After Arrival

Finding employment overseas is a challenge. Be open to contractor, federal jobs or starting as a volunteer.

• Job announcement email blast
• Contractor website list
• Resume and interview seminars
• SOFA employment rules

Starting 30 days before you arrive at a new duty station, military spouses can apply to government jobs using preferences for job consideration (if you meet all criteria). You’ll have:

• Military Spouse Preference (MSP)
• Overseas Family Member Preference
• Search USAJobs to apply
• PCS Orders listing your name
• Marriage License

Check out the 31 FSS Profressional Development Site

Be proactive! Volunteering is a great way to meet others at your new home in Aviano and enhance your professional career. Often, volunteering is just what you need to get your foot in the door to a great job!

MFRC
Visit the MFRC Volunteer Coordinator to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

American Red Cross
Visit the MFRC Volunteer Coordinator to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Aviano DoDEA
Get in touch with your School Liaison Officer to learn about how you can volunteer in the STEM program and support the military youth in our community!

For adults who are interested in continuing or starting their studies, there are excellent resources here.

• School accreditation
• Examinations
• Financial aid
• Local college programs
• JST transcripts
• GI Bill programs

Testing: Visit the National Testing Center if you need to complete testing prior to applying for a program. Testing fees apply.

Scholarships & Certifications:

• Nat’l Military Family Assoc.
• Spouses of Aviano
• MYCAA

31 FSS/FSH Bldg 1431, Area F
Commercial: +39 0434-30-5407 or 314-632-5407

Provides emergency financial assistance to Air Force members, both active duty and retired and their families, through interest-free loans or grants.

Emergency assistance can include:

• Emergency assistance loans, grants, scholarships
• Community Programs Enhancements

• Transition Assistance & Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2)
• Employment Assistance (EA)
• Volunteer Resources
• Casualty Assistance/Survivor Benefit Program (CAR/SBP)
• Personal & Family Readiness
• Personal & Work Life (P&WL)
• Air Force Forever Family (AFFF)
• Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP-FS)
• Emergency Financial Assistance (AFAS)
• Relocation Assistance (RA)
• Emergency Preparedness (AFPAAS, NEO, EFAC)
• Information & Referral (I&R)

Consent shall not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the victim to offer physical resistance. Consent is not given when a person uses force, threat of force, coercion or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious.

After you contact the SAPR office, you may be assigned a trained Victim Advocate. Your Victim Advocate will explain reporting options, attend interviews and hearings, and can even meet you at the hospital for a medical evaluation, treatment or examination, as required. It is your option to accept or decline victim advocacy.

Help is just a phone call away! If you have been sexually assaulted, please call the 24/7 SAPR Hotline at DSN 314 632-7272 (SARC) or +39 0434 30 7272

Our Aviano Chaplain Corp Offices are located on Area F, 3 doors left of the MENSA Italian Cafeteria. You can reach us, Mon-Fri, 0800-1700, DSN: 632-5211, COMM: +39-0434-30-5211.
For After-Duty Hour Emergencies, reach the Duty Chaplain via the Command Post +39-0434-30-3100.

Find all our most current information and activities at Aviano Chapel:

Chapel Facebook

Helping people is our highest priority. Every unit at Aviano Air Base has an assigned chaplain who is available to you. As an Active Duty Member or Dependent, you maintain the right of "Privileged Communication" when speaking with a chaplain. This means that any discussions and matters of conscience are 100% confidential and protected by AFI 52-101, 4.1, 16 Apr 2004.

Our Aviano Chaplain Corps offers...
100% confidential counseling for military members & dependents: singles, couples, families, parents and children

Advocacy in religious accommodation issues Advisement to Commanders & squadron leadership

Fellowship activities
Religious education for children, youth and adults Men, women and youth study and service groups Ministry in dorms and workplaces

Worship services, rites and sacraments Referral to off-base English-speaking places of worship

Volunteer opportunities for adults and youth Space for support groups and meetings

Refuge
The Airmen Ministry Center features: Free Wi-Fi; massage chairs; classic video arcade machines with Pac Man, Millipede, etc.; PlayStation 4; Xbox One; board games; snacks and DVD movies. Open during duty hours, M-F 0800-1630

Counseling by Appointment
Individual, family, and marriage counseling with 100% confidentiality.

