Welcome to Vicenza, Italy!
Home of Caserma Ederle and Del Din, Vicenza is a charming city with tons to do, see, and experience! There is always something fun to do in the city center like attend a chocolate festival or antique fair, go shopping, or try a new restaurant.
Right outside of the city center you will find beautiful landscapes perfect for hiking, running, or taking your pups for a walk. On post, you will find the amenities that you need, but I encourage you to visit shops and stores on the economy just to get the full Italian experience!
My favorite part about living in Vicenza is how easy (and relatively affordable) it is to travel here! Take the four days and go to a new city or country! Trains will become your best friend if you travel often. Moving overseas can be intimidating, but the small military community found in Vicenza will soon feel like family.
Things to know about Caserma Ederle/Del Din Post
Anyone moving to a different country is likely to experience culture shock (I know I did!), but here are a few things I’ve implemented in my daily life to “fit in” a bit more with the locals.
Learn Italian (even if it’s just a little)
I used a language learning software to learn conversational phrases in Italian, but I wish I would have studied more! There are several options for Italian classes online and in person. Do some research and find one that works for you! In my experience, the locals appreciate it when you try to speak Italian even if you switch to English. A simple “Buongiorno” or “Grazie” goes a long way!
Learn local laws and customs
Not all countries have the same laws and customs! Look into the expectations for your area and Italy in general. For example, did you know that law enforcement in Italy can stop you just to check your paperwork? My first week here I was driving around with my husband, and we saw a police car stopped on the side of the road. One of the policemen waved a red sign (we call it a lollipop) indicating we should pull off of the road and go to them. I was freaked out! Wondering what the heck we could’ve done to warrant them pulling us out of traffic, we rolled down our windows. They asked for all of our car paperwork and both of our IDs. They also checked that we had both the required traffic safety kit and first aid kit in the car. Then they let us go! This is just a routine stop, so if it happens to you, don’t worry! Just make sure to have all required paperwork and vehicle kits with you at all times.
Fashion differences
Okay, I admit- I miss wearing athletic wear while grocery shopping. Leggings and a comfy T-shirt used to be my running errands go-to, but after moving here and seeing how Italians dress to shop, I’ve stepped up my fashion game! Of course, you can wear whatever you like, but if you want to blend in with the locals I suggest you leave the sweatpants and flip-flops at home.
I also find it interesting that they will wear heavy winter coats well into the spring (even when it’s warm).
And if you want to avoid some serious staring, never go out with your hair wet!
Punctuality
If you are an incredibly punctual person, I suggest you get used to going with the flow! Italians are generally less punctual than Americans. Before moving here, I was always 5-10 minutes early to any event or appointment. Now, I’m always 5-10 minutes late! I’ve fully embraced the slower pace of life.
You don’t need to tip servers
You don’t need to tip servers in Italy! In fact, they find it strange if you do and will often refuse your tip. Your bill will often include a “coperto” or cover charge, which takes the place of a tip. On the subject of paying at a restaurant, you will need to ask for the bill and almost always pay at the cash register, not at the table. Sometimes you can pay at the table, but normally you will need to leave the table to pay.
Get used to eating a late dinner (no early-bird specials here!)
Most restaurants don’t open for dinner until 19:00. If you’re lucky, they may open at 18:30. I’ve noticed some of the restaurants that a near base open early to specifically cater to the Americans.
Get a SETAF driving license ASAP
One of the best things I did to help myself adjust to this new life was getting my SETAF driving license. Your American driver’s license is not enough to drive here, so you will need to take a new driving course (mine was online) and test to get this license. After all, the road laws are different!
Pausa Pranzo
AKA the Italian siesta after lunch. Most shops and restaurants close from noon until 14:00/15:00. This can be inconvenient, but I appreciate that it allows locals to enjoy a nice long lunch break!
Brush up on the metric system
This may be a no-brainer for you, but I wasn’t taught the metric system until college. Learn the conversions for kilometers and Celsius! I switched all of my phone settings to kilometers and Celsius, and it helped me learn how to use them quickly.
No convenience stores
Frankly, I’m still not used to this! You never realize how much you rely on convenience stores/gas stations when out and about until they’re gone! Gas stations here are unlike those in America. They sell gas and that is basically it! They also often don’t have public restrooms.
Emily
Looking for more specific recommendations from the WAF community on topics like best neighborhoods, favorite restaurants, or doctor recommendations – join the conversation in our private Facebook group of incredible WAFs!
In an effort to better serve every WAF across all branches, and with the help of some amazing other WAFs, we’ve curated branch specific Facebook groups. You can find your branch’s group by joining the general WAF Facebook page and then clicking “visit group”.
