Someone has asked "do we need to get a guidebook..." So if you're just flying in and out of Florence and only spending the week with us on The Adventures To Tuscany Tour, then the answer is no, you don't necessarily need a guidebook... Those decades of knowledge & experience is part of what you're paying for when you invest in an organized Tour, and and of course you're getting a lot more "guidance" than most tourists ever get, just by reading these Blog postings! But if you're coming in a couple days early and/or staying a couple of days after The Tour, in Rome, Florence, Lake Como or Venice etc, then you might want to consider having the resources offered by a guidebook.
We think guidebooks are a great idea, and we personally buy tons of them... but again, this is a personal decision, and totally up to each of you individually... From doing this a lot, and from observing others, we can tell you, that in our opinion, the people that get the most out of their investment in their vacation are those that are most "engaged..." Some folks feel they don't want the extra weight of a guidebook in their carry on... A lot of experienced travelers simply cut the pages they need from a "country guidebook" and just staple them together...
(travel-tip: if you're using a guidebook for restaurant or hotel suggestions, make sure you have the most recent edition... often-times, two year old restaurant and hotel recommendations, are just that - 2 years old!). Consider this: a friend gives you a recommendation on a restaurant, and then said "well it was good when we were there, but that was 2 years ago, and I heard the place has new owners..." One bad $100 dining experience, will make you wish you invested in a new guidebook!
Rick Steves Italy 2023 - 27th Edition is his latest edition
One of the very best things about planning trips so far out, is that it gives you the time to read a few good books about your destinations before you get there... If you're an avid reader, this is a great way to get a whole lot more out of your travel experience! For us, reading these books and learning as much as we can about the destinations is almost as much fun as the vacation itself! What was Carly Simon's song - "Anticipation"... In my opinion, travel guidebooks are a lot like exercise equipment... a whole of lot of people buy them, but relatively few people actually use them... while it pretty much goes without saying, you will have a better time if you know the "what, when, why, where's and how's" of the destinations you're touring...
Guidebooks offer something for everyone; if you're a history buff, they usually give you a fair amount of background on how the area and it's people developed over the centuries... if you're a foodie, they'll not only explain the culinary specialities of the area, they'll tell you the best restaurants to go and experience them... if you're an "oenophile" a good guidebook will describe the terroir and the very best places to visit for a wine tour and tasting... if you love the outdoors, many guidebooks will not only point you to the best trails, they'll tell you when to go, how long it will take, and where to find the best vistas... and of course they'll explain the best village to stay in to experience the unique charms of a region, as well as the perfect hotel to fit your style & budget... and lastly of course, they'll advise you on sight-seeing attractions and the best ways to experience them...
But really, the very best thing a good,well-written guidebook does, is to give you that unique and magical "essence & flavor" of a destination... it's scent... it's romance... and it's personality... And these are all things that enhance the travel experience! It was over 40 years ago in 1982, reading Rick Steve's very first guidebook, Europe Through The Back Door that started my love affair for Europe! I strapped on a backpack...put that beat up old guidebook in it with extra pair of jeans and bought the cheapest air tix I could find... and as every poor college kid like myself learned to do; you bought a Eurail Train Pass because the old railcars in Europe had compartments with seats that slid forward & folded flat so you could travel overnight & sleep on the trains... that way you didn't have to pay for a hostel or hotel.
Over the last 40 years, Rick Steve's Guidebooks have taken me all over Europe from hiking in the Alps to swimming in The Mediterranean... His "Italy 2023 ~ 27th edition" is his latest edition (pictured above)... If you want it, you can click here to get it from Amazon . You're down to just a few months now... I hope you're getting excited! I get excited just writing about it! It never, ever, gets old! Reach out if we can help you with anything!
when you first sign up, it always seems so far away, but it'll be here before you know it!
Well it's getting exciting now... We're now just about 7 months out from your departure, and sometimes folks start to worry about what they need to do to be ready for the Tour...
So there's not a lot to do, but the two things you need to do are important...
