Rick Steves’ Favorite Place In Italy For Café-Sitting

Europe’s dean of travel, Rick Steves, has some great advice for your next trip abroad, including affordable ways to dine as a tourist and the type of street food vendor you should always check out. And he has a special love for Italy, where he had the best meal of his life in a family B&B. Besides fantastic dining, Italy also offers a strong café culture, and here Steves plays favorites. According to his website, Il Campo square in Siena is Steve’s favorite place in Italy to have coffee.

Siena is renowned for its glorious Gothic architecture, built mainly between 1100 and 1400 AD. And in the center of the city is Il Campo square, or Piazza del Campo, “the physical and cultural heart” of Siena, according to Steves. It’s easy to see why he prefers this town square over any other when he settles in for a cup of coffee or wine. The buildings surrounding it are large and imposing, yet warmly colored and harmonious in appearance, creating a spectacular setting for enjoying a drink (or two).

Although Steves doesn’t go into detail about which cafes he visits, consider Torrefazione Fiorella or Caffé 19zero3 Ristorante, both centrally located near the square.

Read more: Foods Anthony Bourdain hated with a passion

What to expect at a sit-down coffee at Il Campo

Before following Rick Steves’ advice to visit Il Campo in Siena and enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of wine in the square, it’s important to understand the café culture in Italy. In Italy, cafes are instead called “bars” and many serve both coffee and alcohol, as well as small bites, like panini sandwiches, pastries and even ice cream. Keep in mind that it costs more to sit at an outdoor table at a bar in Italy (your other, cheaper option is to consume your drink standing at the bar); the price difference is usually marked inside the cafe.

The good news is that when you opt for a table to admire the splendid Il Campo while imbibing, you won’t be in a hurry to leave your seat to quickly change places, as can happen in some American restaurants. Instead, it’s assumed you’ll occupy the table for quite a while, so you can take in the sights – both architectural and human – for as long as you want and really get your money’s worth.

In addition to spectacular daily people-watching, at Il Campo you can witness an outdoor concert or cultural event every day that will liven up your afternoon or evening. And in summer, the Il Palio di Siena horse races take place in the square, attracting huge crowds, which can make it difficult to snag a table – but it’s worth it if you can manage it.

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Read the original article on Food Republic.