![\"Italy](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/italy-books-ergita-sela-unsplash.jpg\")
What\u2019s the next best thing to traveling to Italy? Well, for us, it\u2019s curling up with a good book that carries you to the rolling hills of Tuscany or the sunny beaches of the Amalfi Coast\u2014for a little while at least\u2014as you turn the pages. Once you\u2019ve planned the perfect Italy trip, enjoy one of these new Italy books to escape to Il bel paese until it\u2019s time to pack those suitcases. These books also make great gifts for those Italophiles in your life this holiday season. For more reading inspiration, check out our recommended books to read before visiting Italy.
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The cheerful cover of this book is just the beginning of an enjoyable dive into Italian culture by Maria Pasquale, Rome based food and travel writer and author of the lovely I Heart Rome book. In How to Be Italian: Eat, Drink, Dress, Travel and Love La Dolce Vita, Pasquale shares bite sized servings of everything we love about the Italian lifestyle accompanied by beautiful photography. From an inside glimpse of how Italians think about the holidays, language and love to tips on fitting in fashion wise, you\u2019ll enjoy this little tome that is small enough to curl up with and pretty enough for your coffee table.
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For historical fiction enthusiasts, Laura Morelli is likely already on your radar with her novels that delve deep into Italy\u2019s past \u2013 often with an art history theme. While she handles those themes beautifully thanks to her background as an art historian, what really shines through is her love of Italy and unraveling intriguing tales. Start with her most recent release, The Stolen Lady: A Novel of World War II and the Mona Lisa, which follows two women who each hide Leonardo da Vinci\u2019s Mona Lisa 500 years apart. Then continue with The Night Portrait: A Novel of World War II and da Vinci’s Italy and The Giant: A Novel of Michelangelo’s David. Visit her website www.lauramorelli.com for even more Italy themed novels and guides.
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What is an Italian meal without pasta? No ingredient captures the heart of Italian cooking quite like pasta. In An A-Z of Pasta: Stories, Shapes, Sauces, Recipes, Rome based food writer Rachel Roddy digs into Italy\u2019s most essential ingredient. What emerges as you learn about everything from anelli to fusilli, gnocchi, rigatoni and all the way to ziti, is a remarkable story of Italian cooking told uniquely through many different shapes of pasta. But, don\u2019t worry, recipes are included so you can create tempting pasta dishes at home until your travels bring you back to Italy.
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Everyone who has dreamed of going to Italy and staying there forever will take heart in Andrew Cotto\u2019s Cucina Romana: Another Italian Adventure. Here we pick up again with Jacoby Pines, who set off for Italy on holiday in Cucina Tipica: An Italian Adventure and settled into life as an expat in Tuscany. Now, in Cotto’s latest release, Pines is off on the trail of family ancestry in Rome and, as expected, his travels are full of plenty of food, wine and adventures. Find out more on www.andrewcotto.com and follow along on his own travel and food adventures on Instagram.
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For a captivating read based on a true story, pick up Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton. This moving story is set in the small town of Fonzaso in northeast Italy and unfolds over two decades against the rise of fascism and the horrors of WWII. Anton\u2019s deep passion for telling stories of women\u2014especially the ones that are too often forgotten to time\u2014shines through in this novel. She didn\u2019t have to look far as it was the lives of her Italian grandmother and great grandmothers that inspired her to tell this story of women, of resilience and of love. Discover more on her website and Instagram.
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For Italian wine enthusiasts\u2014and not only\u2014South of Somewhere: Wine, Food, and the Soul of Italy by Robert V. Camuto takes readers on a journey deep into the tastes and experiences that make Italy such a sensory delight. Camuto starts this journey in his family\u2019s ancestral town of Vico Equense, set in a scenic spot overlooking the sea between Naples and Sorrento. But from there his travels meander through the regions of Abruzzo, Umbria, Campania, Sicily, Basilicata, Puglia and back to Vico Equense. Along the way, you\u2019ll meet generations of people making wine amid the most varied and sometimes unexpected landscapes. Beautifully written with depth and connection but just as accessible for wine novices, South of Somewhere is a book we\u2019d highly recommend to anyone who loves Italian food, wine and culture.
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While Stanley Tucci certainly needs no introduction, his memoir Taste: My Life Through Food is a heartfelt look at his life with a delectable focus. From big Italian American family meals growing up to his successful films Big Night and Julie & Julia to family cooking and gastronomic adventures around the world, it\u2019s a joy to read from start to finish. Perfect if you loved his CNN series Searching for Italy and are looking for more until season two comes out!
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For a fun read that will take you back to Italy and those beautiful warm summer days, Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst is a great choice. From Rome to Assisi and through the rolling hills of Tuscany, this novel follows three generations of women as they try to reconnect while tracing their family roots. The mother-daughter bonds stretch and grow as the journey leads them not only deep into their family\u2019s history but also closer to one another.
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While not a new release, The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden is on our list because of the excitement around the soon to be released film by Ridley Scott starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver. If you\u2019re a book before the movie reader, you\u2019ll want to get started right away on The House of Gucci, which tells the story of the shocking 1995 murder of Maurizio Gucci, head of the Gucci fashion house, by his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani. Or pick up a copy to dig in even deeper after seeing the film!
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From the publishers of Monocle magazine, The Monocle Book of Italy is perfect for Italy lovers and is much more than a coffee table book even though it is full of gorgeous photography. With Monocle\u2019s distinctive blend of design, architecture, culture, food and current affairs, this stunning book celebrates Italy from all angles. Monocle says, \u201cLa dolce vita never looked so good.\u201d We couldn\u2019t agree more.
\nThe post 10 Books to Transport You to Italy appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "What\u2019s the next best thing to traveling to Italy? Well, for us, it\u2019s curling up with a good book that carries you to the rolling hills of Tuscany or the sunny beaches of the Amalfi Coast\u2014for a little while at least\u2014as you turn the pages. Once you\u2019ve planned the perfect Italy trip, enjoy one of these new Italy books to escape to Il bel paese until it\u2019s time to pack those suitcases. These books also make great gifts for those Italophiles in your life this holiday season. For more reading inspiration, check out our recommended books to read before visiting Italy.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by Maria Pasquale (@heartrome)\n\n\n\nHow to Be Italian by Maria Pasquale\nThe cheerful cover of this book is just the beginning of an enjoyable dive into Italian culture by Maria Pasquale, Rome based food and travel writer and author of the lovely I Heart Rome book. In How to Be Italian: Eat, Drink, Dress, Travel and Love La Dolce Vita, Pasquale shares bite sized servings of everything we love about the Italian lifestyle accompanied by beautiful photography. From an inside glimpse of how Italians think about the holidays, language and love to tips on fitting in fashion wise, you\u2019ll enjoy this little tome that is small enough to curl up with and pretty enough for your coffee table.\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by Laura Morelli (@lauramorelliphd)\n\n\n\nThe Stolen Lady by Laura Morelli\nFor historical fiction enthusiasts, Laura Morelli is likely already on your radar with her novels that delve deep into Italy\u2019s past \u2013 often with an art history theme. While she handles those themes beautifully thanks to her background as an art historian, what really shines through is her love of Italy and unraveling intriguing tales. Start with her most recent release, The Stolen Lady: A Novel of World War II and the Mona Lisa, which follows two women who each hide Leonardo da Vinci\u2019s Mona Lisa 500 years apart. Then continue with The Night Portrait: A Novel of World War II and da Vinci’s Italy and The Giant: A Novel of Michelangelo’s David. Visit her website www.lauramorelli.com for even more Italy themed novels and guides.\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by rachel (@rachelaliceroddy)\n\n\n\nAn A-Z of Pasta by Rachel Roddy\nWhat is an Italian meal without pasta? No ingredient captures the heart of Italian cooking quite like pasta. In An A-Z of Pasta: Stories, Shapes, Sauces, Recipes, Rome based food writer Rachel Roddy digs into Italy\u2019s most essential ingredient. What emerges as you learn about everything from anelli to fusilli, gnocchi, rigatoni and all the way to ziti, is a remarkable story of Italian cooking told uniquely through many different shapes of pasta. But, don\u2019t worry, recipes are included so you can create tempting pasta dishes at home until your travels bring you back to Italy.\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by Andrew Cotto (@andrewcotto)\n\n\n\nCucina Romana by Andrew Cotto\nEveryone who has dreamed of going to Italy and staying there forever will take heart in Andrew Cotto\u2019s Cucina Romana: Another Italian Adventure. Here we pick up again with Jacoby Pines, who set off for Italy on holiday in Cucina Tipica: An Italian Adventure and settled into life as an expat in Tuscany. Now, in Cotto’s latest release, Pines is off on the trail of family ancestry in Rome and, as expected, his travels are full of plenty of food, wine and adventures. Find out more on www.andrewcotto.com and follow along on his own travel and food adventures on Instagram.\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by Jennifer Anton, Author (@boldwomanwriting)\n\n\n\nUnder the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton\nFor a captivating read based on a true story, pick up Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton. This moving story is set in the small town of Fonzaso in northeast Italy and unfolds over two decades against the rise of fascism and the horrors of WWII. Anton\u2019s deep passion for telling stories of women\u2014especially the ones that are too often forgotten to time\u2014shines through in this novel. She didn\u2019t have to look far as it was the lives of her Italian grandmother and great grandmothers that inspired her to tell this story of women, of resilience and of love. Discover more on her website and Instagram.\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by Robert Camuto (@robertcamuto_writes)\n\n\n\nSouth of Somewhere by Robert V. Camuto\nFor Italian wine enthusiasts\u2014and not only\u2014South of Somewhere: Wine, Food, and the Soul of Italy by Robert V. Camuto takes readers on a journey deep into the tastes and experiences that make Italy such a sensory delight. Camuto starts this journey in his family\u2019s ancestral town of Vico Equense, set in a scenic spot overlooking the sea between Naples and Sorrento. But from there his travels meander through the regions of Abruzzo, Umbria, Campania, Sicily, Basilicata, Puglia and back to Vico Equense. Along the way, you\u2019ll meet generations of people making wine amid the most varied and sometimes unexpected landscapes. Beautifully written with depth and connection but just as accessible for wine novices, South of Somewhere is a book we\u2019d highly recommend to anyone who loves Italian food, wine and culture.\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by Stanley Tucci (@stanleytucci)\n\n\n\nTaste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci\nWhile Stanley Tucci certainly needs no introduction, his memoir Taste: My Life Through Food is a heartfelt look at his life with a delectable focus. From big Italian American family meals growing up to his successful films Big Night and Julie & Julia to family cooking and gastronomic adventures around the world, it\u2019s a joy to read from start to finish. Perfect if you loved his CNN series Searching for Italy and are looking for more until season two comes out!\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by Jennifer Probst (@authorjenniferprobst)\n\n\n\nOur Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst\nFor a fun read that will take you back to Italy and those beautiful warm summer days, Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst is a great choice. From Rome to Assisi and through the rolling hills of Tuscany, this novel follows three generations of women as they try to reconnect while tracing their family roots. The mother-daughter bonds stretch and grow as the journey leads them not only deep into their family\u2019s history but also closer to one another.\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by Sara Forden (@saragayforden)\n\n\n\nHouse of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden\nWhile not a new release, The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden is on our list because of the excitement around the soon to be released film by Ridley Scott starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver. If you\u2019re a book before the movie reader, you\u2019ll want to get started right away on The House of Gucci, which tells the story of the shocking 1995 murder of Maurizio Gucci, head of the Gucci fashion house, by his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani. Or pick up a copy to dig in even deeper after seeing the film!\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView this post on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nA post shared by The Monocle Shop (@shop.monocle)\n\n\n\nThe Monocle Book of Italy\nFrom the publishers of Monocle magazine, The Monocle Book of Italy is perfect for Italy lovers and is much more than a coffee table book even though it is full of gorgeous photography. With Monocle\u2019s distinctive blend of design, architecture, culture, food and current affairs, this stunning book celebrates Italy from all angles. Monocle says, \u201cLa dolce vita never looked so good.\u201d We couldn\u2019t agree more.\nThe post 10 Books to Transport You to Italy appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2021-11-12T10:43:36-04:00", "date_modified": "2022-04-06T07:09:45-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Laura Thayer", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/laurathayer", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/925e65d1bff8121e935d2ce55fe4f897bc7a0a055203c530d0183ef0112b097d?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Laura Thayer", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/laurathayer", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/925e65d1bff8121e935d2ce55fe4f897bc7a0a055203c530d0183ef0112b097d?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/italy-books-ergita-sela-unsplash.jpg", "tags": [ "books", "books about Italy", "Italian cookbooks", "italian culture", "Italian history", "Italian recipes", "Rome", "Sorrento", "tuscany", "Italian Culture" ], "summary": "Once you\u2019ve planned the perfect Italy trip, then enjoy one of these new books about Italy to escape to \"Il bel paese\" until it\u2019s time to pack those suitcases and return!" }, { "id": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=61249", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/spaghetti-carbonara-ultimate-comfort-food.html", "title": "Spaghetti Carbonara \u2013 Ultimate Comfort Food", "content_html": "![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Carbonara1-1-resized.jpg\")
Spaghetti alla Carbonara is a simple and delicious pasta dish considered a signature dish of Rome and made even more popular by lively debates on the most authentic recipe and its origins.
