Pasta, cheese, salami, olives and wine. (karandaev (123RF))
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 6: Epiphany
April 20-21, 2025: Easter holidays
April 25: Liberation Day
May 1: Labor Day / International Worker’s Day
June 2: Republic Day
August 15: Assumption Day
November 1: All Saints’ Day
December 8: Immaculate Conception
December 25-26: Christmas holidays
Italians generally dress in a more formal manner than Americans. You will rarely see someone wearing running shoes or casual outfits outside of a particular context like the gym or a recreational activity.
Although the basics are great, nothing beats hearing the language spoken well. Make the most of your tour to Italy by trying to learn the Italian language.
FFSC Classes
The installation’s FFSC provides a Basic Italian Language Course to get you comfortable being off the installation and having a conversation with the locals. In addition, FFSC offers a Spouse Orientation class to help spouses learn about local culture and language.
Library
Through the Navy MWR library websites, you can access Mango Languages courses and the Mango App to learn Italian for free on your computer or mobile device.
Google Translate App
This app allows you to type, photograph or say words in one language and quickly translate them into another language. It also offers a real-time dictation function that is convenient for conversations. Keep in mind that Italian has many regional variations that affect how accurate Google Translate can be.
Recycling is a requirement in Italy. Each town has different trash and recycle pick-up schedules, so be sure to ask your landlord, neighbors or the housing office for information. Items must be placed in the appropriate bin at collection points near your home, whether you live on or off base.
Yellow Bins – plastic recycling
Plastic bottles
Food containers
Polystyrene and Styrofoam
Nylon bags
Plastic bags
Green Bins – glass and metal recycling
Cans or tins
Foil
Glass jars and containers
Glass bottles
Objects made of glass
Blue Bins – paper recycling
Flattened cardboard boxes
Containers
Paper bags
Newspaper
Books and magazines
Printer paper
Brown Bins – Organic material
Food waste
Egg shells
Coffee grounds
Fruit and vegetable scraps
Grass and yard clippings
Leaves
Cooled grill ashes
Black Bins – non-recyclable waste
Everyday trash that does not fit into one of the above recyclable categories.
The dining culture in Italy is unique, so here are some things to note.
Wait staff will generally need waved over if you would like service, need refills or want to order more food. They respect the socializing of their clients and don’t intrude.
You will need to ask for the bill (il conto) when you are ready to go.
Not every restaurant accepts credit cards, so bring euros.
Coffee Bars are open all day and are most popular at breakfast times, afternoons and evenings. If you are just getting a coffee and snack, order at the bar and stand there to drink and eat. If you are ordering food, you can also choose to sit down for waiter service and expect an additional up charge plus tip.
Lunch times are around 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Restaurants will often close between lunch and dinner.
“Rosticeceria,” “Girarrosto” and “Polleria” are shops that primarily sell rotisserie chickens, which make for quick meals.
“Pasticceria” are pastry shops, and are often connected to a bar (coffee shop). Many serve sandwiches, or “panini.”
“Tavola Calda,” are counter-service shops with hot food that you choose from a display case.
Dinner restaurants, or “Ristorante” may be open as early as 7 p.m., but many Italians don’t begin dinner until 9:30 p.m. The restaurant will typically stay open until midnight. Expect evening meals to last two hours or more. You should order each course that you are interested in receiving; they will come in this order:
• Antipasto: Appetizer, or starter
• Pasta
• Secondo: Main dish of just meat or fish, not side dishes.
• Controni: Side dishes like vegetables, fruit, cheese or salads. These will come out with the secondo.
• Coffee or liqueur
• Wine, water and bread are available throughout a meal, but you must ask for them.
The bill will sometimes include an additional “coperto” or cover charge, and a “servizio” or service charge of about 10-15 percent.
There is plenty of shopping in the Catania area, here are the names of some common stores.
• Home improvement: Leroy Merlin, Tecnomat
• Shopping malls: Centro Sicilia, Etnapolis,
• Furniture: IKEA, Mondo Convenienza
• Discount stores: “Cina” shops with Chinese-made items
The historical center of Catania has a shopping district along the Via Etnea, with lots of small shops and a few large department stores like La Rinascente and Coin.
The Catania market, near Piazza Carlo Alberto, is another great place for one-stop-shopping. There are vendors selling fresh fish, vegetables and other foods, plus clothing and accessories. Negotiation over prices is expected.
