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Top 10 ways to experience Italy like a local

August 4, 2016 Lana @TravelSavvyGal Comments 0 Comment

In Italy, there is one correct way to do everything. Yes, you may think you have a better way, that the way things are done do not seem logical, or realize that it’s not how things are done at home.

None of that matters because you are talking about hundreds, if not thousands of years of history behind the ways of Italian life.

You won’t change them during your short stay, but you can embrace them.

Locals are likely to take one look at you and know you’re a tourist. So if you want to disregard everything below, go ahead – it’s your vacation and it is all about enjoying yourself.

BUT if you’d like to experience a slice of living as the Italians do, here are my top 10 ways to experience Italy like a local:

1. Consume a typical Italian breakfast of cappuccino and a brioche, or something else sweet to start the day. A brioche is a sweet pastry that looks like a croissant, but tastes neither like a croissant nor French brioche bread. It is a slightly different but equally delicious pastry, and can come plain (“empty”) or filled with marmalade, cream, chocolate, or other fruit/nut fillings.

2. Avoid cappuccino past mid morning, or around 10/10:30am. The acceptable post-lunch and dinner coffees are either an espresso or a caffè macchiato (espresso with a touch of foamed milk on top).

3. Have bottled water at each of your meals. Drinking tap water is just not done. Your decision is between acqua naturale (still water) and acqua frizzante or acqua gassata (both different ways of saying sparkling water).

4. Eat on an Italian schedule on the late side, especially for dinner. If you want to experience the dining scene in Italy like a local, adjust your schedule to match theirs. Many restaurants do not open until at least 7:30pm for dinner, but you won’t see Italians at that hour. Wait until 8:30pm or later to be eating with the Italians, and tide yourself over in the meantime by enjoying an aperitivo somewhere.

5. If you’re ready to leave a restaurant, request the check: il conto, per favore. They will almost never bring you the check unless you ask. It’s not considered bad service, just being polite. If you want to truly experience Italy like a local, take a cue from the natives, and linger for a long time, enjoying the company of those around you. And maybe even a digestivo, some grappa or limoncello to help you to digest smoothly.

6. Blow-dry your hair before venturing out. Italians do not leave the house with their hair wet. It is another one of those things that is just not done.

7. Save your flip flops for the seaside. Everything has its place. Flip flops (or thongs, for the Aussies) are beach shoes, and only city shoes are worn in the city. If you want to feel as if you’re blending in, this one is key!

8. Save your gym clothes for the gym, too. Unless someone is actually running for exercise, you almost never see anyone on the street in workout attire. Locals walk into the gym looking impeccable, work out, shower, blow-dry their hair, and exit also looking impeccable.*

9. Stick to what food combinations are recommended. The one correct way to do something extends to food as well. Usually there is one or a small few acceptable pasta shape and sauce combinations, and a seasonal or daily menu is always a good bet. If you’re not sure what is recommended, ask. The Italians want you to experience Italy like a local (they do think it’s the best way, after all!) so will be happy to guide you along.

10. Venturing to the market? Ask for advice at each stall to get the best product being offered (and don’t touch the produce yourself either). Market vendors are just as particular as other Italians. I’ve tried to buy a certain type of apple once and had it switched out for another when the person helping me found out I was using it to bake. Or buying porcini mushrooms, I had parsley thrown in the order automatically because obviously that is what I would need to cook the mushrooms with the proper flavors.

Remember that when locals try to steer you in a different direction, they have your best interests at heart and want you to get maximum enjoyment – it’s up to you to listen!

*this is the only item on this list I don’t follow regularly, but I sure look out of place on my brief walk to and from the gym.

Are there any questions about the Italian way of life that I haven’t answered yet? Let me know in the ‘Comments’ below.

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Visiting Liechtenstein: A Perfect Weekend Getaway

October 20, 2016 Lana @TravelSavvyGal Comments 2 comments

Impressions

It’s been a long time since I’ve visited a country where tourist areas and restaurants boast almost no English at all. This is of course the impact of most tourists to Liechtenstein being German speakers from bordering nations Austria and Switzerland. It was a good reminder for me of what being a tourist is like for most nationalities – you arrive somewhere where you don’t speak the local language, and may only know a few words or phrases of English, the lingua franca of travel.

