- Amalfi Coast, Best Of Italy, Italy, Northern Italy, Puglia, Rome, Sicily, Travel, Travel Tips, Tuscany
Italian Words and Phrases for Travel – Bella!
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. Why You Should Learn a Few Italian Words and Phrases If you plan to travel to Italy you should learn at least a handful of Italian words and phrases. Although English is common in Italy’s larger cities like Florence, Rome, Venice, and the Amalfi coast, fewer people speak English in the smaller towns and less touristy regions. A little bit of Italian goes a long way to pleasing local Italians. You delight them when you attempt to speak their language and you will find they are friendly and patient as you give it your best…
- Amalfi Coast, Best Of Italy, Italy, Northern Italy, Puglia, Rome, Sicily, Travel, Travel Tips, Tuscany
Best Airlines for flights to Italy
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. Direct Flights to Italy from the United States There are numerous options for flights to Italy. The best airlines to book from the US are American, Delta, and United for direct flights to Rome from New York and Los Angeles. These airlines have code-share agreements with Air France, Alitalia, KLM and Lufthansa, so it makes sense to book on your favorite carrier to ensure you get your travel points. Always check the baggage policies for each airline you are flying on – not the airline you booked on – as the baggage policies are not…
Major Festivals in Italy
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. Italy’s Festivals you don’t want to miss! Be sure to attend major festivals in Italy. Timing your trip to coincide with an annual Italian Festival is an excellent way to add festive, enjoyable, colorful, lively fun to your trip, and learn more about the culture and ethnic traditions of Italy and its towns. In December, annual festivals in Italy are centered around the holidays, so you will find some beautiful and lively Christmas markets to attend in almost every town. February Carnevale – Venice Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival) is probably the most famous carnival…
- Amalfi Coast, Attractions, Best Of Italy, Bicycling, Food and Wine, Inspiration, Italy, Northern Italy, Puglia, Rome, Sicily, Travel, Travel Tips, Tuscany
Life in Italy compared to the USA
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. General Observations about Life in Italy Compared to the USA The American Dream is rapidly transforming to become the European Dream — and Italy leads the transformation. While America has long provided great consumer, housing, and private travel abundance, these things are inherently less fulfilling, more inwardly focused, and more individualized. Indeed, some refer to America’s way of live today as a form of “Privatopia,” where quality of life ends when one steps outside their home, gets out of their car, or the iPad breaks down. In Europe — and particularly in Italy — one…
Best Italian Wines We’ve Tasted
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. Choosing the Best Italian Wines Italy has some of the best Italian wines we’ve tasted. Italy does not export its finest wines so be sure to try some of the local wines when in Italy. Take note of the certification and wine quality when trying a local wine. We often drink the wines that come highly recommended or are truly unique to the region or restaurant. Most restaurants serve a delicious house wine, which is a basic table wine, at very affordable prices. Visit a local enoteca (an Italian wine bar) or schedule a tasting…
Best Italian Foods
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. Delicious Italian Foods and Dishes We Recommend Italy has some of the world’s best foods. Almost every nation has its own version of pizza and pasta. Gelato, pizza, pasta, and wine have their roots in Italy but there are many other interesting and delicious foods you should try. We prefer fresh, hearty, flavorful foods, so we have included some of the most interesting here as well – just so you know they are out there. For the less adventurous, we also have included some of the most common foods that are prepared with excellence. Gnocchi…
Best Piazzas
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. Why seek out the Best Piazzas in Italy? Make sure you visit some of the best piazzas in Italy. In our opinion, the best and most unforgettable fun you can have in Europe – besides riding a bicycle in the historic Old Town! – is to visit the best piazzas and squares in Italy. There, you will find performances, protests, small-vendor markets, and great places to walk, bicycle, or just hang out and relax. Here are some of the Best Piazzas in Italy Florence Piazza della Signoria Piazza della Signoria is the most important square…
Best Outdoor Markets
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. The Best Outdoor Food Markets in Italy We have found that a great way to experience authenticity, “live like a local,” have a lot of fun, taste and buy a lot of delicious fresh food, hear a lot of Italians singing and shouting, and have a lot of friendly interactions with local residents is to visit an outdoor food market. Fortunately, there are countless fantastic outdoor markets throughout Italy. Food markets are an important part of life in Italian cities. Unlike Americans, who shop relatively infrequently for food, many Italians enjoy the convivial ritual of…
Best Cities and Towns In Italy
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. Best Italian Towns and Cities to Visit Because there are so very many splendid towns and cities to visit in Italy, it is important to prioritize seeing them. Otherwise, we are in danger of missing some of the best there is. Here is our criteria for rating which towns and cities are the best in Italy. Building and Street Character The town or city has an ensemble of buildings (not just one building!) that clearly exhibit charm, romance, human scale, lovability, authenticity, and quaint-ness. A town or city best does this when it contains and…
Best Gelato Shops In Italy
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer. Italy has the best gelato in the world. Gelato was invented in Italy by a Florentine named Bernardo Buontalenti in the 16th century. He served it at a banquet held by the powerful Medici family. Gelato uses fresh, local ingredients, is highly flavorful, and has an exceptionally smooth, silky texture. What are the Differences Between Gelato and Ice Cream? Gelato is not simply Italian for ice cream. While both are made with milk, cream, and sugar, gelato contains no egg yolks and has a much higher proportion of milk to cream than ice cream. Less…