Archive for 'Campania'

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca is an Italian pasta dish that is said to have been invented in Naples in the mid-20th century. The name literally means "spaghetti in the style of a prostitute" in Italian but don't get too carried away! While the etymology of the name once linked the dish to courtesans of old who were said to favour it as it was quick to make in between appointments, or because it smelled good enough to lure clients in from the street, neither of these two stories seem particularly convincing.

Italy and food are pretty synonymous, right? Most people who have found a vacation rental in Italy and are planning their trip will be researching galleries, museums and attractions to visit but they are likely to also be impatiently awaiting all of the delicious meals that they have in store. While there are countless foods to be tried while in Italy, not to mention local specialities, there are some foods that are must and should not be missed while there. Even foods you may have tried plenty of times before can taste completely different in Italy and in a very, very good way.

1. Pizza

Pizza is an obvious choice but an important one. I am not a crazy pizza fan, personally, but there really is something completely different about the pizza in Italy. It's lighter and crispier and just tastier, overall.

Spaghetti con le Vongole is a Neapolitan culinary tradition that is served year round but is also one of the core dishes of the Cena della Vigilia di Natale, the traditional dinner served on Christmas Eve in Naples. It is made of two main ingredients, clams and pasta, and some other, minor, ingredients for flavour and depending on where you are from or your family's own recipe. We're tentatively putting this version out there but don't kill us if you do things differently! We know how passionate people can be about such things. For the real deal, just find a holiday rental in Naples and try it out while exploring the city.

Mount Vesuvius is, perhaps, the most famous volcano in the world. Located in the southern Italian region of Campania, this volcanic cone shaped mountain is still active and has erupted many times over the last few centuries. Don't be afraid, however, as it hasn't erupted since 1944 and the fertile lands that surround are populated by over three million people! While it is still active and considered a relatively dangerous volcano, it is not at all unsafe to visit and we would highly recommend it! Just find a villa in Campania and pay a visit.

Capri is a great natural beauty full of endless tourist attractions to choose from but it is also a wonderful place to go hiking. If you have found a villa with pool on the Amalfi coast and are planning a trip there, be sure to set aside some time to enjoy the great outdoors, the excellent hiking routes and the incredible views.

Via Krupp is considered to be one of the prettiest roads in the world and is a distinctive area to go walking in Capri. Reopened in June 2008 after a 30 year restoration, it can be found by heading to Capri's Piazzetta Umberto I, heading along Via Vittorio Emanuele to Via Matteoti before reaching Via Krupp. The lovely Gardens of Augustus and the Carthusian Monastery are at the top of the trail and the pretty Marina Piccola is at the bottom – the perfect spot for a tipple or a dip in the ocean.