Restaurant
We do recommend that you too: Avoid ultra-touristy restaurants who will offer any dishes like grilled steak or pork chop with tomato sauce. You would spend next to one of the pleasures of Italian life .
looking in the little shops nearby streets less crowded. From the cheapest to most expensive, you may eat in a pizzeria, trattoria or ristorante.
looking in the little shops nearby streets less crowded. From the cheapest to most expensive, you may eat in a pizzeria, trattoria or ristorante.
Usually the meal begins with antipasti . These appetizers consist of cold meats, raw vegetables that have bathed in olive oil or vinegar, the bruschetta (grilled bread slice seasoned with garlic and olive oil, often decorated with a topping of tomato or pepper).
Then comes the first dish or pot Primo is considered an entry! It offers a choice of dishes from pasta :bucatini alla matriciana (thick spaghetti with bacon and spicy tomato sauce), penne dall'arrabbiata(tomatoes, parsley and pepper), gnocchi alla romana (dish made of semolina and potato), spaghettialla puttanesca (with tuna, olives and capers) or even alle vongole (with clams). Alternatively, you can opt for a traditional soup of beans, chickpeas or lentils.
The Secondo pot is the main course. Fish lovers can enjoy dishes of swordfish ( pesce spada e patatin), cod ( Baccalà dorato ) or dogfish ( Palombo alla romana ). Side meat, you can taste thesaltimbocca alla romana (fried veal, stuffed with prosciutto and sage, marsala wine), the abbachio went scottaditto (grilled lamb chops) not to mention the recipes offal: coda went vaccinaria (oxtail stew), tripe alla romana , di vitello pagliata (veal with tomato and cream).
Accompany your meal with a delicious Chianti or Olevano Cesanese . Among the white wines on the cards include the Frascati Colli, the Marino, the Velletri, the Monteporzio or Marino.
As Dolci dessert or you can crack the tiramisu that needs no introduction, the cassata (sponge cake with rum and creme de cacao), the panna cotta (a custard cream) or maritozzi (pastries to cream). If you run a small place, choose a di frutta macedonia (fruit salad) or sorbet . Finally, the house said the cake torta della casa .
The meal ended well with a course espresso . The digestive Limoncello is a lemon liqueur. Other major liqueurs are Strega, Galliano, Amaretto and Sambuca.
This menu extension is monitored for special occasions . You can settle for antipasto and a Primo pot or a Primo and Secondo a pot. Many Italians eat lunch on the run or a panino (hot or cold sandwich) or a pizza al taglio (one part pizza by the slice) or a tramezzino (sandwich bread).
Beyond pasta and pizza every region of Italy has its own cuisine. If the South is characterized by Mediterranean cuisine, the north is more influenced by the mountains ...
Thus, it is in the Piedmont that you can taste the bagna cauda , a dish made with anchovies, garlic and olive oil, or the fritto misto alla Piemontese , a fried dish mixed and fine wines, such as Barolo , theGrignolino the moscato ...
In Lombardy you will enjoy with polenta , mashed traditional corn, and with the panettone , brioche with raisins and candied citron cake.
In Veneto, let yourself be tempted by a risotto al radicchio (chicory) or al nero di sepia (cuttlefish ink) followed by a Pandoro , a fragrant bun orange blossom; specialty of Verona.
Do not forget to try the canederli (bread dumplings and flour broth drained) Upper Adigue and pestoof Liguria. You can enjoy very famous in Emilia-Romagna wines, like lambrusco , the Sangiovese , theAlbanian ... In Tuscany you will find the all'uccelletto fagioli (beans in tomato sauce), the pecorino(sheep cheese) and for dessert the panforte ; a compact cake made with candy, almonds, honey and candied fruit.
In Rome you can taste the saltimbocca (veal cutlet with sage and ham), the carciofi went Giudia(artichokes cooked in oil with garlic and parsley) ...
Other specialty; black truffles in Umbria, the calzoni (stuffed sock) and Neapolitan pastiera (ricotta and candied fruit) of Campania, the orecchiette con cime di rapa the (pasta shaped earrings and shoots turnips), the stuffed squid ( seppie ripiene), the granita (crushed ice and fruit syrup) ...
