Scenset's Guide to Italy

If you'd like something to watch to get you in the mood for Italy, give these a try:

• Cinema Paradiso is a highly-award winning film set in a small Sicilian town and follows a young boy's obsession with the cinema in the town square, and the community that is built around it. A must-watch! - trailer here.
  
• Roman Holiday was Aubrey Hepburn's breakout role (and arguably that of the Vespa!). The film follows an American reporter Joe Bradley and Princess Ann as they navigate the vibrant streets of Rome; showcasing the beauty of the city - trailer here.
  
• La Dolce Vita one of the most iconic films in Italian cinema, following a womanizing photojournalist on his week-long pursuit of love and the coveted 'sweet life' in Rome. It prophetically delves into fame, celebrity culture, and the influence of image - trailer here.
  
• Il Postino (The Postman), set on the small island of Procida in the Gulf of Naples, depicts the unhurried, rustic life of a Mediterranean island with charm and humour. Known as one of Italy's best modern films, it is worth the hype - trailer here.
  
• Pane E Tulipani (Bread And Tulips) tells the story of Rosalba who, after being left behind at a rest stop, takes up residence in a local hotel and takes a job at a flower shop. It's a heartwarming comedy that explores love, family, and friendship - trailer here.

A few books we love that capture the essence of Italian life are:

• My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, portrays the lifelong friendship of Elena and Lila against the backdrop of Naples' post-war poverty and Italy's evolving society in the 60s and 70s. Exploring themes like class conflict, destiny, and female friendship dynamics, this series is a must-read! - click here for more information.
  
• A Room With A View, E. M. Forster's iconic novel, is a love letter to Florence, following Lucy Honeychurch's journey from England to Italy. The book excellently reflects freedom from societal norms, whilst blending romance and societal critique - click here for more information.
  
• The Leopard, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's 1958 novel, is a cornerstone of modern Italian literature. Amidst Italy's civil war and unification in the 1800s, a Sicilian nobleman's journey unfolds. Tomasi's own heritage inspired this exploration of aristocracy's decline, societal changes, and morality - click here for more information.
  
• La Bella Figura is a light-hearted read by Italian journalist Beppe Severgnini, providing an intriguing glimpse into the Italian mindset. "La bella figura," meaning "making a good impression," is a core theme explored as Severgnini travels through Italy, discussing topics from traffic to beauty and family. The book offers perceptive insights into Italian culture, making it a great read before visiting the country - click here for more information.

Here are the Spotify playlists we have designed for your trip, including local talent and great vibes:

• Italian Escape is La Dolce Vita in all its glory - sit back, relax and enjoy contemporary Italian songs!
  
• Summer Chill is the perfect soundtrack for the beach, full of laid-back, summer vibes!
  
• Lazy Beach Days is your playlist for laying in the sun without a care in the world...
  
• The Open Road is what road trips were meant for; great songs and beautiful views.

A few Italian phrases to try during your trip are:

• Hello: Ciao (chi-ow)
  
• Good day: Buongiorno (bwohn jor-noh)
  
• Good evening: Buona sera (bwoh-nah sair-rah)
  
• Good night: Buona notte (bwoh-nah noht-teh)
  
• Goodbye: Arrivederci (ah-ree-vah-dair-chee)
  
• Thank you: Grazie (grah-tzee-yeh)
  
• Please: Per favore (pair fah-voh-reh)
  
• Excuse me(to get attention): Scusi (skoo-zee)
  
• Excuse me (to get past someone): – Permesso (pair-meh-soh)
  
• How are you?: Come sta? (koh-meh stay)
  
• Good: Bene (beh-neh)
  
• I’m sorry: Mi Scusi (mee skoo-zee)
  
• Do you speak English?: Parla Inglese? (parh-la een-glay-zeh)
  
• How much is it?: Quanto costa? (kwan-toh koh-stah)
  
• Yes: Si (see)
  
• No: No (noh)
  
• Cheers!: Salute! (sah-loo-tay)

For your trip, we recommend bringing the following:

• Cool and comfortable clothes for when the weather is hot. Cotton clothing works well!
  
• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes. Italy has a lot of pebbled streets so make sure you're comfortable while exploring.
  
• Swim/beach shoes (some beaches are pebbles) if your feet are sensitive.
  
• Sun cream, sun hat, lip balm and sunglasses.
  
• Swimsuit, for the pools and sauna in the spa at all properties, as well as the beach.
  
• A modest outfit if you are visiting churches or holy sites that cover the top of your legs, chest, shoulders and top of your arms; especially if you are visiting religiously significant places such as the Vatican, San Marco in Venice and Santa Croce in Florence.
  
• Semi-casual clothes for eating out.
  
• Semi-formal clothes if you're eating out at a fine dining restaurant; it's always nice to dress up when on holiday!
  
• Day-pack for excursions
  
• A suitable travel adapter
  
• A power bank to keep your phone charged for all those great pictures!

Italy has 3 main socket types: Type C, Type L, and Type F (aka Schuko plug).

• Type C: two small pins (increasingly rare in Italy)
  
• Type F: two larger pins
  
• Type L: three small pins (the most modern style of outlets you’ll find in Italy)

We recommend bringing a travel adapter that has multiple specifications so you're always prepared.

Hotels may have adapters you can use, but they may not always be available or working, so it's best to have your own.

Here are some tips on health, safety and general rules to be aware of:

Security

• Dial 112 and ask for the police if you have an emergency.
  
• It's important to remember that, like all major global cities, pickpockets operate in highly populated areas; especially areas frequented by tourists.
  
• It is highly recommended not to bring or wear valuable or sentimental jewellery, watches or items with you that you do not wish to lose or have stolen.
  
• While most visitors do not have any issues whatsoever when visiting, it's always good to be aware of your surroundings and your personal items.

Health

• Dial 112 if you have a medical emergency and ask for an ambulance.
  
• If you are under special medical treatment, you are advised to take enough medicines with you to cover your trip and any delays, as it is a high possibility that you may not find the same medicine in Italy.
  
• If you need hospital treatment in Italy you’re more likely to receive appropriate care in a public healthcare facility. However, in some tourist areas there may not be any public healthcare facilities nearby. Some hotels may call private doctors or ambulances to take patients to private hospitals.
  
• Ensure you have travel insurance with you that covers medical, if you are not already covered by your supplier.
  
• Pharmacies are widely available and are well stocked. It is very common for the pharmacy to have English-speaking staff.
  
• Medical care for illness or accident is free to citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein as long as they have a European Health Card (EHIC) and the reason for the trip is not to seek specific medical treatment.

Local laws

• Some Italian towns and cities have specific laws, which you may be fined if you break, such as dropping litter, sitting on monument steps, etc.
  
• It is an offence to bathe in public fountains in many towns and cities, with a hefty fine in place.
  
• You are not allowed to bring disposable plastic objects onto the island of Capri, with a hefty fine in place if you do.
  
• It is illegal to remove shells or pebbles from coastal areas in Italy, with a hefty fine in place.

Natural Disasters

• Italy can experience forest fires in the summer so be aware and follow local advice.
  
• Local flooding can occur during periods of heavy rainfall so be aware and follow local advice.
  
• Many parts of Italy lie on a major seismic fault line, which means that minor tremors and earthquakes are a regular occurrence - click here for information on what to do during an earthquake.

Tipping in Italy is casual and almost never required. But when the service is exceptional, leaving a small gratuity is always appreciated.

If you want to tip in a restaurant using your credit card, just inform the server when they bring the credit card machine how much you want to pay.

Our guideline for tipping is:

• Restaurants: In casual restaurants tipping isn't expected, but in nicer sit-down restaurants, you can leave up to 10% of the total bill if the service was exceptional.
  
• Guides: €20–40 per day is the amount we recommend.
  
• Drivers: €10-20 per day is the amount we recommend.
  
• Hotels | Housekeeping: €2-5 per day.
  
