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Regional Cuisine

Although we tend to think of all Italian food as being from Italy, Italians will quickly remind you that different recipes have their origin in the different regions of Italy.  The very healthy Italian diet that utilises grains, olive oil, fruit, vegetables, cheese and fish is widely adapted throughout the regions, each with their own special, way of producing their own regions speciality.  Much of the joy of a culinary trip around Italy is the unique blend of food and creating the perfect way to see the country.  Take these regions as an example to ‘whet” your appetite.

Tuscany

Visiting Tuscany won’t leave you disappointed.  Can there be anything more exciting than to savour cannelloni whilst enjoying a vista of lush vineyards, hilly vistas and medieval villages or a romantic farm tour complete with wine and cheese?  In Chianti, you can even have lessons from the locals and create your own edible cuisine.

Florence the capital city in Tuscany has its own special appeal and if you choose to visit Florence and enjoy the hundreds of sights it has to offer the millions of tourists who flock there ever year, don’t forget to take time to explore the culinary delights in this part of the country.  Do take time to devour a particularly delicious Florentine steak and if you like to indulge a little, try the delectable wines for which the region is infamous.

Southern Italy

Anyone who is serious about finding the best places to eat in Italy, won’t want to bypass Ceglie Messapica in the province of Puglia, where surrounded by vineyards and gardens, you can experience all that is the dining experience at Al Fornello da Ricci.  The menu offered here is a combination of family and tradition and is credited as making the town’s cuisine famous, not only in the province but in all of the country.

Whilst in the South, travel by car and ferry to the island of Sardinia, where not only can you enjoy the scenery on an island of unparalleled beauty, but also try a delicious tuna bottarga..  a prized dish that is simple but traditional and often described as the Sicilian caviar for good reason.

Naples

Naples is the third largest city in Italy and is the capital city of the Campania Province. Heavily influenced by its proximity to France, the pastries and pizzas that hail from this part perfectly complement the city that is famous for its culture and romance.

There are few travel destinations, which can compare with a road trip around Italy, enjoying its scenery and its cuisine.  Indulge your appetite and your senses and enjoy Italy as someone once said “a bite at a time.”

If you fancy taking a culinary road trip in this amazing country, make sure you compare car hire prices before you travel.  You can compare car rental prices globally with erentals.co.uk.

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In these beautiful Italian coast you can spend a day or a week. It is only up to you how much you want to learn about this place. If you plan to do the trip to Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park during your holidays in Italy, just get in the car and go. Probably the easiest way how you could get here, is flying to Napoli, then continue by bus or train. The park is located just 100km from Napoli. The park is easily accessible on foot, but do not forget to take the proper shoes with you.

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Gateway to the National Park is an ancient town of Agropoli. Its historic centre, built at the top of a rock outcropping, dominates the whole surroundings. In the medieval town of Castellabate you can relax in one of the nice port restaurants with a view of the mountain and further medieval villages.

The diverse landscape and culture of Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park remained almost unchanged until now. It is due to inaccessible mountains and uncomfortable roads, so the tourists could not get here. Thanks to this you can now see a national park in its original beauty. Coast is full of rocky cliffs and remote sandy beaches, dotted with medieval watchtowers, which are just proving the turbulent history. Massive rocks alternate with grassy plateaus, full of olive orchards and their grandeur will really amaze you. The area is also known as Dolomiti del Mezzogiorno (southern Italian Dolomites).

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In Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park you find kilometres of marked trails that take you through all the corners of the park. The dominant of the whole coast is a rocky cape Palinuro, a mythical place of Roman legends. The massif of the cape hides 35 different caves that you can visit with several diving centers. A few kilometres below you find the small town of Marina di Camerota, where you can enjoy Italian coffee with true Neapolitan cake, or you can go to the original Marina village, which lies high in the mountains. If you will still have some free time, you can go to the bay Infreschi or to the Gulf of Policastro.

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park has finally received a major award in 1998. It was declared a unique cultural monument and inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This national park between the sea and earth, definitely worth visiting.

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