We suggest that by now, you should have bought your air tix... So people have asked; why do we need to buy them so early? Well a few years ago, you didn't have to... But ever since the pandemic and the return to travel, record numbers of people are traveling to Europe! So if you've been putting it off, now is the time to buy! Flights to Europe, especially Italy have gone up precipitously in the last 3 months... And based on the sky high demand, the prices are not likely to go down at any point before next November, and because of pilot, plane and staff shortages on top of high demand, your options on flights & departure times are likely to just keep getting more restrictive. If you haven't purchased your air tix yet and you feel you need help, send us an email or give us a call, we're happy to try to help. Again, we remind you, we're not travel agents, and we only have the same tools you do online, but we do this somewhat frequently for ourselves, and we be happy to try to help you.
Also, if you haven't done it yet, you need to arrange your rental car! Hard as it is to believe, rental cars are still tight from when the rental companies all sold off their fleets during the pandemic, and then they all tried to replenish at once... so selections are still slim & prices are higher then normal and will only go up as demand keeps increasing and supply stays limited... (travel to Europe and especially Italy is at all time highs).
That's really it for now, but these things are somewhat timely and these days, pricing is not likely to go down. If you need hotels for any pre or post Tour extension that you may be planning, we suggest you book these soon as well... choices are starting to get very slim... And recommended hotels sell out far in advance. Again, if you need help, please reach out...
Sometimes we've heard folks say; I never book things this far in advance, and I've never had a problem...And you probably still can book things as late as want, and still find flights, rental cars and hotels right up to the week you leave... The only differences are the choices you'll have, and the prices you're likely to have to pay...
There's a few other things that you'll probably want to do before your departure, like checking in with your bank and credit card companies, but they're not critical, and can be done in the month or two before your departure... we'll post on these and publish a full checklist in future posts... As always, if you have questions, or need help with anything at all, please reach out to us... We're happy to help, and our assistance is complimentary... Hope you're getting excited! It always seems so far away, but trust us on this; it'll be here before you know it!
Hi Gang! Hope All is well... We wanted to propose an entertainment idea that we think you might really enjoy, and it will help you have a better feel and a deeper understanding & appreciation of what Italy and especially Tuscany is all about... For those of you that have Netflix, they run an original series called "MEDICI" (med-a-chee) starring Dustin Hoffman that portrays the amazingly colorful history & magic of the Medici Dynasty, and is set in 15th-century Florence. This show has been one of their most highly watched and successful series over the last six years! (this may now be on some other streaming services as well as Netflix). And as you'll see if you decide to watch, this series was obviously filmed in Tuscany... Dustin Hoffman was spotted everywhere throughout Tuscany during the shoots!
The Backstory:
The Renaissance started at this time in Florence and was a cultural movement that profoundly affected European intellectual life and ultimately, the whole world. Beginning in Florence, and spreading to the rest of Europe by the 16th century, its influence was felt in art, architecture, philosophy, literature, music, science, technology, politics, religion, and all other aspects of intellectual inquiry... The world is what it is today because of The Renaissance... and while many people don't realize it, this is what makes the magical culture of Tuscany so interesting and so very fascinating!
The very first season is set in 1429 and there are 24 episodes total between the three seasons... The first season is called: Medici: Masters of Florence and the second season is: Medici: The Magnificent... and the third Season is “Medici, The Magnificent Part Two”, with 8 new episodes. For anyone interested in watching, it will give you a much better understanding and appreciation of Tuscany and the Medici family whose involvement in the history of Tuscany set the tone for not just Tuscany, but Italy as a country, as well as their influence on the entire modern world! For those of you who watch this, it will increase your joy of your vacation in Tuscany tenfold!
For a simple but more thorough explanation of how The Medici Family of Tuscany became one of the most powerful families in the world, read this article from Wikipedia by clicking: The House of Medici
As you drive through Italy, there are some rules of the road you need to know... Their AutoStrada is very similar to our tolls roads here in the States... When entering the Autostrada (Toll Road) you want to go thru a lane marked:
just click the pic to enlarge detail
"Biglietto" (ticket). Avoid the lanes marked Telepass; these are similar to our EZ Pass, and don't bother bringing an EZ Pass with you, your EZ Pass will not work over there... Save the ticket you are issued at any Autostrada entrance, as you need it to exit; on some shorter autostrade routes, you pay the toll when you enter. When you come to the Toll Booths as you exit the AutoStrada, there will be lots of signage designating method of payment. If you're using a credit card to pay, choose the lanes marked "Carte". If your using cash (euros), choose a lane designated by the picture of "coins & paper bills". These are all typically automated-unmanned lanes... Sometimes, you'll see a cash lane with a drawing of a "hand holding the money," these are manned booths... and will give change. We always use the Carte (credit card) lanes as we think it's the easiest. (we'll post a video of how the automated toll booth works in a future post).
