Archive for 'Food and Wine'

We have recently been highlighting Sardinia as a holiday destination, not only because it is a stunning gem of an island with a rich and unique culture, delicious food, wonderful beaches, and more, it has also been named a White Zone in Italy for several weeks in a row . So, for those who have been missing travelling and can't wait for their next vacation in Italy, it is one of the best, safest, and hottest destinations for summer 2021. Browse our villas in Sardinia today and get planning your next trip!

Imagine it. You've finally decided to go ahead and plan your dream citybreak to Milan; you've found the perfect villa in Milan, you've set aside some money to go shopping in this incredible fashion capital, and you've planned to visit major attractions in town like the city's stunning Cathedral and the Armani Museum and the pretty Aquarium. So, once you arrived and you've begun darting from shop to attraction to landmark, you'll likely burn through a lot of energy! But, if you want to keep going and make the most of your vacation in Milan, then you'll need to refuel and we have an important suggestion of a place in which to get some delicious, chocolate-based treats to give you the boost of energy that you'll need: the famous and beloved Zàini Milano.

Realistically, one can find lots of great pizza in pizzerias, restaurants, and shops, located in towns and cities all over Italy. However, if you are a serious pizza-lover and foodie who is looking to vacation in Italy and experience the dish in its birthplace then there are two key destinations and two main camps when it comes to Italian pizza: Naples and Rome.

Italy is a dream destination among foodies as it boasts a rich cuisine, endless food festivals, delicious restaurants at every price point, fascinating local specialties, lots of options to learn from locals (plenty of our villa rentals come with the option of adding on in-house cooking class experiences to your trip) and the freshest and best of raw ingredients with which to cook. So, if holidays for you are all about trying food, learning about food, and experimenting with food, then browse our incredible vacation rentals in Italy and find a villa with an excellent kitchen in which you can try and recreate some of the nation's most beloved and delicious dishes!

If you have found a vacation rental in La Spezia, a lesser-talked about but pretty and atmospheric seaside town in Liguria, then you will find that you are in a prime position to get shopping for, and cooking, some delicious local specialties with the most incredible ingredients. As a seaside town, it is a given that excellent fresh fish, shellfish, and other treats from the sea will be readily available. The winding streets of the old town are also lined with trattorias serving up the best of Ligurian cuisine for you to learn from. Plus, the whole port and surrounding streets turn into one giant market on March 19th during the feast day of the city's patron saint, St Joseph.

If you find a vacation rental in Sicily, you will likely find yourself in the capital city of Palermo at some point. Or you might find a vacation rental in Palermo itself. This incredible city is a melting pot of cultures and history with its stunning Arab-Norman architectural gems, rich and diverse cuisine, Italian traditions but uniquely Sicilian identity, and almost tropical weather. Like many cities in Italy, it boasts historic markets including Ballarò, Il Capo, Mercato delle Pulci, and Lattarini but one of the best-known and most beloved is La Vucciria. Extending between via Roma, La Cala, the Cassaro, along Via Cassari, Piazza del Garraffello, Via Argenteria Nuova, Piazza Caracciolo, and Via Maccheronai, within the Castellammare district, it was originally largely a meat market. In fact, the name comes from the word, “bucceria,” taken from the French, “boucherie,” meaning butcher's shop. Over time, it also became a market for the sale of fish, fruit, and vegetables and became a vibrant and integral part of the city. However, “vuccirìa," also means, “confusion,” in Palermo, which is rather fitting as the market is a place full of loud colours, scents, flavours, and voices all clamouring for attention.