Weddings by Appointment
For weddings, you must take the marriage preparations courses. Please provide six months’ notice prior to actual wedding.

Unless otherwise noted, all services are held at the Area 1 Chapel (behind AAFES)

• Saturday

  Catholic Confession: 1630-1720
  Catholic Mass: 1730-1830

• Sunday

  Catholic Confession: 0800-0820
  Catholic Mass: 0900-1000
  Catholic Religious Education: 1015-1115
  Protestant Worship Service: 1100-1200
  Protestant Kid’s Church: 1100-1200
  Church of Christ Bible Study (Education Center, Room 15): 1000-1100
  Church of Christ (Education Center, Room 15): 1100-1200

• Weekday

  Catholic Confessions: Monday-Thursday, 1100-1120 Catholic Mass: Monday-Thursday, 1130-1200

Check Italian train schedules and prices at:

• https://www.italotreno.it/en
• https://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

• Buy your ticket at the counter, kiosk, online, or with ITT
• Validate your ticket before boarding
• The ticket expires 4 hours after validating
• Be sure to board the correct train and class of car
• Tickets are $3-5 cheaper each online

Flying throughout Europe is incredibly cheap! There are a variety available. Here are a few:

• www.ryanair.com
• www.easyjet.com
• www.airitalia.com
• www.skyscanner.com

• The main airport in Venice is Marco Polo Airport (VCE) Members also use Venice Treviso (TSF) and Trieste (TRS) airports for travel
• Pay with a debit card to avoid credit card fees (2%)
• Pay for luggage & check-in online to reduce fees
• Read baggage policies - budget airlines are strict!

• Buy your tickets at “tabaccheria” stores or on a bus
• Validate your ticket on the bus each time you board
• Use Google Maps for public bus routes/schedules
• Buses are not always on time, patience is recommended

Aviano Air Base Shuttle is an intrabase shuttle provided to the community Monday to Friday. The shuttle offers priority to active duty passengers. Military families and civilian workforce are also welcome to utilize the base shuttle on a space availability basis.

Shuttle schedules are located at the bus stops by the A&FRC, 555th FS, AMC/510th FS, CE Readiness building, Area 1 Community Center, Italian Mensa, MVL, DFAC and Vehicle Maintenance.

• The morning shuttle goes from 6:45 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. It starts at the A&FRC and completes a full loop
• The mid-day shuttle goes from 10:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. It starts at the A&FRC and completes a full loop
• The evening shuttle starts at Area 1 at 4:25 p.m. It ends at A&FRC at 4:55 p.m.

Customer service hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. DSN 632-4445 or 043-430-4445

You should indulge a little every now and then: perché no??
There are many delicious treats like gelato, mouth-watering pastries, and decadent chocolates. Much like the philosophy on drinking, Italian culture has a “Perché no?” take on treats. “Perché no?” translates to “why not?” The idea is to treat yourself by having a little bit of something tasty (because, why not?) but not having so much that you’re gorging yourself.

Drink a little bit, but not too much
Italians love their vino (wine)...but they don’t overdo it. In Italy, a bottle of wine is shared among friends or around the dinner table. Keep it classy and don’t fill the glass to the edge.

Eat slowly, locally and with others
There’s really no such thing as Italian fast food. Sure, you’ll find a McDonald’s here and there, but in Italy the concept of eating is not “fast.” Italy is all about “slow food.” Dinners are unhurried and eaten around a table (not a TV or computer screen) with one’s family. In Italy, food is natural, authentic, and sourced locally.

Stop hurrying, start relaxing
Life is less hurried in Italy. People don’t rush around with to-go cups of coffee, but rather sip their espresso at the “bar”. Meals tend to be longer, whether they are at restaurants or at home. Many Italians take a Siesta of sorts, from 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., to eat lunch and relax. This is called Riposo.