Shopping
Fashion
As recalled Coco Chanel , "If a woman is badly dressed, you notice her dress, but if she is impeccably dressed, she is one notices. " Cradle of fashion houses Armani, Gucci, Prada , Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Versace, Italy will satisfy the hardcore mode.
The design
As recalled Coco Chanel , "If a woman is badly dressed, you notice her dress, but if she is impeccably dressed, she is one notices. " Cradle of fashion houses Armani, Gucci, Prada , Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Versace, Italy will satisfy the hardcore mode.
Milan is of course "the place to be" . Its golden quadrilateral around Via Montenapoleone is known worldwide. You'll find shops of the biggest names in fashion who will offer clothes and accessories, leather, furs, shoes ...
Rome with its famous Via Condotti is the second flagship of Italian fashion. Florence is itself known for its antique shops, jewelers, her lace and ceramics.
More accessible, the department store chains . In Italy they are called La Rinascente, Coin, Upim and Standa. And to shop without breaking the bank, take a ride on the markets, you will be able to do good business as the market Porta Portese Rome.
Most stores are open from 9:00 to 13h and from 15:30 to 19:30 or 20h. Shops close earlier in northern cities like Milan and Turin , but open earlier in early afternoon. The period of the winter sales is generally from mid-January to mid-March.
The purchases of choice ? Clothes, shoes, lingerie and jewelry. Know that Italian clothes carve larger than the French clothing; Italian 42 corresponds to a 38 French. But for shoes, count a size smaller if you put on the 39, take the 38.
In markets, the haggling is customary. Ask the seller the price of the product that interests you, and offer to the equivalent of two thirds. If he accepts, it would be bad if you do not buy it.
After your shopping spree, you can show off at the hour of evening walk; the passeggiata . As you will see, this old custom is still valid. At 18h, Italian, after carefully dressed, go out walking in the streets of major cities.
The design
Italian design is recognized worldwide . Whether cars or furniture, the creations of Italian designers marked the spirits. Italian design is characterized by a strong emotional charge contributed to the functional object. It focuses not only on luxuries but is interested in furniture and utensils daily lamps, tables, kitchen accessories ...
The great name of Italian design is the Alessi family . Giovanni Alessi began to create and decorate small household items: plates, coffee pots, cutlery ... Gradually, he developed his business and began to make themselves known in Europe. With the release of industrial production, the company Alessi won a strong reputation. From generation to generation, it is surrounded by talented designers, forever to change the style while maintaining the same spirit.
Among the most famous pieces, the corkscrew "Anna" designed by Alessandro Mendini, the coffee "Cupola" by Aldo Rossi, the kettle revisited by Michael Graves and lemon squeezer "Juicy Salif," by Philippe Stark.
What to report?
Clothing and fashion accessories .
As everyone knows, Italy is one of the world's fashion places. You can succumb to the temptation to offer a branded item Armani, Gucci, Prada or Versace. However, beware of counterfeit products that you find in some markets.
As everyone knows, Italy is one of the world's fashion places. You can succumb to the temptation to offer a branded item Armani, Gucci, Prada or Versace. However, beware of counterfeit products that you find in some markets.
Apart from high fashion and luxury brands, you will find good quality products, including the leatherand footwear (think removing a size that you usually take in France). You can also bring back traditional artistic handicrafts, such as bobbin lace , the silk quality , the Tyrolean-style clothing , an umbrella Carpineto Romano , a woven basket of Castelsardo , a Sardinian alliance silver ...
Designer accessories .
Italian design has won acclaim. Many designs have become benchmarks in the field. The design is particularly present in the arts of the table. The cult object par excellence is the Moka coffee invented by Alfonso Bialetti.
Gourmet products .
Among the Italian delicacies, you have a wide choice: olive oil scented balsamic vinegar, wine, coffee, Parma ham or San Daniele, cheeses (Parmesan, Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Ricotta ...) ... Finally the pasta is a typical gift, easy to carry ... and cheap!