We strongly suggest you use one of the Michelin maps we suggested earlier to map out a rough route before you head out. We've seen folks who have depended solely on GPS end up far away from where they intended because in Italy there's a lot of towns with the same name.
YES you can rent a Ferrari... they start at about $3000 a day and an F1 like in this picture is about
$9,000 a day.That's our friend Michael on the left
(a race enthusiast) salivating over the F1. (by the way, it only seats one person)
Know the lingo on the signs. A uscita is an "exit." A raccordo is a ring road surrounding a city. Strade regionale and strade provinciale (regional and provincial highways, denoted by S, SS, SR, or SP numbers) may be single-lane roads, as are all secondary roads; directions and turnoffs aren't always clearly marked. Don't panic if you break down. Automobile Club Italiano (tel. 803/116) offers 24-hour road service. English-speaking operators are available.
Your rental-car company may also have an emergency tow service with a toll-free call. Be prepared to tell the operator which road you're on, the verso (direction) you're headed, and your targa (license plate number). On the autostrade and superstrade, emergency phones are available. To find the nearest one, look on the pavement for painted arrows and the term "SOS.". By the way, in over 23 years of having hundreds of guests with rental cars, no one has ever broken down... Just like here in the US, the rental cars are newer and very low mileage... We've rarely had a car with more than a few thousand kilometers on it.
you'll each have a radio in the car like in this pic, but let someone else handle it... you want to be hands-free
ASK what fuel your car uses, and find out how to open the fuel door before you leave the rental office.... Don't put regular gas in a diesel car and vice-versa. This sometimes happens by Americans... The car will break down... Gasoline is "benzina". And to make things really confusing, diesel fuel is "gasolio".
Gas stations are located along the main highways. Those on autostrade are open 24 hours. Otherwise, gas stations generally are open Monday through Saturday 7-7, with a break at lunchtime. Self-service gas stations have pumps that usually accept credit cards and accept only bills in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 euros and do not give change. Those with attendants accept cash and credit cards. It's not customary to tip the attendant. Fuel prices in Italy are always priced by the Liter (34 ounces)... Gasoline, (benzina) right now, costs about 1.78 EURO per liter and is available in unleaded (verde) and super unleaded (super). Many rental cars in Italy use diesel (gasolio), which costs about 1.74 Euro per liter. (note that diesel is calledgasolio... this is confusing to Americans; don't put the wrong fuel in your car... it will ruin the engine and you'll be held responsible).
Don't tear up a parking ticket. They will find you thru the rental car company and then the rental car company will charge you a huge fee on top of the tix cost! Parking is at a premium in most towns, especially in the Centro Storico (historic centers). Fines for parking violations can be high, and towing is common. Don't think about tearing up a ticket, as car rental companies will use your credit card to be reimbursed for any fines you incur.
Do park smartly. Parking in an area signposted zona disco (disk zone) is allowed for short periods (from 30 minutes to two hours or more -- the time is posted); if you don't have a cardboard/plastic disk (look in the glove box or get one at the tourist office or car rental company) to show what time you parked, you can use a piece of paper. The parcometro, a machine that prints a ticket that you leave on your dashboard, has been introduced in many areas. Put coins into the machine to purchase the amount of time you desire, push the button and print out the ticket... Then put it on your dashboard in a highly visible spot...
Do turn your lights on. Headlights are not compulsory in cities when it rains or snows, but it's a good idea to turn them on. However, you must turn on your headlights outside city limits at all hours. Right turns on red are forbidden in Italy. Driving is on the right. Regulations are largely the same as in Britain and the United States, except that the police have the power to levy on-the-spot fines.
Using handheld mobile phones while driving is illegal; fines can exceed 100 Euro. You can use handsfree. In most Italian towns the use of the horn is forbidden in many areas; a large sign, zona di silenzio, indicates a no-honking zone. Speed limits are typically 130 kph (80 mph) on autostrade and 110 kph (70 mph) on state and provincial roads, unless otherwise marked.
