Travel with Julie

Guest on My Melange Blog

One of my Twitter friends, Robin Locker (who loves all things Italian and French), and I discovered we share a common bond: We love Italian food! Robin asked me to share a few of my no-fail recipes on her blog, MyMelange. Take a look at the post, Italian Recipes to Wow Your Friends With.

You can follow me, Robin, and other Italophiles on the social network, Twitter.  We connect daily to share current news, fun facts and personal insights on Italy.  Come join us.

Twitter account:  TravelwithJulie

Top Ten Reasons to Pack Light When Traveling to Italy

Planning a trip to Italy? Consider these ten reasons for packing light:

1. Managing multiple heavy bags through international airports and security checkpoints is a hassle.  Unless you are fortunate to have a direct flight, you will most likely switch planes outside of the U.S.  In doing so, you may be required to collect your luggage, go through customs, re-check your luggage and pass through another security checkpoint.  The less luggage you have to manage, the less stressful your trip will be.
2. If your plans include switching planes to fly into a smaller regional airport, check the airline's luggage limits.  Smaller planes may limit the number and/or size of suitcases allowed. 
3. Trains are a great way to travel inexpensively from one city to another. There are no luggage or weight limits, and there is no check-in.  The downside: you will have to tote your bags through the train station and lug them on and off the train all by yourself.  The more bags, the more difficult it is to manage on a crowded train.
4. Cars in Italy are small.  Trunk space is small.  Unless your budget can afford an upgrade to a mid- or full-size car, plan on having limited storage for luggage in your vehicle.
5. A lighter luggage load allows you flexibility with inner-city transportation. City buses and metro systems are excellent options for those carrying fewer bags.
6. Taxis or public transportation may only get you so far.  You may find you still have to walk a distance to reach your hotel. Large, heavy suitcases--and even roller bags--are a challenge over broken sidewalks and cobblestone streets.  In Venice, it may be necessary to cross bridges that require climbing and descending stairs.  
7. Smaller hotels, inns, or apartments may not offer an elevator.  You may be required to carry your luggage up several flights of stairs.
8. With fewer bags, you will not need the assistance of a porter, bellboy, or luggage cart--saving you money.
9. Most hotel rooms are small with little or no closet space to store luggage. Excessive baggage can clutter an already cramped room.
10. Lightening the load allows room for purchases and souvenirs collected throughout your trip.

Words to Know When Driving in Italy

OK.  Admit it.  You know the basic phrases such as buon giorno (good day), come sta (how are you?), and parla inglese (do you speak English?) as well as saying the ABCs.  However, what about words that make driving and navigating Italian roads easier (and more safe)?

Let's start with a few directional words:

• Sinistra (see-nee-strah) - Left
• Destra (dehs-trah) - Right 
• Nord (nord) - North 
• Sud (sood) - South 
• Est (ayst) - East 
• Ovest (oh-vehst) - West 

  Reading road signs: 

• Centro - Center of Town
• Entrata - Entrance
• Uscita - Exit
• Zona Pedonale - Pedestrian Zone
• Senso Unico - One-Way Street
• Rallentare - Slow Down
• Lavori In Corso - Road Work Ahead
• Deviazione - Detour
• Attenzione - Caution 
• Entrata Vietata - No Entry 
• Parcheggio - Parking 
• Parcheggio Vietato - No Parking 
• Vietato l'Accesso - Keep Out

  Gas station words: 

• Benzinaio (baynd-zee-nah-yoh) - Gas Station
• Servizio (sehr-veed-zee-oh) - Service 
• Il Pieno (eel pee-ay-noh) - Fill the Tank 
• Benzina (baynd-zee-nah) - Gas 
• Normale (nor-mah-lay) - Regular 
• Super (soo-pehr) - Super 
• Gasolio (gah-zoh-lee-oh) _ Diesel

How did you do?  Good!

Having a strong vocabulary of "driving" words will go a long way in keeping you from trouble with the carabinieri (police). 

Buon viaggio!
  

Words to Know When Dining in Italy

You've packed your Italian phrase book and you're ready to go. You've memorized words such as grazie (thank you) and per favore (please). But, are you ready for the common every-day words or phrases used in the restaurant scene?  Let's see.

The sign in the window says "Aperto" or "Chiude." What does this mean?

Aperto (ah-pehr-toh) - Open

Chiuso (kee-oo-zoh) - Closed

What meals are served? Breakfast, lunch or dinner? Colazione (koh-laht-see-oh-nay), pranzo (prahnt-soh), or cena (chay-nah)?

A sign reading "Non Fumare!" means "No Smoking!"

Where do you want to sit? Dentro (dehn-troh) or fuori (fwoh-ree)? Inside or outside?

Want to ask for a menu recommendation? Ask: Che cosa raccomanda (kay koh-zah rah-koh-mahn-dah)?

Need to ask for a utensil or dish?

Piatto (pee-ah-toh) - plate

Tovagliolo (toh-vahl-yoh-loh) - napkin

Coltello (kohl-tehl-oh) - knife

Forchetta (for-kay-tah) - fork

Cucchiaio (koo-kee-ah-yoh) - spoon

Bicchiere (bee-kee-ay-ray) - glass

What is that?  Ask: Che cosa e quello (kay koh-zah eh kway-loh)?

Pay compliments on the meal with:

Complimenti al cuoco (kohm-plee-mayn-tee ahl koo-oh-koh) -    My 

    compliments to the chef; or

Eccellente (eht-sell-ehn-teh) - Excellent

Finito (fee-nee-toh)? Finished?

Need to ask for the bill? Ask: Il conto, per favore (eel kohn-toh pehr fah-voh-ray).

Keep the change: Tenga il resto (tayn-gah eel rehs-toh).

Need a receipt? Ask: una ricevuta, er favore (oo-nah ree-chay-voo-tah pehr fah-voh-ray)?

Buon appetito!

What is an Agriturismo?

If you are searching for lodging in Italy for the very first time, you may be confused by terms like tenuta, borgo, or agriturismo. Agriturismo -- a concept created from the words "agriculture" and "tourism" -- is a working farm that offers accomodations for vacationers.  In Tuscany, these farms invariably are producers of wine and/or olive oil. 

Agriturismi (the plural of agriturismo) are offered in the form of a whole house, apartments, or rooms.  In most cases, these farm houses have been carefully restored and furnished with beautiful country-style antiques. Considering the rural setting, one might think that this style of vacation would be a bit rustic.  On the contrary.  Many agriturismi feature complete kitchens, luxurious bathroom amenities, swimming pools, and fine linens.

An Italian agriturismo usually serves food prepared from ingredients grown or made on the farm.  A few allow guests to participate in farming activities, while others offer cooking classes to teach traditional recipes and preparations.  Some cater to unique groups such as yoga enthusiasts, artists, and ceramicists.

Staying in an agriturismo is about experiencing rural Italian life.  It is about adopting a slower pace.  It is a wonderful way to spend a vacation!