Having family nearby is the best thing ever
Families in Italy tend to stay in the same area, rather than move around. Grandparents often care for grand-children, siblings remain close, and extended families are huge and welcoming. Having family nearby is deeply valued in Italy. Having nonna (grandma), aunts, uncles and cousins drop by for dinner during the week or having a weekly extended family meal every Sunday is common and brings everyone together.

Maintain a “bella figura”
Bella figura literally translates to “beautiful figure” but it’s more idiomatic than that. The idea of maintaining a bella figura is more like the idea of maintaining a good public image. Bella figura is more than just looking good, it’s a way of life that emphasizes aesthetics and good behavior.

The underlying meaning of “ALLORA”
Allora (so, then, well) is one of those filler words that’s highly useful when thinking of what to say in Italian. Used by itself, it can express impatience: Allora! (Come on!, Hey!) Allora comes from the Latin “ad illa horam” (at that time) and means precisely that, when talking about the past. Allora means “then” in several senses of the word (well/so, at that time, in that case).

• The oldest olive tree is in Umbria and is reportedly over 1,700 years old.
• With almost 40 million visitors, Italy is the fourth most visited country in the world.
• When McDonald’s opened in 1986 in Rome, food purists outside the restaurant gave away free spaghetti to remind people of their culinary heritage.
• An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the Trevi Fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.

• The official name of Italy is the Italian Republic.
• The official language is Italian.
• The capital city is Rome, also called "The Eternal City” and is almost 3,000 years old.
• According to legend, the brothers Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome) were raised by a she-wolf in a cave on Palatine Hill. Rome's emblem is the she-wolf suckling the two brothers.
• The population is almost 62 million people.
• Two independent mini-states are surrounded entirely by Italy: San Marino and Vatican City.
• While technically not part of the European Union, both of these states are also part of the Schengen Area and the European Monetary Union (EMU).

There are flea/antique markets in various towns around the base. The following is a detailed list of the monthly antique markets taking place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. within the surrounding communities. Vendors sell clothing, furniture, art, household goods and more. Dates are subject to change.

Every first Saturday of the month:
The Codroipo antique market takes place in Piazza Garibaldi. The Udine antique market takes place in Piazza I Maggio.

Every second Saturday of the month:
The Palmanova antique market takes place in Piazza Grande with 40 exhibitors. The Monfalcone antique market takes place in the city center with 70 exhibitors.

Every third Saturday of the month:
The Azzano Decimo antique market takes place in Piazza Libertà with 40 exhibitors. The Spilimbergo antique market takes place in Corso Roma.

Every fourth/last Saturday of the month:
No markets Every first Sunday of the month: The Aviano antique market takes place in the city center with 200 exhibitors. The San Vito al Tagliamento antique market takes place in Piazza del Popolo with 70 exhibitors. The Vittorio Veneto antique market takes place with 70 exhibitors.

Every second Sunday of the month:
The Muggia antique market takes place in Piazza della Repubblica with 50 exhibitors. The Vivaro antique market takes place near the sports complex with 30 exhibitors. The Portobuffole antique market takes place in and out of the walls with 250 exhibitors. The Asolo antique market takes place in Piazza Centrale with 100 exhibitors.

Every third Sunday of the month:
The Gradisca d’Isonzo antique market takes place in Piazza Unità d’Italia with 200 exhibitors. Godega di Sant’Urbano antique market takes place in Padiglione Fiera with 250 exhibitors.

Every fourth Sunday of the month:
The Cividale del Friuli takes place in Piazza Duomo and is annexed with 200 exhibitors. The Sacile antique market takes place in Piazza del Popolo with 60 exhibitors. The Treviso antique market takes place in Borgo Cavour with 110 exhibitors.

Every last Sunday of the month:
The Pordenone antique market takes place in Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The San Daniele antique market takes place in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele with 80 exhibitors. The Piazzola sul Brenta antique market takes place in the city center with 700 exhibitors.