Don't forget to "buckle-up". All riders must wear seat belts...
you'll pass this exact sign many times while you're with us!
There is NO RIGHT TURN ON RED IN ITALY...
They have speed cameras everywhere on the highways... it clocks your speed and takes your picture... there's usually signs that tell you there's one coming up, and often times your GPS unit will also alert you that there's a camera coming up... It's not uncommon on the highways to see a Ferrari or Lamborghini coming up behind you at very, very high speed and flashing their headlights... This is simple; it means get out of my way! Always use your turn signals to show them your intentions... Passing in Italy is on the left... but be careful, if you're dilly-dallying in the left lane, they will pass you on the right. Many Italians are aggressive drivers.
When you get into the rural areas around Chianti in Tuscany, you'll see lots of bicyclists and motorcyclists... Tuscany is one of the worlds top destinations for bicycle tours and cafe racing motorcyclists, and draws in cyclists from all over the world... be very careful! The roads in Chianti can be very narrow and to say that they are windy would be an understatement... best to go slowly behind them until you have a straight stretch long enough to safely pass them... The motorcyclists will be passing you and often on hairpin turns!
We don't want to scare you, but we've always felt that it's best for us to make you as aware as we can so that you're prepared and nothing shocks you... When you do get into the Chianti area, again the roads are very windy, and we suggest you drive slowly until you get use to them... Many locals will tailgate you... and when we say tailgate, we mean they will literally be right on your bumper... and when they can see 25 ft ahead, they will pass you whether a car is coming or not... just be prepared for this... it's normal for them... they want to get to work and tourists are looking at the views!
In the end, we think you're really going to enjoy driving in Italy.. It will give you a sense of independence, and international confidence! You'll be proud of yourself for doing it, and you'll quickly realize this is part of the Adventure!
Below is an aerial shot of Radda-in-Chianti... While the quality of this photo isn't all that great, it will give you a feel for the "fairytale-like" essence of this incredibly quaint & charming medieval hilltop village... Radda-in-Chianti is what we call our home-base village! It's just 2.7 mile from the Villa and you'll likely end up here in the Village several times while we're in Tuscany...
We think you'll fall in love with Radda, just as we have over the years! This photo shows the top level of the medieval walls were built around the village to fortify & protect it... What you don't see in this photo, is the bottom two levels of walls that are even much bigger... Where you see the small roadway that circumvents the village, that is the top of the middle wall, and then there's another wall below that! Radda-in-Chianti has so many walls all around it, you can't help but look for Humpty-Dumpty! Radda is a fabulous little town, and we get most all of our provisions for our Tour here... There's almost everything here... just like in the fairytales; Butchers, and Bakers, and Candlestick Makers!
Truly, it's a wonderful little village... And while this picture makes it look small, it's actually the perfect size hilltown! Our wine consultant / sommelier is based here and has a wonderful enoteca in the center of the village... And his family has a great little alimentari with a butcher shop & great fresh produce as well... There's a handful of quaint & charming little hotels in town... a bunch of fabulous ristorante, trattorias, osterias, bars, & pizzerias... there's banks, pharmacies, little grocery stores, enotecas, gelaterias, bakeries, olive oil shops, pasterrias, clothing stores, pottery shops, perfumeries, hardware stores, housegood stores, shoe stores, churches, leather shops, art galleries, the list goes on & on... but suffice it say, you can find most anything you need in Radda-in-Chianti! The photo makes it look small, but you'll be pleasantly surprised! Radda is also the headquarters many of the large wine estates in the region! We've got lots of friends in the Village and you'll likely meet many of them! We love Radda! Terese & I always come into the Village several days before the Tour starts to begin preparations for your arrival, and we always stay for a few days at a wonderful hotel in a grand old Palazzo right in the very center of the Village! We think of Radda as our Italian hometown!
Radda-in-Chianti from above... you're gonna love this village! Among other things you'll definitely find "A Butcher, A Baker, and a Candlestick Maker"
A Little History
Radda, also known as Ratti, possibly of German origin, and finally as Radda-in-Chianti, traces it origins to
settlements in 2000 BC where archeological digs testify to a history of transitory inhabitants, perhaps the first shepherds traveling with their sheep from green area to green area, a tradition which was still used up to only 60 years ago. There are also many artifacts that speak of occupation after the fall of the Roman empire and a strong fortification of Etruscans, outposts from the area of Fiesole.
