Cheers!
In Italian culture aperitivo is one of the most sacred parts of the day. Aperitivo happens in between the time you finish work to the time just before you would have dinner. This “meal” is considered the ‘warm up’ before you eat your actual dinner.
Aperitivo typically consists of a sweeter cocktail typically a spritz of some kinda. There’s Aperol, Negroni, Hugo, Limoncello, elderberry, and many more. Those are just a few of the most common ones.
I love to say “There’s nothing an Aperol Spritz can’t fix”. When I was living abroad one of my classes ended at 5:30pm which was convinent because there was a wine window right outside of my class building. I would get an Aperol Spritz for a happy hour price(5 euros) and walk back to my apartment. That’s one thing that is amazing about Italy. They encourage the sloowwwww walk back home, not the NYC hustle. And you can walk around with an alcoholic drink legally. So you can take in the beautiful views and sip on a cocktail in literally no rush.
Along with a cocktail during Aperitivo, you are typically served a spread of olives, crackers( of some type), chips, or meats. Kind of like a charcuterie board but more chill-Remember this is your warm up for dinner. And then you just chat.
Taking the time to just sit and chat is something that I feel is being lost more and more today. People get home from work tired, go on their phone and just more to the next task sometimes not hearing much about the person you live withs day. The concept of Aperitivo allows you to sit down and take the time to chat. On my walks to the gym(which was typically around 6-6:30pm) I would walk past a little bar that all of the locals would flood inside and the entire piazza(square) outside of the bar. The sound of the chatter echoed thoughout the streets of Florence from the time I went to the gym until I was walking back from the gym. Sometimes I would stop for a cocktail on the way to the gym or back just to people watch. The genuine interest of each persons conversation and the full presence was incredible.
One of my favorite places to go to Aperivio in Florence was View on Art. The views from there were absolutely jaw dropping. It became more popular throughout the time I was living there which made it harder to get in. They have a small cocktail menu-drinks are great. But its so peaceful. We would try and head up right before sunset and enjoy the surreal view of the duomo. I will share a picture below.
When I went to visit Palermo I had a quit exstensive aperitivo-to the point were we didn’t even order dinner. As you travel throughout Italy the aperitivo will vary based off the culture of the area you are in. But I highly recommend taking the time to experience an aperitivo when in Italy. Actually take the time to sit down, have a drink, no phone just conversation.
It is a great way to reconnect.
Until next time, safe travels,
The Wanderer
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