Published on Monday, September 12, 2011 by Kathy McCabe I'll admit it. This humble Italy travel writer -- who gets to visit the land of la dolce vita and drink all kinds of fabulous wines -- sometimes likes to drink something of a lesser vintage and quality -- Diet Coke. I know, how could I? Well, on a recent trip to Italy, I discovered an alternative, of sorts, to Diet Coke, a good ole' Italian soda called "Chino." It has...

Published on Monday, September 5, 2011 by Kathy McCabe I'll be heading back to the central Italian region of Umbria in a few weeks and can't wait for my trip. Let me tell you about one of my favorite restaurants in Umbria...Dinner at Ristorante Redibis in the town of Bevagna is practically guaranteed to be one of the highlights of a visit to the region. The unique setting makes a lasting first impression. The dining area ...

Published on Monday, September 5, 2011 by JacobMartin Mention Italy and a vision of mouthwatering dishes conjure in your mind. If you want to savor the authentic taste of pastas and pizzas, then you ought to plan a tour to Italy. Not just pastas and pizzas, Italy offers a wonderful palette of more such delectable recipes. Pasta: It is undoubtedly one of the most popular Italian dishes. Did you know that there is a hug...

Published on Thursday, August 18, 2011 by Kathy McCabe I first ate at Cammillo Trattoria more than 15 years ago during my first visit to Florence; I have since returned again and again, mostly to taste their excellent pappa al pomodoro (bread and tomato soup) or tortellini and enjoy the homey, if bustling atmosphere. This trattoria, a few blocks from the Ponte Vecchio, on the Oltrano side of the river, has been around for...

Published on Friday, July 15, 2011 by Kathy McCabe So you think you've eaten well in Italy? Suspend all judgment until you've visited the region of  Puglia, where the Mediterranean sun waves its magic wand to produce a true bounty of magnificent, flavorful gifts. Here are some examples of the fresh ingredients Puglia produces and how they combine in simple, yet mouth-watering ways: Olive oil: The ancient  olive t...

Published on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 by Kathy McCabe When Eataly, the giant Italian food and wine emporium and experience, opened in New York last year it got tons of buzz. But for the true and bigger Eataly experience, I recommend you visit the very first Eataly which opend in Turin in 2007. Located in the former Carpano Vermouth production plant, Eataly was founded by Oscar Farinetti in alliance with Slow Food, the...

Published on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 by JacobMartin When planning for a vacation we get baffled with the various touring options. However, when you think of Italy, other places automatically fade out of your thoughts. However what you should know is that there is a lot more to Italy than the amazing places, such as Venice, Rome, Florence, and Naples - to name a few. Your vacation to Italy can become even memorable, ...

Published on Friday, April 22, 2011 by Daniel Italy is as much known for its food as it is known for its historical legacy and fashion industry. Just like the protagonist of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray and Love who went to Italy to explore its gourmet treasures, there are thousands of visitors to Italy every year who want a taste of the manna served in the Italian ristorante. In Italy, food festivals are cele...

Published on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 by JacobMartin Italy is one of the most-frequented tourist destinations, which is well-known for its beguiling beauty, admirable art and architecture, and unique culture. However, an interesting fact that most of us are unaware is that many people tour to Italy just for the sake of enjoying its cuisine and learning Italian recipes. It is for this reason that Italy houses many cookin...