\nWhen we were children in Rome in the 1960s the story was that the dish is a simple preparation of the carbonari, the men of the mountains who burned wood to make charcoal. \u00a0This was an easy meal for them to prepare while minding their fires. Someone had to explain to us that people had only recently started getting electric or gas stoves; cooking was done over charcoal fired stoves. Popular culture has it becoming well-known when American troops in Rome after WWII shared rations of bacon and eggs and asked, \u201cWhat can you prepare with this?\u201d
\n“Carbonara” is related to several similar preparations such as Pasta all\u2019Amatriciana and Spaghetti Caccio e Pepe, also delish but different. \u00a0And it has multiplied and spawned many offspring that are amusingly and much derided by purists who decry the illegitimate and shocking additions such as cream, peas, onion, garlic, asparagus \u2013 horrors!
\nHere is the classic and delicious recipe. It is really quite simple. The only tricky part is mixing in the eggs so they form a creamy sauce rather than ending up scrambled.
\nTip: this dish doesn\u2019t reheat well so we recommend you prepare only what you plan to eat, don\u2019t count on leftovers.
\nWhisk eggs, cheese, and some black pepper in a bowl until smooth and creamy
\nHeat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add diced guanciale or pecorino. Cook, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crispy, 5 to 10 minutes.
\nBring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until a bit firmer than \u201cal dente\u201d. Reserve a quarter cup of the pasta water.
\nIf guanciale has cooled, reheat. Add pasta to skillet. Stir.
\nPour egg mixture over pasta and guanciale, stirring quickly, until creamy. Add some reserved pasta water if needed for creaminess. And salt to taste and a generous grinding of pepper.
\nWe asked our team where they would most like to eat their Spaghetti Carbonara dish in Rome. Top votes went to:
\nBuon appetito!\r\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CarbonaraRed-1024x683.jpg\")
\nThe post Spaghetti Carbonara \u2013 Ultimate Comfort Food appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "Spaghetti alla Carbonara is a simple and delicious pasta dish considered a signature dish of Rome and made even more popular by lively debates on the most authentic recipe and its origins.\nTruth or Fiction? \nWhen we were children in Rome in the 1960s the story was that the dish is a simple preparation of the carbonari, the men of the mountains who burned wood to make charcoal. \u00a0This was an easy meal for them to prepare while minding their fires. Someone had to explain to us that people had only recently started getting electric or gas stoves; cooking was done over charcoal fired stoves. Popular culture has it becoming well-known when American troops in Rome after WWII shared rations of bacon and eggs and asked, \u201cWhat can you prepare with this?\u201d\nRelatives and Shocking Offspring\n“Carbonara” is related to several similar preparations such as Pasta all\u2019Amatriciana and Spaghetti Caccio e Pepe, also delish but different. \u00a0And it has multiplied and spawned many offspring that are amusingly and much derided by purists who decry the illegitimate and shocking additions such as cream, peas, onion, garlic, asparagus \u2013 horrors!\nHere is the classic and delicious recipe. It is really quite simple. The only tricky part is mixing in the eggs so they form a creamy sauce rather than ending up scrambled.\nTip: this dish doesn\u2019t reheat well so we recommend you prepare only what you plan to eat, don\u2019t count on leftovers.\nSpaghetti alla Carbonara\n\n2 teaspoons olive oil\n1 pound guanciale or pancetta or (unsmoked bacon if you can\u2019t find) \u2013 diced\n1 pound spaghetti\n3 eggs \u2013 room temperature (some recipes use 2 eggs + 2 yolks)\n2/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese or a combination of both\nSalt and pepper to taste\n\nWhisk eggs, cheese, and some black pepper in a bowl until smooth and creamy\nHeat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add diced guanciale or pecorino. Cook, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crispy, 5 to 10 minutes.\nBring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until a bit firmer than \u201cal dente\u201d. Reserve a quarter cup of the pasta water.\nIf guanciale has cooled, reheat. Add pasta to skillet. Stir.\nPour egg mixture over pasta and guanciale, stirring quickly, until creamy. Add some reserved pasta water if needed for creaminess. And salt to taste and a generous grinding of pepper.\nWhere to Eat Spaghetti Carbonara?\nWe asked our team where they would most like to eat their Spaghetti Carbonara dish in Rome. Top votes went to:\n\nOn the Donizetti Dream\u00a0terrace with views of Trinita’ de Monti Church which crowns the Spanish Steps.\nIn the elegant Zegno apartment near the Spanish Steps.\n\nBuon appetito!\r\n\nThe post Spaghetti Carbonara \u2013 Ultimate Comfort Food appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2020-12-09T11:38:32-04:00", "date_modified": "2021-09-27T10:55:33-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Carbonara1-1-scaled.jpg", "tags": [ "Food", "Italian Culture", "Rome" ] }, { "id": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=60944", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/italian-aperitivo-at-home.html", "title": "Cheers! Create an Italian Aperitivo at Home", "content_html": "With a little creativity\u2014and a little alcohol\u2014la dolce vita can certainly be experienced just about anywhere. In fact, with some prep and planning, it\u2019s easy to put together an Italian aperitivo at home.
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The aperitivo is a quintessentially Italian tradition that is enjoyed with friends and family as a post-work/pre-dinner ritual. The aperitivo is made up of cocktails, small canapes and conversation designed to hold you over until dinner and may be enjoyed over an hour or two. The Italians have perfected the art of the aperitivo, and no matter where you go in Italy, you\u2019ll see the tradition in play with regional tweaks. For example, in Venice, it\u2019s common to see whole bars dedicated to the aperitivo, serving fizzy orange Aperol Spritzes and cicchetti\u00a0(small plates \u00e0 la tapas). No matter what city or region you visit, you\u2019ll always see people socializing and\u2014because it\u2019s Italy\u2014food and drink is always the star of the show.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Salute-Create-an-Italian-Aperitivo-at-Home-by-Italy-Perfect5.jpg\")
Even though we\u2019re dreaming sipping prosecco on the lush lawns of any of our beautiful selection of Tuscany villas, any standard kitchen table or backyard patio will do. Start with some classic Italian cocktails: An Italian aperitivo can be enjoyed at home as well. Start with some classic Italian cocktails: The negroni is the perfect cocktail for an aperitivo. All you need is equal parts gin, vermouth and Campari (a bitter herbal liqueur), stirred over ice. (Pro tip: keep your vermouth in the fridge to keep it fresh.) It\u2019s easy to riff on the negroni by swapping out the gin with prosecco, which makes it a negroni\u00a0sbagliato or the \u201cmistaken\u201d negroni. The prosecco makes the cocktail a little lighter in alcohol, too.
\nThe Aperol Spritz is another timeless aperitivo. It\u2019s an easy assembling job with one-part Aperol, one-part prosecco and a splash of sparkling water, plus a wedge of orange to garnish. There are tons of other Italian aperos to try. For something a bit different, you could try making cocktails with limoncello, a sunshine-yellow Italian spirit made with sweet lemons from the Amalfi Coast. You can even try making your own limoncello if you\u2019re feeling crafty, but limoncello cocktails are certainly a bit easier to assemble and the punchy spirit mixes well with prosecco or even sparkling water. Limoncello can also be enjoyed on its own, but that\u2019s traditionally considered more a post-dinner drink or digestivo.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Salute-Create-an-Italian-Aperitivo-at-Home-by-Italy-Perfect2.jpg\")
Alongside good drinks and good company, food is the other key component to an Italian aperitivo. In Italy, some bars set out whole aperitivo buffets and massive spreads, while other bars will serve you a few little bites with your drink. At home, you can make your aperitivo offering as simple or elaborate as you wish. Good quality salumi, such as prosciutto, is a good option, as are firm Italian cheeses: you can\u2019t go wrong with a salty chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano or pecorino. Add potato chips, marinated olives, or jars of vegetables in olive oil (red peppers, artichokes, etc.). Anything salty is a good idea! Also, incorporate seasonal autumn flavors too, as Italians eat with the seasons.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Salute-Create-an-Italian-Aperitivo-at-Home-by-Italy-Perfect.jpg\")
In terms of setting, while an Italian palazzo or sun-splashed terrace is the ideal spot for an Italian aperitivo (who wouldn\u2019t want to spend aperitivo hour on the dreamy pool patio of Vista Galli\u00a0overlooking the Isle of Capri or on one of these other gorgeous terraces?), a trip to Italy is not strictly required. An evening picnic aperitivo in the park or in your backyard will be (nearly) as delightful.
\nWhen you’re ready to start planning an Italian holiday then we’re here to help. Contact Italy Perfect at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123, and we\u2019ll help get the ball rolling.
\nThe post Cheers! Create an Italian Aperitivo at Home appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "With a little creativity\u2014and a little alcohol\u2014la dolce vita can certainly be experienced just about anywhere. In fact, with some prep and planning, it\u2019s easy to put together an Italian aperitivo at home.\n\nCreate the Italian Aperitivo at Home\nThe aperitivo is a quintessentially Italian tradition that is enjoyed with friends and family as a post-work/pre-dinner ritual. The aperitivo is made up of cocktails, small canapes and conversation designed to hold you over until dinner and may be enjoyed over an hour or two. The Italians have perfected the art of the aperitivo, and no matter where you go in Italy, you\u2019ll see the tradition in play with regional tweaks. For example, in Venice, it\u2019s common to see whole bars dedicated to the aperitivo, serving fizzy orange Aperol Spritzes and cicchetti\u00a0(small plates \u00e0 la tapas). No matter what city or region you visit, you\u2019ll always see people socializing and\u2014because it\u2019s Italy\u2014food and drink is always the star of the show.\n\nDrinks for an Italian Aperitivo\nEven though we\u2019re dreaming sipping prosecco on the lush lawns of any of our beautiful selection of Tuscany villas, any standard kitchen table or backyard patio will do. Start with some classic Italian cocktails: An Italian aperitivo can be enjoyed at home as well. Start with some classic Italian cocktails: The negroni is the perfect cocktail for an aperitivo. All you need is equal parts gin, vermouth and Campari (a bitter herbal liqueur), stirred over ice. (Pro tip: keep your vermouth in the fridge to keep it fresh.) It\u2019s easy to riff on the negroni by swapping out the gin with prosecco, which makes it a negroni\u00a0sbagliato or the \u201cmistaken\u201d negroni. The prosecco makes the cocktail a little lighter in alcohol, too.\nThe Aperol Spritz is another timeless aperitivo. It\u2019s an easy assembling job with one-part Aperol, one-part prosecco and a splash of sparkling water, plus a wedge of orange to garnish. There are tons of other Italian aperos to try. For something a bit different, you could try making cocktails with limoncello, a sunshine-yellow Italian spirit made with sweet lemons from the Amalfi Coast. You can even try making your own limoncello if you\u2019re feeling crafty, but limoncello cocktails are certainly a bit easier to assemble and the punchy spirit mixes well with prosecco or even sparkling water. Limoncello can also be enjoyed on its own, but that\u2019s traditionally considered more a post-dinner drink or digestivo.\n\nFood for an Italian Aperitivo\nAlongside good drinks and good company, food is the other key component to an Italian aperitivo. In Italy, some bars set out whole aperitivo buffets and massive spreads, while other bars will serve you a few little bites with your drink. At home, you can make your aperitivo offering as simple or elaborate as you wish. Good quality salumi, such as prosciutto, is a good option, as are firm Italian cheeses: you can\u2019t go wrong with a salty chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano or pecorino. Add potato chips, marinated olives, or jars of vegetables in olive oil (red peppers, artichokes, etc.). Anything salty is a good idea! Also, incorporate seasonal autumn flavors too, as Italians eat with the seasons.\n\nIn terms of setting, while an Italian palazzo or sun-splashed terrace is the ideal spot for an Italian aperitivo (who wouldn\u2019t want to spend aperitivo hour on the dreamy pool patio of Vista Galli\u00a0overlooking the Isle of Capri or on one of these other gorgeous terraces?), a trip to Italy is not strictly required. An evening picnic aperitivo in the park or in your backyard will be (nearly) as delightful.\nWhen you’re ready to start planning an Italian holiday then we’re here to help. Contact Italy Perfect at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123, and we\u2019ll help get the ball rolling.\nThe post Cheers! Create an Italian Aperitivo at Home appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2020-09-05T04:43:03-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-10-01T07:24:28-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/5-Terraces-In-Italy-That-Will-Change-Your-Italian-Aperitivo-Forever-by-Italy-Perfect5.jpg", "tags": [ "aperitivo in italy", "Italian aperitivo", "Food", "Italian Culture" ], "summary": "With a little creativity\u2014and a little alcohol\u2014la dolce vita can certainly be experienced just about anywhere. In fact, with some prep and planning, it\u2019s easy to put together an Italian aperitivo at home." }, { "id": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=60850", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/opera-houses-in-italy.html", "title": "Opera Houses in Italy: What to Know about Going to the Opera in Italy", "content_html": "Italy certainly has flair for the dramatic. It makes perfect sense that opera has its origins\u00a0 here. Verdi and Puccini wrote stories filled with melodrama and heartbreak. The first opera was produced in Florence in 1598. The art form reached its peak of popularity in the 1800s. Don\u2019t forget a handkerchief to wipe away your tears at the tragic death of Floria Tosca and the musical mastery and emotion of\u00a0O Mio Babbino Caro. Our guide has everything you need to know, from the addresses of the best opera houses in Italy to what to wear and how to get tickets.
