italian history conference: more than 2 hours for lunch break. we have things to learn in the uk

Is it really a conference in Italy if you don't spend more time eating than talking?

Well done Italy. Where are you? I once went to a conference of finance professionals in Milan and they flat out refused to return to the afternoon session until they were served better coffee.

Bet your bottom dollar the Italians don't have to put up with stale bread or cheese 'n' onion mix with so much onion you can't talk to anyone for the entire afternoon

I went to a conference in Rome, where the coffee breaks had baristas pulling proper shots of espresso for 100s of delegates so efficiently there was hardly a wait. It was at one of their newer universities too. None of this "luke warm carafe has run out again" business.

My first ever conference in Italy they invited me - a poor grad student who hadn't even registered - to join the conference dinner for free. It was in a medieval castle. With 4 courses, wine & grappa.

I still droolingly recall the conference in Fiesole (5 stars also for views) where lunch was definitely 'slow dining' and delicious. (What was the actual subject, again?)