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It’s no secret that Italy is one of the true food and wine destinations of the world. From mouthwatering pasta to fine bottles of red, each region of Italy proudly lays claim to its own unique delicacies and flavours.
Here, our personal travel managers take you on a tour of Italy’s diverse wining and dining culture.
When in Rome
Few places hold the allure of Rome, Italy’s capital and the once great Roman Empire. While the city’s ancient relics, the Colosseum and the Vatican make Rome a historic wonderland, it’s the array of food and wine options that will keep you coming back for more.
Restaurants in Rome are aplenty but to “do as the Romans do”, try their Carciofi alla romana (artichokes) or Fiori di zucca fritti (deep-fried zucchini flowers).
The countryside surrounding Rome, in the region of Lazio, has been producing wine for thousands of years. The region’s most popular drop is a light and dry white wine called Frascati.
Find your appetite in Tuscany
Tuscany is recognised as being at the forefront of the wine-producing industry worldwide and is home to the notable wine regions of Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Florence, needs little introduction with its art, fine dining and historical significance making it a hotspot for travellers from around the globe.
Great wine flows with abundance in Florence, Tuscany’s capital, but no visit is complete without a glass of the much-celebrated Chianti red, often wrapped in a straw basket.
Florentians pride themselves on their commitment to fresh, locally sourced, sustainable produce. After overindulging on history and culture, treat yourself to a famous Bistecca Fiorentina steak.
Vinos in Verona
While most people have Venice on their Italian itinerary, few people consider stopping at neighbouring Verona along the way. The city is the second largest in the Veneto region and is the setting for the famous Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet.
In this region, dishes traditionally use rice rather than pasta and Verona produces one of Italy’s best rice varieties – Vialone Nano. Risotto is one of Verona’s most famed dishes. Alternatively, horse and donkey meat is widely enjoyed in the northern regions of Italy. These cuts are well known for their tenderness and taste.
Italy’s most expensive exported white wine hails from Verona – Soave. Grown in soil that contains a high percentage of limestone, warmth retention results in fuller, more fruit-forward wines.
Never leave Naples
Brimming with passion and a charming kind of chaos, Naples offers an authentic Italian experience. It is renowned as the birthplace of pizza and a haven for coffee lovers.
The world’s first pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba (Via Port’Alba, 18, 80134), opened its doors in 1830 in Naples and still remains in business today. Using the simplest of ingredients, Pizza Margherita is a triumph of Neapolitan cuisine. The pizza’s colors of red, white and green represent the colours of the Italian flag. Freshly cooked in ancient wood-fired ovens, it’s the quintessential Italian culinary experience.
People in Naples are known to drink three to ten coffees a day and still manage to be easy-going and relaxed. Coffee is often consumed on the run or al volo. Neapolitan coffee is usually served short, complemented by its strength and creaminess.
For more Italiano inspiration, contact your personal travel manager or find one here.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