Fortunately I have a very rudimentary German vocabulary of maybe a dozen words, plus some mediocre “menu German.” And the Liechtensteiners were incredibly kind and helpful. Even when a menu was only available in German, all of the servers spoke passable English and were friendly and eager to help translate the different available dishes when asked. Phew.

The main focus for many visitors is Vaduz, the capital, and also the site where you’ll find most museums and also access to the Prince’s Castle. While I spent a fair bit of my time in Vaduz, I actually stayed in the nearby (and largest) municipality called Schaan. There are many restaurants easily accessible by foot in the Schaan center and it has a very different vibe, so I was glad to see another section of the country. Altogether Liechtenstein has 11 different municipalities, including ones at higher elevation you may encounter while hiking – take your time here to get out and explore a few!

Places Liechtenstein reminded me of:

Andorra. My first impression of Liechtenstein was how similar it is to fellow micro-nation Andorra. The driving approach isn’t nearly as dramatic as when you are getting close to crossing the Andorran border, but like Andorra, Liechtenstein is a small country with a main road and mountains on either side. They are a bit difficult to get to on account of there not being an airport, with both attracting outdoor adventurists for hiking in summer and skiing in winter.
Geneva. Geneva, although in Switzerland, will have many accommodation options in nearby France pop up as you plan your visit, where there are a lot of culinary options and cheaper places to stay. I found this happening in my searches for Liechtenstein as well, with many Liechtenstein or Vaduz restaurants actually boasting an address in nearby Switzerland.
Australia. There are a lot of bike paths in Europe, but I haven’t seen trails this well-marked since I lived in Australia. Bike trails are clearly marked indicating destinations and distances, making it an incredibly easy way to navigate Liechtenstein.
Stockholm. I came to Liechtenstein a few weeks after my July trip to Stockholm, and noticed a lot of the same trends. Although it is peak tourist season for many, there were a lot of local restaurants (especially in Schaan) that were simply closed for several weeks. Also, one of the breweries I tried to visit was closed the weekend I was there. Keep this in mind when you plan which time of year to come for a visit.

Things to Do

There’s more to do in Liechtenstein than you might think. See below for my top picks during your visit:

Around Town

Kunstmuseum

Located on the main pedestrian area in Vaduz, this modern art museum has a collection that has been carefully curated by locals over the years, and involved quite a bit of sculpture and interactive pieces as well as paintings. I enjoyed all of the three exhibits I saw on my visit, and there were pamphlets in English for each room.

Postage Stamp Museum

I wasn’t sure if I would pop in for a visit or not, and then I found out that this museum is FREE! It doesn’t take a lot of time to see it all, so it’s definitely worth checking out. And it’s nice because if you geek out like I did about visiting another micro-nation, you can buy a postcard and stamp, write and address it at a little writing table they have set up, and then the museum staff will mail it for you (yes, of course I did this!).

Off the Beaten Path

Vaduz Castle

Some people drove here, however it’s far more scenic to take the 20-minute (steep) walking path to get to the top where this iconic structure is perched. Each section of the path has a new view of Vaduz and beyond, and it’s nice to have the satisfaction of reaching the top, as the Castle is still in use and cannot be visited. Also along the path are informative signs about Liechtenstein in German, English, and French, the only multi-lingual signs I saw during my visit.

Harry Zech Weinbau Cantina

Although there are wineries closer to Vaduz and more tourist-oriented, this was by far the best wine I tasted in Liechtenstein (affirmed by its prevalence on the wine list at Michelin-starred Restaurant Maree – see the Best Bites section below). I’d recommend reserving your visit in advance, especially to come off the beaten path. Don’t be deterred by the Shell gas/petrol station that marks where you enter the parking lot, the white and red wines at this cantina are well-executed and with very particular flavors from the local growing area. Most visits here take place in German, so just plan to be patient for a visit in English, although all the key points will come across just fine – and let’s be real, there is no communication barrier with excellent wine to enjoy.

Liechtensteiner Brauhaus

This brewery’s Alpagold is available on most Liechtenstein beer menus that I saw, but if you’re interested in sampling some of their more unique brews, you can visit them not far outside of the Schaan center. It’s possible to taste the different brews, and get some quite inexpensive varieties like a coffee stout or a pale ale from their ‘Club Bier’ assortment.

