Tid Bits for Traveling to Italy

·         Here are a few things we picked up ...

      “Il Conto” means the “the bill” which you must ask for as they will not rush you ever – US could learn a thing or two from that one!  Add “Per Piacere which sounds like  knoto pehr pyah-chaireh to add a “Please” to the request.  I must be honest and say that we can only get as far as “It Conto”.

Know the names of every possible meat and fish…trust me, this will keep you from a mouth  full of horse meat or octopus if that is not your meal of choice.

·         The bathroom is a toilette…my use of “banyo” did not immediately ingratiate me.  And it is “Graizie” pronounced grahtsee-eh NOT Gracias….again, a slip that did not make me popular.

·         To order a local wine it is “Mezzo Rosso Locale” and only once have we wished for a different wine.

·         Showers are either not existent or very small…seriously small!  Rooms are small too but I think that is "cute".

     When you head to the trains, metro etc be sure to carry 5 euros on you - most ticket machines will not make change for over 4 euros.

·         If you can do it…pack a carry-on and travel light.  While I have to say that I am SICK of my clothing right now, I am also very happy not to cart it down cobble-stone streets and up the stairs onto trains!

     Use Ciao Darcy (www.ciaodarcy.com) to avoid a trip like Metaponto!