Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Italy is famous for her food and there are lots and lots of things, endless things to taste and try when you travel around the country. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Abruzzo and end up in the Teramo area, make sure to make a point of trying the province's famous “Millefiori” (or “Wildflower”) honey.

Wildflower honey is produced in various areas, in the hills, mountains and plains of Italy. However, the honey that is produced in the Teramo area is especially famous and acclaimed. With a unique flavour and perfume that is borrowed from the multitude of different kinds of flowers in the areas that it comes from, there are two different kinds: a clear and transparent variety that is more delicate and sweet, with a less intense flavour and a dark or amber coloured variety that has a stronger flavour.     Read More

Many different cultures have variations of fruit cakes that are traditionally made and served during winter and, in Christian cultures, over Christmas, which makes sense as it allowed delicious fruits to be made available even when they were out of season in the past. Today, we have many more ways to access fruits throughout the year and more options when it comes to sweet things, in general, yet these traditional treats are so firmly connected to the festive season that they remain popular.

Sicily is absolutely no different, it has buccellato: a combination of figs, raisins, dates, nuts (usually almonds) and candied citrus like fruits (like citron) that are baked as either a round cookie shell, as a ring cake, or as small pastries. Its exact origins have been lost to the mists of time and it is uncertain as to when Sicilians began making it but it has been around for centuries. Associated with family milestones, it can be given by Godparents to the parents of their godchild or by best man or maid of honour to the parents of the bride and represents good fortune and prosperity.     Read More

It looks like lasagna but it isn't lasagna; at least not in name. Vincisgrassi is a typical dish, and one of the most eaten regional dishes, of the Le Marche region of Italy and while it is very similar to lasagna: don't call it that! Vincisgrassi has its own distinct history and is an important symbol of Le Marche cuisine together. There are countless variations from all over the region and from household to household but, no matter what variation you manage to get your hands on, if you have found a vacation rental in Le Marche and are exploring this scenic and fascinating region, you cannot leave without tasting a portion of Vincisgrassi! Like a lasagna but richer and with more ingredients, it is the perfect comfort food to give you the energy to traverse the region.

The origins of the dish are, however, swamped in a bit of mystery. There are two legends about how it was created and both are passionately disputed to this day. The first story actually also has two versions, both of which date back to the period of Napoleonic rule, when the region had been taken over by Napoleon's troops.     Read More

The Republic of San Marino is an impossibly beautiful little country that is located in Italy, on the border between Le Marche and Emilia Romagna. At Christmas, the country, and its capital (also named San Marino), in particular, is especially stunning.

In the last article, we discussed how the beautiful capital becomes even more lovely during the festive season through the initiatives of a project called The Christmas of Wonders. This involves decorating one street in knitted decorations, another in candles and lanterns and lighting streets all over with projections and light effects on the historic buildings of the old town centre. Musical performances and theatrical presentations by buskers only heighten this lovely Christmas atmosphere. However, this is not all there is to be seen. There are plenty of other activities and things to see and do. Just find a vacation rental in Le Marche or a vacation rental in Emilia Romagna make a day trip (or maybe two) to this incredible little land to experience it all for yourself!     Read More