Sunday in Rome and other Rome, Italy Local Custom Tips

Sunday is one lazy and relaxing day in Rome. Even the traffic seems to calm down.
Even though it's not what it once has, Italians and Romans in particular remains pretty religeous and, to my surprise, my neighbourhood church had 2 services on Sunday morning and it was PACKED. Funny detail, the first stop on the way back home from the mass for a lot of parishoners was... the next door bar ;o) for a little "aperitivo". I also indulged and loved to the bar when it gets lively with older gentlemen having a sambuca or a martini rosso (the real drink, not the cocktails), kids on their Sunday best enjoying a soda or a hot chocolate... Then, everybody's off for lunch, usually a family affair on Sunday and everybody gathers at the grandparents to have a 4 course home-cooked meal (antipasto, mostly cold cuts and cheese, pasta, main and dessert). In the afternoon, if it's football season, most of the family will be glued to the TV to watch a football game (I would hear my neighbours scream about the feats of AS Roma or Lazio di Roma, the 2 Romans teams). In the evening, a "before dinner" passegiata is often recommended. The passegiata (simply taking a walk) is a big social affair. In my street, you would find lots of people on their porch or in front of their houses, people stops and chat, enquire about each other and each others family... Maybe a stop for a little limoncello at the next door bar before going back for a small dinner... Or maybe enjoy Rome at night.

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Coffee in Italy is one serious thing. This dark and aromatic brew is strong, fragrant and nothing like people in the US are used to. Even the smallest bar will serve a very good cup of coffee (to start with, they all have a cappucino machine).
To help the traveller choose the coffee, here are my tips:when you order a coffee or "caffé", don't expect a 20 oz. cup. "Caffé" is the equivalent of an "espresso". You don't even need to call it espresso, if you ask for a coffee, you'll get an "espresso". It is seriously strong and served in a tiny cup. The ristretto is an even tinier cup of coffee but because it's "stopped short" of a Caffé", it's not as bitter. On the opposite, the caffé lungo is a tall caffé. If you crave coffee, you can order a "caffé doppio", a double shot of coffee or a "caffé americano" which is basically a shot of coffee with more water added afteward so you have a bigger cup. Caffé macchiatto" or stained coffee is a coffee with a little bit of milk while "caffé con panna" has cream on top, instead of milk. The "caffé latte"is quite popular amongst the tourist too. It's a shot of coffee with a lot of steamed milk and topped with a little bit of foam. While people pleaser cappucino is a coffee just topped with steamed milk without holding back the foam (tourists add coccoa on top). Little known "Caffé coretto" has a little bit of alcohol (grappa, whisky for gentlemen, amaretto for the ladies but you can choose what you want) in it.
Coffee is usually drunk on the spot without even sitting. You'll see a lot of Italians in the morning on their way to work stopping at the bar for a quick fix. But even tiny bars have a couple of chairs, if you want to take your time.
Now... to order the coffee is another thing ;o) so you can follow the link bellow and you'll be able to order your drink like an Italian!

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Website: http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/language/caffes.htm