Visiting Italy is one of the best experiences of your life. If you have never been, there is never a bad time, and you won’t regret it.
However, like other countries, she differs from what you may think. So, from the food to the Italian way of life, here are some things to be aware of.
The Coast is Stunning
First, you must know that Italy is almost like an island because it juts out into the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Seas.
These are rich and diverse in culture, wildlife and food. The Amalfi Coast along the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula is among the most stunning in the world. Luckily, there are luxury villa rentals in Amalfi Coast you can visit anytime. And if you like lemons, the Amalfi is arguably the best in the world. Yay!
The Food is Different than You Know
Like almost every cuisine in the world, we have versions of them in the UK and the USA. This is because our palettes and tastes vastly differ from those in other continents.
For example, in Italy, good spaghetti Bolognese, a British family classic, is made with tagliatelle and white wine. And because of the thousands of miles of coastline, Italy has much more seafood than you might expect, with some of the best dishes you will ever taste.
You Are Surrounded by History when Visiting Italy
Italy is known for its stunning architecture, museums and artwork. The Renaissance was essentially born there, and no modern country has contributed more to science thanks to famous figures like Leonardo Da Vinci.
Yet the roots of Italy go as far back as 850,000 years, through to the Holy Roman Empire and the country we know today. Yet the history remains, and you must visit places like Venice, Rome and, of course, Florence.
It’s a More Relaxed Country
Italy is part of Europe, and as you may know, they do things a little differently on the continent. The way of life in most European countries is a little more laid back and can shock visiting Brits.
For example, Italians, like the Spanish, enjoy an afternoon siesta. And most OItalian towns and cities take Wednesday off school, college and work. You may wonder how they get anything done. But studies in the UK show a four-day workweek makes you more productive.
You Can Easily Offend an Italian
All over the world, you can easily offend someone when you visit their country. Something that is considered harmless in your country could be a bad thing in another.
Some countries are extreme, such as the UAE, where a bikini can land you in jail. Fortunately, Italy doesn’t take things too extreme, but you can find yourself in hot water. For instance, Italians never drink cappuccino after 11 a.m. They never eat cheese with seafood or wear casual clothes in church.
Summary
You must see some of the coastline when visiting Italy. And you would miss out if you didn’t like some of the history. But also stay aware that you can easily offend an Italian’s culture.
