This page is dedicated to things that you might not expect, In any travel there are surprises...some good, some not so much. Here are few we have run across in our 1st week of travel.
Hotels give you a "credit card" to access your room, however this card also provides electricity. However, they don't tell you how to use it...more like they expect you already know how...And each city the card is used slightly different. Some rooms you insert it in a slot while in the room, this guarantees that you don't waste electricity when you leave the room...because you have to take your key with you. Some you slide over a electronic plate, some you slide throught the side. This all sounds like a good policy...but let me say there was one night where my lower G.I. tract wasn't quite used to the food/water and I had to make an emergency bathroom break but I couldn't figure out how to turn the lights on- So I open the door (which temporarily turns on the lights) then run to the bathroom only to find myself upon the throne in total darkness!
Another bathroom quirk is the bidet. Almost all bathrooms have them. Maybe I am a slow coach, but I can't figure out how they are used. So we just don't.
Still on the subjects of bathroom, is public bathrooms...you usually have to pay 1 Euro to use and in one restaurant they gave you directions to the bathroom only to find a painted mural wall where walk way ended. Interestingly enough it had an electronic eye so when you got right up to the mural it detected a body and slide open. Kind of cool (confusing, but cool).
Every shower has a emergency pull cord and a clothing cord that pulls out and stretches the length of your shower.
Most hotel rooms are nice with firm beds, but again the lighting is tricky. Even after you insert, swipe or whatever with your card there are up to 2 dozen switches in every room. Chris needs a schematic diagram. It takes him 30 minutes in each room to dicipher the light switches and electrical outlets. :). It is common to have rooms with slanted ceilings...watch your head.
Breakfast usually comes with the cost of your room and is extensive in a European type way. Usually each hotel tries to provide eggs and a meat of some kind, but it usally cold cuts (proscuitto, salami or mortadella...fatty bologna) and maybe a hard boiled egg, there is always yogurt, juice, coffee, fruits, and breads and sweets everywhere. Croissants are popular in multiple sizes and flavors...ours are filled with marmalade. Coffee is wonderful, we order Americana's as I think the cappuccino tastes like someone has added whipped meringue to it.
Restaurant surprises. Don't tip, it is not expected, however there is a cover charge just to sit down. While I have written about some wonderful food we have had. Just like in the states, there have been some misses too...some our fault and some times its just...well- ick.
We ordered Scallopini, as google said it was scallops...never listen to google! we ordered veal. While some veal may be delicious this was hard, cold and the consistency of the sole of your tennis shoe. Just like in the states we've had overcooked fish, eggs, raw seafood. We'd had a grilled ham sandwich which was cold ham slapped on cold bread roll. We have gotten used to eating slower and later in the evening and love that aspect of dining out. Local deli's are terrific and inexpensive for getting ingredients to make your own picnic lunch (sandwich fixings, fresh fruit and veggies).
Interacting with shop keepers. Generally Italians are very chatty, friendly and easy to get along with, but they can also be very brusk. If they have something to say...they just say it (no sugar coating). We went into a caffe early one morning for coffee. Maybe 6:30 - 7:00am, all tourists still asleep, and the town was very quiet except for a few delivery people or locals opening up their houses. I went inside to order coffee (caffe), there were a lot of locals. And I asked for 2 Americana's and 1 croissant. He said , yes yes where you sit, outside? I nodded yes and tried to hand him money for our order. He waved me away and shouted "you go, I work"! It was a little startling, but it wasn't meant to be rude...its just how they are here. He brought us our order, chatted with us and took our money (when he was good and ready).
Italians are very careful with covid. We show our vaccination cards a lot, always have to wear masks, sanitize our hands to go into any public room and if we eat from a buffet, we must wear gloves. Occasionally we see a sign objecting to vaccines, but this is rare.
People watching is fascinating here. Italians dress to be seen, they want you to stare. Especially the younger crowd who wear things that make no sense for the activity they are trying to do. I've seen young women wear prom dresses to go hiking or boating and men who dress like they are going to opera while skate boarding. While both men and women wear cologne/perfume, its the men who really slap in on! My eyes water in an elevator or train.
The train system is generally terrific. There are 3 types. Freccia- the fastest, Intercity- medium, Regionale- slow train. The Frecciarosa- the red line is the most expensive and supposed to be the fanciest, we did not find that to be true...seats were smaller, harder. By the end of this trip we will have tried them all. The ticket system is easy to use, and generally the rides are pleasant. Just like airlines they bring you free drinks, snacks, masks and sanitizers. Chris and I get seats with a table in between us and play 3-13 on longer trips.
Guides, taxi's again are hit and miss. In Varenna (lake como) we took a water tour of the lake. Our guide Luca had done this tour too many times and was obviously bored and in a hurry. When he was driving the boat, he would put on Italian opera at levels you couldn't hear the person next to you if he were screaming! Then Luca would stop the boat in front of some pretty building, rattle off something (couldn't understand a damn word) they take off again. We loved being on the water, and the Villa he dropped us off at was beautiful and interesting, but the tour...wouldn't recommend him.
The currency here is Euro, which is fine and easy to use. However, the exchange rate is nuts. Chris has paid over 10% in some places to exchange for cash, so we use our credit card for most things and its only a 3% charge.
Pharmacy's do carry medicines but, they do carry hair/makeup/baby items...grocery stores do not.
I will write more as I experience more.
Ciao!