Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Rome is already the kind of destination that endless people have on their bucket list and dream of visiting at least once in a lifetime. As the major stop on the Grand Tour, a practice by which British and European nobles set out for months or years to travel and take in Europe after finishing their studies, Rome has also historically been one of the world's major tourism destinations since even before mass tourism was established and there are plenty of good reasons for that. It is undeniably an astounding centre of western art and incredible creations from the time of the Ancient Romans to the present day. History is wherever you turn, there are famous landmarks dotted throughout, and there is a truly endless list of things to see and do. In fact, it has been estimated that one would need several years of unbroken excursions throughout the city to visit all of the Eternal City's attractions. However, if you don't have years and years to spend on travelling and you're looking for some good reasons to finally plan that vacation in Rome today then here are just five excellent traits that make it a perfect holiday destination and that might sway you into action...

Florence, as an important art and design centre of the world and the famous birthplace of the Renaissance, is a destination that has long attracted some of the most renowned and important artists throughout history. If you, too, have found a luxury villa in Florence, and are spending time in the city, you may want to follow in the footsteps of some of these greats to, perhaps, soak up some of their inspiration and genius. A great way to do this is to grab coffee or a drink or a bite to eat in one of the city's famous and iconic coffee houses in which great minds used to (and often continue to) convene. One such example of this kind of hallowed venue is the Caffè Concerto Paszkowski in the city's famous Piazza della Repubblica in the historic core of Florence.

Declared a National Monument in 1991, the Caffè Concerto Paszkowski was an important literary café that attracted key Italian writers and thinkers such D’Annunzio, Soffici, Papini, Montale, Saba, and Pratolini at the beginning of the 20th century. A lovely and centrally-located place to take a rest and grab a coffee while exploring the historic streets and endless sights of Florence, it continues to be a hub of culture to this day and hosts live music regularly as well as special events such as conferences, fashion shows, literary evenings and more.

In the grand and charmingly elaborate Baroque city of Lecce, you will discover lots of stunning churches, architectural gems, Roman ruins, great works of art, and delicious food. If you have found a villa in Apulia, it is definitely a place to plan a day trip to as it is impossibly picturesque and the eating is always good. From perfectly fresh seafood, to fluffy pastries bought still warm from the oven in the morning for breakfast, to gelato to cool you down while exploring the winding little streets of the city, to pasta-making classes, to multi-course meals; there are all sorts of incredible culinary experiences to try while in the city. However, if you are looking for a lighter, elegant, excellent dining experience paired with some delicious local wines to tide you over, then we particularly recommend a visit to the Mamma Elvira Enoteca.

For many, the novelty of simply having the time and freedom to sit out and watch the world go by while enjoying a meal or a coffee or a glass of wine is one of the best parts about being on holiday. While seeing famous landmarks and trying out new and interesting activities is all well and good, truly relaxing and having some proper down time to unplug and unwind is key to a good vacation. There are, of course, particular spots that are especially well-suited to this kind of leisurely relaxation such as markets, town squares, seafront promenades, and more. Or, if you have found a vacation rental in Lombardy, along an impossibly picturesque canal lined with restaurants and bars.

Limoncello is a familiar fixture of the culinary traditions of the south of Italy and those who have holidayed in the area will have fond memories of the liqueur being brought out after dinner as a digestivo when dining out, though this practice has since been adopted in many other places throughout Italy. Served chilled, it is made of water, lemon zest, rectified spirit, and sugar, and has an alcohol content that varies between 25-30%. In addition to limoncello itself being served up in restaurants, one can regularly find limoncello flavoured ice-creams, cakes, treats, and more on menus and in gelaterie and bakeries all over the country and all sorts of limoncello merchandise from fridge magnets to tea towels abound in souvenir shops throughout the south of Italy. Bottles of limoncello are also often packed carefully between clothes to bring home as perfect gifts for friends, family, and the neighbour who agreed to feed your dog while you were away. If you have enjoyed a vacation in Italy, you are, no doubt, very familiar with the beverage!