\n\n
A night at the opera is the time to wear the sparkly shoes and snazzy dress that you have been saving. Nowhere more so than Milan. Understated, but supremely elegant, is the dress code there. Men should wear a dark suit and ladies don their finest. The more modest the seats, the less formal your attire needs to be, but this is not the place for shorts, t-shirts and tank tops. Ever.\u00a0\u00a0
\nEach of the established opera houses in Italy has online ticketing. You can also stop by the box office, but know that many of the most popular dates and performances sell out far in advance.\u00a0Italy Perfect guests can engage a local concierge who can help with advice and logistics.\u00a0
\nThe opening night of La Scala, the opera house in Milan, is an evening on par with some of Hollywood’s most glittering events. It is always on December 7, which is the feast day of Saint Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan. The season runs until the end of November. There is a dress code at La Scala. Remember, the Milanese are impossibly elegant. Tours are conducted by appointment at the Ansaldo Workshops where you can see costumes and sets.\u00a0
\n![\"Venice](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venice-opera-house.jpg\")
Venice\u2019s opera house Teatro La Fenice has faced untold challenges. It has endured fires and floods repeatedly living up to its namesake La Fenice, which translates to the mythical bird the phoenix. Giuseppe Verdi premiered many of his operas, including Rigoletto and La Traviata, in this magnificent theater. This is also where the renowned soprano Maria Callas made her debut. The season at La Fenice begins in November, with opera and ballet performances running throughout the year. A highlight of the season is the New Years’ concert. It’s part orchestra performance and part melodrama. The concert always ends with \u201cVa\u2019 Pensiero\u201d from Nabucco and the toast \u201cLibiam ne\u2019 lieti calici\u201d from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. If you can not attend a show you can still take a tour of the historic theater. There is even an app for that!\u00a0
\nOn the Grand Canal Italy Perfect hosts guests in these beautiful apartments: Alloro, Menta and Zenzero.
\nFor a more casual and interactive opera experience, see a performance by Musica a Palazzo. Nightly performance rotates between La Traviata, The Barber of Seville and Rigoletto in rooms of the 15th-century palazzo Barbarigo Minotto on the Grand Canal. There is no stage, instead the audience sits among frescoes by Tiepolo and stucco work by Tencalla, and moves among different rooms between acts.\u00a0
\nThe opera season at the Teatro dell\u2019Opera di Roma\u00a0runs from October until May. Fitting for the Eternal City, the Costanzi Theatre was built on the site of an ancient emperor’s home. The severe Fascist-style facade and foyer were designed by Marcello Piacentini and belies the ornate theater inside, with tiled tiered boxes, frescoes, stucco work and excellent acoustics.\u00a0
\n![\"Roman](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Opera-Houses-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect0.jpg\")
Terme di Caracalla transforms to a theater during the summer.
Summer visitors to Rome have a delightful possibility. The ancient Roman baths, Terme di Caracalla, are transformed into an open-air theater during July and August. There are both opera and ballet performances (and an occasional pop concert!)
\nThe Teatro di San Carlo is steps away from the dramatic Piazza del Plebiscito and the royal palace of the former Bourbon Kings. Built in 1737, it is the oldest continuously active opera venue in Europe.\u00a0
\n![\"Theater](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Opera-Houses-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect3.jpg\")
The only festival dedicated solely to Giacomo Puccini is the annual\u00a0Puccini Festival. It is held every summer in Torre del Lago, with weekend performances of his best-known works. This Tuscan village, not far from Lucca, overlooking the Lake Massaciuccol, is where the artist lived and worked. You can visit Puccini\u2019s house and see the pianos where he composed some of his many famous operas including Tosca and Madam Butterfly.
\nOnce a year, an empty field in the Tuscan countryside is transformed into a open-air theater. The renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli created the Teatro del Silenzio, near the village of Lajatico, where he was born and still lives. The show is an extravaganza of international stars and choreography. The venue is a lovely country drive away from one of our villas in Chianti San Casciano.\u00a0
\n![\"Roman](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Opera-Houses-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect2.jpg\")
If you are staying in Emilia Romagna near Parma then you’ll want to visit the home of Verdi. During September and October is the Verdi Festival, which includes celebrations of the food, wine and culture of the region.
\nIn Verona, a truly unforgettable experience is a night at the opera in an open-air amphitheater that was built in the first century. The Arena is in the center of the city of Verona, and the opera season begins mid-June and runs until the first week of September.\u00a0\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Opera-Houses-in-Italy-La-Camerata-Fiorentina-by-Italy-Perfect5.jpg\")
La Camerata Fiorentina is located in the building where opera was born.
Italy Perfect has a property that will have you singing! Contact us at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123 to reserve your Italian accommodations for opera season and beyond.
\n
The post Opera Houses in Italy: What to Know about Going to the Opera in Italy appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "Italy certainly has flair for the dramatic. It makes perfect sense that opera has its origins\u00a0 here. Verdi and Puccini wrote stories filled with melodrama and heartbreak. The first opera was produced in Florence in 1598. The art form reached its peak of popularity in the 1800s. Don\u2019t forget a handkerchief to wipe away your tears at the tragic death of Floria Tosca and the musical mastery and emotion of\u00a0O Mio Babbino Caro. Our guide has everything you need to know, from the addresses of the best opera houses in Italy to what to wear and how to get tickets.\n\nWhat to Wear to the Opera in Italy\nA night at the opera is the time to wear the sparkly shoes and snazzy dress that you have been saving. Nowhere more so than Milan. Understated, but supremely elegant, is the dress code there. Men should wear a dark suit and ladies don their finest. The more modest the seats, the less formal your attire needs to be, but this is not the place for shorts, t-shirts and tank tops. Ever.\u00a0\u00a0\nHow to get Tickets to the Opera in Italy\u00a0\nEach of the established opera houses in Italy has online ticketing. You can also stop by the box office, but know that many of the most popular dates and performances sell out far in advance.\u00a0Italy Perfect guests can engage a local concierge who can help with advice and logistics.\u00a0\nMilan: Teatro alla Scala\nThe opening night of La Scala, the opera house in Milan, is an evening on par with some of Hollywood’s most glittering events. It is always on December 7, which is the feast day of Saint Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan. The season runs until the end of November. There is a dress code at La Scala. Remember, the Milanese are impossibly elegant. Tours are conducted by appointment at the Ansaldo Workshops where you can see costumes and sets.\u00a0\n\nOpera in Venice\nVenice\u2019s opera house Teatro La Fenice has faced untold challenges. It has endured fires and floods repeatedly living up to its namesake La Fenice, which translates to the mythical bird the phoenix. Giuseppe Verdi premiered many of his operas, including Rigoletto and La Traviata, in this magnificent theater. This is also where the renowned soprano Maria Callas made her debut. The season at La Fenice begins in November, with opera and ballet performances running throughout the year. A highlight of the season is the New Years’ concert. It’s part orchestra performance and part melodrama. The concert always ends with \u201cVa\u2019 Pensiero\u201d from Nabucco and the toast \u201cLibiam ne\u2019 lieti calici\u201d from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. If you can not attend a show you can still take a tour of the historic theater. There is even an app for that!\u00a0\nOn the Grand Canal Italy Perfect hosts guests in these beautiful apartments: Alloro, Menta and Zenzero.\nFor a more casual and interactive opera experience, see a performance by Musica a Palazzo. Nightly performance rotates between La Traviata, The Barber of Seville and Rigoletto in rooms of the 15th-century palazzo Barbarigo Minotto on the Grand Canal. There is no stage, instead the audience sits among frescoes by Tiepolo and stucco work by Tencalla, and moves among different rooms between acts.\u00a0\nRome: Teatro dell\u2019Opera di Roma\nThe opera season at the Teatro dell\u2019Opera di Roma\u00a0runs from October until May. Fitting for the Eternal City, the Costanzi Theatre was built on the site of an ancient emperor’s home. The severe Fascist-style facade and foyer were designed by Marcello Piacentini and belies the ornate theater inside, with tiled tiered boxes, frescoes, stucco work and excellent acoustics.\u00a0\nTerme di Caracalla transforms to a theater during the summer.\nSummer visitors to Rome have a delightful possibility. The ancient Roman baths, Terme di Caracalla, are transformed into an open-air theater during July and August. There are both opera and ballet performances (and an occasional pop concert!)\nNaples: Teatro di San Carlo\nThe Teatro di San Carlo is steps away from the dramatic Piazza del Plebiscito and the royal palace of the former Bourbon Kings. Built in 1737, it is the oldest continuously active opera venue in Europe.\u00a0\nOpera in Tuscany\n\nPuccini Festival\u00a0\nThe only festival dedicated solely to Giacomo Puccini is the annual\u00a0Puccini Festival. It is held every summer in Torre del Lago, with weekend performances of his best-known works. This Tuscan village, not far from Lucca, overlooking the Lake Massaciuccol, is where the artist lived and worked. You can visit Puccini\u2019s house and see the pianos where he composed some of his many famous operas including Tosca and Madam Butterfly.\nOnce a year, an empty field in the Tuscan countryside is transformed into a open-air theater. The renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli created the Teatro del Silenzio, near the village of Lajatico, where he was born and still lives. The show is an extravaganza of international stars and choreography. The venue is a lovely country drive away from one of our villas in Chianti San Casciano.\u00a0\n\nParma and Verona: the Arena\nIf you are staying in Emilia Romagna near Parma then you’ll want to visit the home of Verdi. During September and October is the Verdi Festival, which includes celebrations of the food, wine and culture of the region.\nIn Verona, a truly unforgettable experience is a night at the opera in an open-air amphitheater that was built in the first century. The Arena is in the center of the city of Verona, and the opera season begins mid-June and runs until the first week of September.\u00a0\u00a0\nLa Camerata Fiorentina is located in the building where opera was born.\nItaly Perfect has a property that will have you singing! Contact us at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123 to reserve your Italian accommodations for opera season and beyond.\n\nThe post Opera Houses in Italy: What to Know about Going to the Opera in Italy appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2020-02-19T09:56:14-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-11-15T07:43:12-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Opera-Houses-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect1.jpg", "tags": [ "Italian festivals", "opera", "Italian Culture", "Rome", "Tuscany", "Venice" ] }, { "id": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=60806", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/movies-and-tv-shows-to-inspire-your-trip-to-italy.html", "title": "Movies and TV Shows to Inspire your Trip to Italy", "content_html": "There is so much information to plow through when you are planning a trip to Italy. Do you head to your local library or bookstore for a pile of guide books? Maybe you prefer Instagram, saving posts that catch your eye. There are blog posts to read and podcasts to listen to. Now you can add your TV streaming services to the list of Italy inspiration. Beloved classic movies like La Vita e Bella, The Bicycle Thief and Cinema Paradiso are a certainly a must. Settle in for some binge watching with our list of movies and TV shows that will inspire your trip to Italy.\u00a0
\n\n
![\"The](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/trevi-fountain-classic-films.jpg\")
The Trevi Fountain has been featured in a multitude of classic films.
