Archive for 'Slow Food'

Venice is unique in many ways. The layout for which the city is so famous, built on a lagoon and navigated by a series of waterways rather than roads, of course, is rather unusual. Public transport consisting of water boats is also an uncommon trait of the city. Half-flooded book shops, pretty Skittle-hued houses in Burano, former leper colonies, rich museums, incredible architectural gems, astounding churches, endless ghosts and tales of hauntings, exceptional restaurants, elegant hotels, and more all can be found throughout this unforgettable and magical and sometimes strange city. But, as with any other destination in Italy, if you have found a luxury villa in Veneto or vacation rental in Venice and are spending time exploring all that the city has to offer, you might be wondering about what you should eat while in the area! This is always one of the first questions you should ask when travelling in Italy.

While there are all sorts of specialties – from Cicchetti (plates of finger food), to Baccalà Mantecato
(one of the city's most traditional dishes made from stockfish), to Buranelli biscuits, to the beloved Spritz and the many famous cocktails whose origins are attributed to the city – to be tried during your time in Venice, there is a rather unique jam that the most discerning of foodies should make a point of acquiring. This is Vartanush, a rare rose petal jam made by Armenian monks...

Atrani may be just one of the many stunning towns located along the Amalfi Coast but it is certainly one of the absolute loveliest – and that's saying something! It is made up of a tangle of little roads, a cluster of buildings, steep and romantic flights of steps, pretty little gardens, all perched on a cliff face high above the glittering waters of the sea. The smallest town in the whole of the Southern Italy, it is a perfectly formed little gem that is a must-see. Take a look at our villas on the Amalfi Coast and set aside some time to wander around this truly beautiful place.

Parmigiana – also known as parmigiana di melanzane, melanzane alla parmigiana, or eggplant parmesan in Australian English – is an extremely popular Italian dish that is made with a shallow or deep-fried sliced eggplant (or aubergine) filling and then layered with mozzarella and parmigiano cheese and tomato sauce, before being baked. It is claimed by both the Southern regions of Campania and Sicily, often being associated with Naples but commons in the Campanian countryside, Calabria and Sicily. However, there are actually several theories about the origin of the dish and some of them don't even pinpoint its origins anywhere in the south of the country.

Food is one of the things that makes many choose Italy as a holiday destination. The culture of dining, of spending hours eating and enjoying the company of your fellow diners, no technology infringing upon the experience, is something that appeals to residents of countries where this has died in favour of busy schedules and convenience. Plus, good food is never far away or hard to find and Italian cuisine is, by and large, a comforting, hearty style that developed from peasant dishes. However, if you want to try something a little different, why not supplement your Italian dining experiences with a trip to the best restaurant in the world?

Osteria Francescana is located in Modena and does not offer a typical Italian dining experience by any means. It is, however, somewhere that should make foodies excited. Just find a villa with pool in Emilia-Romagna and book a table well in advance to try it out for yourself.