The medieval village and its castle were part of the fief of Count Guidi, though this did not offer much protection against the constant feuding and invasion from Siena. In the mid 1200’s Radda was established as the headquarters of the Lega di Chianti, long before they commercialized in wine...though records show this area was already exporting wine to England in the 1600’s, and the Etruscans 2300 years ago had already started cultivating grapes for wine.
Castellina, Radda and Gaiole were grouped together and existed under Florentine rule, making Radda the headquarters for all three areas. Florence sent Francesco Ferruccio, a feroce force, as Podestà in 1527 to reinforce their position, an event celebrated even today in Radda.
The peace did not come easily to this area until Siena was finally incorporated into the Republic of Florence, and there were many times that this strategically important town was threatened and devastated by invading troops. With the resolution of strife between the two parties, the military importance of Radda disappeared and the eventual transformation of the castles and fortifications into villas and residences, which now characterize the landscape of Radda-in-Chianti. The actual name Radda-in-Chianti is from 1911 in an effort to give an elevated value to the wine in production in the area.
Things to See In Radda
Radda-in-Chianti ~
why we base ourself here...
» Close to Siena & Florence - and it's the very center of both Tuscany & Chianti
» One of the three original League of Chianti Villages & Radda is truly the capital of the Chianti Classico region
» The most beautiful, quaint & charming of all the medieval Chianti Hilltown Villages with easy day trips throughout the Tuscany region
» The local people here are just incredibly friendly!
It’s not the size of Radda-in-Chianti, or the wealth of historical sites that will draw you to this town but rather the suggestive atmosphere within its stone walls, its quiet little squares and the fantastic views of the landscapes that characterize this area. Thanks to the last invasion of Radda in 1478 many of the antique structures were pretty much devastated including the destruction of the castle, though there are still large segments of the walls and towers still standing.
Medieval Village Walls The most visible views of the village walls are those at the door of the village which face the public gardens. These are fairly easy to see, just park your car behind the city and you will already be looking at parts of the top level of the wall. They wrap around the city on either side, with the two lower levels acting as foundations for the roadway...
Palazzo del Podestà
It was also completely destroyed in the invasion of 1478 yet quickly rebuilt. With the importance of Radda in the Lega, the municipal building or Palazzo del Podestà was enlarged several times to include jail cells and room for the Lega until the Lega in Chianti was dissolved in the late 1700’s. The walls within the covered terrace on the ground floor are lined with the shields from those who served as the Podestà and there is a legend in the corner which can help you identify the various ruling figures
Palazzo del Podestà
Chiesa di San Niccolò Across from the Palazzo del Podestà, looming above the small square with its fountain, is the Chiesa di San Niccolò. There were some heavy interventions over the course of the years, however it fits in the square rather nicely creating a sensation of being enclosed in another time. The origins of the church reach back to at least the 1200’s however it was seriously damaged during WWII and restyled, leaving very little of the original structure. The bell tower was reconstructed in the 1950’s using one of the antique castles tower as a base, which you can probably appreciate better if you walk up to the Tourist Information office where it is possible to admire the back of the church. Today, the church is again undergoing some structural fortification...
Chiesa San Niccolo
Medieval Walkways
Walk around the small town following the cobblestone streets and "camminamento medievale" to enjoy the quiet and evocative atmosphere. Radda has done an excellent job of restoring much of the town back to its simple stone built origins, and especially in the tunnels where you will find a restaurant (al Bacco) and a charming little alcove with tables and chairs from the enoteca Casa Poriciati.
Castello di Albola
Radda-in-Chianti is home to Castello di Albola, one of Italy's premier Wine & Olive Oil Estates with over 2200 acres of Vineyards, Olive Groves and untouched natural forestlands throughout the region. Castello di Albola, one of the nine Zonin Family Wine Estates throughout Italy, and one Estate in the United States. Albola bottles over 1.5 million bottles per year and ships their wines to over 130 countries around the world. Many local folks work for the Wine Estate and their iconic castle-style Villa overlooks the Village. This is Wine Estate where our Villa sets, and there's no better location in all of Chianti!
