One of the truly special features of Time of Your Life Tours is the freedom to order what you like off the menu in the wonderful restaurants we've discovered. In other words, unlike most tours you will not be limited to pre-set tourist menus and banquet style meals of bland pastas, forgettable entrees, and pallid "mystery" desserts--while watching everyone else in the restaurant enjoying beautiful interesting dishes.
Instead, we will order an array of the best antipasti so you get a chance to try a variety of regional specialties. Then you can choose your own primo piatto (first course), generally some sort of pasta with a simple meat, vegetable or cheese sauce or a risotto or minestra (soup). Of course, if the group desires we can order a selection to share so you get to enjoy several different dishes.
After that, you can order anything you like for a secondo ( main course) including a
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eat or fish dish (depending on the restaurant) with vegetables, or even a salad if you prefer. If you like, you can finish with any "dolce" (dessert) that catches your fancy.
While there are no hard and fast rules, there are a few things you might want to know to make the most of your dining experience. First and foremost-- solicit advice from the waiter. Italian waiters are professionals who are happy to discuss the menu with you and help you make the best choices. Of course, most speak English and I can always help translate Italian if necessary.
Then, there are some things that are second nature to Italians that will enhance your pleasure and 
give you an authentic dining experience. For instance, Italians never sprinkle cheese on seafood pasta dishes. They never cut long strands of pasta, but simply twirl it on a fork. They generally don't mix seafood and meat dishes in the same meal.
Salads are usually a mixture of fresh greens seasoned simply with olive oil and vinegar, and always served after (or instead of) a meat course. Bread is eaten throughout the meal, but you will not see butter or even little dishes of olive oil (that is strictly an American invention).
Everyone drinks bottled water and most people enjoy a glass or two of the house wine. A tiny cup of espresso is the traditional finish to a meal, but many people find it keeps them awake and finish instead with a sip of vin santo (a sweet wine) or a liqueur.
When traveling with Time of Your Life Tours, there's no need for you to worry about splitting the bill or tipping because it's all included in the tour price.
If you'd like to read more about the regional specialties and eating in Tuscany, check out an earlier article I wrote: Eating Like a Tuscan. And for a few hints about Italian etiquette, see Table Manners.
