Italy from the Inside

The truth about Italy’s highway rest stops

Autogrill- Italy from the Inside

Autogrill restaurant sign

Rest areas (aree di servizio) are open 24/7 and are available about every 60 km (40 miles). Most often they have a gas station and a snack bar (with or without restaurant) also known as Autogrill.

Autogrill restaurant- Italy from the Inside

Autogrill restaurant

Despite what you may think about “gas station food”, Autogrills offer excellent food either at the restaurant or at the snack bar. If you decide to get something at the bar, remember to pay first and then show the receipt to the bar attendant at the service counter.

The Autogrill restrooms are taken care of by an attendant and can be used free of charge. Sometimes attendants place a small plate on the counter to show that tips are appreciated. Keep in mind that they are not supposed to do it. A few years ago an attendant lost her job because of that. Nevertheless, some of them take the risk.

Autogrills have a small store which sells a handful of items for the car trip (food, music, drinks, drug-store necessities, etc.).

In these parking lots you may find fake car-park attendants whose goal is getting a little tip to watch your car. Thefts often happen in Autogrill parking lots, so giving them some spare change might actually turn out to be a good investment. However, if possible, always try to park your car in a spot that you can supervise from the restaurant.

{This is an excerpt from chapter 2 “ Driving in Italy” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. Buy our eBook on Amazon and leave us a review! If it’s good, you’ll make us happy, if it’s bad, you’ll make us improve. Thank you either way!}

Do Italian stores offer cash back with a debit card?

Hybrid Italian store- Italy from the Inside

“Hybrid” Italian store

Unlike in the States, in Italy you cannot use your debit card to get cash back at a store. Credit card payments are becoming more and more popular, but you should always have enough cash with you to do your shopping, just in case they don’t accept debit or credit cards. A good rule of thumb is to ask whether or not they accept your card before you shop.

{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”. Buy our eBook on Amazon and leave us a review! If it’s good, you’ll make us happy, if it’s bad, you’ll make us improve. Thank you either way!}

Do you plan to visit a church in Italy? If so, read this.

Light box in an Italian church- Italy from the Inside

A coin-operated “light box” in a church

Churches in Italy are like small museums themselves, as they contain many pieces of art. To preserve them from damage, they are not kept constantly under artificial light (luce). However, most of the time churches provide a “light box,” a paying system that lights the paintings or statues up for few minutes. This works with coins (monete).

Church in Italy- Italy from the Inside

Note how the niche on the left of the entrance is lightened up (and you can see a person standing in front of it) as opposed to the one on the right which is dark.

{This is an excerpt from chapter 7 “Churches and Museums” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. Buy our eBook on Amazon and leave us a review! If it’s good, you’ll make us happy, if it’s bad, you’ll make us improve. Thank you either way!}