Italy: What's For Breakfast?

A few years ago, I was enjoying my plate of salumi and a beautifully prepared cappuccino in the breakfast room of a small hotel in Tuscany when I heard a large booming voice yell, "What do you have to do to get some G__ D___ hot eggs around here!"  My husband kicked me underneath our table because he knew I was itching to jump out of my seat and reply to the imbecile, "Hey, Toto, if you haven't noticed, you're not in Kansas anymore!"

Like most travelers, one of the reasons I enjoy visiting other countries is to experience the local culture, including traditional meals.  Breakfast varies a lot between countries.  In Italy, breakfast is not an important meal.  It is simple, but satisfactory.  To expect more than that is nothing less than American arrogance!

In most hotels, you will find a bountiful buffet of the following:

• salamis and meats
• cheese
• pastries/croissants
• fruit
• yogurt
• dried cereal
• boiled eggs
• breads and jams
• coffee and juices

As if that were not enough, you may request a made-to-order espresso or cappuccino.  And here's the best part, all of this is included in the price of your room rate.  I dare you to try getting that deal in an American hotel!

A few larger hotels have taken steps to accommodate the American tourist (a great dichotomy between a generous gesture and pointless necessity--thanks to people like Mr. Toto!).  If scrambled eggs and bacon are a requirement for your vacation enjoyment, then you may consider one of the following:

Hotel FortySeven (Rome)

Grand Hotel Tritone (Amalfi Coast)

Plaza Hotel Lucchesi (Florence)

Hotel Cipriani (Venice)

As far as Mr. Toto goes, I predict he didn't care much for Italy's pizza either because it lacked America's greasy thick crust meat feasts; or the spaghetti because it excluded meatballs!  My advice to him?  Stay home, Mr. Toto!

Comments

[simon]

I don't like arrogance either but... as an Italian I have to admit that breakfast is frequently disappointing. I'm not referring to the large hotel chains, where the standard is more or less similar as in other countries, but of cheaper hotels, where breakfast often offers a limited choice and what is worse poor quality of the products.
Indeed, in Italy we do not have a 'breakfast' culture (with the exception of a few regions, as SudTyrol). However I think that we should do a little more to accommodate the habits of many international visitors. Arranging a nice breakfast is not such a big deal and foreign customers would certainly appreciate it.

Simon

www.wild-about-travel.com

[Julie Benoit]

Fortunately for me, I have never been disappointed in breakfast in Italy. However, I do admit that once I've been there for two weeks or more, a "hot" breakfast is a nice find. I just don't like the "expectancy" or "entitlement" some people have when visiting another country. We should consider ourselves "guests" when we are in your home!

[Barbara]

I think that there is nothing better than an Italian breakfast - their pastries and coffees have no comparison! In fact, I go to great extremes to find the same thing here in the USA...but, still, I am usually disappointed :(

[Account Deleted]

Italy has always been a nice place for vacations. Specially the beaches and food of Italy has been very famous among people of all parts of world. I have been searching about vacations in Italy and accommodation there. And i found a website http://www.villavacations.com/ check it once if you are searching about vacations in Italy. Happy Holidays.

[skin care]

I think that there is nothing better than an Italian breakfast - Really nice work. I like this very much. Keep blogging.

[content filter]

The classic modern Italian breakfast is a cup of perfectly prepared cappuccino coffee with a 'cornetto' or croissant style bread sweet.This is normally eaten standing in a bar and chatting with friends.

[radiology technician schools]

The traditional breakfast in Italy is simply Caffè e latte (hot coffee with milk) with bread or rolls, butter, and jam — known as prima colazione or just colazione.

[Albert]

Try to visualize this scene: an italian tourist in the US complaining loudly and arguing that the poor imitation of a real italian pizza that was served to him is a rubbish...
"What do you have to do to get some G__ D___ pizza s around here!"

[james42519]

have to say most hotels in America have complementary breakfast with all that and they have scrambled eggs too and waffles and sausage and bacon a lot of time too. boiled eggs seems more a snack/lunch thing and also used for egg sandwhich too.