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. American or English-style bars and pubs are not as common, although they can be found in the major cities and currently gaining in popularity, especially in Northern Italy and in Rome.