Archive for 'Campania'

A quick and classic summer dish from Italy that is easy to make, refreshing, tasty, and perfectly light and satisfying is the Caprese salad. Recently, we mentioned this beloved appetiser in our post all about mozzarella. A famous product that is made in many different regions of Italy, it is an EU-protected food made using traditional recipes with slight variations in the kind that comes from each place. First developed in the South of Italy, it is thought to date back as far as the 1st century AD. The Caprese salad itself, meanwhile, is made with mozzarella as well as tomatoes, basil, and olive oil (and often balsamic vinegar) and is named for the island of Capri, from which is it thought to have originated.

As the summer continues to sizzle on, we suggest making yourself a Caprese salad with our recipe while you browse our villas in Campania and then coming and making it in its home region with the freshest and most sun-ripened ingredients from local markets for the full Campania culinary experience. A place where basic ingredients are perfectly ripe and impossibly delicious so even the simplest dishes absolutely sing with flavour, this gem of a destination is a must for foodies looking to vacation in Italy during the summer...

The picturesque town of Sorrento is one of the most beloved, iconic, and photographed holiday destinations in all of Italy. Perched on cliffs overlooking the stunning blue waters and pretty coastline of the Bay of Naples, made up of pretty little cobbled streets and sun-drenched piazze, abounding in lush greenery, serving up delicious food paired with sea views, and allowing easy access to the Amalfi Coast, the stunning island of Capri, and the fascinating historical site of Pompeii, Sorrento has it all. Luckily, we have a wonderful selection of villas in Sorrento to choose from, allowing you to easily plan a dream Italian getaway in this scenic part of Campania.

Here at Italy Villas, we believe in making your holiday as seamless and stress-free as possible so once you have found your vacation rental in Sorrento or your holiday rental in Campania and you are looking to start exploring the area, you might be looking into how to get around. Well, never fear, we’re here to helping you find all the information you need to know about this vital, albeit often overlooked aspect of your vacation: transportation.

Many different towns and regions and areas of Italy are famous for specific food products due to tradition or climate or landscape or a combination of all three. From complex wines and balsamic vinegars, to hearty pasta dishes based in peasant tradition, to unbelievably rich chocolates, to street food favourites that perfectly hit the spot, and more, there are all sorts of incredible culinary treats and experiences to be had if you book a villa in Italy.

For really serious foodies looking to plan a holiday in Italy, it can be a great place to really go back to the basics, find the best ingredients, and learn to really appreciate everything that you are tasting. You can learn so much by studying the key products and examples of produce that are used commonly in Italian cooking. Take, for example, the humble but essential ingredient that is mozzarella. With its delicate flavour and creamy consistency, this versatile ingredient is used in lots of ways. It is eaten with tomatoes, basil, and olive oil (and often balsamic vinegar) as the simple but delicious appetiser that is the Caprese salad, in a starring role on the Margherita pizza, and added to all sorts of pasta dishes like lasagna, stuffed cannelloni, and baked pasta, to make them heartier and bring richness and creaminess to every bite.

We all hear about certain destinations. They become trendy all of a sudden due to a film or a television series being set there or because the food of the region becomes popular or because the rich and famous are spotted there. Or others are the classic hot spots that we spend lifetimes hearing about, that have been on bucket lists since time immemorial. No matter which type of popular destination it is, you hear lots about them, you see the pretty photographs of other people’s trips, you start to become curious, and then you might begin to wonder if it could possibly live up to all of the hype.

This, of course, will change from person to person. Some people will see (or smell) Paris and find it lacking compared to the perfect image that they had conjured in their minds, while others will find that the rougher edges only add to the romance of the museums and landmarks and picturesque streets. 

In this new series on the blog of What to consider when planning a holiday in Italy, we are aiming to beat the January blues by looking ahead to our next getaway. It is the perfect time to start planning your next holiday in Italy with availability for many of our best properties all across the country still remaining throughout 2023. However, it is also a good time to really think about some of the important details that you should be considering when planning a vacation in Italy. Over the course of this series, we will be looking at some of the main factors to think about when planning a perfect break in Italy from location to timing to budgets and we will help you find the ideal option for you and your needs! Of course, if you ever need more direct help, you can always contact us and our team of seasoned villa experts will be able to offer you one-on-one advice and recommendations, as per all of your specifications.