Pubblng in the Park and other Rome, Italy Local Custom Tips

I loved the parks in Rome. Not only are they designed for people of all ages to actually use (vs just for youth sports), the largest of them have outdoor bars. Yes, you can have an espresso, glass of wine, mixed drink, beer, snack and even a cigar. During the warmer months, they are marvelous places to escape the crowds, catch some shade and hang out with lively Italian families doing the same. The two pictures I've included here are from cafe/bars in Villa Borghese and Parco Colle Oppio. These venues tend to be low-key and perfectly acceptable for children as a "bar" in Italy probably serves more coffee than alcohol. We saw lots of little ones playing around tables and in adjoining green spaces while the grownups chatted. Same stand-up/sit-down pricing applies as at indoor venues.

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(Lifted from my Italy tips)
If you're a first-timer to The Boot, public washroom facilities will be an adventure. I'd read beforehand that a good rule of thumb is to always "go" just before you leave your hotel to avoid having to find or use a public potty as long as possible. They really aren't all that bad, once you get used to them, although there were a couple that got the better of me. Don't expect the luxury of toilet seats, TP or soap, and pack along wet wipes, tissue and hand sanitizer. Some have attendants who require throwing some change (usually around .50 euro) in their basket to gain entry so always have a few small coins in your pocket. Flushing is usually accomplished by pressing a panel on the wall above the commode.

The photo above was taken at the Vatican and was (thankfully) the only one of this type that I encountered. Having spent enough time in the woods to know what was expected, it was still a relief to see other, more conventional options available. Whew. Pretty much all of the museums and major sights have facilities, as do restaurants, cafes and bars, and the majority will be just fine. If you're really squeamish, keep an eye out for big 4 or 5-star hotels and look for washrooms off of the lobbies.

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(Tip and photos from my Italy pages)
Pedestrians can find crossing an Italian street to be a hair-raising experience. Traffic laws exist but they appear to be optional. The trick is to use crosswalks, whenever you can, and not to hesitate. Put your head down and GO. Never stop halfway through. Cars and motorcycles will either stop or zip around you. As much as I'm sure they'd LIKE to kill some of the tourists that clutter up their busy intersections, they won't. If it's too much for you, shadow an Italian or better yet, a nun - no shortage of those in the bigger cities. The good news is that as insane as the traffic can be, we didn't see a single accident or pedestrian mishap during our time there.

The photos are actually from Sorrento but are similar to any busy intersection in Rome.

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