The Zonin Wine Empire
Nearby:
Volpaia
Volpaia This small borgo/hamlet has been completely restored and truly speaks of its origins and importance in the area. As one of the main defending structures together with the Lega in Chianti, it boasts defending walls, medieval towers and a castle and dominant panoramic positions. Well established in the area as the "viniferous well" you will find that Volpaia has a long history of winemaking, and due to its position for the travel of pilgrims. You'll love that our Villa looks out over both the Village of Radda-in-Chianti and the Village of Volpaia.
Casa del Chianti Classico
Casa del Chianti Classico
A visit here will include a visit to the restored Convent of Santa Maria del Prato and an in depth tour of the production of Chianti Classico. The careful and attentive restoration of has exalted the long history of the convent as the religious site while creating a space dedicated to teaching and sharing about wine and food in Chianti. The area, well documented in the early 1100’s has its origins in the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary and its importance grew as a point of pilgrimage.
How to Reach Radda
Radda is an easy next destination after having visited Greve and Panzano. Shortly after leaving Panzano, the road will make a few tight curves, look on the left for road (well indicated) which will lead you to Gaiole and Radda. There are 11 km of of a quiet country road which will have you appreciating another aspect of Chianti: it’s cool, low lying forests. The abundance of greenery is one of the reasons why the soil is so rich and perfect for the cultivation of the vineyards. After approximately 9-10 km you will pass underneath a red brick arch and come to a round-about. Follow the indications for Radda - and you will be wowed by extensive fields of hills covered with vineyards.
Coming up from Siena you can either take the Florence-Siena highway, exit at Badesse and follow the signs to Castellina then proceed for Radda in Chianti - or you can take the SR222 directly out of Siena and follow the road to Castellina then Radda. Either way, they are both panoramic and offer a great overlay of the Chianti area. (note: we will send you very detailed turn by turn directions to get the 2.7 miles from Radda-in-Chianti to The Villa)
Useful Info
The parking in Radda is either on the main street or wrapped around the walls of the city. You will find paid parking right next to the public park area (complete with toys for the kids) and city walls (note that space is limited and tight, but convenient). There is also a public bathroom around the town walls. The tourist information office is in the Piazza del Castello: as you walk in from the public gardens you will see signs on the left hand side.
this photo taken from the edge of the village... most of the entire hillside in the background of this photo are the Vineyards and Olive Groves and forestlands of Castello di Albola
If you've not been to Italy before this, you're going to find that there's a lot of interesting things that will seem very different from what you may be use to... Our advice: Be patient, give it some time, try to understand the culture and learn to embrace the differences...
#1. Their culture and traditions are thousands of years old, and nothing you say or do is gonna change them ...
#2. You didn't spend thousands of dollars and travel half way around the world to experience something that's exactly the same as it is in your hometown!
If you're like most people, you've come to Italy to truly experience the uniqueness, and the beauty & charm of The Old World... And they do things differently... and it's actually pretty cool once you get used to it...
Buongiorno... Benvenuto in Italia
But there are some things that take some getting use too... If you want water with your meal in a restaurant, often you will have to buy bottled water... For many first timers, this is surprising, as most of us don't often buy bottled water with our restaurant meals here in the US... But this is the norm throughout much of Europe... Some places will make tap water available if you ask (acqua di rubinetto), but many places will not... Over the years, we've gotten use to it, and now we actually enjoy ordering the bottled waters... both still & sparkling... If the idea bothers you, we tell our guests to think of it this way; If you order a large (1 liter) bottle of mineral water at maybe 2 euro, you'll be less likely to take it for granted like we do water at our table here in the US...You'll likely drink it, as you've paid for it, and easily save the cost over what you'd pay for a couple additional glasses of wine...
Ice in drinks is usually sparse... Maybe one or two cubes... This is because they're just not used to drinks as cold as we typically enjoy them here in the US... As much as we think electricity is expensive here in the US, electricity in Italy is typically 5 times what you pay here in the US... So massive amounts of refrigeration is rare... To give you an idea, a 10kg bag of ice (22 lbs) that we might pay $3 to $4 for here in the US, often runs about $14 in Italy. They also feel ice cold drinks are not good for digestion... (if it's really hot outside, and you really need a drink poured over a whole glass of ice, find a McDonalds).
