Explore Italy and Its Food
Please update your Flash Player to view content.

Welcome to a gelato-lover's paradise. It's the land of dozens of cheeses, scores of smallgoods and hundreds of pasta shapes; one where every nonna is totally assured that her lasagne (or gnocchi, risotto and minestrone) has no equal - and whose family agrees with her totally!

Italy is full of food-lovers. It's the place that has, somehow, from a multitude of influences over the centuries, concocted a way of cooking that has made its food the second-most favoured cuisine of almost every other country in the world.

Welcome to Italy - and Buon appetito!

Where is it?

Italy's leg-like peninsula is attached at the top to France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. On a map, it appears to be kicking 'little Sicily right into the middle of the Mediterranean Sea' as a children's rhyme used to say. Mountains barrier the north, and a spine of mountains (the Apennines) run down the centre. It has two main islands, Sardinia and Sicily, and two enclaves, San Marino and Vatican City.

pisa

Why Go?

It's easy - the answer is the three Cs:

Culture, Climate and Cuisine.

Although politically Italy is one of the newest countries in Europe, politically (Italy became a republic in 1946) this part of Europe it is one of the oldest culturally. The mighty Roman Empire spread from here.

Italy's 20 regions are home to 60 million inhabitants. Most of the peninsula and islands were once administered by other countries, so there are vestiges of the religion and cultures of constantly changing parade of conquerors throughout the ages.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the food. From rice and polenta-based meals in the north, to pasta and couscous in the south, the differences go on from there - often influenced by what the sometimes harsh terrain can provide. In some parts the food is called cucina povera (literally 'poor cuisine') which does not mean it is bad food, but that it uses simple  inexpensive ingredients. Common to the entire country is pork and pig-based smallgoods.

The climate varies from Alpine in - you guessed it - the Alps in the north, to hot in the south (the 'boot') which the Italians refer to as the mezzogiorno -  which translates, appropriately, as 'the midday'

.

Places italy_16_1 italy_07
Food truffles_pasta sausage
Things horse_carriage giants
More italy_58 italy_72
Helpful venice sweets

 

 

Add comment


Security code
Refresh

Related Articles

231_15676799571_5105_n

 

 

Www.Foodandtravel.Com.Au - Australia

Best Food Travel Website 2021

 


foodandtravel.com.au has been awarded

Best Antipodean Culinary Travel Expert, 2019

by the prestigious UK-based magazine...

 

 

 

Planning a visit to Kerala? The old port district of Kochi is well worth seeing, as well.

Our tuk-tuk driver, Shaheer, showed us the secrets of the narrow back streets. To contact Shaheer...

Email Shaheer HERE...

Mobile: 9946129040

More about Kochi...

 


 

LISTEN TO SALLY'S PODCASTS...

...from all around the world

Tune in and hear her talks on     

Radio 2GB 873AM....

 

 

WHO LIKES SWISS CHEESE?

Did you miss seeing the recent story of the Swiss festival of cows coming down from the mountains?

Read about it for yourself...

 


 

Denmark Delivers

Copenhagen's canals, a palace with pomp and cermnony, a kilometre-long shopping street, crayon-cooured canal-front dining...

...what more can a visitor ask for? Find out, because there is much more.

 


 

History and beauty with a dash of fun...

...and that's just the beginning of Armenia!

 


 

Zany Zadar & Croatia's north

Crazy and beautiful, a place everyone should visit.

Read more...

 


 

Lovely Lisbon ~ and beyond. Sardines and secrets!

Find out much more here.... 

 


 

Two virtual visits to Ontario

here....

AND

.....here!

 


 

Where is Tbilisi? 

Once you discover its beauty and history, you will be making plans to visit as soon as you can.

Read more....

 


 

Madrid the marvelous - so much to see in Spain's capital.

See it all here....

 


 

If you missed reading about Thailand's organic produce....

Here is the new link....

 


 

Here's something fun to check out!

The world's most popular surnames ....

...by country

 


 

~ Northern Spain ~

mountains and miracles - and much more!

After this journey, many people will never see the world the same way again.

 

Find out why....

 


 

Visit Portugal's beautiful

hearl....

Gondolas, cathedrals, cakes and a palace thrown in for good measure.

See for yourself!

 


 

And how about these vineyards in Georgia?

See other gardens in strange locations here....

 


 

 

Make your own food and travel videos? YES YOU CAN!

Gordon Hammond gives some insider tips.....

 


 

Travelling to Sydney? The northern beaches are spectacular.

See what we mean...

 


 

Hungary has something for every traveller.

Especially those who love good food...