Archive for 'Food and Wine'

When you go to Italy and even before then, when you have booked one of our vacation rentals in Italy and you are reading our blog here or going elsewhere to find inspiration for your travels, you might come across some terminology that is new to you while researching Italy. Sometimes, these new words might have explanations that come with them – we can certainly that we strive to include explanations and make things clear. However, sometimes words can feel like such a given or so familiar to those who love and write about Italy that we can forget that we might not always have known them. So, in order to help make your journey to planning a dream holiday in Italy that little bit easier, we have put together a handy little glossary of some of these common terms, all in one place!

Are you a wine-lover planning on booking one of our villas in Tuscany for this April? Well, then you should make sure that you head to the pretty and historic little town of San Quirico d'Orcia where you’ll not only be served up some of the most gorgeous views over the Tuscan landscape, but you will also be able to attend one of the most important wine festivals in the region.

While the Orcia Wine Festival almost always takes place on the last weekend of April each year, it has had its 2025 dates officially confirmed and will be held from the 25th to the 27th of April 2025 for its 14th edition – an excellent reason to find a vacation rental in the Orcia Valley today for an end of spring visit!

So, you have found a perfect vacation rental in Sicily and you are looking forward to enjoying the incredible beaches, ancient towns and astounding archaeological sites, the pretty villages and fascinating towns, the excellent hiking trails and natural splendour, and all that the island has to offer. As you explore and wander, you might work up an appetite or, perhaps, eating is, itself, a key activity that you are looking forward to. Either way, you will want to delve into the cuisine of Sicily.

While Sicily is part of Italy and you can expect many of your favourite and familiar fixtures of Italian cuisine on offer in eateries throughout the island, there are also plenty of regional treats and specialities that you won’t want to miss. Sicily has its own distinct culture, heritage, and flavours and diving into them is a key part of any vacation in Sicily!

Have festive plans got your head in a tailspin? Are there too many parties, commitments, things to buy, rooms to clean and decorate, foods to prepare? Have you been considering just escaping this Holiday Season? Well, we think that’s a great idea! Especially if you have been thinking about a vacation rental in Italy, as we would argue that it is one of the best possible destinations at this time of the year.

Whether you personally celebrate Christmas or not, those who find themselves on holiday in Italy over the Holidays will discover many of the permanent charms of the country with a pretty, festive, exciting Christmas veneer on top. Many cities and towns are at their most beautiful at this time of the year, there are even more things to see and do, as well as lots of incredible seasonal dishes to enjoy, so its an excellent time to visit!