If Rome is your destination watch Federico Fellini\u2019s La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. You can plan your own midnight stroll to the Fontana di Trevi, without the dip which, of course, comes with a hefty fine, unless you are Anita Ekberg.\u00a0Stay in the Fedele or Ginevra apartmants and you can easily retrace Joe Bradley\u2019s steps on the nearby via Margutta. Spend a few hours at the lavish Palazzo Colonna, just like Princess Anne. The palazzo where you find our Sonata and\u00a0Cavaliere\u00a0apartments is featured in The Talented Mr. Ripley with Matt Damon. The Santa Croce neighborhood is where Miss Lucy Honeychurch stays in Florence in A Room with a View. Venice is particularly evocative on foggy winter nights. The Comfort of Strangers and Don\u2019t Look Now both capture that mysterious atmosphere. For a sunnier story, Katherine Hepburn\u2019s Summertime shows Venice at her most ravishing.\u00a0
\n![\"Tuscan](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Movies-and-TV-Shows-to-Inspire-your-Trip-to-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect6.jpg\")
Villa Landolfo is just one of our fantastic homes in Tuscany.
Longing for a little dolce far niente and languorous summer lunches under pergolas with lots of cold white wine? Look no further than the alluring and immersive films of Luca Guadagnino. Call Me By Your Name will make you feel like you are living in a villa such as Frantoio Villa in the Italian countryside. A Bigger Splash takes you to a remote Sicilian island, if only for a few hours.\u00a0
\n![\"Vatican](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Movies-and-TV-Shows-to-Inspire-your-Trip-to-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect3.jpg\")
Take a deep dive into the darker parts of Italian society with series like Suburra and Baby, both set in Rome. The Oscar-winning film Gomorrah tells the story of organized crime in Naples. The is also a television series of the same name. An interesting detail to make note of while you watch is that the gangster’s homes are furnished with actual items seized by the Italian anti-mafia police. The director and screenwriter Paolo Sorrentino captures the luxurious intrigue of Vatican politics in The Young Pope. His award-winning film La Grande Bellezza\u00a0 – The Great Beauty, shows Rome at her most beautiful and her most complicated with scenes filmed from our\u00a0Imperial Vista apartment palazzo. The documentary Agnelli is a fascinating look at the style icon Gianni Agnelli and his life\u00a0as the head of Fiat and major player in modern Italian politics.\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Movies-and-TV-Shows-to-Inspire-your-Trip-to-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect1.jpg\")
Instead of hitting the books, make a bowl of Parmesan-dusted popcorn and stream a few episodes of a series that will sneakily teach you some complex details of Italian history. The two seasons of Rome are set in the time of Julius Caesar and look at the everyday life of Roman soldiers, gladiators, Senators and the wives and girlfriends of the powerful.\u00a0\u00a0While slightly less meticulous in its historical accuracy, Medici the Magnificent, the political intrigue and opulent life of the powerful Florentine family, is an entertaining binge. My Brilliant Friend is the first season of the adaptation of the wildly successful Neapolitan novels by Elena Ferrante. Post-WWI Naples and the challenges faced by the main characters are exquisitely realized.\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Movies-and-TV-Shows-to-Inspire-your-Trip-to-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect2.jpg\")
Samin Nosrat charms in her first episode “Fat” in the series Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. She takes you to cheesemakers in Emilia Romagna and butchers in Tuscany. The famous Tuscan butcher and chef Dario Cecchini makes another appearance in his stand-alone episode of Chef\u2019s Table. Anthony Bourdain\u2019s award-winning series Parts Unknown has episodes that explore the food and culture in Rome and southern Italy. Phil Rosenthal eats his way through Venice in the second season of his show Somebody Feed Phil. Monty Don is a famous English garden expert. In the four episodes of his show Monty Don’s Italian Gardens, he takes you to gardens outside of Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples. The famous gardens of La Foce welcome our guests at the Ronda and Bersagliere accommodations. Kathy McCabe shares her love and passion for all things Italian–the food and artisans to the best-known cities and undiscovered villages–in two seasons of Dream of Italy.\u00a0
\nAre you ready to turn your Italy dreams to reality? Italy Perfect has the accommodations to get you started. Contact us at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123 to reserve your Italian home-away-from-home.
\nThe post Movies and TV Shows to Inspire your Trip to Italy appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "There is so much information to plow through when you are planning a trip to Italy. Do you head to your local library or bookstore for a pile of guide books? Maybe you prefer Instagram, saving posts that catch your eye. There are blog posts to read and podcasts to listen to. Now you can add your TV streaming services to the list of Italy inspiration. Beloved classic movies like La Vita e Bella, The Bicycle Thief and Cinema Paradiso are a certainly a must. Settle in for some binge watching with our list of movies and TV shows that will inspire your trip to Italy.\u00a0\n\nThe Trevi Fountain has been featured in a multitude of classic films.\nClassic Films Set in Italy\nIf Rome is your destination watch Federico Fellini\u2019s La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. You can plan your own midnight stroll to the Fontana di Trevi, without the dip which, of course, comes with a hefty fine, unless you are Anita Ekberg.\u00a0Stay in the Fedele or Ginevra apartmants and you can easily retrace Joe Bradley\u2019s steps on the nearby via Margutta. Spend a few hours at the lavish Palazzo Colonna, just like Princess Anne. The palazzo where you find our Sonata and\u00a0Cavaliere\u00a0apartments is featured in The Talented Mr. Ripley with Matt Damon. The Santa Croce neighborhood is where Miss Lucy Honeychurch stays in Florence in A Room with a View. Venice is particularly evocative on foggy winter nights. The Comfort of Strangers and Don\u2019t Look Now both capture that mysterious atmosphere. For a sunnier story, Katherine Hepburn\u2019s Summertime shows Venice at her most ravishing.\u00a0\nVilla Landolfo is just one of our fantastic homes in Tuscany.\nIdyllic Italy\nLonging for a little dolce far niente and languorous summer lunches under pergolas with lots of cold white wine? Look no further than the alluring and immersive films of Luca Guadagnino. Call Me By Your Name will make you feel like you are living in a villa such as Frantoio Villa in the Italian countryside. A Bigger Splash takes you to a remote Sicilian island, if only for a few hours.\u00a0\n\nModern Italian Tales\nTake a deep dive into the darker parts of Italian society with series like Suburra and Baby, both set in Rome. The Oscar-winning film Gomorrah tells the story of organized crime in Naples. The is also a television series of the same name. An interesting detail to make note of while you watch is that the gangster’s homes are furnished with actual items seized by the Italian anti-mafia police. The director and screenwriter Paolo Sorrentino captures the luxurious intrigue of Vatican politics in The Young Pope. His award-winning film La Grande Bellezza\u00a0 – The Great Beauty, shows Rome at her most beautiful and her most complicated with scenes filmed from our\u00a0Imperial Vista apartment palazzo. The documentary Agnelli is a fascinating look at the style icon Gianni Agnelli and his life\u00a0as the head of Fiat and major player in modern Italian politics.\u00a0\n\nLessons in Italian History\u00a0\nInstead of hitting the books, make a bowl of Parmesan-dusted popcorn and stream a few episodes of a series that will sneakily teach you some complex details of Italian history. The two seasons of Rome are set in the time of Julius Caesar and look at the everyday life of Roman soldiers, gladiators, Senators and the wives and girlfriends of the powerful.\u00a0\u00a0While slightly less meticulous in its historical accuracy, Medici the Magnificent, the political intrigue and opulent life of the powerful Florentine family, is an entertaining binge. My Brilliant Friend is the first season of the adaptation of the wildly successful Neapolitan novels by Elena Ferrante. Post-WWI Naples and the challenges faced by the main characters are exquisitely realized.\u00a0\n\nThe Food and Gardens of Italy\u00a0\nSamin Nosrat charms in her first episode “Fat” in the series Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. She takes you to cheesemakers in Emilia Romagna and butchers in Tuscany. The famous Tuscan butcher and chef Dario Cecchini makes another appearance in his stand-alone episode of Chef\u2019s Table. Anthony Bourdain\u2019s award-winning series Parts Unknown has episodes that explore the food and culture in Rome and southern Italy. Phil Rosenthal eats his way through Venice in the second season of his show Somebody Feed Phil. Monty Don is a famous English garden expert. In the four episodes of his show Monty Don’s Italian Gardens, he takes you to gardens outside of Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples. The famous gardens of La Foce welcome our guests at the Ronda and Bersagliere accommodations. Kathy McCabe shares her love and passion for all things Italian–the food and artisans to the best-known cities and undiscovered villages–in two seasons of Dream of Italy.\u00a0\nAre you ready to turn your Italy dreams to reality? Italy Perfect has the accommodations to get you started. Contact us at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123 to reserve your Italian home-away-from-home.\nThe post Movies and TV Shows to Inspire your Trip to Italy appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2020-02-05T07:17:24-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-11-14T10:25:40-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Movies-and-TV-Shows-to-Inspire-your-Trip-to-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect0.jpg", "tags": [ "films about italy", "italian gardens", "Italy travel", "traditional foods in venice", "TV shows set in Italy", "Florence", "Italian Culture", "Rome", "Travel Planning", "Tuscany", "Venice" ] }, { "id": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=60773", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/art-exhibitions-in-rome.html", "title": "10 Great Places to see Art Exhibitions in Rome: Beyond the Vatican Museums", "content_html": "There is certainly no shortage of art to see when you are visiting Rome. Pop into just about any church, there are over 900, and you can find sculptures by Bernini and Michelangelo and paintings by Caravaggio. The Vatican Museums are arguably one of the world’s finest collections of art and absolutely worth a visit but there are also many other world-class exhibitions in Rome.
\n\n
All kinds of shows come to Rome including ancient treasures that are loaned from other Italian regions and museums from around the world. Many of these museums have rich permanent collections in addition to temporary exhibitions. To help you explore even more of Rome’s artistic treasures in Renaissance cloisters and modern palazzos, we have put together this list of 10 great places to see art exhibitions in Rome.
\n![\"Museo](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Museo-dellAra-Pacis.jpg\")
Richard Meier via Wiki Commons
The striking and modern Richard Meier glass and travertine building along the Lungotevere houses the ancient monument the Ara Pacis Augustae. This triumphal piece was commissioned by the Roman senate in 13 BC to honor the emperor, Augustus. The Museo dell\u2019Ara Pacis offers a virtual reality experience of the monument and has a small exhibition space downstairs for visiting shows.\u00a0
\nThe Scuderie del Quirinale is at the top of one of Rome\u2019s famous seven hills (the Quirinale) and is part of the Palazzo Quirinale, which is an official residence of the President of the Italian Republic. Built in the 1700s, the building was once used as the carriage house and stables of the palazzo. Today it hosts major art exhibitions in Rome. The climb to the top floor offers a view out towards San Pietro. The bookstore is worth a visit for unusual and interesting Roman and museum themed gifts.\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Palazzo-Bonaparte-Rome.jpg\")
Ciorano via Wiki Commons
Piazza Venezia is a chaotic traffic circle that is best known for the massive Vittoriano monument. The Palazzo Bonaparte stands at the beginning of the famous shopping street the via del Corso and has recently opened to the public after years of renovations. Once the home to Maria Letizia Ramolino, you may know her better as the mother of Napoleon Bonaparte, who used her enclosed green shuttered balcony to watch over the piazza.\u00a0The Suprema Style and Giada apartments are a nice stroll.