• Hotels | Porters: €1-2 per bag.

• The Euro (€) is the official currency of Italy.
  
• One Euro is made up of 100 cents, and there are eight different coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 Euros), and seven notes (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros).
  
• Almost everywhere accepts card payments (a Revolut card is an amazing way to keep local currency on you with a card payment to avoid transaction fees), but it's important to always have some cash money on you when traveling to rural areas and islands as you might encounter a few studios or small shops in less-touristic areas that don't accept card.
  
• Cash is usually withdrawn from automatic teller machines at bank branches. In addition, in Italy it is easy to find ATMs to withdraw cash in shopping centres and shopping areas, large urban centres and historic centres in small towns.

Italian cuisine is famous worldwide, but when travelling through this country; it's the perfect opportunity to try the most authentic cuisines on offer!

Here are a few of our favourite dishes to try in Italy:

• Pizza needs no introduction, but when in Italy, it is an absolute must! Today, there are essentially two types of pizza to choose from in Italy: Neopolitan-style pizza (thicker crust), or Roman-style pizza (thin crust). Naples is considered the birthplace of modern pizza.
  
• Polenta is a corn-based dish that is especially popular in the northern provinces. Tomato, vegetable, or meat sauces are common ways to dress up the creamy mash, but it can take on a completely different texture if it is fried or baked.
  
• Ribollita, a speciality in Tuscany, is a filling soup served with Tuscan bread.
  
• Risotto, originating in northern Italy and the Veneto region, is a creamy rice dish made from short grain arborio rice and chicken, beef, or vegetable broth; found all throughout the country.
  
• Tortellini originates from Bologna and the Emilia Romagna region. It is stuffed pasta, commonly with cheese or meat.
  
• Squash Blossoms are bright orange flowers, dipped in batter and lightly fried. The best places to try them are Sorrento, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
  
• Carbonara is a hearty dish of egg, Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and pasta. It originates in Rome and is one of the typical Roman dishes you’ll find here.

If you're in the area, make sure you try these:

• Pesto troffie ai fagiolini if you are in northern Italy!
  
• Parmigiana alle melanzane if you are in southern Italy.
  
• Aranchini if you are in Sicily, it's a must!
  
• Panzanella during tomato season which is typically June- October.
  
• Bistecca Fiorentina when in Florence.

If you’re not familiar with the Italian way of enjoying dinner, it generally goes:

• Antipasto – small tasting plates or platters of meat, fish, seafood, cheese and vegetables.
  
• Primo – first course (or starter). This is usually pasta or rice and you will want to pace yourself as there’s a lot more food to come.
  
• Secondo – entree (or main course) usually comprising fish or meat, together with potatoes or vegetables.
  
• Dolce – dessert
  
• Caffe – always an espresso. Never anything long or frothy!

Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. Buon appetito!

Do’s and Don'ts

• A cappuccino is only drunk in the morning, never after 12pm!
  
• If you order a latte, you will get a glass of warm milk! Latte means milk in Italian and they are quite literal with their coffees.
  
• In Italy, there is no such thing as a doppio cappuccino. All cappuccinos have two shots of espresso. You can, however, order a doppio espresso, which will get you two shots of espresso in one cup.
  
• Do not put parmesan on fish dishes, and that includes seafood spaghetti! If the dish pairs well with parmesan, your waiter will offer it; otherwise it will kill subtle flavors in the dish.
  
• No ketchup, mayonnaise or pineapple on a pizza!
  
• Don’t cut your spaghetti, and don’t use a spoon to roll it on a fork.
  
• Don’t expect a savory breakfast. While luxury hotels will have everything, an Italian’s breakfast is sweet! Typically, a cornetto (pastry) that some may dip in their cappuccino.

Considered the 'King of Carbonara', Roman chef Luciano Monosilio, shares his recipe for a traditional Carbonara - enjoy!

• Chef Luciano Monosilio's Carbonara.

The Rome Tourism Board has a great list of authentic recipes you can try!

• Click here.

Enjoy!