Archive for 'Slow Food'

Each country in which Christmas is celebrated has its own unique traditions, particularly around food. Food is central to celebrations of all kinds around the world but in Italy it looms especially large as a main character and, certainly, anyone who plans any sort of vacation in Italy is surely looking forward to eating very, very well. Book your holiday rental in Italy over the Holidays and you’ll get to enjoy a whole host of intriguing and delicious foodie traditions and dishes. But once you arrive, what should you eat and when?

Those who book a villa in Tuscany likely plan on venturing out into her famous countryside, to drive down winding, cypress-lined roads, to take in sweeping views over rolling green hills and valleys filled with a patchwork of fields and vineyards, to stumble upon sights like endless golden meadows of sunflowers, and to discover charming little villages and striking medieval towns that look like something from a storybook. As you drive around, maybe with particular destinations in mind and attractions on your itinerary or maybe simply for the joy of the activity itself, you’ll eventually work up an appetite. Of course, if you rent a vacation rental in Tuscany, you’ll discover that almost anywhere you go, great things can be found to eat and drink but if you are after a rather magical experience, then why not a dreamy picnic of delicious treats in a beyond picturesque setting, near the famous wine town of Montepulciano? 

On holiday in Italy? Worked up an appetite while wandering the birthplace of the Renaissance on holiday in Florence? Or getting peckish as you dart about the Eternal City on vacation in Rome, trying to fit in as much as possible? 

Well, then you’ll be in search of somewhere great to eat! Certainly, you’ll find incredible food all over Italy without having to look very far but if you prefer to eat in more authentic places, the kind of little eatery that is mostly occupied by locals, then you might have to look a little bit further.

Here’s our guide to avoiding the more touristy restaurants in the country’s most famous destinations…

Those who choose to book a villa in Italy are, statistically, rather likely to be pasta fans and you will find it pretty easy to get your hands on some incredible pasta dishes while enjoying your getaway. From local family-run eateries, to food festivals serving and celebrating regional varieties, to famous restaurants and Michelin-starred wonders, you’ll find amazing pasta in locations all over Italy without having to look very far. However, the more ardent foodies who are planning a getaway in the homeland of this beloved cupboard staple might be after something a little more special. If you’re up for an adventure and you want something unforgettable, then why not seek out the rarest pasta in the world, the so-called, “Threads of God?”

If you are willing to go on a very special kind of pilgrimage – an edible variety – then you can seek out su filindeu, these Threads of God, while staying in one of our vacation rentals in Sardinia. This rare kind of pasta comes from the Barbagia region of Sardinia and is notoriously difficult to make. It is produced by only a vanishingly small group of women from the Sanctuary of Saint Francis, a little church in the village of Lula, and traditionally only for the biannual Feast of San Francesco – on the 1st of May and the 4th of October. 

Tuscany's reputation as a haven for truffle enthusiasts is well-established. Truffle-infused delicacies are available in eateries and stores all throughout the region and especially during the fall. You can join expeditions to hunt for truffles if you want a more hands-on approach. Plus, there are various events and even entire festivals dedicated to the food and San Miniato, in particular, is known for its globally-acclaimed annual truffle festival and as a general truffle haven.

Those who choose to book a vacation rental in San Miniato to visit this truffle hotspot and delve into Tuscany's culinary culture will find that there is a particular company that will probably help you plan some perfect foodie outings and properly introduce you to the world of truffles: Truffle In Tuscany.