A Holiday in Italy can offer a gourmet the perfect opportunity to taste the delicacies of the land. The sights and sounds of Italy have always attracted travellers from far and wide. The tastes and smells are not to be missed either. Whether you want to savour the regional food or appreciate the local wines, Italy presents the best prospect.
To make your food and wine tour of Italy perfect, you need to pay attention to the details.
Learn as much as you can about the local delicacies.
A healthy balance of flavours, textures and aromas characterises Italian cuisine. The recipes are simple; the ingredients to retain their natural goodness and original freshness. The best thing is that even the simplest of recipes incorporates rich inventiveness, making it special.
The regional specialities give you an idea about the land and the people. Minestrone soup (with stock and vegetables) from Lombardy, bistecca alla Fiorentina (T-bone steak grilled with aromatic herbs) from Tuscany and fonduta (cheese with eggs and truffles) from Piedmont are just a few examples of regional favourites.
Italian cooking techniques affect the look, feel, taste and smell of the final dishes. Battuto involves combining raw vegetables for sautéing, Cartoccio uses baking meat or fish in foil with little oil, Stufare requires slow cooking of meat to make the stew.
Italian food traditions differ considerably from that of other cultures.
Colazione (breakfast) in Italy is marked by a light start to the day. A typical Italian breakfast comprises of a brioche (light, sweet pastry) and a cappuccino (simple blend of coffee and milk). Another option is just an espresso (strong, black coffee).
The Pranzo (lunch) is the major meal of the day. It consists of antipasto (starter), primo piatto (rice, pasta or soup), secondo piatto (fish or meat), contorno (salad) and frutta (fruits). The meal is rounded off with an espresso or an Amaro or Grappa (digestive liqueur). Some prefer a light lunch; the Cena (dinner) becomes the main meal then.
If you want to enjoy traditional breakfasts and meals on your visit, the best places to go are the family-run restaurants. They offer you a convenient way to experience Italian food in the way an Italian does.
Map the eateries and wineries you want to visit.
If you are in the mood for an elegant dinner at a fancy place, a Ristoranti (restaurant) is the best choice. If it feels too formal, visit the Osteria and Trattoria for local dishes. Pizzerias and Paninerias are good for quick snacks. Decide the must-visits in advance.
The Etruscans who established one of the earliest civilisations in the North-Central portion of the peninsula had mastered the art of winemaking. The Greeks who established themselves there called it Enotria (the land of wine). It is no wonder that a large part of the populace is associated with viticulture.
Italy is known for its beautiful wines in an array of colours, tastes and fragrances, aperitifs with the world-renowned Vermouth base, dessert wines that include the famed Marsala, the sparkling wines, the outstanding beers and bubbling mineral waters.
Try your hand at Italian recipes with fresh produce from the local markets. If you are as interested in cooking as you are about eating Italian food, you may find the local markets to be on the list of must-visit places.
Cooking may not be possible if you are staying at a hotel for your holiday. A luxury villa with a well-equipped kitchen is the perfect accommodation for a food and wine holiday in Italy. It offers you the perfect opportunity to learn a few simple Italian dishes and recreate them with or without your personal touch.
When you choose a luxury villa for your food and wine holiday in Italy, make sure it is within close proximity to the restaurants, cafes and pizzerias. The villas available from PPA Properties may be the right choice for your holiday.
