First Time Sicily - Sicily - page 31

» Agriturismi Working farms or country houses that offer rooms and often delicious
home-cooked meals. In the best cases, they offer guests a first-hand perspective on local
rural culture.
» B&Bs The fastest growing category of accommodation in Sicily. They range from the
basic to the luxurious. Most have five rooms or fewer, sometimes with a shared bathroom
outside the room.
» Pensioni Family-run guesthouses - facilities tend to be more basic (and prices lower)
than at hotels.
» Alberghi (hotels) Ranked on a star system (one to five) based on amenities.
Money
Credit and debit cards can be used almost everywhere. Exceptions include some rural
areas, as well as smaller family-run businesses such as B&Bs that are only set up to take
cash. Visa and MasterCard are widely recognised. American Express is only accepted by
some major chains and big hotels, and few places take Diner's Club. Ask if bars and res-
taurants take cards before you order. Chip-and-pin is the norm for card transactions.
ATMs are everywhere, but be aware of transaction fees.
For more information, Click here .
Bargaining
Gentle haggling is common in markets; in all other instances you're expected to pay the
stated price.
Tipping
» Restaurants Most have a cover charge ( coperto , around €2), and some also levy a ser-
vice charge ( servizio, 10-15%). If there is no service charge, consider rounding the bill
up, though it is by no means obligatory.
» Bars In cafes people often place a €0.10 or €0.20 coin on the bar when ordering coffee.
There is no need to tip for drinks at a bar, although some people may leave small change.
» Taxis Optional, but most people round up to the nearest euro.