the city we were in. Using a public restroom in Italy is a skill to be mastered. Best of luck.
5. Air Conditioning = a lie
We visited Italy during August, one of the hottest months of the year. I had been told the heat would be brutal, but I’ll be honest, I didn’t think much of it. This was a mistake. While it’s true that I’ve experienced my fair share of miserably hot, 90+ degree days living in Ohio, the weather in Italy is not the problem. It’s the air conditioning, or lack thereof. Air conditioning in Italy is pretty uncommon. Aside from some hotels (not all) and a few shops in more touristy locations (city center of Rome) most restaurants, shops, and public buildings are not air conditioned. And if they are, expect the air to be set around 80-85F. Combine this with 95 degree days and humidity through the roof, and you’re in for a real treat. Spending the afternoon out sightseeing and exploring in the hot sun is one thing – having absolutely nowhere to pop inside of for some relief of the heat is another. Because of this, make sure you’re prepared with plenty of water, sun protection, and try to spend the hottest parts of the afternoon in your hotel room for a little respite. However, when booking a hotel make sure to double check that they offer air conditioning and read reviews from people who have stayed there. During our time in Tuscany we stayed in an Agriturismo, an Italian farmhouse, that offered air conditioning. What we were not aware of, though, was that every room was centrally controlled by the owners of the farmhouse, and each room was set at 80 degrees F. Live and learn.
Italy is a gorgeous country with amazing food, wonderful culture, and breathtaking history. It’s easy to fall in love with and extremely hard to leave once you’ve experienced its charm. With my 5 things to expect during your first trip to Italy, you’ll be prepared for the trip of a lifetime!