\nAcross the street from the Palazzo Bonaparte is the Palazzo Venezia. Over the centuries, this palace has been home to a pope, the Venetian and the Austrian embassy to Rome and the headquarters of the Fascist party. Today it is a small museum that has an eclectic collection of furniture, paintings and few Bernini sculptures. The real secret here is the quiet garden in the middle that is free and open to the public.\u00a0
\nThe Chiostro del Bramante is one of Rome\u2019s prettiest spaces. Built by the Renaissance era architect and rival of Michelangelo, Donato Bramante was originally part of a monastery complex. The church next door is home to four Sibyl frescoes painted by Raphael. Look for the special room next to the cafe where you can view them. The exhibition space showcases major modern artists.\u00a0 The Italy Perfect Cortigiana apartment is right there.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Palazzo-Braschi-Rome.jpg\")
Livioandronico2013 via Wiki Commons
The Palazzo Braschi is one of the Renaissance palaces that ring the Piazza Navona. Modern by Roman standards, it was built on the footprint of a fifteenth-century construction and centuries of political and financial problems beset its completion. After WWII, it even served as shelter for 300 homeless families. After extensive repairs and renovations undertaken by the Italian state today, the palace is home to the Museo di Roma and hosts art, sculpture and photography shows. The views over the three fountains in the piazza are special. It’s very convenient to our Pasquino apartment.
\nInside the 15th century,\u00a0Palazzo Altemps is an enthralling selection of Classical sculpture collected by Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi in the 17th century. The Ludovisi Battle sarcophagus dates to the 3rd century and is remarkable for its fine detail depicting the Romans fighting the Ostrogoths. Purchase the combined ticket for a few euros more and you will have entry to the three other museums that are part of the Museo Nazionale Romano.\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Palazzo-Barberini.jpg\")
Gobbler via Wiki Commons
The Palazzo Barberini is home to Rome\u2019s National Gallery of Ancient Art. In this vast palace, you can visit famous works by Caravaggio, Bernini, Lippi and Rafael. The site of personal gardens and vineyards of the Sforza family in the 15th century was purchased by the Barberini family in 1625. Three of Italy\u2019s greatest architects, Maderno, Borromini and Bernini all worked on the building. Don\u2019t miss the hidden garden and magnificent oval spiral staircase. This is easy to reach from the Italy Perfect apartments nearby such as Corelli Charm.
\nA short stroll from Termini train station is the\u00a0Palazzo Merulana. The former Health Department had been abandoned for decades, but it has been painstakingly restored into a gleaming light-filled space. The permanent collection is works of 20th-century artists from Rome and Italy, including pieces by Boetti, De Chirico and Pirandello.
\nThe Centrale Montemartini is an unconventional mix of form and function where Roman sculptures and mosaic floors from the Capitoline Museum collection are placed among the massive engines and turbines that once powered the city.\u00a0 The former power plant-turned-museum is in the Ostiense neighborhood where you can explore a thriving street art and modern dining scene.\u00a0
\nReady to explore some of Rome\u2019s best museums? Get in touch with the Italy Perfect team today to find a vacation rental that is perfect for your trip.\u00a0
\nThe post 10 Great Places to see Art Exhibitions in Rome: Beyond the Vatican Museums appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "There is certainly no shortage of art to see when you are visiting Rome. Pop into just about any church, there are over 900, and you can find sculptures by Bernini and Michelangelo and paintings by Caravaggio. The Vatican Museums are arguably one of the world’s finest collections of art and absolutely worth a visit but there are also many other world-class exhibitions in Rome.\n\nArt Exhibitions in Rome\nAll kinds of shows come to Rome including ancient treasures that are loaned from other Italian regions and museums from around the world. Many of these museums have rich permanent collections in addition to temporary exhibitions. To help you explore even more of Rome’s artistic treasures in Renaissance cloisters and modern palazzos, we have put together this list of 10 great places to see art exhibitions in Rome.\nRichard Meier via Wiki Commons\nMuseo dell\u2019Ara Pacis\u00a0\nThe striking and modern Richard Meier glass and travertine building along the Lungotevere houses the ancient monument the Ara Pacis Augustae. This triumphal piece was commissioned by the Roman senate in 13 BC to honor the emperor, Augustus. The Museo dell\u2019Ara Pacis offers a virtual reality experience of the monument and has a small exhibition space downstairs for visiting shows.\u00a0\nThe Scuderie del Quirinale\nThe Scuderie del Quirinale is at the top of one of Rome\u2019s famous seven hills (the Quirinale) and is part of the Palazzo Quirinale, which is an official residence of the President of the Italian Republic. Built in the 1700s, the building was once used as the carriage house and stables of the palazzo. Today it hosts major art exhibitions in Rome. The climb to the top floor offers a view out towards San Pietro. The bookstore is worth a visit for unusual and interesting Roman and museum themed gifts.\u00a0\nCiorano via Wiki Commons\nPalazzo Bonaparte\nPiazza Venezia is a chaotic traffic circle that is best known for the massive Vittoriano monument. The Palazzo Bonaparte stands at the beginning of the famous shopping street the via del Corso and has recently opened to the public after years of renovations. Once the home to Maria Letizia Ramolino, you may know her better as the mother of Napoleon Bonaparte, who used her enclosed green shuttered balcony to watch over the piazza.\u00a0The Suprema Style and Giada apartments are a nice stroll.\nPalazzo Venezia\nAcross the street from the Palazzo Bonaparte is the Palazzo Venezia. Over the centuries, this palace has been home to a pope, the Venetian and the Austrian embassy to Rome and the headquarters of the Fascist party. Today it is a small museum that has an eclectic collection of furniture, paintings and few Bernini sculptures. The real secret here is the quiet garden in the middle that is free and open to the public.\u00a0\nChiostro del Bramante\nThe Chiostro del Bramante is one of Rome\u2019s prettiest spaces. Built by the Renaissance era architect and rival of Michelangelo, Donato Bramante was originally part of a monastery complex. The church next door is home to four Sibyl frescoes painted by Raphael. Look for the special room next to the cafe where you can view them. The exhibition space showcases major modern artists.\u00a0 The Italy Perfect Cortigiana apartment is right there.\nLivioandronico2013 via Wiki Commons\nPalazzo Braschi\nThe Palazzo Braschi is one of the Renaissance palaces that ring the Piazza Navona. Modern by Roman standards, it was built on the footprint of a fifteenth-century construction and centuries of political and financial problems beset its completion. After WWII, it even served as shelter for 300 homeless families. After extensive repairs and renovations undertaken by the Italian state today, the palace is home to the Museo di Roma and hosts art, sculpture and photography shows. The views over the three fountains in the piazza are special. It’s very convenient to our Pasquino apartment.\nPalazzo Altemps\nInside the 15th century,\u00a0Palazzo Altemps is an enthralling selection of Classical sculpture collected by Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi in the 17th century. The Ludovisi Battle sarcophagus dates to the 3rd century and is remarkable for its fine detail depicting the Romans fighting the Ostrogoths. Purchase the combined ticket for a few euros more and you will have entry to the three other museums that are part of the Museo Nazionale Romano.\u00a0\nGobbler via Wiki Commons\nPalazzo Barberini\nThe Palazzo Barberini is home to Rome\u2019s National Gallery of Ancient Art. In this vast palace, you can visit famous works by Caravaggio, Bernini, Lippi and Rafael. The site of personal gardens and vineyards of the Sforza family in the 15th century was purchased by the Barberini family in 1625. Three of Italy\u2019s greatest architects, Maderno, Borromini and Bernini all worked on the building. Don\u2019t miss the hidden garden and magnificent oval spiral staircase. This is easy to reach from the Italy Perfect apartments nearby such as Corelli Charm.\nPalazzo Merulana\nA short stroll from Termini train station is the\u00a0Palazzo Merulana. The former Health Department had been abandoned for decades, but it has been painstakingly restored into a gleaming light-filled space. The permanent collection is works of 20th-century artists from Rome and Italy, including pieces by Boetti, De Chirico and Pirandello.\nCentrale Montemartini\nThe Centrale Montemartini is an unconventional mix of form and function where Roman sculptures and mosaic floors from the Capitoline Museum collection are placed among the massive engines and turbines that once powered the city.\u00a0 The former power plant-turned-museum is in the Ostiense neighborhood where you can explore a thriving street art and modern dining scene.\u00a0\nReady to explore some of Rome\u2019s best museums? Get in touch with the Italy Perfect team today to find a vacation rental that is perfect for your trip.\u00a0\nThe post 10 Great Places to see Art Exhibitions in Rome: Beyond the Vatican Museums appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2019-12-18T12:06:30-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-30T10:31:59-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/St-Peters-Vatican-City-Sunset-River_DSC9845-Edit.jpg", "tags": [ "Art in Rome", "Rome", "Rome architecture", "Rome Tourism", "travel tips", "Italian Culture", "Tourist Information", "Travel Planning" ], "summary": "To help you explore more of Rome's artistic treasures in Renaissance, we have put together this list of 10 great places to see art exhibitions in Rome." }, { "id": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=60639", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/what-to-eat-in-italy-in-the-fall.html", "title": "What to Eat in Italy in the Fall", "content_html": "Every season in Italy has its own delights, and autumn is definitely the star of the show when it comes to food, the harvest and culinary festivals. Some of Italy\u2019s most famous dishes are based on autumn\u2019s harvest bounty \u2013 truffles, pumpkin ravioli, porcini mushrooms, chestnuts and artichokes. Come along with us as we take you on a quick journey of everything you should eat in Italy in the fall!
\n\n
![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/What-to-Eat-in-Italy-in-the-Fall-by-Italy-Perfect.jpg\")
September is all about mushrooms and wine. Specifically, you\u2019ll want to try porcini mushrooms. You can find them dried year-round, but autumn is the only time you can enjoy fresh porcini mushrooms. Enjoy them right away; they don\u2019t last for longer than a couple of days (even refrigerated). The mushrooms are delicious on their own, but you\u2019ll also find them served in seasonal dishes like porcini risotto.
\n![\"Eat](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/What-to-Eat-in-Italy-in-the-Fall-by-Italy-Perfect-6.jpg\")
Porcini mushrooms in Tuscany
October is all about pumpkins so try some delicious tortelli di zucca (pumpkin stuffed pasta). This dish is so delicious that it put the beautiful city of Mantova (in the Lombardy region) on the foodie map. If you\u2019re not a pasta fan, never fear: there is also the tasty zuppa di zucca, a seasonal pumpkin soup.
\nIn November, seek out the tartufo bianco (white truffle). There are truffle festivals taking place all over the regions of Tuscany, Piedmont and Umbria, where visitors and locals alike can gather to taste both traditional and inventive truffle recipes along with other local products, like wine and olives. November is also the month for biscotti toto, a cookie made to celebrate All Souls Day (or the Day of the Dead) on November 2nd. These treats are generally made with chocolate and cinnamon, but there are also non-chocolate versions that are usually lemon-flavored.
\n![\"Eat](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/What-to-Eat-in-Italy-in-the-Fall-by-Italy-Perfect-2.jpg\")
Castagnaccio, a traditional chestnut treat
Now that we’ve covered what you should eat in Italy in the fall, it’s time to tell you where to eat it.
\n![\"Eat](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/What-to-Eat-in-Italy-in-the-Fall-by-Italy-Perfect-4.jpg\")
Autumn harvest at Campo de\u2019 Fiori market in Rome
All throughout the season, Italian food markets really come to life. In Rome, stop by the central Campo de\u2019 Fiori market for all of the classic seasonal products: artichokes, zucchini, chestnuts, pumpkins and more. And during the first two weekends of October, head north of Rome to Soriano nel Cimino, where you\u2019ll find Sagra della Castagna, a seasonal chestnut festival.
\n![\"Rome](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/What-to-Eat-in-Italy-in-the-Fall-by-Italy-Perfect-9.jpg\")
The Pasquino apartment in Rome near Campo de’Fiori
Pro tip: If you’re looking for a home base during your vacation in Rome, we suggest the Pasquino property. It’s within walking distance of the Campo de’ Fiori market and is close to Piazza Navona, a must-enjoy piazza in the center of Rome.
