10 Things to Know Before Visiting Italy

Between roughly 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. unfolds one of the most relaxing, delicious, and socially uplifting hours in Italy: aperitivo time. These short golden hours consist of refreshing Italian cocktails and an array of crunchy, heavenly, and often salty snacks. Forget the boozy value for a moment and visualize the social atmosphere of European dreams: Italians getting off of work meeting up with friends, laughing with your travel buddy, happy tourists enjoying their little slice of the Italian lifestyle.