Amazing views

Hiking

There is a huge variety of hiking trails, from relatively leisurely strolls to intense, steep paths that will take all day. Most hotels will offer a hiking map and advice if you ask, and you can also peruse the options through the official tourist website. Best of all, you can get to the trails on foot from many of the town centers, I accessed trails from both Schaan and Vaduz during my trip.

Vaduz Castle (see above)

A bit off the beaten path, but accessible by foot from the Vaduz Center and the views are wonderful as you stroll up to the Castle.

Going up to top of ski slopes (summer or winter)

Although I did not go myself, locals recommended to me that taking the ski lift to Malbun is a great way to get an incredible view without having to do all that hiking. There is more to do in winter of course, but some restaurants stay open for the summer visitors (do keep in mind though that snow tends to linger at the high elevations, and sometimes there is still snow as late as July).

Best Bites

Like in nearby Switzerland, food in Liechtenstein is a bit pricey overall. This similarity is of course not entirely surprising since both countries use the Swiss Franc as their currency.

I definitely saw backpackers who were picking up fruit and pastries from the supermarket to comprise a budget meal. Even if you’re on a budget though, some places are worth the splurge and there are quite a few set menus available for lunch for relatively reasonable amounts. Here are my top picks for places to check out:

Set Lunch

Adler Vaduz 1908

Close to the pedestrian area in downtown Vaduz, Adler/Vanini has a nice (covered) outdoor seating area and a reasonably priced set menu Monday through Saturday with 2 different options of main dishes, and the option of adding on an appetizer for under 20 CHF. The food was basic, but with great flavors and was a very enjoyable start to my weekend.

Local Specialties

Berggasthaus Masecha

I ate at this spot off-the-beaten-path at the end of many long hours of hiking, although you don’t need to hike to get here – the Liechtenstein bus systems comes here and many people drove as well. They even had an English menu, while many spots closer to downtown Vaduz do not. While Liechtenstein cuisine is similar to German, Austrian, and Swiss specialties with a focus on meat and potatoes, this Berggasthaus stood out for its several vegetarian and salad options. It is at a fairly high level of elevation outside of the main town, and priced similarly, but worth it for the incredibly delicious dishes they prepare. Oh, and the view.

High-end Cuisine

Restaurant Maree

Liechtenstein has a Michelin-starred restaurant! Once I made this discovery, I knew I wanted to eat there. While I did not find anything memorable about the amuse bouche sampler that arrived at the start, the dishes on the tasting menu were absolutely fantastic, especially the fish and seafood courses. There are also quite a few wines available by the glass to accompany the different flavors of the various courses. The cheese plate is wonderful but enormous, so plan accordingly, and come early enough for your meal to enjoy the sunset overlooking the Prince’s Castle.

(More) Practical Tips for Visiting

I’ve included a few practical tips above next to the relevant attraction. Here are a few more general tips for visiting Liechtenstein:

Country Abbreviation

Countries across Europe use 1- or 2-letter abbreviations, and the one you’ll see for Liechtenstein is FL. If you see it on a highways sign, don’t worry, you are going the correct direction. FL is an abbreviation for the German words for “Principality of Liechtenstein.”

Currency

Liechtenstein, in addition to bordering Switzerland, also uses the Swiss Franc as its currency, which you’ll see abbreviated CHF. Like in Switzerland, while the exchange rate between CHF and the Euro are close to 1:1, prices are much higher in Francs.

How to Arrive

Liechtenstein is one of the more accessible of the airport-less micro-nations, since it is close driving distance to several cities. I enjoyed my road trip there (get European road trip tips here), taking about 3 hours from Milan.

You can also get to Liechtenstein from:

Zurich, Switzerland in 1 hour
Innsbruck, Austria in 2.5 hours
Munich, Germany in 3 hours

If you are planning to taste and purchase wine here, or want to explore around Liechtenstein without hiking, biking, or public transit, definitely drive. Otherwise, there are many other options to get to Liechtenstein, best explained on Liechtenstein’s official tourism website.

Buses for Travel within Liechtenstein

Whether you drive to get to Liechtenstein or not, you may find yourself taking advantage of Liechtenstein’s thorough public bus system. There are a lot of routes connecting the end of hikes back to the city and the towns along the main road with one another. Your map app on your phone also likely can navigate you on the buses here.