\nIn Florence, the food vendors at the Central Market (part of the large San Lorenzo Market area) offer seasonal vegetables and meats during the autumn season. Make sure to stop by the stall of Perini’s delicatessen, which specializes in all types of meats (in the fall, wild boar is the one to try). And if you want a seasonal pizza treat, stop by one of the highest-rated pizzerias in the country, Santarpia, to try their crema di zucca pizza (pumpkin puree, mozzarella, and guanciale). We buy our dried porcini and fresh truffles in this fine market.
\nPro tip: So many of the Florence Italy Perfect vacation rentals are located in the center of town near this market, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from!
\nJust about 30 kilometers outside of Florence is Montemerlo (Prato), where olives are harvested in November. During this fair, you can taste different types of olive oil before deciding which one (or several) to bring home! Observe then taste the olive harvest while vacationing at the fine La Foce agriturismo in the Val d’Orcia (select that area on the Italy Perfect Tuscany page). The area is famous for its variety of olive oils. Guests can also enjoy special olive oil tasting dinners.
\n![\"Eat](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/What-to-Eat-in-Italy-in-the-Fall-by-Italy-Perfect-1.jpg\")
The regions of Tuscany and Piedmont are major hubs for fall harvest in Italy. This is where the truffles, olives and wine all come from. One of the most popular festivals is, of course, the International Market and Fair of the White Truffle in Alba. The festival lasts for eight weeks (October 5 to November 24 in 2019), and although the main attraction is the truffle, there are also vendors selling other harvest-time delicacies like wine, pasta, cheese, mushrooms and chestnuts.
\nNo matter where you\u2019re based during your stay, the best way to find out where to eat in Italy in the fall is to look out for this word: sagre. Sagre refers to the local festivals that pop up around throughout the towns in agricultural regions throughout the country.
\nAre you ready to book your autumn trip to Italy? Contact Italy Perfect at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123.
\nThe post What to Eat in Italy in the Fall appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "Every season in Italy has its own delights, and autumn is definitely the star of the show when it comes to food, the harvest and culinary festivals. Some of Italy\u2019s most famous dishes are based on autumn\u2019s harvest bounty \u2013 truffles, pumpkin ravioli, porcini mushrooms, chestnuts and artichokes. Come along with us as we take you on a quick journey of everything you should eat in Italy in the fall!\n\n\nWhat to Eat in Italy in the Fall\nSeptember is all about mushrooms and wine. Specifically, you\u2019ll want to try porcini mushrooms. You can find them dried year-round, but autumn is the only time you can enjoy fresh porcini mushrooms. Enjoy them right away; they don\u2019t last for longer than a couple of days (even refrigerated). The mushrooms are delicious on their own, but you\u2019ll also find them served in seasonal dishes like porcini risotto.\nPorcini mushrooms in Tuscany\nOctober is all about pumpkins so try some delicious tortelli di zucca (pumpkin stuffed pasta). This dish is so delicious that it put the beautiful city of Mantova (in the Lombardy region) on the foodie map. If you\u2019re not a pasta fan, never fear: there is also the tasty zuppa di zucca, a seasonal pumpkin soup.\nIn November, seek out the tartufo bianco (white truffle). There are truffle festivals taking place all over the regions of Tuscany, Piedmont and Umbria, where visitors and locals alike can gather to taste both traditional and inventive truffle recipes along with other local products, like wine and olives. November is also the month for biscotti toto, a cookie made to celebrate All Souls Day (or the Day of the Dead) on November 2nd. These treats are generally made with chocolate and cinnamon, but there are also non-chocolate versions that are usually lemon-flavored.\nCastagnaccio, a traditional chestnut treat\nWhere to Eat in Italy in the Fall\nNow that we’ve covered what you should eat in Italy in the fall, it’s time to tell you where to eat it.\nAutumn harvest at Campo de\u2019 Fiori market in Rome\nAll throughout the season, Italian food markets really come to life. In Rome, stop by the central Campo de\u2019 Fiori market for all of the classic seasonal products: artichokes, zucchini, chestnuts, pumpkins and more. And during the first two weekends of October, head north of Rome to Soriano nel Cimino, where you\u2019ll find Sagra della Castagna, a seasonal chestnut festival.\nThe Pasquino apartment in Rome near Campo de’Fiori\nPro tip: If you’re looking for a home base during your vacation in Rome, we suggest the Pasquino property. It’s within walking distance of the Campo de’ Fiori market and is close to Piazza Navona, a must-enjoy piazza in the center of Rome.\nIn Florence, the food vendors at the Central Market (part of the large San Lorenzo Market area) offer seasonal vegetables and meats during the autumn season. Make sure to stop by the stall of Perini’s delicatessen, which specializes in all types of meats (in the fall, wild boar is the one to try). And if you want a seasonal pizza treat, stop by one of the highest-rated pizzerias in the country, Santarpia, to try their crema di zucca pizza (pumpkin puree, mozzarella, and guanciale). We buy our dried porcini and fresh truffles in this fine market.\nPro tip: So many of the Florence Italy Perfect vacation rentals are located in the center of town near this market, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from!\nJust about 30 kilometers outside of Florence is Montemerlo (Prato), where olives are harvested in November. During this fair, you can taste different types of olive oil before deciding which one (or several) to bring home! Observe then taste the olive harvest while vacationing at the fine La Foce agriturismo in the Val d’Orcia (select that area on the Italy Perfect Tuscany page). The area is famous for its variety of olive oils. Guests can also enjoy special olive oil tasting dinners.\n\nThe regions of Tuscany and Piedmont are major hubs for fall harvest in Italy. This is where the truffles, olives and wine all come from. One of the most popular festivals is, of course, the International Market and Fair of the White Truffle in Alba. The festival lasts for eight weeks (October 5 to November 24 in 2019), and although the main attraction is the truffle, there are also vendors selling other harvest-time delicacies like wine, pasta, cheese, mushrooms and chestnuts.\nA Final Tip\nNo matter where you\u2019re based during your stay, the best way to find out where to eat in Italy in the fall is to look out for this word: sagre. Sagre refers to the local festivals that pop up around throughout the towns in agricultural regions throughout the country.\nAre you ready to book your autumn trip to Italy? Contact Italy Perfect at reservations@italyperfect.com or 1-888-308-6123.\nThe post What to Eat in Italy in the Fall appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2019-09-26T04:58:10-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-11-15T07:39:28-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/What-to-Eat-in-Italy-in-the-Fall-by-Italy-Perfect-5.jpg", "tags": [ "Autumn in Italy", "Fall in Italy", "Featured", "Italian festivals", "Food", "Italian Culture" ], "summary": "Every season in Italy has its own delights, and autumn is definitely the star of the show when it comes to food, the harvest and culinary festivals. Some of Italy\u2019s most famous dishes are based on autumn\u2019s harvest bounty \u2013 truffles, pumpkin ravioli, porcini mushrooms, chestnuts and artichokes. Come along with us as we take you on a quick journey of everything you should eat in Italy in the fall!" }, { "id": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=60496", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/harvest-time-in-tuscany.html", "title": "Why You Shouldn\u2019t Miss the Harvest Time in Tuscany", "content_html": "Summer is traditionally the most popular time to visit Italy, but we’re here to make an argument in favor of autumn in Tuscany.\u00a0 Autumn means harvest time when many of the country’s most popular food and drinks are produced for the rest of the year. If you plan your trip right, you could be in Italy to witness the harvest process and taste the year’s fresh bounty firsthand. You can enjoy the harvest even while staying in Florence by taking great day trips to rural Tuscany. Read on for our tips about how to make the most of the harvest time in Tuscany during your next trip!
\n\n
![\"tuscany](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Why-You-Shouldnt-Miss-the-Harvest-Time-in-Tuscany-by-Italy-Perfect5.jpg\")
It\u2019s not possible to state an exact date for the vendemmia, the harvest; it depends on what the weather has been for the previous year. But, generally, the grape harvest in Tuscany takes place between late September to mid October.
\nNormally, olives are harvested in November. However in Tuscany, the olive harvest often begins toward the end of September. This earlier harvest time means that the olive hasn\u2019t ripened as much, which means less oil and the special peppery taste of Tuscan olive oils \u2013 something that is unique to the region and that Tuscans are very proud of.
\n![\"truffels](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Why-You-Shouldnt-Miss-the-Harvest-Time-in-Tuscany-by-Italy-Perfect3.jpg\")
You\u2019ll find many of Italy\u2019s most popular foods during harvest time in Tuscany: truffles, porcini, chestnuts, pumpkins, olives, and, of course, grapes for new wine.
\nDuring the harvest season, restaurants will offer specialties that highlight the newly harvested foods. A few famous plates we\u2019d recommend: porcini risotto, pumpkin ravioli, pasta al tartufo and dishes with wild boar.
\nTry some roasted chestnuts\u2013 street vendors sell them in convenient little paper cones for easy snacking as you stroll around!
\n![\"grape](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Why-You-Shouldnt-Miss-the-Harvest-Time-in-Tuscany-by-Italy-Perfect1.jpg\")
Yes! We suggest visiting a harvest festival to celebrate the season with the locals.
\nWe recommend the annual wine festival in the city of Greve, in the heart of the Chianti region. This four-day festival usually takes place early in September. You\u2019ll purchase a wine glass for about 10 euros that gives you access to taste up to eight wines from all of the options that are offered at the festa.
\n![\"black](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Why-You-Shouldnt-Miss-the-Harvest-Time-in-Tuscany-by-Italy-Perfect4.jpg\")
One of the most popular annual fairs in the region is the\u00a0International Market and Fair of the White Truffle in Alba, in the Piedmont region of Italy. The fair lasts for eight weeks and takes place in October and November. In addition to truffles, there are also tastings and vendors selling other harvested delicacies like wine, pasta, cheese, mushrooms and chestnuts.
\nIn November, head to Montemurlo (Prato), just 30 kilometers outside of Florence, to celebrate the olive harvest. This is great for anyone who wants to bring back olive oil as a souvenir; you can taste different types of oil before deciding which one (or which dozen) to bring home.
\nWe have great options for basing yourself near the harvest activities.
\n![\"Tuscany](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Why-You-Shouldnt-Miss-the-Harvest-Time-in-Tuscany-by-Italy-Perfect9.jpg\")
There are several Italy Perfect villas on the Borgo estate, the renowned property in the Val d\u2019Orcia. Here the olive harvest is done the traditional way — by hand. The estate offers special tasting dinners featuring their olive oil varieties all year round when you stay in these renovated farmhouse accommodations including Ronda, Tiglio and Vespa.\u00a0 It is also near to Montepulciano, famous for its Vino Nobile. The town hosts exciting and unique events like the Bravio delle Botti (wine barrel race). The Val d’Orcia a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
\n![\"Tuscany](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Why-You-Shouldnt-Miss-the-Harvest-Time-in-Tuscany-by-Italy-Perfect8.jpg\")
In the heart of the Chianti region, there are some beautiful properties to choose from: Rubino Raro Villa in Chianti has enchanting scenic views of vineyards and gently rolling hills that stretch out into the distance.
\nFlorence celebrates the harvest, too, and is an excellent base for day trips into the countryside and, of course, savoring all the bounty in its excellent restaurants. See our excellent accommodations in Florence.
\nAs always, we’re happy to help you find the perfect place to stay during the harvest time in Tuscany.\u00a0Contact us at reservations@italyperfect.com\u00a0or\u00a01-888-308-6123 to book your trip!
