BY sagnika sinhaMay 30, 2024

Are you planning to visit in Italy? Do you know what the weather is like in Italy in October? Are you planning to go on an Italian vacation? Did you know that what we call the high season of Italy? If you visit between May and September, it is the optimal time to visit. I will also share with you the best places to go in Italy! However, you will have to face an immense crowd because most tourists flock to Italy during this time of the year. Furthermore, I will share important information that will guide you in making the appropriate plans to visit the Venetian canals. Let me share with you the best and worst times to visit Italy and how you should plan your trip. I am here to share with you some of the best places in Italy and how to experience them if you know the best time to visit. How to Plan for a Trip: Remember the weather in Italy! Do you know what the weather is like in Italy in October? If you are planning to visit, let me share with you the kind of weather you might get in October! Are you picturing beautiful Italian beaches, vineyards, or canals? But to experience these beauties, you need to know all about the crowd size, weather, and cost related to the trip. If you want to avoid the crows, you can visit between March and April and October to November. Apart from the time, it is also important to consider the type of vacation you are planning. For your next Italian getaway, read the blog in detail to learn more about the factors to consider when planning a trip. Best Time to Visit Italy for Less Crowds If you want to avoid crowds in Italy, you should not go during June, July, and August. During the summer holidays, visitors like you and me can enjoy Italy to the fullest. Considering the low traffic, you will find good weather and fewer crowds during this time. Furthermore, you can enjoy some of the best places that will offer you an amazing dose of culture. Let me tell you that what we know as the high season of Italy is from May to September. And what's more, the time keeps extending every year. Another time you need to avoid is the winter because there are huge crowds. Italy’s winter temperature is somewhere around the 40s and 50s in the south, which gives you a perfect warm, Mediterranean, and sunny vibe. You might also get snow in the country's north during this time. So, if you are planning to visit during winter, it might not be conducive to experiencing some of Italy's best times. However, if you really want to go during this time, you can go to an Alpine ski town such as Cortina D’Ampezzo, where there are several piazzas and hotels. Best Time to Visit Italy for Good Weather If you want to visit Italy to enjoy good weather, let me share some of the important aspects to consider. If you love the sun, you should visit during the months of July and August, as the temperature soars then. It is a completely rain-free summer, so you can enjoy it to your heart’s content. However, several places in Italy can make tourists very uncomfortable. In southern cities such as Naples and Rome, temperatures can go as high as 100 degrees.  I like the sun, but I am also heat-sensitive, so if you are also heat-sensitive, you should avoid the peak summertime weather in these places. You can also visit the Naples Italy beaches during early fall and late spring to experience balmy beaches and sunny skies but no heat. This is the ideal time; the months of September and May are perfect for you to visit the country's southern area. Hence, going on walking tours across the historic cities and towns, swimming and sunbathing in the coastal areas; however, in the city, the temperature goes up to 70s and 80s. Another place that is perfect for visiting even during summer is northern Italy. This place is quite elevated, and Lake Como is perfect to visit during summer, as the temperature is about 60s and 70s during June, July, and August. Visit the Wine Country of Italy Italy has some beautiful wine regions, such as Tuscany, so when you visit these places, you will feel like a different world. The ideal times you want to see the wine countries are early fall and early spring. You can visit to see the grape harvest in September and October. If you are a wine lover, this is the most exciting time to visit Italy. Just like in Italy, I have also written a blog on how many days in Venice you need to spend! Please give that a read! Visit the Italian Coast of Italy The Italian Coast is a perfect place for you if you are a beach lover! Summer, autumn, and spring are the best times if you are planning to visit Italy. When you visit the coastal towns on the Italian coast, including Manarola, Positano, Sorrento, Portofino, Ravello, and more, you have some of the best times of your life. Try to avoid summer and spring while visiting the Italian Coast because everyone will have the same idea of taking a beach chair and umbrella and sitting at the beach. Yes, you will see that the rental costs are exorbitant. In addition, the crowds increase significantly during the day, along with the noise. If you want to escape the noise, you can go to the smaller villages, which are situated much closer to the beach, such as Terlizzi in Puglia. So, how is the weather in Italy in October? In these smaller villages, you get warm water throughout late October, plus the surroundings are quite peaceful! Visit the Dolomites of Italy One of the stunning places in Italy, the Dolomites in northeastern Italy, is beautiful and can be visited all year round. If you are interested in hiking, going on a walk across the trails of mountain views, or skiing, this is the perfect place for you. You can hit the ski slopes in summer, winter, or even spring, enjoying the activity along with the beautiful mountain views. Best Foods to Try in Italy! The food culture in Italy is an enigma in the Western world! When visiting Italy, people experience gastronomical pilgrimages, so I would encourage you to plan the trip while keeping in mind the food culture.   