Brilliant
Italy draws food lovers keen on eating her gastronomic delights. With such a rich culinary culture, which is much more than pizza and spaghetti, this fantastic Mediterranean land presents myriad of specialities and mouthwatering foods.
Italian cuisine dates back in time more than 2,000 years and has been subjected to several influences, as the meals provided in ancient Rome carry both similarities and differences in the present cuisine. After all, through the years many dishes that used to be regional, have been enriched with variations all over the county.
With each Italian area having its own traditional must-eat dishes, the culinary options offered through the country are literally uncountable! In
Northern Italy, you will taste the freshest fish and seafood, in
Central Italy delicious recipes with locally produced tomatoes and pecorino cheese, while
Southern Italy's local dishes are based mainly on dried pasta, local cheeses and vegetable-based soups.
That being said, it is essential to know that even though some of the main ingredients of each Italian region might vary, there are particular ones directly linked to the Italian cuisine! Wherever you go you will sample dishes prepared with olive oil, pasta, vinegar, Parmigiano, prosciutto, basil and various types of cheeses. The most popular
culinary destinations in Italy known for their rich gastronomy tradition are
Rome,
Naples and
Florence.
Rome, else known as the Eternal city, fascinates gastronomy travellers with its own culinary tradition, besides the food culture of the country itself. From the city’s high-end restaurants to traditional trattorias, you will taste the
Roman classic pasta dishes,
pizza Romana, delicious
fried artichokes as well as yummy street desserts such as
Italian tarts,
tiramisu, and icy treats, else
gelato!
Naples is one of the oldest cities in Italy and the birthplace of modern
pizza Margarita, the original recipe that is made with fresh tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella and a little olive oil. So simple yet so delicious!
Florence, regarded as one of the most romantic cities in the world, has many top-notch restaurants with incredible views of the river Arno. You will be tempted with city’s Italian cuisine but mostly with dishes traditionally made in Florence that you won't find elsewhere; from the starter
antipasti, a bruschetta with an assortment of toppings, and
Panzanella, a delicious salad of bread and tomatoes, to
Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, a main course of thick porterhouse cut of beef that is also the flagship of Florentine cuisine.
Wine Tasting in ItalyWith more than 350 common indigenous wine grape varieties in Italy and having some of the oldest-wine production regions in the world, there is no wonder why Italy is known for its excellent wine varieties! Most of the wine regions are concentrated in
Piedmont,
Lombardia,
Veneto and
Tuscany where several wineries showcase their finest wines paired with local food and stunning vineyards on the backdrop.
Italian CoffeeCoffee is an integral part of the Italian culture and when you order cafe in Italy, espresso is what you will be served! That's why the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Italian coffee is this small and strong cup of coffee.