\nThe post Why You Shouldn’t Miss the Harvest Time in Tuscany appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "Summer is traditionally the most popular time to visit Italy, but we’re here to make an argument in favor of autumn in Tuscany.\u00a0 Autumn means harvest time when many of the country’s most popular food and drinks are produced for the rest of the year. If you plan your trip right, you could be in Italy to witness the harvest process and taste the year’s fresh bounty firsthand. You can enjoy the harvest even while staying in Florence by taking great day trips to rural Tuscany. Read on for our tips about how to make the most of the harvest time in Tuscany during your next trip!\n\n\nWhen is harvest time in Tuscany? \nIt\u2019s not possible to state an exact date for the vendemmia, the harvest; it depends on what the weather has been for the previous year. But, generally, the grape harvest in Tuscany takes place between late September to mid October.\nNormally, olives are harvested in November. However in Tuscany, the olive harvest often begins toward the end of September. This earlier harvest time means that the olive hasn\u2019t ripened as much, which means less oil and the special peppery taste of Tuscan olive oils \u2013 something that is unique to the region and that Tuscans are very proud of.\n\nWhat is harvested in Tuscany?\nYou\u2019ll find many of Italy\u2019s most popular foods during harvest time in Tuscany: truffles, porcini, chestnuts, pumpkins, olives, and, of course, grapes for new wine.\nDuring the harvest season, restaurants will offer specialties that highlight the newly harvested foods. A few famous plates we\u2019d recommend: porcini risotto, pumpkin ravioli, pasta al tartufo and dishes with wild boar.\nTry some roasted chestnuts\u2013 street vendors sell them in convenient little paper cones for easy snacking as you stroll around!\n\nAre there harvest celebrations?\nYes! We suggest visiting a harvest festival to celebrate the season with the locals.\nWe recommend the annual wine festival in the city of Greve, in the heart of the Chianti region. This four-day festival usually takes place early in September. You\u2019ll purchase a wine glass for about 10 euros that gives you access to taste up to eight wines from all of the options that are offered at the festa.\n\nOne of the most popular annual fairs in the region is the\u00a0International Market and Fair of the White Truffle in Alba, in the Piedmont region of Italy. The fair lasts for eight weeks and takes place in October and November. In addition to truffles, there are also tastings and vendors selling other harvested delicacies like wine, pasta, cheese, mushrooms and chestnuts.\nIn November, head to Montemurlo (Prato), just 30 kilometers outside of Florence, to celebrate the olive harvest. This is great for anyone who wants to bring back olive oil as a souvenir; you can taste different types of oil before deciding which one (or which dozen) to bring home.\nWhere to stay to see the harvest?\nWe have great options for basing yourself near the harvest activities.\n\nThere are several Italy Perfect villas on the Borgo estate, the renowned property in the Val d\u2019Orcia. Here the olive harvest is done the traditional way — by hand. The estate offers special tasting dinners featuring their olive oil varieties all year round when you stay in these renovated farmhouse accommodations including Ronda, Tiglio and Vespa.\u00a0 It is also near to Montepulciano, famous for its Vino Nobile. The town hosts exciting and unique events like the Bravio delle Botti (wine barrel race). The Val d’Orcia a UNESCO World Heritage Site.\n\nIn the heart of the Chianti region, there are some beautiful properties to choose from: Rubino Raro Villa in Chianti has enchanting scenic views of vineyards and gently rolling hills that stretch out into the distance.\nFlorence celebrates the harvest, too, and is an excellent base for day trips into the countryside and, of course, savoring all the bounty in its excellent restaurants. See our excellent accommodations in Florence.\nAs always, we’re happy to help you find the perfect place to stay during the harvest time in Tuscany.\u00a0Contact us at reservations@italyperfect.com\u00a0or\u00a01-888-308-6123 to book your trip!\nThe post Why You Shouldn’t Miss the Harvest Time in Tuscany appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2019-07-05T04:36:11-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-12-01T12:50:39-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Why-You-Shouldnt-Miss-the-Harvest-Time-in-Tuscany-by-Italy-Perfect2.jpg", "tags": [ "Florence", "Italian Culture", "Tuscany" ] }, { "id": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=60457", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/festivals-to-see-live-music-in-italy.html", "title": "The Best Music Festivals in Italy", "content_html": "Italy is home to some of the world\u2019s most beloved musicians and composers \u2013 Verdi, Puccini and Vivaldi to name a few. Opera was first performed in Florence in the late 16th century, and some of today’s most beloved music dates back hundreds of years. The spirit of opera is still alive and revered, as is evidenced by the thousands of people who travel to Italy every year for one of its fantastic music festivals.
\n\n
If you\u2019re interested in live performances of music in Italy during your visit, you\u2019ll find a festival almost any time of the year, though most take place during the summer months. Here are a few of our recommendations, conveniently located near several Italy Perfect vacation properties.
\n![\"Arena](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Best-Festivals-To-See-Live-Music-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect4.jpg\")
Arena di Verona is a fantastic setting for music.
![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Best-Festivals-To-See-Live-Music-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect1.jpg\")
Enjoy music in the surreal setting of Terme di Caracalla in Rome.
Summer Opera Season in Rome: The opera season in Rome lasts from January through November, but in June through August, the performances move outdoors to the Roman Terme di Caracalla \u2013 the ancient Roman Baths. This stunning location \u2013 able to seat up to 20,000 guests! \u2013 has been hosting summer opera performances since 1937.
\nWhere to stay: The Mercurio property is located in the Colosseum neighborhood, which will keep you very close to the open-air theater performances.
\nVerona Opera Festival:\u00a0Italy\u2019s most famous opera festival has taken place in Verona each summer for nearly 100 years. As the most famous festival, it appropriately hosts some of the most famous operas: Aida, La Traviata, Il Trovatore, Carmen, and more. The setting couldn\u2019t be more beautiful: an ancient Roman amphitheater located directly in the center of the city (it claims to be the largest open-air opera theater in the world). Schedules and tickets are easily found online.
\n![\"Venice](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Venice-Menta-Living-room.jpg\")
The 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Menta apartment in Venice
Where to stay: Venice is an easy 1 hour 10 minute train ride from Verona. There are a number of\u00a0Italy Perfect properties in Venice that are perfect for traveling parties of all sizes.
\n![\"Torre](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Best-Festivals-To-See-Live-Music-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect10.jpg\")
Torre del Lago concert venue
Puccini Festival: Another popular summer event is the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago. Giacomo Puccini is the composer known for the beloved operas La Boheme, Tosca, Turandot and Madama Butterfly. Towards the end of his life, Puccini spent most of his time in Torre del Lago, and today visitors can pay their respects at the Villa Museo Puccini, his former home, and the chapel in the Villa Puccini, where he is buried. The festival performances take place at a 3,400-seat open-air theater in July and August, and tickets can easily be purchased online in advance.
\nWhere to stay: Florence would be a great home base for exploring this region of Italy. Try something like the Santa Croce Mimi\u00a0apartment (with a stunning view!), or, if you plan to do several day trips, or the lovely Giovanna apartment that\u00a0is located within walking distance of the main train station in Florence.
\n![\"Teatro](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Best-Festivals-To-See-Live-Music-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect6.jpg\")
The Teatro Regio in Parma
Festival Verdi: In September and October, Parma hosts a popular event celebrating music in Italy: the Festival Verdi. In 2018 this festival was designated Best Festival in the World at the International Opera Awards. More than 50% of the festival attendants are visiting from outside of Italy, from all over the world. Performances take place in the Teatro Regio di Parma, the design of which was inspired by Parisian architecture.
\n![\"Orvieto](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Best-Festivals-To-See-Live-Music-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect7.jpg\")
Orvieto any time of year is amazing!
Umbria Winter Jazz Festival: Visiting Italy in the quieter seasons? Never fear \u2013 there is still music in Italy during the cooler months! The most popular music event is the Umbria Winter Jazz Festival, which takes place in Orvieto starting in December. This is the sister of the Umbria Jazz Festival that takes place in July every year, and it\u2019s a lovely way to ring in the new year. Events are held over five days, and some of the performances are even free to attend. Schedules and tickets can be found online in advance.
\n![\"La](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Best-Festivals-To-See-Live-Music-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect3.jpg\")
La Fenice in Venice is an incredible place for an opera.
La Fenice in Venice:\u00a0La Fenice opera house (translation: The Phoenix) opened in 1792 and has survived two fires. Its biggest and most popular performance takes place every year on New Year’s Eve. If you love or are at least interested in opera, but aren’t sure you want to attend a whole festival, then seeing one really great performance might be a great option for you! La Fenice offers music most of the year.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Italy-Florence-Santa-Felicita-oltrarno.jpg\")
See a concert in the beautiful Church of Santa Felicita in Florence. (credit)
Florence: If you don’t happen to be in Italy during these specific festivals, there is music all year round. Take for instance the Santa Felicita church in Florence. Enjoy baroque music performed with original historic instruments. There are many opportunities for concerts in small settings such as the chance to listen to an Italian opera in Santa Monaca Church combined with a dining experience.
\nA few last words on music in Italy before you go: it\u2019s customary to dress up for these performances and they are quite popular, so we recommend booking tickets in advance. Tickets and schedules can easily be found on each of the festival and venue websites. And to make sure you secure an Italy Perfect property near the festival[s] of your choice, check out our selection of villas and and apartments. Contact us at reservations@italyperfect.com\u00a0or\u00a01-888-308-6123 if we can help you book your trip!
\nThe post The Best Music Festivals in Italy appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "Italy is home to some of the world\u2019s most beloved musicians and composers \u2013 Verdi, Puccini and Vivaldi to name a few. Opera was first performed in Florence in the late 16th century, and some of today’s most beloved music dates back hundreds of years. The spirit of opera is still alive and revered, as is evidenced by the thousands of people who travel to Italy every year for one of its fantastic music festivals.\n\nIf you\u2019re interested in live performances of music in Italy during your visit, you\u2019ll find a festival almost any time of the year, though most take place during the summer months. Here are a few of our recommendations, conveniently located near several Italy Perfect vacation properties.\nArena di Verona is a fantastic setting for music.\nMusic in Italy: Summer\nEnjoy music in the surreal setting of Terme di Caracalla in Rome.\nSummer Opera Season in Rome: The opera season in Rome lasts from January through November, but in June through August, the performances move outdoors to the Roman Terme di Caracalla \u2013 the ancient Roman Baths. This stunning location \u2013 able to seat up to 20,000 guests! \u2013 has been hosting summer opera performances since 1937.\nWhere to stay: The Mercurio property is located in the Colosseum neighborhood, which will keep you very close to the open-air theater performances.\nVerona Opera Festival:\u00a0Italy\u2019s most famous opera festival has taken place in Verona each summer for nearly 100 years. As the most famous festival, it appropriately hosts some of the most famous operas: Aida, La Traviata, Il Trovatore, Carmen, and more. The setting couldn\u2019t be more beautiful: an ancient Roman amphitheater located directly in the center of the city (it claims to be the largest open-air opera theater in the world). Schedules and tickets are easily found online.\nThe 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Menta apartment in Venice\nWhere to stay: Venice is an easy 1 hour 10 minute train ride from Verona. There are a number of\u00a0Italy Perfect properties in Venice that are perfect for traveling parties of all sizes.\nTorre del Lago concert venue\nPuccini Festival: Another popular summer event is the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago. Giacomo Puccini is the composer known for the beloved operas La Boheme, Tosca, Turandot and Madama Butterfly. Towards the end of his life, Puccini spent most of his time in Torre del Lago, and today visitors can pay their respects at the Villa Museo Puccini, his former home, and the chapel in the Villa Puccini, where he is buried. The festival performances take place at a 3,400-seat open-air theater in July and August, and tickets can easily be purchased online in advance.\nWhere to stay: Florence would be a great home base for exploring this region of Italy. Try something like the Santa Croce Mimi\u00a0apartment (with a stunning view!), or, if you plan to do several day trips, or the lovely Giovanna apartment that\u00a0is located within walking distance of the main train station in Florence.\nThe Teatro Regio in Parma\nMusic in Italy: Fall\nFestival Verdi: In September and October, Parma hosts a popular event celebrating music in Italy: the Festival Verdi. In 2018 this festival was designated Best Festival in the World at the International Opera Awards. More than 50% of the festival attendants are visiting from outside of Italy, from all over the world. Performances take place in the Teatro Regio di Parma, the design of which was inspired by Parisian architecture.\nOrvieto any time of year is amazing!\nMusic in Italy: Winter\nUmbria Winter Jazz Festival: Visiting Italy in the quieter seasons? Never fear \u2013 there is still music in Italy during the cooler months! The most popular music event is the Umbria Winter Jazz Festival, which takes place in Orvieto starting in December. This is the sister of the Umbria Jazz Festival that takes place in July every year, and it\u2019s a lovely way to ring in the new year. Events are held over five days, and some of the performances are even free to attend. Schedules and tickets can be found online in advance.\nLa Fenice in Venice is an incredible place for an opera.\nLa Fenice in Venice:\u00a0La Fenice opera house (translation: The Phoenix) opened in 1792 and has survived two fires. Its biggest and most popular performance takes place every year on New Year’s Eve. If you love or are at least interested in opera, but aren’t sure you want to attend a whole festival, then seeing one really great performance might be a great option for you! La Fenice offers music most of the year.\nSee a concert in the beautiful Church of Santa Felicita in Florence. (credit)\nFlorence: If you don’t happen to be in Italy during these specific festivals, there is music all year round. Take for instance the Santa Felicita church in Florence. Enjoy baroque music performed with original historic instruments. There are many opportunities for concerts in small settings such as the chance to listen to an Italian opera in Santa Monaca Church combined with a dining experience.\nA few last words on music in Italy before you go: it\u2019s customary to dress up for these performances and they are quite popular, so we recommend booking tickets in advance. Tickets and schedules can easily be found on each of the festival and venue websites. And to make sure you secure an Italy Perfect property near the festival[s] of your choice, check out our selection of villas and and apartments. Contact us at reservations@italyperfect.com\u00a0or\u00a01-888-308-6123 if we can help you book your trip!\nThe post The Best Music Festivals in Italy appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2019-06-13T03:23:45-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-11-14T08:31:58-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Best-Festivals-To-See-Live-Music-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect2.jpg", "tags": [ "Italian festivals", "Italian music", "Italian Culture" ] }, { "id": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=60329", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/unesco-sites-in-italy.html", "title": "Include these Incredible UNESCO Sites in Italy on your Itinerary", "content_html": "The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) “seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.” The organization is comprised of 193 countries, including Italy. And did you know that there are more UNESCO sites in Italy than any other country in the world? There are 49 cultural (or man-made) sites and five natural sites. Here are just a few of our favorites!
