Italy from the Inside

Bringing small kids to the restaurant in Italy

Traveling with kids in Italy- Italy from the inside

Photo by Francesca Tosolini

Before jumping into the information, let me tell you something about the photo above. In 2014 we were visiting Sicily, when one evening, while we were taking a walk after dinner (and after gelato) on the streets of Noto, we saw this group of Italian dads pushing the stroller. We thought that they were so cute that we asked them to stop and pose for a picture. Now tell me, how many times have you seen five dads in a row pushing a stroller??? Needless to say, they were very gracious (as all Sicilians are) and accepted with pleasures. That said, let’s talk about what happens if you go to an Italian restaurant with small children.

If you travel with kids don’t expect a high chair (seggiolone) to be in every restaurant you visit. Also, consider yourself lucky if there is a changing table (fasciatoio) in the restroom. Even though restaurants in Italy don’t have many kid-friendly facilities, restaurant managers are usually very friendly and sympathetic and will try to help you as best as they can, like providing smaller portions if there isn’t a child menu or cushions in case a high chair is not provided.

{This is an excerpt from chapter 3 “Italian cuisine” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. To buy our eBook click here}

 

The three gestures Italians do to ward off bad luck

The three gestures italians do to ward off bad luck

Photo by Francesca Tosolini

If you want to give a floral present to an Italian person, avoid giving chrysanthemums. These flowers are associated with death and are the flowers one brings to a funeral.
If nevertheless, you do happen to give chrysanthemums as a gift, don’t be surprised if the immediate reaction is one of the following:
• Touching any object made of iron, which is the Italian translation for “knock on wood.”
• A hand waving in your face, making the sign of the “horns” with one hand (by stretching out the index and the little finger).
• Touching the private parts.
Italian women will choose the first or second option, while Italian men will most certainly opt for the third one, as they believe that touching the testicles is the most effective way to attract the good luck and push the bad luck away. These actions are commonly made to deflect bad luck in general and do not only apply exclusively to the giving of the flower.

{This is an excerpt from chapter 14 “Italian lifestyle” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. To buy our eBook click here}

This is why you should always carry some coins when you travel in Italy

Coin for the supermarket cart- Italy from the Inside

Photo by Francesca Tosolini

While alimentari are great for satisfying your hunger and picking up a few items, there are times when nothing but a supermarket will do. In big supermarkets, you often need a Euro coin deposit to unlock the cart (carrello) from the rack. The coin is given back once you put the cart away.  So, make sure you always have a few coins with you!

{This is an excerpt from chapter 5 “Stores” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. To buy our eBook click here}