Alba Liguria Piedmont And Valle Daosta, Italy Travel Guide
Purchasing a prepaid local SIM card upon arrival provides mobile data and call functionality. Major Italian mobile providers include TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, and Iliad. A passport is essential for SIM card registration. Competitive data package prices exist. Ensure your phone is unlocked for a local SIM. Explore eSIMs (Airalo)
Shops: Typically open 9:00/9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, then close, reopening 3:30/4:00 PM to 7:30/8:00 PM. Many smaller shops are closed Sundays and often Monday mornings. Supermarkets: Continuous hours, usually 8:00/9:00 AM to 8:00/9:00 PM, many open Sundays. Restaurants: Lunch service 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Dinner service starts 7:30 PM to 10:00/10:30 PM. Many restaurants close one day a week. Pharmacies (`Farmacia`): Follow shop hours, with a rotating duty roster for nights and weekends.
Always use `Buongiorno` (good day) when entering shops, cafes, or restaurants until early afternoon, and `Buonasera` (good night) thereafter. `Ciao` is an informal greeting. A handshake is common upon introduction. Smart casual attire suits most situations. For churches, shoulders and knees must be covered. Italians eat later than some other countries. Coffee is often drunk quickly at the bar. Cappuccinos are typically a morning drink. Do not ask for "pepperoni" on pizza; ask for `salame piccante` for spicy salami. `Buon appetito` is common before eating.
Alba's historic center has cobblestone streets, narrow sidewalks, and flights of stairs. Newer buildings, renovated train stations, and modern hotels often meet accessibility standards. The high streets of Alba's historic center are relatively flat. Newer museums generally offer accessibility. A rented car often has the most flexibility for travelers with mobility challenges.
Preparing for these practical aspects fosters a comfortable and informed visit to Alba.
