Ligurian cuisine is based on the simple flavors of fresh vegetables, olive oil and pine nuts. Here are some of our favorite restaurants on the Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre

A vacation rental in Lucca provides and idea base for exploring much of Tuscany. Here are 12 unforgettable day trips for your inspiration.

You’ll find just about every region in Italy represented in Rome. Traditional Roman cooking features specialties like saltimboca, stracciatella (soup with eggs, parmesan cheese, and parsley), and fried artichokes (carciofi). Roman pasta dishes include alla carbonara (with eggs and bacon) and amatriciana.

The wines of this region are delicious and world-renowned; no doubt you will want to keep a few bottles on hand during your stay. The vineyards and wineries of the Chianti region are for the most part small operations.

Lazio regional cuisine is flavorful and rich in meats and vegetables and unlike other regions in Italy, Lazio’s cuisine has a hint of Jewish influence. Here are some of our favorite restaurants in the region.

A vacation rental in Lucca provides and idea base for exploring much of Tuscany. Here are 12 unforgettable day trips for your inspiration.

Like any area of Italy, Florence has its regional specialties. The city’s most famous contribution to the Italian kitchen is its popular specialty, bistecca alle Fiorentina, a thick grilled steak.

A comprehensive list of resources for planning your trip to Italy.

Venetian cuisine is based on seafood, often served with risotto as a first course. Polenta, made of corn meal, is also popular. Tiramisu (mascarpone cheese, coffee, chocolate, and lady fingers) has been imported from the mainland and has become Venice’s most popular dessert

Here are some of our favorite restaurants in the Italian Lakes, including Lake Como and Lake Maggiore.  

Some of our favorite books on Italy and travel. These picks will hold you over until your trip.

Visiting the Amalfi Coast? Here are our 12 best day trips in and around the Amalfi Coast.

Villa Bramasole from Under the Tuscan Sun (now known as Villa Laura) featured in Soft Surroundings.

This restaurant guide concentrates on two popular Florence neighborhoods, the central area near Il Duomo, and the charming neighborhood on the other side of the Arno, near the Giardino di Boboli and Palazzo Pitti. Florence’s immediate surrounding area is also covered, and there is a special section on Florentine nightlife.

A vacation rental in Lucca provides and idea base for exploring much of Tuscany. Here are 12 unforgettable day trips for your inspiration.