Archive for 'Food and Wine'

One of the best things about being on holiday is getting to indulge in delicious treats and try incredible local delights. With this in mind, we have been thinking and dreaming of our favourite Italian chocolate here at Italy Villas and decided to compile a list of the best brands and places where you can get some sweet treats if you book a villa in Italy and are truly diving into all aspects of her rich and flavourful culinary scene.

All jokes aside, Italy really does offer some of the tastiest chocolate in the world, in various forms, to sample so be sure to visit these gems once you have found your perfect vacation rental in Italy with us...

The museums and impressive architectural gems for which Florence is so well-known may have long and fascinating histories but some of the shops, markets, and eateries also have impressive legacies. Caffè Gilli is a perfect example of this: a truly stunning café with over two centuries of history and an important location in which cultural events have long been taking place. For those who love coffee and pastries and beautiful surroundings, it is the ideal spot to take a break from running around to see all that the city has to offer and to soak up the true wonder of your surroundings if you have been thining of booking a vacation rental in Florence and spending time in the city. 

To tip or not to tip, that is the question.

Really though, you might be wondering if tipping is necessary in Italy if you are thinking about booking a villa in Italy as, depending on the culture, tipping can be seen as mandatory, nice but unnecessary, or even rude. So, what’s the story with tipping in Italy?

After two cast members (Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke) of the hit HBO television show and Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, enthused about their love for the Negroni Sbagliato in 2022, it went viral and became a trending tipple once more but it has very much been a beloved cocktail since its supposedly mistaken origins decades ago. 

Literally meaning, “mistaken”, the Negroni Sbagliato hails from the famous Bar Basso in Milan and – in our opinion – is best sampled during a leisurely visit to the famous bar while you enjoy a stay in one of our vacation rentals in Milan.

Campania and the city of Naples, in particular, is an area of Italy where many of the country’s beloved dishes and specialities come from. Among these, there is a hearty, tasty, and unforgettable pasta dish that any seasoned foodie who books a villa in Campania should make a point to seek out and try during their culinary adventures while on holiday in the area. This the regional ragù of Naples, the Neapolitan ragù or ragù alla napoletana/ragù napoletano.

Along with the variety from Bologna, this is one of the two most famous ragù meat sauces in Italy and for good reason... Made of meat and tomato sauce and seasoned to perfection, this wholesome and comforting dish is just what pasta-lovers on vacation in Italy are looking for!