Several cities in Italy offer some of the best food, culture, experiences, and traditions. For example, Bologna is like a culinary metropolis where you can try balsamic vinegar, prosciutto di Parma, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Did you know that Bologna has the first food theme park in the world, Eataly FICO?   There is a place called Pasta Fresca Naldi where you can get hand-made pasta dishes. There are also takeout options. You must try several traditional dishes, such as tortellini in brodo and lasagna verdi.   Another place, Palermo, is another beautiful place where you can get delicious food and thus experience the culture of Italy in true style. Even the architectural design of this place is heartwarming. When it comes to food, starting from parmigiana di melanzane to pasta con le sarde!   Finishing Off... In short, let me share with you that the weather in Italy in October is cooler than in the summer months when the temperature is relatively mild. However, it depends on the region and how the temperature varies based on the surroundings.   Yes, it can be expensive and busy from May to October. However, at times, there are places in Italy that October is perfect for visiting. The best places are Sicily and Campania when considering October as a month to visit Italy.   Comment on what you think is the right time to visit Italy and why.  Additional Reading: How Much Time To Spend In Italy? 10 Facts That Will Make You Fall In Love With Italy Top Places To Visit In Italy On Your Next Travel Escapade

BY sagnika sinhaMay 30, 2024

Are you dreaming about spending a beautiful European holiday like me? Is Italy on your bucket list? Have you already planned your trip to Italy, or are you confused by so many options? Let me share the best places to go in Italy with you! Apart from various popular places and streets, I have also shared several places of food that you must try. Italy's culture and traditions are integrated deep inside its roads, buildings, and food culture. You can also learn about the weather in Italy in October to decide when to plan your trip! Let me share with you the eight best places to go in Italy because it will be the trip of a lifetime. 8 Best Places to Go in Italy Apart from the beautiful and historic places in Italy, there is so much more to know about them. You will learn about their history and how people have expressed themselves. I will share with you some of the best places in Italy, not just from a traveler's perspective. I want to share with you how to be someone who enjoys a place through its places, people, and food. Naples, Campania The home of Neapolitan pizza, coastal Naples has an electric atmosphere around its urban streets. I can easily highlight Naples as one of the best places to go in Italy. Did you know that during the 18th century, they used to eat plates of pasta with bare hands in the streets? Known as mangiamaccheroni, the Neapolitans were quite enchanted with pasta's deliciousness. However, recently, it has become more popular for its pizza. The place is like a network of pizza places, the air filled with the aroma of dough, wood-fired ovens, and cheese. It would be best to stop at Gino Sorbillo, where you can get the Neapolitan pizza topped with buffalo mozzarella, which smells earthly. The restaurant is by the seaside and gives you the perfect view of Naples. The place is popular for coffee, so remember an espresso and an Americano! Bologna, Emilia-Romagna You might overlook Bologna with the likes of Naples and Rome, but if you are a true foodie, you will keep it in your itinerary. The place is the home of Prosciutto di Parma, balsamic vinegar, and Parmigiano Reggiano, which you will enjoy when you visit. The Eataly FICO, the first food theme park in the world, is a place for you to enjoy if you are a foodie by heart! The colonies across the place are medieval, surrounded by street food stalls and several small restaurants catering to students, tourists, and locals alike. The place is popular for hand-made pasta, so when you sit down at a trattoria, you must order Fat Bologna or Bologna Grossa. There are several regional dishes that you must try, such as tortellini in brodo or lasagna Verdi, along with the famous breadbasket of Italy. Genoa, Liguria Do you remember Genoa, a seaport in northwestern Italy, from Merchant of Venice? Well, the capital of Liguria is also known as the Italian Riviera. You might miss it if you are only focused on Rome or Venice, but I would say you should not miss this place. It is one of the best places to go in Italy, especially because it is one of the best food cities in Italy. But did you know that it was the Genoese who created Pesto, the popular green sauce now found almost in every Western supermarket? But even then, a local bowl of pesto pasta with basic leaves will leave you more flavorful than ever. Another delicious dish you cannot miss is pesto lasagna, available at Cambi Caffe. If you are a dessert fan like me, you must try the rich Genoise sponge-based Sacripantina! The bakery Antico Forno Patrone is quite popular for dessert, a sponge with caramelized onions and an olive-laced square of focaccia. You will find several artisan confectionary boutiques, butcher shops, and