When visiting Italy, make sure you absorb the culture, not just the history and sights. By this we mean taking in the basic principles of La Dolce Vita which have made this fascinating country a much-envied destination for centuries, or rather millennia. So, what are these basic principles? Well, for starters, let the pros do the work. Your expert travel planners know all the ins and outs of every little nook and corner of this wonderful country and will guide you knowingly through the maze of options to create the perfect itinerary just for you.
Let’s get started.
Rule no. 1: Time (tempo) has a very different meaning in Italy; to many a foreigner spending time sipping coffee and talking to your barista or someone you just met at the counter is definitely not a waste of time, it is part of the experience; life has a slower pace here and you have to go with the flow to enjoy it to the fullest; also, when you have an appointment with an Italian timeliness is subject to interpretation… don’t stress too much, we will make sure your schedule is not too tight.
Rule no. 2: Dolce far niente; tying back in to rule no.1, allow some time to do absolutely nothing and just soak in the atmosphere and its beauty; take a picture of that amazing view, enjoy the sunset, listen to the sound of life passing by.
Rule no. 3: Join into local routines; don’t miss a mid-morning coffee break at the local “Bar” to enjoy “cornetto e caffè” or even that lush cappuccino we know you have been thinking of. Don’t be afraid of the sun – embrace those warm rays on a piazza as locals do. If you are in the South, adjust your meal times to later in the day. In the early evening, make it a daily ritual to make time for “Aperitivo” and sip a glass of prosecco or an Aperol Spritz while taking in the view of a Piazza or a dramatic seaside sunset. Life’s little pleasures.
Rule no. 4: Try something new every day: wake up early and see the sunrise in a place you have never been before; take in the colors of the old world coming to life and feel the excitement of the new day; order a dish you have never tried before, maybe even something you are not sure you will like: adventure is an important part of life.
Rule no. 5: Order that dessert and drink that glass of vino; you can diet once back home. Food and wine are a great part of La Dolce Vita: don’t miss out and make sure you enjoy to the fullest. Besides, an after dinner walk is a must to help you work it off while enjoying the “struscio”.
Rule no. 6: Splurge on something you really like: you might not be back for a while and it is always nice to bring back home a memento that will take you back to that perfect moment and day.
Rule no. 7: Give yourself a break! Everyday life can be stressful and you have chosen to travel to one of the most enjoyable countries in the world who have turned enjoying life into an art; guilt has no place in your Italian day, it’s all about constant delight!
Rule no. 8: Bask in the joy of your travel partners: feel those butterflies in your stomach when you watch your loved one or family and soak in their joy for a perfect lavish day of Dolce Vita.
-Marco De Pascale