Café’/Bar, Pasticceria
Open from early morning to late at night. Wine, liquor, beer and coffee are sold. Most bars have sandwiches, called a panini or toast, and perhaps chips. Others may have a small selection of pastries. Bathrooms (toilette/WC) are usually available. At large bars, such as in Autostrada, airports or railroad stations, tell the cashier what you want and pay for it. Take the receipt to the waiter or counter for your order to be filled.

Pizzeria
Pizzerias are open in the evenings and sometimes at lunch. Pizza is much thinner in Italy and is listed by name on the menu. All of the ingredients will appear underneath. If you order a “pepperoni pizza”, you will be brought a pizza covered in bell peppers, which is exactly what you ordered. To have the American pepperoni look for the ingredient “salamino piccante” or the “Diavola”.

Trattoria
Open from about Noon – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. A trattoria is a simple restaurant and is usually family owned. Dinner is usually served in a separated area and behind the bar. Prices are fair for the type of food, which is simple and served in a home-like atmosphere.

Osteria
Open from late morning to late evening. Similar to a bar except they primarily serve wine & home-style-cooking. It’s a place where Italian men meet to chat or play cards and the women drop in for a quick cup of coffee.

Agriturismo
Italian agritourism is an original form of tourism in the countryside that has developed in Italy over the last thirty years. It means a stay in the country, either in rooms, apartments, complete housing units or camping sites made available to guests. You will enjoy a country meal with simple organic ingredients grown, raised, made in the farm, which can sometimes also be highly refined. Often available are their homemade delicatessen and a wide variety of outdoor activities (walking, hiking, horseback riding, cycling, fishing, sports or simply sunbathing).

Doggie Bag
It is inconceivable in Italy to take the remaining restaurant meal with you in a “doggie bag” or “to-go” bag. You can eat every course or choose any combination. The meal ends with IL DOLCE (the desserts), CAFFE (coffee) and a DIGESTIVO (a digestive drink-generally alcoholic) or SGROPPINO (lemon ice-cream and vodka).

Ristorante
Open from approx. Noon – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. This is the highest form of eating establishment often with “atmosphere.” Reservations are strongly recommended. The reason is because the table will be most likely used for the entire evening. There is no fast turn over at the restaurants. Mealtimes in Italy are different from the U.S. Italians tend to eat after 8 p.m. and even 9 p.m. in the summer months. Printed menus are common but not always available, especially in Trattorias & Osterias. When the menu is not printed, the waiter informs you of that day’s specials. They usually will tell you all the courses at once. First the ANTIPASTO (appetizer), next the PRIMO PIATTI (soup, rice or pasta), next IL SECONDO (the main course usually meat or fish), then finally IL CONTORNO (vegetables or salad).

To tip or not to tip?
Italians generally do not tip in restaurants, coffee bars, Trattorias and Pizzerias. Also keep in mind that all the prices that you see in restaurants or stores are the final price. You do not need to add any tax or tip.

House Wine
In many Italian Trattorie, you can get a low-cost house wine (white or red) in 1/4, 1/2, or one liter bottles. Local wines are part of the authentic Italian food experience.

Cover and Service Charges
Most restaurants charge “COPERTO”, will be listed separately on your bill a minimal (1-3 euro) cover charge which includes the cost of bread, table settings, etc.

About Water
Acqua gassata (pronounced “gasata”) or frizzante (“fritz-antay”) have bubbles, naturale does not. While tap water is safe to drink all over Italy, Italians usually drink bottled water because they prefer the taste (not because the restaurants are looking for an excuse to make you pay more). You can insist on tap water, but be aware that in most parts of Italy it is very hard (lots of calcium), and you may not like the flavor. In some facilities the local water is served in decanters and it is purified thru a filter system. Anywhere else, it can be difficult to get tap water brought to your table, but, if you want to try, ask for acqua del rubinetto.

Sitting or Standing
At many/most bars you will be charged more if you occupy a table, even if you fetch your drinks/snacks from the bar yourself. The more desirable the location (e.g., Saint Mark’s Square in Venice), the more ridiculous the price of a cup of coffee at a table. If you just want coffee, have it standing up at a little bar on a side street. If you want to rest your feet and enjoy the view, be prepared to pay for that.

