When you go to Italy and even before then, when you have booked one of our vacation rentals in Italy and you are reading our blog here or going elsewhere to find inspiration for your travels, you might come across some terminology that is new to you while researching Italy. Sometimes, these new words might have explanations that come with them – we can certainly that we strive to include explanations and make things clear. However, sometimes words can feel like such a given or so familiar to those who love and write about Italy that we can forget that we might not always have known them. So, in order to help make your journey to planning a dream holiday in Italy that little bit easier, we have put together a handy little glossary of some of these common terms, all in one place!
Al fresco
Often used in our property descriptions, this refers to literally, “outside,” and is largely connected to dining. Of course, you can do anything al fresco but it’s an evocative term that usually highlights the particular culture and joys of taking meals in the garden or on a terrace of your villa in Italy or sitting out for a meal and/or drinks in a pretty piazza (see below) of a town or village in Italy.
Apericena
Apericena is a relatively recent practice that traces its origins to Milan and Turin and is now in also towns and cities all over Italy and is when you have drinks and a buffet of small snacks or finger food, replacing a more traditional evening meal. The word comes from the combination of, “aperitivo,” (see below) and, “cena,” meaning evening/dinner.
Aperitivo
An aperitivo is merely an alcoholic drink that is served before a meal in order to stimulate the appetite. However, when many people use this word, they are actually referring to the practice of going for an alcoholic drink and some snacks before you go for dinner. In many places in Italy, if you order an aperitivo such as an Aperol Spritz, wait staff will automatically bring out small snacks along with the drink such as nuts, chips, breadsticks, olives, and more. Sometimes the offerings will be more significant and sometimes there may be a charge for more robust snacks.
Centro (centro storico)
In many towns in Italy, there is an old town and a new town. As the old town is often-times the more scenic area with picturesque cobbled streets and historic buildings you will, no doubt, be in search of this district. Centro simply means the centre of the town and the centro storico specifically refers to the old, historic centre of a town.
Conto
This means check and is what you can ask for from your waiter when you are ready to pay the bill at the end of a meal.
Coperto
Coperto is the name of a small cover charge that is paid per person at a restaurant and that pays for the tableware, linens, bread, grissini (see below) and other items placed on the table for customers. It is not charged in places where you might be having an aperitivo or in a coffee shop where you might just be grabbing an espresso. It is also not a tip as tipping is not necessarily expected or required in Italy (see this article for more information on the topic) and is mandatory where it is charged.
Duomo
Duomo is the Italian word for cathedral and refers to the main or largest or most important church in a town or city. Usually, this is one of the main architectural and cultural gems that you won’t want to miss so it’s a good word to know and often one that people leave in the original Italian and don’t often explain. It might seem a bit obvious to some but not if you have never seen it before and then keep seeing it used without explanation.
Farmacia
Hopefully, you won’t need to know this word urgently but farmacia is the word for pharmacy, if you need medicine or simply skincare, sun lotion, et cetra.
Grissini
Grissini is simply the word for breadsticks in Italian – a key word to know as Italian breadsticks are the best and a major fixture of the Italian dining table.
Piazza
Another word that is so ubiquitous that it often goes untranslated, piazza means a square in a town or village. Shops, businesses, and eateries are usually centred around these squares and the image of sitting out in one, at a table under a parasol, sipping a coffee or enjoying a gelato is what many picture when dreaming of Italy.
Spiaggia
A key word to keep an eye out for on signs if you are planning on a vacation in any of our coastal destinations in Italy – such as our vacation rentals on the Tuscan Coast, our villas on the Amalfi Coast, our holiday rentals in Salento, and our villas in the Cinque Terre – spiaggia means beach!
This, of course, is by no means a comprehensive list of terms that might be helpful for those who book a villa in Italy and spend time exploring the country but is a selection of some words and phrases that you are likely to come across. If you want to be able to speak a little bit of italiano during your trip, you can check out our guide to resources for learning some basic Italian ahead of your vacation in Italy.