fishmongers! Rome, Lazio You visit Rome and you do not go to the Pantheon—is that even a question? Apart from the Pantheon, the Colosseum is another must-visit place. So, if you are wondering about things to do in Rome, keep reading! Local pasta dishes are popular in Rome, and Lazio is established with some of the classics. Dishes such as cacio e pepe, carbonara, gricia, and amatriciana attract tourists to this place. When you visit a romantic city, you must experience the nightlife. The trattorias of Trastevere offer some of the famed pasta dishes, so you must walk across the city's cobbled lanes and experience the vibe. To taste the deliciousness of the rich carbonara dish, you can check out Ta Deo’s rigatoni alla gricia. Rome is known for its history, so you cannot miss the Jewish ghetto, rich in atmosphere and culture. If you love old buildings and feel a pull toward the city's history, you can walk along the streets and experience elegance and decay. The specialties that you must try are deep-fried artichokes and carcinoma alla guide. Another dish born from history is Trippa alla Romana, which the poorest inhabitants of Rome used to eat. You can try this to experience the real food culture! Florence, Tuscany Italian food culture is most pronounced in Tuscany, where most dishes offer the earthly flavor of peasant cooking (cucina povera)! There are various food items such as acquacotta, a soup of beans and cabbage, ribollita vegetable stew, baked beans with herbs, and the deliciousness of fagioli all’uccelletto. If you do not like beans, we have other dishes for you, which you can get in restaurants that offer international cuisine. Many of these restaurants are Michelin-starred, such as the Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, which offers several-course meals with wine. Let me share one of the original food items of the place: the Florentine Steak. Cooked with herbs and olive oil, the T-bone is succulent beef from the Chianina cow. To taste the best version of this dish, you must stop in Trattoria dall’Oste Chianineria. Cagliari, Sardinia If you are a wine lover, you do not even have to make a choice when it comes to the most delicious white wine variety on the island, Vermentino. You will taste the salinity and acidity of this wine, and it is also the only DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin). You will also get to try some of the highest-quality Sardinian cuisine in the II Castello old quarter of Cagliari. Furthermore, you should also try semolina fregula, pasta that is an African take on the saffron-laced seafood soups of Sardinia. I suggest you try sausage and fennel ragu or malloreddus! Both these items are compulsory on most menus, including Sardinian gnocchi. If you are a foodie, try the full-flavored cured fish roe in pasta. This is why people fall in love with Italy! The shores of Cagliari, like Sicily, are the home of delicious island food culture. The sun-swelled environment and grape-growing conditions make it ideal for fresh produce. You will experience a fusion of African and Mediterranean flavors in this place. Sorrento, Bay of Naples Sorrento is situated on a cliff where you can overlook the beautiful and glittering Bay of Naples! When you visit the sun-kissed city, you must enjoy the delicious food. It is one of the best food cities in Italy, with its multilayered culture and flavoursome dishes. You will be getting the gastronomic experience of your life. One popular product, lemons, is associated with several dishes in this city. The Italian coastal town will create an escape for you to experience culture, tradition, and finger-licking food. When you start tasting food there, you will see lemons in everything, from seafood dinner to a chilled glass of limoncello or infused in a pastry. Local ingredients such as mozzarella or olive oil are available for deliciousness in the dishes, so you can visit a local farm to experience the native taste! Local dishes like gnocchi alla Sorrentina are magical meals that you can have while sitting in a lemon-fragranced garden. The food scene even includes seafood, which is quite popular. Parma, Emilia-Romangna Popular places like Bologna and Naples often overshadow the charming small city, Parma. With its rich culinary heritage, Parma is quite a historic place with its baptistry lineage and ancient buildings. Even the food culture of Parma is something to be excited about! So, what do you want to know about this place? The first and most important thing to understand is that it is one of the few cities known for producing versatile and delectable hard cheese. Umami parcels of meat, tortellini in brood, and Parmigiano Reggiano in a delicious and fragrant chicken broth are some of the regional specialties. You can easily sit in a tiny piazza, looking at the baroque facade of a church, and enjoy these delicacies. Finishing Off... In short, I have shared with you some of the best places to visit in Italy to experience the best culture. Furthermore, you will also learn about some of the popular restaurants, and which dishes you can try when you visit. I have selected the best food cities, along with the beautiful locations of churches and colonies, creating an otherworldly experience for you. In addition to the places, you also experience the traditions, the culture, and the ways of life. Comment on which place has attracted you the most and why. Additional Reading: How Much Time To Spend In Italy? Top 10 Naples Italy Beaches You Can’t Miss! Tips For Planning The Perfect Getaway In A Rental Villa In Italy Top 10 Most Romantic Restaurants In Rome For The Perfect Date Ever!