Crafts
If you want to bring products from crafts, here are some ideas: Castelfidardo accordion, violin from Cremona, fabrics, carpets, linens Valgrisenche, majolica (Italian earthenware) of wood, wrought iron, bronze, porcelain, ceramic, marble from Carrara ...
In the museum , you can treat yourself to a reproduction of a painting that you particularly like ... unable to acquire the original! And of course, the thumbnails of visited monuments and "religious" memories also find takers!
Go out
Italians have long understood the secrets of the art of living. Their Dolce Vita, known worldwide, is primarily a social life. The day is well punctuated outings and opportunities to meet. These moments often accompany some gustatory pleasures.
The morning , start with an espresso at the local bar. Even in the most mundane of institutions they serve the coffee far from the French espresso! If you prefer with a dash of milk, ask for a macchiato .
Beware though, because the Italian coffee is more difficult than the French cafe. If you want a coffee approaching the French cafe, ask for a caffe lungo ma non americano .
By late afternoon, from 18h , it's time to look. As you will see, the passeggiata (stroll) is an ancient custom still valid, in large cities and in villages. The Italian, after carefully dressed, walk out in the streets and stop to chat on the square downtown.
As do many Italians out after dinner enjoy an ice cream . Guests can either take on the terrace of a cafe or in a glacier or gelateria offering a wide variety of scents as appetizing as each other.
The evening , go with some friends in a wine bar . You will enjoy your time to taste the wines of the region you will find: Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Bardolino, Frascati ...
In Rome , the Enoteca Costantini (Piazza Cavour, 16) is one of the Roman temples of wine and spirits.
Sports
By the variety of its terrain, Italy meet both the needs of mountain lovers as those of water sports enthusiasts .
- Cycling
The Tuscany is the region of choice for fans of two wheels . Discover the charms of this province by bicycle is quite possible but mountainous areas will be reserved for experienced cyclists. Moreover, it is possible to go mountain biking in the parks as in the Gran Sasso (Abruzzo).
- Hiking , climbing and mountaineering
Casual walker or hiker led, everyone can find the Shoe Fits in Italy! The northern Alps (especiallyDolomites ) and the Apennine Mountains (central Italy) will allow you to perform these activities.Among the most beautiful places of excursions include the Gran Paradiso National Park , theNational Park of Abruzzo , the mountain of Sila in Calabria and the Gargano promontory south of the peninsula.
- Alpine skiing
The main ski slopes are located in the Alps: Cortina d'Ampezzo (most chic), Madonna di Campiglio , Selva Ronda and Alba di Canazei. Courmayeur, Cervinia and La Thuile stations in the Valle d'Aosta have the advantage of being easily accessible from France through the Mont Blanc tunnel. It is also possible to ski in Abruzzo and even on Mount Etna in Sicily . Finally you can ski all year on Mount Blanc and the Matterhorn.
- Water Sports
The 8,500 km coastline of Italy and the shores of the islands are extensive grounds to practice at willboat , windsurfing , water skiing , surfing or scuba diving . In most resorts, you can rent the necessary equipment. Sailing is very popular on the lakes of northern Italy (Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo and Garda).
The Sicily is one of the best spots for diving . As for lovers of beautiful beaches and turquoise waters,the Amalfi coast (west coast of Italy), the Sicily and Sardinia with their small quiet coves are the destinations of choice.
- Other sports in which you can indulge in are the riding the golf and fishing .
The equestrian tourism has been developing for several years in Tuscany . If you come to this area in the summer, do not miss the famous Palio of Siena , the horse race that plunges the city in a daze.
Italy has a very good golf course in Lombardy and Trentino, in Tuscany and Lazio.
The rivers' of Umbria and Tuscany as the Sardinian and Sicilian waters (known for their lobster) will delight anglers .
General
In Italy, the most popular sport is football . Do not fun to criticize the national soccer team, the Italians are very susceptible and chauvinistic about it!
Water Sports / Diving
The island Ustica
Italy has of course many dive sites that will satisfy many fans. But Ustica Island, a small volcanic island, is one of those paradise not to be missed, off Palermo .
Italy has of course many dive sites that will satisfy many fans. But Ustica Island, a small volcanic island, is one of those paradise not to be missed, off Palermo .
