- A day in Italy
- Southern phenomenon
- What is still open?
The southern country of Italy can surprise its guests not only with its famous historical monuments, but also with the tradition of an afternoon rest, which is widespread throughout the country, that is, siesta.
Siesta in Italy is called pennicella. It starts at about 12.30 and ends at 15.30. During the siesta, in many Italian cities, especially those in the south of the country, shops, banks, communication salons, law offices, and doctors' offices do not work. Both public and private institutions close for a long lunch.
A day in Italy
A traveler visiting a particular country should be prepared to adhere to local customs and traditions. In Italy, as in other Mediterranean countries, it is customary not to rush anywhere. There is a morning for everyday affairs. Lunch and evening time can be devoted to relaxation and family.
To avoid annoyance and stress, seeing the doors of museums and churches closed for a long lunch break, it is better to plan your day correctly while on vacation in Italy:
- sightseeing should be devoted to the first half of the day - until 12.30. This way you can be sure that the castle or museum you need will be open;
- at lunchtime, you can have a snack in one of the tourist places that work without lunch in the hope of profit, and then wait out the heat in a hotel room;
- for the evening it is better to leave unhurried walks around the city and shopping. Large shopping centers in large Italian cities like Rome, Milan, Venice work without interruption. Small private shops are only open in the morning and evening.
Southern phenomenon
The results of recent studies of the phenomenon of the Italian siesta are striking: until now, about 30% of the country's inhabitants prefer to sleep after a hearty meal. And since lunch in southern countries is quite plentiful, consisting of several changes of dishes, which are also washed down with wine, it is absolutely impossible to start work immediately after it. You also need to take into account the intense heat, which is established in Italy from April to November at lunchtime. Going into the garden, picking oranges, doing something with your own hands in the open air under the scorching rays of the sun means putting yourself at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Young people in Italy are indulgent towards the traditions of afternoon naps. Most often, the older generation goes to relax on the sofa in the middle of the day. At this time, their children and grandchildren go shopping in large supermarkets that work without interruption, or meet with friends.
What is open after all?
In cities in northern Italy, about 1/5 of the population recalls siesta. So, in Milan, only 20% of residents sleep after lunch, in Bologna - already 36%. In the south of Italy, siesta traditions are still alive: almost half of Italians prefer to relax here at noon. Pharmacies, banks and cafes located in the provinces, away from tourist roads, will probably be closed during the day for several hours. All establishments will work in resorts and in the centers of big cities. Large, significant museums, such as the Vatican Museum Complex or the Uffizi Art Gallery in Florence, operate without interruption. Outlets near Milan, where all fashionistas in Europe come to shop at bargain prices, are also open all day.
But in the afternoon, even in crowded places where there are many visitors, most restaurants and cafes take a break. During the siesta, they regularly receive visitors, and after 15.00 they close until the evening. The Italians themselves consider this quite reasonable, because it is at 19-20 hours that the locals go to dinner. And the desires of tourists, who are accustomed, for example, to eat at 18 o'clock, are not taken into account here. Again: if you come to a country, live by its laws.
Italy is not the only country in Europe that encourages afternoon relaxation. Siesta traditions are strong in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Malta. It is interesting that it is in these countries that the happiest people live, who are not fixated on the indispensable urgent fulfillment of all matters. Maybe travelers should learn from their experience?
