| Aaah…Italian food! Who doesn’t
love the fragrant aroma of the delicacies most often associated
with this very food-oriented country? In Italy, dining well is
a priority and it’s easy to tell, when visiting Italy restaurants,
how each meal is treated with reverence. Food and wine hold an
important place in the heart of Italians and such Italian food
culture easily rubs off on the tourist. |
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Much of what you eat in Italy will depend largely on the portion of
the country you’re visiting. Northern Italians love cream sauces
and on restaurant menus in that region, you’re likely to find
abundant use of butter, polenta, and cheeses. Italian food in the Central
region of the country will lead you to familiar dishes that have become
popular the world over. Experience stuffed pastas in the Emilia-Romagna
district, prosciutto in Umbria, bruschetta in Rome, and exquisite olive
oils and meat dishes in the hills of Tuscany. Italy restaurants in the
Central region are among the best in the country. But leave some room
for Southern Italian food, like the pizza in Naples
(home to the world’s first pizzeria), the lamb in Calabria, the
pasta in Sicily, and the sweet green olives of Sardinia. In Italy, dining
is an exquisite experience!
For travelers, Italy hotels boast fine restaurants that will allow
guests to experience a variety of gastronomical delights. Italian
food culture is alive and well in these restaurants. Rome Italy hotels,
popular with tourists, might boast a small coffee shop where you can
enjoy a light breakfast (calazione) of espresso and brioche, a panineria
or sandwich bar for lunch, and also a five-star establishment where
the food and wine will take your breath away. Florence Italy hotels
are also known for their excellent eating establishments. Don’t
hesitate, however, to visit those tiny, out-of-the-way Italy restaurants…the
ones tucked into a small space on a side street. They’re often
favorites with the locals and usually serve incredible Italian food.
Of course, while you’re in Italy, you’ll want to sample
some of the country’s fine desserts, including the perennial
favorite, gelato. Available in dozens of flavors, this favorite Italian
food is creamier than the American variety of ice cream and not for
the calorie-conscious!
Italians love their wine and serve it freely with both lunch and
dinner. A tour of Italy
presents the opportunity to try a variety of fine Italian wines, like
the outstanding dessert wines of Sicily, the Asti Spumante of the
Piedmont region, the Chianti of Tuscany, and the red Cabernet of Sardinia.
Italy restaurants often boast long wine lists, especially at Italy
hotels, so be sure to choose a local favorite as you travel to different
regions. | 