Restaurant Recommendations
There are a lot of great restaurants around the region. Ask your friends and coworkers for recommendations, be sure to try them all!

Hours

• Local shops close for “riposo” from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Many local shops close on Sunday with limited hours on Monday
• Chain stores are open all day (“orario continuato”)

Carts

• Insert 1€ coin to unlock; return it and take your coin

Produce

• Always use a glove to handle produce
• Weigh your produce before checking out

Bagging

• Customers bag their own groceries
• BYOB - Bring Your Own Bags or pay 0.10 - 0.50€ per bag

Deli/Fish/Cheese/Pastry Counter

• Take a number and wait for it to be called
• ½ kilogram (“mezzo chilo”) = 500 grams = 1.1 lbs.
• 100 grams (“un etto”), 200 grams (“due etti”)

Milk

• Find raw milk (“latte crudo”) machines at farms
• Use www.milkmaps.com to find milk dispensaries

• Shops generally open between 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. to around Noon. Then they open again between 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and close between 7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Most are open from Tuesday to Saturday. Malls can be open 7 days per week from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Smaller grocery departments may be closed Sunday all day; Monday and Wednesday all afternoon. Larger grocery departments may be open all day and even on Sundays. Check the hours at the stores closest to your new home so you aren't caught by surprise.
• Produce: do not touch fruits and merchandise in markets and small stores. The clerks will select fruits and vegetables for you. It is acceptable to point to the ones you want.
• In the produce department (inside the grocery store) there are plastic gloves for you to use. Touching the food without them is not permitted. After preparing the bag, take it to the provided weighing station. Place the bag on the scale and touch the corresponding number on the scale. Usually the number is always provided and printed on the food tag right by the price.
• There are no people to help you bag groceries. We prefer to use reusable bags and if you ask for a plastic one there is going to be a charge for it. Shopping carts: to release the shopping cart from the others you need to use a 1 or 2 euro coin.
• For clothing (small clothing shops, “boutique”) let the clerk show you what they have. Helping yourself and pulling things off the shelves, opening boxes, or taking things off the racks may be considered unacceptable behaviors.

• Parco Junior in Lignano Sabbiadoro
• Gulliverlanida in Lignano Sabbiadoro
• Trieste Adventure Park
• Nevelandia (Winter Snow Park) in Piancavallo
• Magilandia Park in Galliera Veneta
• Parco Querini
• Rampy Park Ropes Course in Piancavallo

• Aquafollie Water Park in Caorle
• Aqualandia in Jesolo
• Cavour Water Park in Valeggio sul Mincio (Verona)
• AquaSplash in Lignano Sabbiadoro
• Padovaland Water Park in Padova

• Jungle Adventure in San Zeno di Montagna (Verona) Outdoor zip lining and other outdoor activities
• Alpine Coaster in Piancavallo

• Butterfly Arc and Fairy’s Wood in Montegrotto Terme
• Esapolis Museum of live insects, bees & more in Padova
• Parco Faunistico Cappeller (Zoo) in Cartigliano
• Parco Faunistico Valcorba (Zoo) in Pozzonovo
• Parco Natura Viva (Safari Park and Zoo) in Bussolengo
• Parco Zoo Punta Verde in Lignano Sabbiadoro
• Sea Life Aquarium in Lido di Jesolo

• Barbarigo Historic Garden in Valsanzibio
• Grotte di Oliero (Oliero Caves) in Valstagna
• Orto Botanico (Botanical Garden) in Padova
• Parco delle Cascate (Waterfall Park) in Molina
• Parco Giardino Sigurtà in Valeggio sul Mincio (Verona)
• Varone Waterfall Cave Park and Botanic Garden in Tenno
• Postojna Caves in Slovenia

• Caneva World Resort in Lazise sul Garda Movieland Studios, AquaParadise, Medieval Times
• Gardaland in Castelnuovo del Garda (Lake Garda) - Sea life aquarium, rides, adventure “lands” for all ages
• Aqualandia - Water park