Travel Tips

Just how well do you crave for the taste of Italian pasta? Is it your favorite? How about the pizza? What exact taste are you looking for? Have you ever tried the luscious pasta and pizza of Italy? For sure you have tasted some Italian cuisines in your own place but there is nothing comparable to the taste and quality of Italy’s pizza and pasta.

With a European cooking vacation in Italy, you can totally savor the native delicacies which are nonetheless made out of the authentic ingredients which are truly fresh from Italy itself. Your European tour to Italy will be more satiating if only you can grab the chance of tasting the authentic quality of the branded Italian cuisines.

At all points, the Italian food is often renowned for its trademark of variety, freshness, and the diversity of its entire ingredients. Italian cuisine is more so a representation of the place’s regional characteristic so you can never go wrong with your decision of visiting this place. It is oftentimes unique for one to come across an Italian cuisine which drops out either the pasta or pizza in its menu list. More so, the Italian people have their own tricks when it comes to mixing their ingredients.

North Italy versus South Italy

Well, you need to stop imagining that those spaghetti and pizza drowning in rich tomato sauce are truly Italian cuisines because they are not. These dishes actually have their roots from Naples. In fact, the preparation of the dishes in the northern and southern part of Italy varies. Northern Italian dishes are nonetheless featured with creamier sauce, butter, olive oil, and herbs.

On the other hand, the southern Italian delicacies are more inclined to being hot and spicy. The northerners make use of the corn meal and polenta in their pasta sauce while the southerners are more comfortable with the pasta as one typical food for them.

A Must-Experience

As you venture for a travel to Italy, it is a must that you taste the delicious cooking preparations of the pesto sauce and the anchovies which are the specialties of Liguria, the tasty wine from Tuscany, the waffles and wine of Piemonte, the ham and salami and other pork menus and the Parmesan cheese of Emilia-Romagna, the pizza and pasta vongole in Naples, and of course, the cassata and cannoli as the prides of Sicily.

All of these can only be tasted fresh from the roots only in Italy itself! Whereas, if you die to taste other non-Italian recipes, surely you can grab a bite from the other restaurants flagging the city. Ethnic foods and hamburgers are common too.

Pigging out is never a problem as you try out a European cooking vacation. There are several types of food for you to enjoy as you tour around the Italian cities. When your destination is none other than Italy, you can be certain that your choices are never limited. The best of the Italian cuisines may only be found in the cities of Italy.

Likewise, if during your vacation you take interest in learning the cooking style of the Italians, you may also enroll in the cooking classes where the expert chefs will equip you with the necessary skills in producing the well-loved luscious taste of Italian dishes.

If you go on a vacation in Italy it is almost necessary that you visit Venice. Everyone who has ever been to Italy has an almost classic picture of them in a “vaporetti” or a “gondola” with a canal for a backdrop. This famous Italian city found in the north is also sometimes known as the city of water, the city of bridges and the city of lights. Vaporetti are motorized buses used by Venetians for transportation around the city’s canals while the gondola is a Venetian boat that is now used mostly by tourists and sometimes for weddings or funerals. The city is made up of several small islands, 118 to be exact hence the need for water transportation and the many bridges.

There are 150 canals and 400 bridges. There are also several art galleries and all together these make for an exciting experience when you are on an Italy vacation.

You can get a Venice card which allows you free access for seven days into the museums and casinos. You will also get free waterbus or vaporetti services plus a free boat trip from the airport with this card. The airport in Venice is on the main land and is newly renovated. You can go to the train station from here to get to other parts of Venice. If you are driving on your Italy vacation you can also get to Venice by car but you will need to take a Ferry boat. The least expensive garage in Venice is the Tronchetta garage so you can park there and take a public boat or hire a private water taxi which can be expensive. You will be able to get one way vaporetti tickets, all day passes or if you are spending more time here for your Italy vacation you could also get a 72 hour pass.

If you are in Venice you must tour the city by a gondola. There are several tours available. For something really different during your Italy vacation in Venice and if you are really in the mood for it, perhaps you can even take what is called a serenade tour. The tour is accompanied by a singer (usually a baritone) and a guitarist or someone playing the accordion. Several of these tours leave from piers near hotels in Venice. Your trip will probably be a little under an hour and you may see landmarks such as the Church of Santa Maria Formosa and the Bridge of Sighs.

This bridge received it name because it is said that prisoners would get their last view of the City of Venice from here when on their way to confinement. If you are in Venice for your Italy vacation with a significant other make sure you take a gondola trip that will be going under this bridge under sunset. Legend says that lovers will be assured eternal love if they kiss under this bridge at sunset.

Venice is usually crowded with tourists in the summer months so if you can, visit during the off season. Or you can simply opt for a private gondola tour which may be more expensive but will be away from all the crowds.

Health and Safety Tips for Traveling Abroad for your Italy vacation

When traveling abroad for your Italian vacation there are some tips that you should be aware of. First of all you must familiarize yourself with all the locations you will be visiting. Read as much as possible about the cities and towns you plan on visiting. If you are taking a vacation off the beaten path in Italy it is best to try to limit yourself to places that friends or families have recommended especially if this is your first time out of the country.

The US Department of State strongly suggests that you register your travel before you leave. This applies to your vacation to Italy. Registering your travel will allow you to be contacted by family members and friends in case of an emergency. This is also especially important in case of a crisis in the country that you may be visiting. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services maintains a database of registered Americans out of the country so that you can be contacted if necessary. It is also strongly recommended that you leave a copy of your travel itinerary and copy of your passport photo page with a relative in the US before you leave for your vacation in Italy.

Many countries have regulations as to what can be brought in or taken out of the country with regards to food, pets, medications and other items. You will need to check the website of the Italian embassy for an updated list before you leave for your vacation to Italy. You may visit their website at www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it

Many people planning a vacation to Italy may be concerned about what they can do if they get sick. Remember your US health insurance will be useless abroad and if you decide to have yourself evacuated back here for medical treatment it could cost you about $50,000. It is good to know that there are several insurance companies that provide insurance for short term travel abroad. This will probably suffice for your Italy vacation and will provide you with the peace of mind you need to enjoy your travel. Such policies are usually offered through travel agents so that may be a good place to start if you are interested in this type of coverage. At the very least you should be able to get information on what to do at the US embassy in Italy if you need to during a health emergency. They keep updated lists of doctors and hospitals in Italy. If you have a pre-existing condition be sure to carry a letter from your doctor describing your condition and history as well as any advice he may be able to provide Italian doctors if you should find yourself in such a situation. Your doctor’s letter should also include a description of any medications you are on as well as the generic names of your medications.

Many people going on a visit to Italy will be glad to know that there are no specific vaccinations required for your Italy vacation but be sure to check on the embassy’s website in case anything has changed before you leave.