4 ways to make ordinary Italy an extraordinary travel experience

We often tout the virtues of getting off the regular tourist path in Italy, and recently I was pleased to see a New York Times article echo this view, titled “Oh, the Ordinary Places You’ll Go.”

The story by Bonnie Tsui isn’t about Italy, but its theme is universal. She writes:

 “Authentic” is overused these days when talking about travel, but I think it means wanting to know something real about a place and the people who live there. … There’s something to be said for partaking of the parts of daily life that are not designed especially for you, the visitor. That’s where the surprise lies.”

Here are a four things I always do if I get a couple hours free while guiding our trips:

Seek outdoor seafood and produce markets, often the liveliest and most interesting places in town. Buy a fruit you’ve never tried before, and enjoy a shopping experience entirely different from the grocery store.

Stop at a café that appears to attract no tourists but always seems to be bustling. Everyone knows cafés are great for people-watching, and it’s a bonus if you’re able to understand a little Italian language. Get an espresso, and risk another if you can handle high-octane coffee.

Go to church. Seriously. Many Italian churches represent the most magnificent historic landmark in their town, featuring stunning art and architecture. Many hold Mass every day: If you’re Catholic, a language barrier doesn’t matter. You know the routine.

Get lost. Flee the crowded piazzas, seek out pedestrian-only streets. This isn’t particularly risky except perhaps in large cities later at night. You’ll be rewarded with a sense of the real everyday life of Italians.

The NY Times author describes these decidedly-not-extraordinary experiences as a parallel universe to your life at home – “the mundane given the glitter of the novel” – when seen through your fresh eyes as a visitor.

 On our small-group trips and custom journeys, we make sure you get a chance to stay in small towns and other places on a schedule where you’ll have enough time to explore on your own and discover these experiences. It’s the best of Italy, and you’ll find it all by yourself. We take care of the rest.