Archive for 'Food and Wine'

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...

Are there vegetarian restaurants in Rome?

Italy is famous for her food and it is true that there are endless delicious things to eat and an untold number of remarkable restaurants and street food sellers and markets and more where you can find amazing dishes. Many of these dishes are meat-based but there are plenty of typical Italian dishes without meat that are wonderful options for vegetarians and will be found pretty readily on any menu. However, if you’re a vegetarian or a vegan and you’re on holidays, you might want to have lots and lots of tasty options - a whole menu of them - not just a smaller selection of suitable dishes. 

Rome, as the capital, is one of the cities with the most variety when it comes to amenities, restaurants, and stores and, therefore, has plenty of specialised eateries to choose from. So, if you want to book one of our vacation rentals in Rome and you are veggie or vegan and hope to eat very well during your trip, we have put together a small guide with answers to common questions about veggie-friendly options in the Eternal City.

One of those pretentious things that you hear people say but that is actually rather true is that certain foods are never as good as the version available on their home ground. While you may be able to find very tasty examples elsewhere, the expertise, experience, and innate understanding of locals means that eating the real deal can be a totally different experience. Foodies who love Italian food, in particular, will find that it is truly hard to compare to Italian food in Italy. So, if you have booked a villa in Italy or you are coming to explore and move about the country, these are the foods that we think you need to ensure that you try while you are in Italy – but don’t blame us if nothing else ever quite compares...