Comments on: Cinque Terre, Italy

By: {A Honeymoon in Italy} Gelato and Pesto, Here We Come | youwannatalkjive

{A Honeymoon in Italy} Gelato and Pesto, Here We Come | youwannatalkjive — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:52:38 +0000

[...] courtesy here, here, and [...]

By: Mbpelaez

Mbpelaez — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:51:00 +0000

Hi, my husband and I are going to Cinque Terre in late August/Early Sept. I found your blog really interesting and helpful. Â I’m into photography and I really enjoyed yourÂ your shots.Â Thanks for sharing.

By: Mick Lerlop

Mick Lerlop — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 01:12:00 +0000

Hey Giovanni! – I didn’t know about coperto. So I really appreciate your detailed explanation. Anyway, your country is awesome and I would love to go back. Maybe I’ll chat at WinTech/WWSC.

By: Giovanni Sarbia

Giovanni Sarbia — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:40:00 +0000

Hi Mick, I actually live quite near to Cinque Terre, in Genoa (it’s less than an hour drive to the west), and your pictures are really good, congratulations!
It’s interesting that you found those 3 or 4 Euro charges for bread and cutlery quite strange… In Italy it’s pretty normal. It’s called “coperto” and it’s a sort of standard extra price you pay when you’re served at a table. It is indeed becoming less common these days, but it is not a way to rip off tourists. In the past it could be really found everywhere, even in the cheapest restaurant of the smallest village. “Coperto” was meant as an extra compared to being served at the bar or taking away the food, and it is really meant to pay for the service of getting spoons, forks, knives, glasses and napkin on the table. Usually, that includes also the bread, and often you can see that item in the bill named “Pane e coperto” (bread and… “coperto”). Considering that in Italy you don’t have local taxes on top of menu prices, and that you’re not supposed to pay for a tip unless you really get an exceptionally superb service, I find restaurants in Italy to have a more transparent pricing compared to US restaurants. “Coperto” is still commonplace in many restaurants, but it should always be mentioned in writing on the menu, even though most people who don’t know about it might not notice it when they place their order.

By: Mick Lerlop

Mick Lerlop — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:24:30 +0000

It's different from the West Cost. You should visit if you can or at least do a day trip, although not recommended unless you just want to hike the five towns. I stayed there for three nights and enjoyed every single minute. Thanks and enjoy your trip.

By: joonbb

joonbb — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:35:53 +0000

Thanks for sharing your awesome trip write up. It is very helpful!
I am going over to Europe next week from Los Angeles,
I am wondering if I should visit Cinque Terre … since I live in sunny California coast …