Archive for 'Products & Specialities'

A lot of Italy’s beloved Christmas foods have become famous around the world in recent years. In particular, her panettone fruit cake has been made a fixture of many displays of Christmas foods in stores all over the globe each year. However, this is actually only one such cake from the country and there are lots of other regional versions that are well worth sampling. In fact, booking a villa in Italy over the Holidays is ideal for the curious foodie as there are all sorts of amazing seasonal delights to be sampled! 

If you were to book a vacation rental in Sicily, for example, in addition to enjoying milder winter weather, fascinating historic sites, amazing natural beauty, and a distinct local culture and traditions, you can also try amazing regional Christmas treats, including their own festive fruit cake: Buccellato.

If you are a blue cheese fan and you were thinking of booking a villa in Italy and a vacation rental in Lombardy or a holiday rental in Piedmont, in particular, then you need to make a point to try some Gorgonzola cheese. One of the world's most ancient blue-veined cheeses, it holds the prestigious DOP certification and its production is primarily concentrated in the northern Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. And, although the name Gorgonzola originates from the town of Gorgonzola near Milan, which was once thought to be the cheese's birthplace, this origin story is now a subject that is somewhat up for debate. Read on to learn more about this classic Italian cheese...

Amaretto is a liqueur that is well-known to many as a popular ingredient that is used in several Italian desserts (including Tiramisu), chocolates, ice-creams, and more. It is also, of course, enjoyed in its own right and is used to make cocktails and mixed drinks. For foodies who are planning a vacation in Italy who love to try local tipples, it is definitely a must-try if you have not yet already had the opportunity to sample this classic liqueur.

Originally from the town of Saronno in Lombardy, there are several Italian brands today with Disaronno being undeniably the most well-known among them. Coming from the Italian for, “a little bitter,” this is, funnily enough, actually a sweet Italian liqueur though there is some mild bitterness. Made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or almonds, depending on the brand, these are all natural sources of benzaldehyde, which lends its almond-like flavour.

We believe that eating local dishes is one of the most important things to do on holiday and one of the best ways to become more familiar with a culture and a place. This, of course, is especially true when it comes to Italy and to Tuscany. So many famous and beloved products and dishes come from this part of the world and eating is a key tourist activity if you have found a villa in Tuscany. There are endless delicious things to eat from this especially lush and fertile part of the country but one of the must-try products from Tuscany is Pecorino cheese.

Made from 100% sheep’s milk, there are six varieties of pecorino cheese that received Protected Designation of Origin status. Pecorino Romano is one of these and one of the most famous cheeses from Italy. Other pecorino cheese are produced on the islands of Sardinia and in the Tuscan Province of Grosseto. Dating back to Roman times, when it was a staple of the diet of soldiers at war, pecorino is now often an alternative to Parmesan. 

Certain Italian dishes have become so famous that they are common household names almost everywhere in the world. This includes, of course, pizza and various kinds of pasta dishes but it is also true of some sweet dishes. Among the most well-known Italian desserts, tiramisu is one of the best loved and most iconic. Typically made of finger biscuits, egg yolks, sugar, coffee, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa powder, the dessert now differs massively in shape, size, and specific flavours and ingredients as all sorts of variations have been created.

Originally from the Veneto region of Italy, it comes from a vacation destination ideal for sampling delicious glasses of prosecco, spending day-trips exploring the magical city of Venice, discovering the lush landscape dotted by gorgeous historic villas, and heading to the Alps to hike or ski. So, if you are already considering a vacation rental in Veneto and a holiday spent enjoying all that the region has to offer but you also happen to have a sweet tooth, then an opportunity to sample the beloved Italian dessert on its home ground is one more great reason to visit...