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Random Proverbs
Chi non l'occhio vede, col cuor crede Seeing is believing
One of the odd peculiarities about dining in Italy is that usually, the waiter will not bring you the check at the end of the meal until you ask for it (unless of course, it is way past closing time). It would be considered rude. In Italy, meals are done very leisurely, and often can take a few hours if you do it with the primo piatto, secondo piatto, fruit, dessert, etc. Not like the United States or Canada where "turning tables" translates into more profits, the Italian way of dining is a lot more relaxed. The Italian people would not look too kindly on a place if they felt like they were being rushed.
The way to ask for the check is:
"Il conto per favore"
More tips about dining in Italy
In Italy the use of the formal form (the third person: Lei) should be used when addressing your waiter or waitress. It is a highly valued profession, and many of them are trained for that career and paid a high salary, so please be polite and you will get good service. To get their attention, just raise your index finger, and try to make eye contact. Do not yell or shout across the room.
Table manners are also important, as Italians will rarely share their food with one another.
Here is some more Italian vocabulary
waiter = cameriere
waitress = cameriera
In some of the more formal restaurants, they will not even bring you a menu until you ask for it. The thinking is that you will want to spend time with your party in private before ordering your meal.
Italy's most famous music festival, Festival di Sanremo, or the Sanremo Music Festival (62nd annual), will be held from February 14th to 18th 2012, in the lovely and picturesque town of San Remo, Italia (Italy) in Teatro Ariston.
It is almost like the Emmy Awards for Italian music. There is a "Big Artists" section and a "Newcomer's" section. The festival has been a tradition since 1951 and has helped launch the careers of famous performers like Eros Ramazzotti, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Zucchero, Elisa, Giorgia and Massimo Ranieri.
This year Sanremo Music Festival
This year's host will be the same as last year's: Gianni Morandi (as well as a few other prominent Italian celebrities Ivana Mrazova, Rocco Papaleo, etc).
Morandi is an extemely popular Italian pop singer and entertainer and actually has won an award at the 1987 festival with the song Si può dare di più together with Enrico Ruggeri and Umberto Tozzi.
Last year, the winner of the Big Artists section was "Chiamami ancora amore" by Roberto Vecchioni and Claudio Guidetti. See video below, with introduction by Gianni Morandi.
In the newcomer's section, the 2011 winner was "Follia d'amore" by Raphael Gualazzi.
To say that bread is an important part of the Italian daily-life and culture would be a huge understatement!
There was just an interesting statistic on RAI Television: 4 out of 5 Italians will buy bread and eat bread every day. In fact, when you go to most any restaurant, they will usually charge you a "pane e coperto", a service charge for the "bread and cover" for preparing the table, which of course includes some fresh bread to enjoy. Depending on the place, it usually runs a few Euros per person.
Oddly enough, the dark bread is still not as popular in Italy, despite its health benefits. Look at all the words that derive from bread
Pane - bread
Panificio - bakery
Pangrattato - bread crumbs
Panino - A toasted sanwich, usually with prosciutto and tomato
Pane di spagna - sponge cake
Pane tostato - Toasted Bread
Panettone - a sweet bread loaf, almost like fruit cake, popular during Christmas time
Pane bianco - white bread
Panettiere - baker
Panificatore - baker
Shortage of Bakers in Italy
In the more traditional southern regions of Italy, there are still many panifici (plural), and you can walk down many streets, and still enjoy the aromas of their craft as you walk by the bakery. However, in the more cosmopolitan northern regions, there is a shortage of qualified bread makers. In fact, the Italian government is now offering incentives for those interested in opening up a panifcio.
The sign you see below is a "Limited Traffic Zone" sign with the red circle meaning Do Not Enter.
In this case the sign is indicating that only taxis and other authorized vehicles are allowed to enter. Often times, there will be hours listed when the restriction is in effect.
You most always see these in the historical central part of town, or the "centro storico", where most Italian cities do not allow traffic because of the age of the roads, and the narrow-streets.
If your hotel is in one of these zones, you are often allowed to drive to your hotel (if you rent a car in Italy), but the hotel must clear it with the local police giving them your license plate number. It's a good idea to check with your hotel about parking, etc.
Hey everyone, I'm excited to have a guest blogger for this post giving a little different spin on a different accommodation option, one that is often overlooked, and can help save you money when you visit Italy. The end of the post is some contact information so you can get a promotion code. Larry Aiello -------------
Where to stay in Italy is a question asked by every traveler everywhere. The standard accommodation offerings include hotels, bed & breakfast, hostels, campsites, villa/apartment rentals and homestays.
One excellent option, which is not talked about enough, is dormitory and residence accommodations in Italy. While usually reserved for students only, universities and campuses across the world often open up this accommodation to travelers during the summer break. The latest and greatest in residential accommodation, open year-round to travelers and international students in Italy, is the beautiful and modern CampusX.
CampusX's new residential complexes are located in Rome, Chieti and Bari, Italy. Beyond the traditional dormitory, CampusX units are contemporary and bright, and comfortably accommodate one or 2 occupants. Each room is furnished with 1 or 2 beds, kitchenette, private bathroom, desk, closet and large window. On-site, the campus offers a cafeteria & snack bar, library for studying, leisure rooms, study halls, spaces for activities and sports, a semi-Olympic-size pool, fitness centre and sauna, outdoor common areas, Wi-Fi internet access throughout the campus, laundry services (token-style) and a video surveillance system to guarantee the safety and security of the guests. This affordable, progressive and clean accommodation is available for short and long-term stays and is suitable for backpackers, students, couples, families, tourists, anyone!
Promotion prices start at 35 Euro/night and are available through Latitude International Education Consulting. Contact info(@)latitudetravel.ca for a promotion code and "Goda del vostro soggiorno in Italia!".
Thanks and have a nice day!
Sincerely, Jeanette Kramer
Jeanette Kramer is an international education consultant and photographer (view her photography blog) working for Latitude International Education and is based out of Vancouver, British-Columbia in Canada. You can follow her on twitter @jeanettekramer.
The way to ask for the check is:
There was just an interesting statistic on RAI Television: 4 out of 5 Italians will buy bread and eat bread every day. In fact, when you go to most any restaurant, they will usually charge you a "pane e coperto", a service charge for the "bread and cover" for preparing the table, which of course includes some fresh bread to enjoy. Depending on the place, it usually runs a few Euros per person. 
One excellent option, which is not talked about enough, is dormitory and residence accommodations in Italy. While usually reserved for students only, universities and campuses across the world often open up this accommodation to travelers during the summer break. The latest and greatest in residential accommodation, open year-round to travelers and international students in Italy, is the beautiful and modern CampusX.