Cuisine
One of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling is the delightful
variety of local cuisine. Most of the staples of the Italian diet have
already become favorites in America, but on your tour, be sure to try
those less familiar pasta sauces and the vast range of cured hams,
cheeses, rustic breads and desserts.
In Italy, the cuisine is
often slightly varied by region, and many cities and towns have their
own specialities. Venice and Northern Italy are known for their meats
and pastries, Tuscany for its wine, oil and sauces, Rome and Southern
Italy for its pizzas. For more authentic meals, try local trattorias,
small, family-owned restaurants that tend to be set away from the main
piazzas and squares.
Italians tend to indulge in long meals
featuring wines and the occasional beer, followed by the requisite
after-dinner drinks grappa or limoncello.
