What To Try in Italy – Roaming Historian

I recently returned from another visit to the bel paese—Italy. Although I’ve visited many times, the country never ceases to delight and enchant me. We have several friends in Italy now, too, which helps me better understand the country and in turn lets me help other travelers know what to try in Italy. I hope the following tips let you enjoy la dolce vita to the fullest.

Try to visit Italy in the spring or fall. Although one could say that Italy never really has an “off-season,” these times have nice weather and fewer travelers than the summer time. I would avoid August at all costs. Many Italians take their vacations in August, so you will find places closed, but there is a major national holiday on August 15 that will limit your ability to sight-see.

Try public transportation—Italy has a good train and bus system that will get you from one location to the next easily.

Try standing at the coffee bar. There are generally two prices at a coffee bar—the price for a seat and the one for standing. If you’re just getting a quick pastry and cappuccino for breakfast, try standing at the bar with the locales and avoid the surcharge.

Try these dining tips, like we do, for better dining experiences:

• Share courses and have several. Jon and I will order at least a pasta, a meat dish, and a vegetable for each meal and split each course. Pasta comes first and then the meat and side.
• Ask for the bill—don’t assume it will come to you. Just say, “il conto, per favore” or make the motion that you would like the check.
• Eat after 7. You will find that the better places don’t open until 7 or later. I’m generally suspicious of restaurants that are open all day or have big menus—they’re generally signs of a place that caters to tourists.
• Eat where the locals do. I listen to hear Italian being discussed by patrons. If a place caters to locals, then they are the place I want to eat at.
• Do understand additions to your bill like coperto and servizio. One or the other may be on your check. You may see coperto or pane e coperto. This is a cover charge that will be assigned to each person at your table. If it says pane e coperto, the cover charge will include bread. Occasionally, you may see servizio on the bill, which is a service charge. You shouldn’t see both charges at the same time. If there is servizio or coperto charged, it should be written down on the menu or somewhere noticeable.
• Have the house wine. The…