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Shopping
Generally stores open between 8.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and close at 7.30 p.m. Department stores and supermarkets stay open through lunch while (some stay open until 9.00p.m), smaller shops close from 12.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. Besides being shut on Sunday all sales outlets are closed half day, mainly on Monday. Most small stores shut down for a couple of weeks in August.
Supermarkets There are numerous chains of supermarkets, like Esselunga. Coop, GS, Pam, SMA, Standa and Unes, they offer better value and are well distributed within cities. The larger ones have some imported foods and parking facilities. Ipermercati are large size supermarkets that can be found generally within a Centro Commerciale or shopping mall, such as Euromercato, Bennet, Auchan and Iper, generally located on the outskirts of cities. They not only sell food but clothing household goods, sports equipment, as well as big and small electrical appliances. Mini-markets are small stores that do not have a wide selection of brands but have practically everything you need. They are often found in the city centre, some offer home delivery services. Discount stores such as In’s Mercato and Lidl, have a distinct range of brands and competitive prices. Local Shops If you become a regular customer of your neighbourhood store you get better service and home delivery. Bread can be bought in a Panetteria or Panificio, fruit and vegetables from your Fruttivendolo. meat from the Macellaio other groceries from a Droghiere and if none of them sell milk then you go to a Latteria where you can also buy cheese and yoghurt. Fresh fish can be bought in a Pescheria. A Pastificio sells fresh pasta and a Pasticceria the most exquisite cakes and pastries. A Salumeria sells pork and a variety of dairy products. If you don’t want to cook go to a Rosticceria or gourmet shop and take home delicious cooked food. Markets Some cities have covered markets, Mercati Comunali, where you can shop for food and groceries. Open-air markets are held once a week in most neighbourhoods. Besides offering fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and cheese you can buy clothing and small household items. Health-food Organically grown products and other health foods are available in stores listed under Alimenti dietetici, macrobiotici e biologici in the yellow pages of your phone book. They can be found in some supermarkets like Esselunga and most Farmacie (Chemists) as well as in Erboristerie (herb stores). DEPARTMENT AND CHAIN STORES La Rinascente is the largest department store with branches in most major cities. It has very good perfume and cosmetics departments, quality clothing and accessories for men, women and children. Besides, toys, stationary, household linen and furnishings. An excellent choice of china and crystal, kitchen equipment and some specialized foods. Coin is a large department store with a vast selection of clothing and accessories for all ages on separate floors. Lingerie and cosmetics departments and a selection of household linen, kitchenware and crockery. Oviesse belongs to the same chain as Coin and sells moderately priced trendy clothes and accessories as well as household linen. Standa is one of the most popular department stores thanks to its moderate prices and capillary distribution all over the country. The larger branches usually have a supermarket and parking facilities. Upim is the lower priced sister of the more elegant La Rinascente it has clothing as well as household articles. Decathlon is a chain of stores that specialize in sports goods. They carry clothing as well as sports equipment from bicycles to skis and camping items. Computer Discount, Mediaworld and Vobis are chains of stores that sell computers and related accessories. Expert and Trony specialize in large and small electrical appliances. Ikea and Habitat offer home decorations and furnishings. Castorama and Brico are large do-it-yourself outlets that also carry furniture and home decoration accessories. A special mention for antique lovers are the numerous open - air markets, Mercati dell' Antiquariato, held in almost every big and small city on fixed days of the month.
Entertainment
Geographically Italy is just as unique, there will be times when you won’t know where to go because there is so much to choose from. The spectacular Alps and Dolomites in the north or the lakes, the miles of coastal beauty or the islands and volcano. Italy is the birthplace of famous composers as Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini and Puccini, Opera and Classical Music can be enjoyed almost everywhere. The important opera houses are La Scala in Milan, Teatro dell’Opera in Rome, La Fenice in Venice, San Carlo in Naples and Teatro Comunale in Florence, "Arena" in Verona. Classical music concert programmes can be found at Tourist board offices or on national and local newspapers. Most opera houses and Music Academies, Consevatorio di Musica, have their own symphony orchestra and offer seasonal programmes. Music lovers can not miss the annual Verona Music Festival held in the Roman Arena in June, nor the Panatenee Pompeiane, Pompei music festival held in the famous ruins at the end of August. Another important event is the Spoleto Festival Dei Due Mondi, it is an international festival of music, ballet and theatre held in the mediaeval town of Spoleto. TOURIST BOARD Visit your APT office (Azienda di Promozione Turistica)- Tourist Board. It will provide information about guided tours, art exhibitions, concerts, theatres and other local events.