BY Ankita TripathyFeb 21, 2024

Italian cuisine is a hit in the United States; if you don't believe me, take a walk in Bensonhurst and Bay Ridge in Brooklyn, where you'll get more than a taste of the food, but experience the culture as well. Short of trekking through Italy, there are limited ways in which you can experience the magic of the country. One of those ways is through food. You could trawl through all the Italian restaurants and bistros in your neighborhood, or you could just cook some traditional dishes at home. Read on to learn more about Italian cuisine and some of its key ingredients. Popular Italian Dishes There are foods we have embraced and enjoy so much that we forget they originated from Italy. Here are a few examples of some that have become staple dishes. Pizza Pizza is the most famous Italian food, and it has won the world over; I mean, who doesn't love pizza? You can top your pizza with almost anything, but did you know the earliest pizzas were topped with garlic, lard, and salt? Lasagne Lasagne was initially reserved for special occasions during the Middle Ages; nowadays, we enjoy it as a filling meal with a salad or bread. Tiramisu This iconic Italian dessert means "pick me up" or “cheer me up” in Italian, understandably so. The sweet, fluffy, and light dessert that melts in your mouth will definitely lift your spirits. Cooking The Italian Way At the core of Italian cooking is the emphasis on fresh ingredients; most people buy packaged pasta and use canned tomatoes and condiments. Authentic Italian cooking requires fresh ingredients. While some may see Italian dishes as unhealthy because of their high-carb content, the opposite is true. Let's look at the key ingredients used in Italian cooking Pasta There are more than 350 different shapes of pasta; it also comes in various forms, such as dried, fresh, or dumpling pasta. Each kind is suitable for a different dish, such as Penne for Penne Arrabbiata and lasagne sheets for lasagne. It's easy to see why pasta is a multi-million dollar business in Italy. It's versatile and works with meat, vegetables, and even dessert (vermicelli) dishes. It doesn't need a lot of flavoring either; you just need to add a sauce and some cheese, and you are good to go. Pasta is an excellent source of carbohydrates; it's filling and affordable. If you are watching calories, you may opt for the whole-grain variety. Read Also: Exploring The Allure Of Holiday Getaways In Italy Olive Oil Olive trees are grown across Italy, with some of the best coming from Liguria and Tuscany, so it's no surprise that most Italian dishes call for olive oil. The oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help lower your cholesterol levels. It also has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. So, what's the difference between virgin olive oil and extra virgin oil? Simply put, extra virgin oil goes through less processing and thus retains more of its natural antioxidants and vitamins. Virgin olive oil also has a higher free acidity rating (0.8 - 2.0) than extra virgin olive oil ( less than 0.8). For authentic Italian olive oils, check out Dolceterra (visit website). Tomatoes Even though tomatoes are not native to Italy, they are firmly at the center of Italian cooking. There are different uses for different kinds of tomatoes; cherry tomatoes are great for salads or stuffing, like in a Caprese stuffed mozzarella, while plum tomatoes make the best sauces. Using tomatoes is not just one of the easiest ways to flavor food; think of spaghetti bolognese. Tomatoes are also known to ease inflammation and boost your immune system; they taste great, too. It's also an excellent preservative. Tuscan cooking is based on limiting food wastage; in historical times, leftover meats were cooked with tomato to preserve them and give them more flavor. And, what is a pizza without a tomato sauce base? We can see why tomatoes have become so central to Italian cuisine. Basil Basil is a flavorful African and Asian herb that comes in different varieties. It is very popular in pasta sauces; hence, we associate it with Italian cooking. Most tomato sauce recipes call for fresh basil, and it is also used in pesto. Basil oil can be used as part of a bread dip or to flavor vegetables. Basil vinegar is excellent in salads as well. Fresh basil is the most flavorful, so it's better to use it. Basil works well with other herbs, such as rosemary, oregano, and dill; this is also applicable in planting. You can plant basil alongside dill, cilantro, and chives. The great thing about basil is that it's easy to grow and doesn't need much space. Cheese Due to new research and eating trends, dairy products have been getting a bad reputation recently. Despite this, we still love our cheese, and what would a pizza be without mozzarella cheese? Cheese is an integral part of Italian cooking, with several famous cheeses made in the country. Mascarpone for tiramisu, fontina for a fondue and Parmigiano Reggiano for pasta. Cheese adds flavor to the pasta's starchiness and helps bind ingredients together in sauces. It also contributes to the texture of the sauce. You can also serve cheese on its own on a cheese board paired with great wine; while this is not authentically Italian, it does show how versatile cheese is. Most cheeses are an excellent source of calcium, and they also have protein. Wine Wine is fundamental to Italian cuisine and not just for drinking; think of Cioppino, which needs it as a key ingredient. Here are a few tips when pairing wine: Chianti is very compatible with tomato-based sauces. So, it goes well with pizza and creamy tomato pasta. A cabernet-sauvignon elevates the flavor of aged cheeses. Pair a provincial dish with a regional wine. Lastly Italian cuisine is not complicated, and we love it; you can make the most straightforward meal, which will be delicious. Most meals are made with fresh ingredients, which makes them healthier and tastier. You can integrate Italian meals into most eating plans without feeling guilty. Read Also: Common Pitfalls Of Destination Wedding In Italy And How To Avoid Them How Much Time To Spend In Italy Best Places To Visit In Italy