Edward Hendriks
I think it would be fantastic to live in Italy. But it is almost as nice to travel regularly from the Netherlands to Italy. If only because of that other world that opens up for you after crossing the Alps. During the May holiday we went to the campsite in Trentino for about 10 days. I made notes for this website and a number of things struck me (again). So it's high time for an update of my series about 'things you forget when you haven't been to Italy for a while'.
Table of contents
- It's always further than you thought
- The pizzas are not expensive (and delicious!)
- The shops are closed on Sundays…
- …and on Mondays they don't open until 15 or 16 pm
- The landscapes of Italy are beautiful
- It's still really preseason in May
- The small scale of the shops
- The ice creams are not cheaper in Italy
- The tomatoes in Italy taste like… tomatoes!
- What strikes you every time in Italy?
It's always further than you thought
We chose a holiday at the Levico lake, near Trento, Trentino-South Tyrol. Just like Italy, although you are often addressed in German here too. But: nice and north, so don't drive too far. Do you think. Because although you leave early in the morning and make good progress around noon ("That's going well!"), you always arrive tired only in the evening ("How far is it?"). That is, if you want to drive those 1.000 kilometers in one day. And with children in the car, you have to stop regularly to exercise and play. Our youngest didn't like it much in the back seat for the last hour.
The pizzas are not expensive (and delicious!)
I am always surprised by the price of the pizzas. And not in a negative sense. You can get Italy delicious pizzas for five euros. Or less. Even at the campsite, a simple pizza was only five euros.
The shops are closed on Sundays…
We are now so used to Sunday shopping that it always takes some getting used to when the shops remain closed on Sundays. Especially if supermarkets are closed on Sundays. Well, let's go to the restaurant.
…and on Mondays they don't open until 15 or 16 pm
It is logical that the middle class takes it easy on Monday morning. But only after the lunch open the doors? In a big city? Then it is almost no longer necessary.
The landscapes of Italy are beautiful
Especially in the spring. Of course we know that, but how wonderful it is to look out from that campsite on those green mountains with still snowy peaks. And then that blue, clear water. The Italian landscapes are postcards, but in real life.
It's still really preseason in May
It is often cool in the mountains, especially at night. But so cold that the air conditioning in our accommodation has to be turned on at the heating level? May is a beautiful month to visit Italy, But rest assured that it is certainly not summer yet. There are retired Germans and Dutch families (May holidays) at the campsite. The swimming pool is still closed, the camping shop has limited opening hours and construction workers are busy with excavators and other equipment.
It is clearly far from high season. The Italians are quietly preparing for the really busy months, which only start after May. On the one hand, nice and quiet (and cheap), on the other hand you miss some liveliness and activities on the campsite.
The small scale of the shops
With the recent collapse of large retail chains, we may also have to return to the Italian model: small shops that sell special items. In some cases, you can't even turn your ass. Household appliances combined with statues of saints. Shops solely dedicated to pasta. And clothing stores that make you wonder how they can survive.
The ice creams are not cheaper in Italy
Italian ice cream costs about as much in Italy as it does here. Between one euro and one and a half euros per 'sphere', depending on the ice-cream shop of your choice. So the difference is not in the price, but in the quantity. The Italian ice creams are not kneaded with ice tongs to a minuscule scoop, but they have generous dimensions. And of course they generally taste very good.
The tomatoes in Italy taste like… tomatoes!
Which brings me to a different taste. That of tomatoes. Because in Italy they just taste like, well, tomatoes! They usually look a bit more capricious and less beautiful red than in the Netherlands. One of those models that don't come into the supermarket here, because people would just ignore them. But it's not the looks that count. Tomatoes with lots of meat, fresh basil and mozzarella. And a drop cream of balsamic vinegar to finish. How good does that taste!
What strikes you every time in Italy?
They were. Just a few random things that struck me now that I hadn't been to Italy for a while. I am curious what you have remembered after your last Italy trip. Let us know in a comment!
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