Follow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing on budget-friendly travel, and I’ll rarely use a car. Along the way I’ll sample traditional foods, visit lesser-known ruins and cities, sample excellent wines, and visit local cooking schools, the entire …
Visiting the Historical Trulli of Alberobello, Italy Icons of the Puglia region of Italy, the conical huts are known as Trulli, poke out everywhere in the region, but nowhere are they as numerous as in the city of Alberobello. The village was declared a UNESCO Heritage site in 1996. Demonstrating an architectural sense from another …
Introduction to Italy The tenth-largest country in Europe; Italy reaches into the central Mediterranean and includes the islands Sardinia and Sicily. Before Italy became a nation-state in 1861, the country was divided into city-states. Those political divisions may no longer exist but they are still present culturally. One will find a long-standing rivalry between Florence …
When I first heard the phrase “fifth quarter meats,” I asked: What are fifth quarter meats, and how can you get five out of four? The answer to this latter question illuminates the history of Rome’s unique style of cooking. The first quarter of a butchered animal was given to the nobles, the second …
Oria is an ancient, hilltop town in the south of Italy. Located in the Puglia region, the town was thriving as long ago as 200 B.C., when it was named Hyria and was part of the Messapian civilization. Today, the city retains its beauty, if not its abundance of activity, and provides visitors with …
The Italian word “ossario” (ossuary) can be traced back to the Latin word osseus, which means boney, and this is, quite literally, exactly what Italy’s ossario are. A resting place for the dead, they have been called crypts, catacombs, and tombs, but none of these words quite get the point across. Ossario are usually …
Comacina, a quiet, pleasant island in Lake Como, holds one of Italy’s lesser-known treasures: Locanda dell’Isola Comacina. At this unique restaurant, I enjoyed one of the memorable meals of my life. The restaurant, open six days a week, and closed November 1-March 1, has no menu. Guests are served the same meal every time, unchanged …
Tipping in Europe – What You Need to Know Traveling to Europe should be an adventure, but trying to figure out the tipping rules for each country can be a headache. Here is our quick guide to the ins and outs of tipping in Europe. Tipping in Austria At restaurants in Austria you should round …
Best Time to Travel To Europe – According to our Europe Experts The best time to travel to Europe really depends on what you like to do and where you are going. Summers in Southern Europe are hot, which is why most Europeans head for the beaches, while they are a great time to explore Scandinavia, …
Agritourism is gaining in popularity as a way to learn more about the country you are visiting in a very personal way. Agritourism is a vacation taken on a farm, a vineyard or other rural venue. Typically vacationers will book a room, cottage, or villa on a farm or rural property. In many cases, vacationers …