Sports CALCIO – football or soccer, is surely the most popular sport in Italy. Matches are played on Sundays, the top league is known as Serie A. Some cities have two teams, Milan has AC Milan and Internazionale, Rome has Lazio and Roma, while Turin has Juventus and Torino. Fans-Tifosi, can sometimes become rowdy, going to at least one game in the huge stadiums is worth the experience. CICLISMO- cycling is another popular sport. The most important event of this sport is the Giro d’Italia, the Italian version of the Tour de France. SCI – skiing, the Alps and the Apennine range in central Italy have numerous resorts where both down-hill and cross-country skiing is possible. Accommodation can be booked through Tourist Agencies- Agenzie Viaggi e Turismo. Most resorts can be reached by a regular bus service. ALPINISMO- mountain climbing. The Club Alpino Italiano - CAI, will provide you with the necessary information. PATTINAGGIO SUL GHIACCIO – Ice-skating facilities are available in most skiing resorts and in cities that have a Palazzo Del Ghiaccio- skating rink. NUOTO- swimming. Private swimming pools are available in clubs and gyms. Outdoor and indoor Piscine Comunali or public pools require a small entrance fee. If the weather is good the alternative is a trip to the coast or to a lake. TENNIS – Private tennis clubs normally require annual membership while public courts can be booked by the hour. PALLACANESTRO -Basketball has become a very popular sport especially in the north. Championship news is given in the sports section of newspapers. For detailed information about clubs and courses contact the Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro. GOLF – is an exclusive sport in Italy. All major cities have private golf courses, the Italian Golf Federation provides addresses and competition dates. PALESTRE – Gyms and health clubs are listed in the phone book. Sports such as horse-riding, squash, badminton, rugby, fencing, baseball, cricket, hockey and rowing can be practised in private clubs.
Media NEWSPAPERS Getting in to the habit of reading an Italian newspaper is essential for anyone wanting to understand something about the Italian way of life. Perhaps, it will require a certain amount of time to grasp the evolution of local and national politics but at least you will know why and when there is a strike or what particular event your colleagues are talking about at work.
MAGAZINES Foreign magazines such as Newsweek, Time, Le Nouvel Observateur, Paris Match, Stern, Der Spiegel and many others are available in city centres, railway stations and airports. Some Italian magazines: Panorama and L'Espresso are the most popular Italian weekly newsmagazines. Domus and Abitare give an excellent view of design and architecture. Airone has articles and photographs on nature. Vogue Italia keeps you up-dated about fashion. Dove, Bell’Italia and GEO, provide information about travel and places to visit. Carnet, gives news of cultural events in Italy. The National Geographic Magazine can be found entirely in Italian. Integration The first and foremost step towards integration is learning Italian. If you want to be able to communicate with your neighbours, watch television or simply buy bread you can’t do without knowing the language. Italians will go out of their way to help a foreigner in distress but you will certainly feel better if you are able to discard the guise of the eternal tourist. Italian is a beautiful and expressive language and learning it well is a most satisfying experience. Books, tapes, language schools and private teachers will help you achieve this goal. Language schools are privately run, they offer you a choice between group lessons or intensive individual courses. Corporate companies usually have special agreements with schools for their foreign employees. It is always best to check with your expatriate colleagues before joining. As an alternative to schools you can have a professional teacher give you lessons at home or in the office. University students are more than willing to teach Italian or just practice conversation. Language schools are listed in the phone book under Scuole di Lingua. Other than office and colleagues you can get information from expatriate clubs and from your Europ Assitance hostess. Once you have a basic knowledge of Italian try and read local newspapers and keep in touch with what is happening around you. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR EXPATRIATES Expatriate clubs and specific language associations are an essential source of information. The fact that you meet people you can communicate with, share common problems and exchange useful information helps take away some of the burden off your shoulders. Embassies and your Europ Assistance hostess will provide you the necessary information. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS Places of worship such as Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and other religious congregations are an important support for expatriates. Meeting persons you can identify with added to the comfort given by your religion will definitely give you a greater sense of belonging. You can get addresses from your Embassy or Consulate and from your hostess. Pets Pets are generally well accepted in Italy provided they are well behaved. Most properties allow pets on their premises but it is always better to enquire before signing a contract. Just make sure there are no restrictions before taking your pet with you on holiday to a hotel or holiday-accommodation especially if it is furnished. To enter Italy your pet will need an official certificate of health and origin signed by a veterinarian, certifying that the animal comes from a rabies free locality-where there have been no cases of rabies in the last six months. As well as a vaccination certificate proving that the animal received anti-rabies vaccine not more than one year and not less than one month before entering Italy. Anti-rabies vaccinations must be given yearly and have to be recorded. Veterinarians provide international vaccination booklets The law requires dogs to be kept on a leash or wear a muzzle in a public area. Muzzles are compulsory on trains, trams and busses. If you want to adopt an abandoned animal you can go to the Canile Municipale (Municipal kennel) or to the local ENPA-Ente Nazionale per la Protezione degli Animali, (National animal rescue league), while Mondo Gatto can help you if you want a cat.
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