Italians tend to order off the menu and accept the offering as it is presented on the menu... They don't typically ask for substitutions as we might here in the US... Your waiter may not understand if you ask for French Fries instead of a baked potato, and you may end up with both (and be charged for both). Most all Italians have olive oil and a light sprinkle of salt on their salads... sometimes a tiny bit of vinegar, and hence many restaurants will not have a whole assortment of what we call salad dressings... They'll just usually have olive oil and vinegar... (at the Villa, our Chef Angela usually pre-dresses the salad, and guests go crazy for it! ~ her recipe is amazingly simple and she's happy to share it)
In their bars, (what we call coffee shops) they usually have different pricing structures... one for standing at the counter, and another for sitting at a table with waiter service... A caffe at the counter is typically 1euro, and at a table it's typically 2 euro... We suggest you do one or the other... Often, a frequent American faux pas is that we order at the counter and then carry our drinks to the table... If the establishment has waiter service, this is considered a no-no... and while they won't throw you out for this, it will get you some dirty looks. (this issue is much more casual & relaxed in smaller villages, but in the cities it's pretty much a rule).
At their outdoor markets, you shouldn't touch the fruit and vegetables... Tell the vendor what you want, and they'll often ask you: quando vuoi mangiarlo?(when do you want to eat it?) and then they'll pick the appropriate fruit for you based on it's ripeness...
In a larger grocery store, you can handle the fruit and produce yourself, but only with the disposable plastic gloves that will be on a roll near the end of isles... This is not a pandemic thing, it's been this way forever in Italy. If you don't use the gloves, you'll get nasty looks from everyone around... and you'll need to note the id# to weigh it and price it yourself on the little scales at the end of the isles. Both the gloves and the scales have gradually worked their way into the US market over the last 10 years, but it's been this way forever in Italy...
America has a deep relationship with Italy... Older Italians, (over 80) are especially aware & grateful that America sent over 16 million troops to Europe fight in WWII... millions of them to Italy. If not for America's involvement, we'd all be speaking German! Sometimes when you interact with an Italian senior citizen, they'll thank you... To truly understand the depth of this subject; click here
In most all of their trattorias, osterias and ristorante there will be a "Coperto" added to your bill. Typically it's 2 to 3 Euro per person. This is a "cover charge" to sit at the table... If you ask, often it's referred to as "the bread charge", but it will do you no good to tell them you don't want the bread... you will still get charged the Coperto... Think of it this way; if you've been following along on the BLOG, you might remember that tipping in restaurants is a lot less in Italy... Most Italians don't tip at all... So you're really not spending any more... but know that the Coperto does not go to your waiter... We'll have more posts on "Tipping in Italy" later in the Blog...
Life is just slower and more relaxed in Italy... In the US, when we sit down at a table in a restaurant, we expect immediate service... Not so much in most of Europe... Dining out is considered a magnificent event, not to be rushed... You may be shown to a table and given a menu, but it may be ten minutes till someone comes to ask for your drink order... They don't want to rush you and they're just much more casual...
And the table? It's your's until you decide to leave... Here in the US, waiters are trained to turn the table as often as possible, and they typically ask us, is there anything else, and then give us the check... This is often the signal that they want you to leave so they can give the table to the next party... This will almost never happen in Italy... You may be asked if you'd like anything else, but rarely will they bring you the check until you ask for it... you usually always have to ask for your check; (il conto, per favore = the check please...) It's not at all unusual for an Italian family to occupy a table for over 3 hours...
We could go on & on... but you get the idea... these are just a few examples, you'll experience many more... The cultures are different! And unlike a lot of mass market bus Tours, your Adventures to Tuscany Tour is designed to deeply immerse into this authentic culture, not shield you from it... Again, be patient, slow down, try to understand and embrace the differences... It will make for a much better vacation experience, and of course, you want the memories to be positive! We'll keep writing & giving you the tips, and by the time you get to Italy you'll have a much deeper understanding of Italy then most tourists do after they leave... Get excited! It'll be here before you know it! (ps: if you haven't bought your air tix & booked your rental car yet, we strongly urge you to get on it... Demand is high... Prices have been going up and we expect them to keep going up...)