Fares are on the honor system, and can be single rides, round-trips or day passes. You can buy directly from the driver, and I wouldn’t take my chances – one of the days I rode the bus there was a plainclothes woman who looked like a tourist checking tickets and issuing fines to those who hadn’t paid when they boarded.

Parking around Vaduz Center

There are parking lots immediately adjacent to the central pedestrian walking area along the Städtle in the center, but they tend to have a time limit of 2-3 hours. Especially on weekends if you are willing to walk a little extra, there is a lot by the Schloss-Apotheke with no time limit that is free on the weekend. I had already checked out of my hotel on Sunday morning, so this was an ideal spot to leave the car to explore more of Vaduz before heading home without the stress of a time limit.

Picture-taking.

With mountains all around, the sun can disappear quite quickly. When the light is good, get your pictures fast, the moment won’t last long!

Have you visited Liechtenstein before? What was the highlight for you? Or which attraction is enticing enough for you to go out of your way to come? Any other questions? Let me know in the Comments below.

6 Reasons to Visit Andorra

October 18, 2016 Lana @TravelSavvyGal Comments 4 comments

Admittedly, stopping into Andorra was to check another micro-nation off the bucket list, but also to explore a country I really knew very little about. It was clear on the driving approach how prominent the mountains were in the view from all of the towns along the main, winding road, making it a perfect destination for outdoor adventures in any season.

Like other European micro-nations, Andorra also holds a bit of a unique status. While it is not part of the Schengen open border area, you have to enter Schengen to get there since without an airport, Andorra is only accessible via Spain or France – most commonly Barcelona or Toulouse. And it even uses the Euro as its currency.

Prices are also incredibly cheap, so the final stop leaving Andorra was to fill up the car at a gas station. When presenting the European gas card afterward, the attendant took one look at the card and said, “We can’t take this. It’s only good in Europe.”

This is the kind of seeming contradiction that makes travelling to a micro-nation so interesting. So why visit Andorra, this beautiful country that is both in Europe and not?

Hiking

In summertime when I visited, you are greeted by lush green cover along the Pyrenees mountains, and since the towns tend to be in the valley between, the heights are tempting you for a visit. There are quite a lot of hiking trails accessible from the main towns, with a range of lengths and difficulty levels, so whatever your inclination, you can find a path into nature to spend a morning or entire day.

Skiing

Although I did not visit in winter, Andorra was known as a skiing destination long before it became a summer draw. There are a lot of accommodations easily accessible to the various ski slopes, and you can also enjoy other winter sports like snowshoeing, with ample trails throughout. Many of Andorra’s small towns are essentially set up to be winter sports destinations.

Eating

Not surprisingly, food options in Andorra borrow from both neighboring countries, France and Spain (and if you speak French or Spanish, that will come in handy for ordering). I had a French-style dinner and then Spanish tapas for lunch, including some of the best papas bravas – roasted potato cubes in a spicy sauce – that I’ve ever had. I especially enjoyed eating along the river that passes through Andorra La Vella, with ample outdoor seating to do some people watching and take in the views.

Relaxing

Speaking of which, if activities in the great outdoors don’t interest you, there are plenty of pedestrian walkways in town and along the river to really relax and still enjoy beautiful views as you look up. And plenty of spa and “wellness” retreat options for really taking it slow, or relaxing after exertion hiking or skiing.

Exploring

The best part for me about visiting a country I don’t know much about beforehand are the surprises along the way. Of course, you don’t know what things you may happen upon until you take the time to wander. The two things that stand out most from my visit are a Dali sculpture in the middle of Andorra La Vella and happening upon a Cirque du Soleil rehearsal.

Shopping

Right after driving across the border from France, you begin seeing prominent signs advertising duty-free shopping. A quick stop out of curiosity revealed an adult wonderland of culinary delights and liquors produced at a local distillery as well as from around the world. I mostly stuck to things I can’t find elsewhere, like Andorran tea, but an entire trip budget could easily be spent in the span of thirty minutes.

In addition to the ample duty free wares, there are also quite a lot of brand-name stores with branches in Andorra, especially in the capital of Andorra La Vella. While it makes sense that purchasing opportunities would be plentiful in the tax haven of Andorra, this was the biggest surprise for me. Come with your shopping wish list ready!

Have you been to Andorra? What was the highlight for *you*?