\n\n
![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect.jpg\")
Let’s start with one of the most famous UNESCO sites in Italy: Pompeii. When Mount Vesuvius erupted 2000 years ago, the ash and lava turned the city of Pompeii into an incredible and heartbreaking monument to life during that time, frozen in place forever. Visitors can now explore a museum dedicated to the history of the city and the volcano, as well as a few of the excavation sites.
\nPompeii is located along the Amalfi Coast in Italy, which has its own UNESCO Heritage designation. The most popular cities along the coast are probably Positano, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Ravello. The coastline is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, and the region produces one of the most delicious Italian specialties in the world: limoncello. The coast is a popular summer destination for travelers from all over the world looking for an idyllic and relaxing beach getaway.
\nPro Tip: If you’re interested in visiting either of these sites, we recommend basing yourself in Sorrento for ease of traveling to and from the Naples airport as well as to the small towns and sights in the region. There are plenty of Italy Perfect villas available in Sorrento for traveling parties of all sizes!
\n![\"Incredible](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect7.jpg\")
Rome has been central to so many important eras throughout history, possibly more than any other city in the western world. It was the capital of the Roman Empire and has been, since the 4th century, the capital of the Christian faith as well. The UNESCO designation encompasses the city limits within the walls that existed in the 17th century. This includes such historic sites as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Hadrian’s Tomb (Castel Sant’Angelo), the Forum, and more.
\nPro Tip: The historic centers of Florence and Naples are UNESCO sites as well!
\n![\"Incredible](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect8.jpg\")
If you want to be based where history is inescapably beautiful we can recommend a few Italy Perfect apartments:\u00a0Mercurio and Cicero.
\n![\"Incredible](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect3.jpg\")
A recent addition to the UNESCO list (in 2013) are the Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany. Most people think of Florence when they think of the Medici, as the family rose to political prominence in the city and sponsored Florence’s most famous artist, Michelangelo. They also funded the building of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of Florence’s most adored buildings. But the Medici Family originally came from Tuscany, and their villas in the countryside are remarkable for the way they incorporate the natural environment into their design. The villas were built between the 15th and 17th centuries and were dedicated to art and leisure. They introduced a new form of architecture, a balance between the farms owned by wealthy Florentine families and the majestic castles built by royalty.
\nIf you want to enjoy your own serene Tuscan villa, don’t worry, you don’t have to be a member of the Medici Family. Italy Perfect has you covered with plenty of options to choose from!
\n![\"Incredible](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect6.jpg\")
The Cinque Terre region of Italy is made up of five adjoining coastal towns that date back to the later end of the Middle Ages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The region is designated as a UNESCO site because of its continuous human habitation for centuries, despite being almost unreachable by the outside world for much of its history. The coastline is extremely steep, yet little homes, churches, and markets cling to it. The towns originally sustained themselves through innovative farming methods, some of which are still in place to this day.
\nPro Tip:\u00a0High season is very, very busy here, so consider the off-season.
\n![\"Incredible](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect9.jpg\")
Siena and San Gimignano are well worth venturing to. Both date to the 12th and 15th centuries. The towns are about 30 minutes to an hour’s drive from Florence making it feasible to see them both during a day trip from the city. San Gimignano is notable for its original fortified walls and amazing towers(only a few of which have survived to this day), as well as the many artistic 15th century Italian masterpieces that still hang in their original architectural homes, such as the cathedral: Ghirlandaio’s\u00a0Annunciation in the Baptistery (1482) and\u00a0the fresco of The Last Judgment, Heaven and Hell by Taddeo di Bartolo, to name two.
\nSiena, meanwhile, joined the ranks of UNESCO sites in Italy because it is an incredibly well-preserved example of a Gothic medieval city. In the years after it was constructed and inhabited, it had a huge influence on art, architecture and city planning during the Middle Ages, not just in Italy but throughout Europe as well.
\n![\"Incredible](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect2.jpg\")
To see these cites we recommend basing yourself in Florence. There are great Italy Perfect apartments to choose from in the city.
\n![\"Incredible](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect4.jpg\")
Southeast of Siena is Val d’Orcia. In fact, when you imagine the Tuscan landscape, this is probably what you picture. The spectacular rolling landscape is known for its serenity and contrast between its fields and dramatic white-chalk hills. Hay fields, vineyards, and rows of cypress trees dot the landscape, along with Medieval castles, farmhouses and fortified hilltop towns and villages. These views inspired numerous Renaissance painters, and they will no doubt leave you inspired as well.
\n![\"Incredible](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect11.jpg\")
In Val d’Orcia, you can find our high-quality agriturismo with these nice apartments: Beco, Bersagliere, Fonte, Ronda, Tiglio and Vespa.
\nSo there you have it! Have we convinced you to go discover a few UNESCO sites in Italy?\u00a0If so, you can contact Italy Perfect at\u00a0 reservations@italyperfect.com or\u00a0 1-888-308-6123, and we\u2019ll be happy to help you cross a few places off your bucket list.
\nThe post Include these Incredible UNESCO Sites in Italy on your Itinerary appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.
\n", "content_text": "The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) “seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.” The organization is comprised of 193 countries, including Italy. And did you know that there are more UNESCO sites in Italy than any other country in the world? There are 49 cultural (or man-made) sites and five natural sites. Here are just a few of our favorites!\n\nUNESCO Sites in Italy\n\nPompeii and the Amalfi Coast\nLet’s start with one of the most famous UNESCO sites in Italy: Pompeii. When Mount Vesuvius erupted 2000 years ago, the ash and lava turned the city of Pompeii into an incredible and heartbreaking monument to life during that time, frozen in place forever. Visitors can now explore a museum dedicated to the history of the city and the volcano, as well as a few of the excavation sites.\nPompeii is located along the Amalfi Coast in Italy, which has its own UNESCO Heritage designation. The most popular cities along the coast are probably Positano, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Ravello. The coastline is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, and the region produces one of the most delicious Italian specialties in the world: limoncello. The coast is a popular summer destination for travelers from all over the world looking for an idyllic and relaxing beach getaway.\nPro Tip: If you’re interested in visiting either of these sites, we recommend basing yourself in Sorrento for ease of traveling to and from the Naples airport as well as to the small towns and sights in the region. There are plenty of Italy Perfect villas available in Sorrento for traveling parties of all sizes!\n\nHistoric Center of Rome\nRome has been central to so many important eras throughout history, possibly more than any other city in the western world. It was the capital of the Roman Empire and has been, since the 4th century, the capital of the Christian faith as well. The UNESCO designation encompasses the city limits within the walls that existed in the 17th century. This includes such historic sites as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Hadrian’s Tomb (Castel Sant’Angelo), the Forum, and more.\nPro Tip: The historic centers of Florence and Naples are UNESCO sites as well!\n\nIf you want to be based where history is inescapably beautiful we can recommend a few Italy Perfect apartments:\u00a0Mercurio and Cicero.\n\nMedici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany\nA recent addition to the UNESCO list (in 2013) are the Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany. Most people think of Florence when they think of the Medici, as the family rose to political prominence in the city and sponsored Florence’s most famous artist, Michelangelo. They also funded the building of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of Florence’s most adored buildings. But the Medici Family originally came from Tuscany, and their villas in the countryside are remarkable for the way they incorporate the natural environment into their design. The villas were built between the 15th and 17th centuries and were dedicated to art and leisure. They introduced a new form of architecture, a balance between the farms owned by wealthy Florentine families and the majestic castles built by royalty.\nIf you want to enjoy your own serene Tuscan villa, don’t worry, you don’t have to be a member of the Medici Family. Italy Perfect has you covered with plenty of options to choose from!\n\nCinque Terre\nThe Cinque Terre region of Italy is made up of five adjoining coastal towns that date back to the later end of the Middle Ages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The region is designated as a UNESCO site because of its continuous human habitation for centuries, despite being almost unreachable by the outside world for much of its history. The coastline is extremely steep, yet little homes, churches, and markets cling to it. The towns originally sustained themselves through innovative farming methods, some of which are still in place to this day.\nPro Tip:\u00a0High season is very, very busy here, so consider the off-season.\n\nHistoric Centers of San Gimignano and Siena\nSiena and San Gimignano are well worth venturing to. Both date to the 12th and 15th centuries. The towns are about 30 minutes to an hour’s drive from Florence making it feasible to see them both during a day trip from the city. San Gimignano is notable for its original fortified walls and amazing towers(only a few of which have survived to this day), as well as the many artistic 15th century Italian masterpieces that still hang in their original architectural homes, such as the cathedral: Ghirlandaio’s\u00a0Annunciation in the Baptistery (1482) and\u00a0the fresco of The Last Judgment, Heaven and Hell by Taddeo di Bartolo, to name two.\nSiena, meanwhile, joined the ranks of UNESCO sites in Italy because it is an incredibly well-preserved example of a Gothic medieval city. In the years after it was constructed and inhabited, it had a huge influence on art, architecture and city planning during the Middle Ages, not just in Italy but throughout Europe as well.\n\nTo see these cites we recommend basing yourself in Florence. There are great Italy Perfect apartments to choose from in the city.\n\nVal d’Orcia\nSoutheast of Siena is Val d’Orcia. In fact, when you imagine the Tuscan landscape, this is probably what you picture. The spectacular rolling landscape is known for its serenity and contrast between its fields and dramatic white-chalk hills. Hay fields, vineyards, and rows of cypress trees dot the landscape, along with Medieval castles, farmhouses and fortified hilltop towns and villages. These views inspired numerous Renaissance painters, and they will no doubt leave you inspired as well.\n\nIn Val d’Orcia, you can find our high-quality agriturismo with these nice apartments: Beco, Bersagliere, Fonte, Ronda, Tiglio and Vespa.\nSo there you have it! Have we convinced you to go discover a few UNESCO sites in Italy?\u00a0If so, you can contact Italy Perfect at\u00a0 reservations@italyperfect.com or\u00a0 1-888-308-6123, and we\u2019ll be happy to help you cross a few places off your bucket list.\nThe post Include these Incredible UNESCO Sites in Italy on your Itinerary appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2019-04-24T04:45:22-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-11-14T09:08:25-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Incredible-UNESCO-Sites-in-Italy-by-Italy-Perfect1.jpg", "tags": [ "Italian Culture" ] } ] }![\"\"](\"https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CarbonaraRed-scaled.jpg\")