Useful Travel Information

Useful travel information applicable wherever you go in Italy:

   •  Public transportation: All major Italian cities have a public bus, tram  or subway system that will get you just about everywhere. Sometimes this requires using two or more rides.  Typically you need to wait 15 to 20 minutes before the bus arrives to pick you up. Sometimes 40 minutes or more so always check the schedules posted at the stop or pickup area. Make sure to see if the schedule changes on Saturday or Sunday or other public holidays. You can purchase tickets at the Tabaccaio or Edicola; better to do so the day before if weekends are coming up.

   • Driving downtown: Some cities have traffic islands where only taxis or public buses can go through and you will not be permitted to enter those areas. Most streets in historic districts are one way and traffic can be very slow even late at night.

   •  Closing of Stores: Many stores observe what is called orario continuato and they do not close for lunch. Others will close for short times at lunch time or part of the afternoon. The Comune will require all stores in the town or city to observe il giorno di riposo or riposo settimanale. This means that the store is required to be closed by law for at least one day per week and is required to be open on all other days.

   • Restaurants: Some restaurants will offer tourist menus where you pay a fixed price for a short list of different courses. This will save you money. Make sure to look your waiter in the eye when you ask for the tourist menu lest he try to slip you a regular one where the cost will be higher.

   • Saldi: During certain times of the year stores are allowed to post a sign that says Saldi. This means that the season is now over and the remaining merchandize can be purchased at a discount.  Discounts are usually marked on the clothing with very small tags.

   • Orario: Every shop and restaurant keeps a schedule called orario. Make sure to respect schedules. They are imposed by law and the stores can be fined heavily by the city police if they are caught disregarding them.

   • Liquidazione: When you see this word it means that everything is on sale often at a more drastic reduction in price and this can only be advertised if the store is going out of business or some other dramatic change is taking place.

   • Barber shops: Close on Mondays almost everywhere. Tips were required in the past. Currently tips should be left if the service was very good.

   • Bars: A small tip can be left in the plate or jar that is set on the counter, but you do not have to. You must pay before ordering anything in the larger bars in Italy and other parts of Europe. Smaller Italian bars that do not have a line in front of the cashier called (la cassa) do not expect you to pay before ordering food or drinks.

   • Parking in Cities: An upright rectangular metal box dispenses timed tickets. You need to purchase one and place it on the top of your dashboard on the inside below the windshield. Make sure it is easy to see and cannot be taken out by anyone passing by.

   • Open street Markets and modern Supermarkets: Do not touch the food, but use the very thin transparent plastic gloves that sometimes are available or ask the peddler to pick the fruit or vegetables that you want to purchase.