https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Italy in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Milder weather is not the only thing you can expect in springtime in Italy, as 'la primavera' ushers in some welcome changes to everyday life. https://www.thelocal.it/20230329/eight-signs-that-spring-has-arrived-in-italy Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:38:24 +0200 eight-signs-that-spring-has-arrived-in-italy Italy's coffee culture is admired around the world, but it can be hard for foreigners to navigate its rules and norms. Here’s what you need to know to get your caffeine fix ‘all’italiana’. https://www.thelocal.it/20211119/where-when-and-how-to-drink-coffee-like-an-italian Fri, 19 Nov 2021 16:03:42 +0100 where-when-and-how-to-drink-coffee-like-an-italian You've probably heard that Italians are habitually late. But is this always true – and how late are we talking? https://www.thelocal.it/20230222/explained-how-late-is-it-usual-to-be-in-italy-really Wed, 22 Feb 2023 18:01:31 +0100 explained-how-late-is-it-usual-to-be-in-italy-really While it's often translated as merely the start of a new school year or the end of a holiday, this word has a deeper cultural significance. https://www.thelocal.it/20230901/why-il-rientro-means-so-much-more-in-italy-than-a-new-school-year Fri, 01 Sep 2023 15:02:19 +0200 why-il-rientro-means-so-much-more-in-italy-than-a-new-school-year There are some Italian words that don't quite translate to English – and which reveal some interesting things about Italy and its culture. https://www.thelocal.it/20250819/7-untranslatable-italian-words-that-tell-us-something-about-italy Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:23:24 +0200 7-untranslatable-italian-words-that-tell-us-something-about-italy Summer holidays in Italy mean workplaces emptying for weeks on end, a flood of 'out of office' replies from colleagues and clients, and deserted cities. But why is the long break so ingrained in Italian society? https://www.thelocal.it/20240704/why-do-italians-take-such-long-summer-holidays Thu, 04 Jul 2024 16:37:12 +0200 why-do-italians-take-such-long-summer-holidays Summer is in full swing in Italy, bringing scorching temperatures and long, sun-soaked days. To make the most of your time in the country, do as the locals do. https://www.thelocal.it/20250805/the-italian-summer-habits-all-foreigners-should-adopt Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:04:39 +0200 the-italian-summer-habits-all-foreigners-should-adopt More than just a rest stop, the 'autogrill' is an Italian institution inseparably linked with the idea of driving in the country. https://www.thelocal.it/20230712/autogrill-six-essential-things-to-know-about-italys-service-stations Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:09:19 +0200 autogrill-six-essential-things-to-know-about-italys-service-stations With hot and sunny conditions expected across much of the country this week, summer seems to have finally arrived in Italy. Besides the weather though, there’s further proof that 'estate' is upon us. https://www.thelocal.it/20230616/nine-unmistakable-signs-that-summer-has-arrived-in-italy Fri, 16 Jun 2023 19:28:21 +0200 nine-unmistakable-signs-that-summer-has-arrived-in-italy If you're planning to book a restaurant or want to invite your Italian friends or neighbours over for dinner, here's a look at what time the evening meal is normally eaten in different parts of the country. https://www.thelocal.it/20230307/reader-question-what-time-do-people-eat-dinner-in-italy Tue, 07 Mar 2023 10:47:43 +0100 reader-question-what-time-do-people-eat-dinner-in-italy You may think you're an expert on Italian cuisine - but there are some traditions that will come as a surprise to anyone who's yet to experience Italy's food culture up close. https://www.thelocal.it/20230912/six-surprising-italian-food-customs Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:21:44 +0200 six-surprising-italian-food-customs Italy's a country of striking contrasts, and while the north has a stronger economy, the south makes up for it by being a more exciting place to live, argues Silvia Marchetti. https://www.thelocal.it/20250220/opinion-why-life-in-the-south-of-italy-is-just-more-fun Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:33:17 +0100 opinion-why-life-in-the-south-of-italy-is-just-more-fun Bank branches are as sacred to many Italians as their favourite bar or cafe, but they're being closed by the hundreds across the country, causing major problems for dozens of devoted clients, Silvia Marchetti explains. https://www.thelocal.it/20250214/opinion-why-italians-are-upset-by-the-fate-of-their-sacred-bank-branches Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:06:45 +0100 opinion-why-italians-are-upset-by-the-fate-of-their-sacred-bank-branches As far as Italians are concerned, Friday the 13th is nothing to worry about. Friday the 17th however is a day to be wary of in Italy. https://www.thelocal.it/20240122/did-you-know-italians-fear-a-very-different-day-to-friday-13th Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:39:56 +0100 did-you-know-italians-fear-a-very-different-day-to-friday-13th If you have friends or family in Italy, sooner or later you'll probably be invited to some sort of social event. Here's what you can expect from some of the most common invitations, whether it's an 'aperitivo', a wedding reception or a birthday party. https://www.thelocal.it/20241025/aperitivo-to-compleanno-explaining-the-different-types-of-parties-in-italy Fri, 25 Oct 2024 16:51:43 +0200 aperitivo-to-compleanno-explaining-the-different-types-of-parties-in-italy From how to dress for special occasions to holding cutlery a certain way, Italians are known to follow a long list of 'unwritten rules', many of which often baffle foreigners. Silvia Marchetti explores what's behind their obsession with etiquette and appearances. https://www.thelocal.it/20241018/form-over-substance-why-italians-care-so-much-about-etiquette Fri, 18 Oct 2024 12:56:28 +0200 form-over-substance-why-italians-care-so-much-about-etiquette Foreigners living in Italy are often left baffled by how much 'la famiglia' is intrinsic to the Italian way of life. Silvia Marchetti explains why families in Italy "stick together like glue", even if it means your relatives are a constant presence in your life. https://www.thelocal.it/20240913/opinion-family-is-sacrosanct-to-italians-even-if-you-cant-get-away-from-them Fri, 13 Sep 2024 18:24:25 +0200 opinion-family-is-sacrosanct-to-italians-even-if-you-cant-get-away-from-them Some of Italy’s foreign residents may still be wearing t-shirts, but Italians are preparing for the most stressful style-related event of the year: the summer-to-autumn wardrobe switch. Silvia Marchetti explains what it’s all about. https://www.thelocal.it/20220923/why-the-great-autumn-wardrobe-switch-is-serious-business-in-italy Fri, 23 Sep 2022 19:21:03 +0200 why-the-great-autumn-wardrobe-switch-is-serious-business-in-italy In Italy the supermarket you choose to shop at reveals much more than what's in your basket. It shows who you are, how much time you have and how much you're willing to splurge on Italian goods. https://www.thelocal.it/20240806/what-your-choice-of-italian-supermarket-says-about-you Tue, 06 Aug 2024 18:35:07 +0200 what-your-choice-of-italian-supermarket-says-about-you Mopping up the sauce on your plate with a chunk of bread is a ubiquitous practice in Italian homes – but is it rude to do it at the restaurant? Share your own experiences below. https://www.thelocal.it/20240805/scarpetta-is-it-considered-rude-to-scrape-your-plate-in-italy Mon, 05 Aug 2024 16:51:35 +0200 scarpetta-is-it-considered-rude-to-scrape-your-plate-in-italy