Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Thinking of booking a villa in Italy this October? Well, once you have found your perfect vacation rental in Italy with us, you are probably going to be looking ahead with excitement to your holiday and what you should see and do. There is never a shortage of wonderful activities to keep you occupied in Italy but at this time of the year, in particular, there are some amazing events, festivals, and celebrations that are taking place in addition to the endless list of museums, cathedrals and churches, architectural gems, famous eateries, natural wonders, and more to explore, see, and do. Here are our picks for the top events to attend on holiday in Italy for October 2024…

It’s always a good idea to do your research before going on holidays, especially if you have never been to a destination before. Now, while many things are similar almost universally nowadays, every place has its own cultural, structural, and administrative quirks and features. Italy is no different and, although it may be sometimes difficult to get used to it when things are done another way, it is always easier if you know what to expect. If you are booking a villa in Italy and are planning a vacation that you would like to enjoy with minimal issues, if you are looking forward to rest and relaxation, and if you want to avoid unnecessary stress, then here are ten things that we think you should know about a vacation in Italy and life in Italy, in general...

Many people cannot function until they get their first coffee of the day into them and could not survive without coffee in their life every day. As a result, coffee is a serious business in most parts of the world. Each country also tends to have its own distinct coffee culture and this is very much the case in Italy. Not only is Italy famous for great coffee, it is famous for its unique coffee culture. So, if you are a coffee-lover and you are booking a holiday rental in Italy, here’s what you need to know about the local coffee scene.

Years ago, when I was working as an au pair in Italy for a summer during university, I temporarily became a member of an Italian family. As such, I escorted them on various weekends by the sea and in the Alps and on all sorts of family days out. Many of the outings involved heading to a neighbouring town or village to attend one of Italy’s endless sagre (festivals) to sample a local speciality. These events usually centred around a singular dish that was impossibly delicious and incredibly cheap, enjoyed among other attendees at long tables with plastic table cloths and bench seats. Music, rides for kids, and other entertainments were often on offer as well but it was mostly about the food and the food always delivered.

So, if you are planning a vacation in Italy, I always recommend finding out what the local food festivals are and attending if one is occurring during your trip. Not only will this offer an incredibly authentic Italian experience but it is a great way to eat well and cheaply – what’s not to love? This August, if you have found a villa in Tuscany or a holiday rental in Lucca, in particular, I suggest making your way to the town of Barga to enjoy a somewhat unlikely Tuscan food festival – their annual Fish and Chips Festival!

One of the best parts of adjusting to the Italian lifestyle on a nice, lazy, relaxing holiday in Italy, is adopting the dining practices of this famous foodie destination. From multiple courses with most meals, to dining over the course of hours and chatting late into the evening with pals, to wine with lunch – there are many elements that are not uncommon (though not necessarily daily for everyone all the time) practices and make for an ideal basis for a vacation full of rest and relaxation. Another of our favourite foodie traditions from Italy that we think everyone should adopt where possible? Going for an aperitivo before your meal, sitting out in a sunny piazza, catching up with your companions and people-watching, and enjoying a spritz and some snacks. Certainly, if you’ve been dashing about to see and do as much as you can on holiday in Florence or on vacation in Rome or in any other Italian destination, it’s the ideal way to unwind, rest your feet, and begin rehydrating before your big evening meal.

The question, then, is what spritz you should go for because, while the Aperol Spritz is the most famous option, there are other ways to go. Here are our favourite Italian tipples for a perfect aperitivo moment on vacation in Italy...