#italy-travel

#italy-travel

"Growing up, the business was always part of our daily life. It wasn't just work-it was a family tradition passed down through generations."

Rome is famed for its rich history, iconic ancient landmarks, and delicious cuisine. When you're not working from an internet cafe or coworking space, you'll find yourself stepping back in time at the Colosseum or tucking into local cuisine.

Syracuse began as an ancient Greek settlement nearly 3,000 years ago, and its beauty has beckoned both travelers and empires for centuries. Even the Roman orator, Cicero, referred to it as 'the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of all.'

The combination of warmer weather and the impending release of my new book has got me fully focused on sunshine food and Mediterranean flavours, leaning heavily on recipes from Claudia Roden.

La Maddalena, Sardinia, is home to the first national park of Sardinia, featuring mostly undeveloped beaches and a vibrant main town with restaurants and shops.

Puglia is known for its white-washed, time-stamped villages, dotted with generations-old trattorias and bougainvillaea-lined cobblestone streets, as well as its beautiful beaches.

Sperlonga, Italy, is home to fewer than 4,000 full-time residents, making it a prime place to go for some peace and solitude. Its shoreline is also a Blue Flag certified beach, meaning its water quality, sustainability, and environmental management practices are among the best in the world.

The pants that I get complimented on the most here are my La Ligne Colby pants. Whether with sneakers or with a boot, these pants offer an elevated, well-tailored but relaxed fit that always draws attention. Feel free to skip the black leggings and sweats and pack a comfy, wide-leg pant that you can dress up or down.

On my last trip, in Bologna, I found yet another way to enjoy Italian coffee (beyond ordering a doppio). One memorable café topped its coffees with fruit powder-infused whipped cream. They were listed under a section on the menu appropriately named "caffe della gioia" (yes, "joy coffee"). These joyful mugs are topped with a generous mountain of whipped cream that can be folded with fruit- or nut powders, like pomegranate, pistachio, orange, wild berries, and aniseed.

"Piano piano" is an old Italian saying that sounds nonsensical, but is actually full of wisdom, especially if you, like me, are finding yourself wishing away these frigid winter days and hoping spring and summer gets here fast. These days, I've found myself rushing from one thing to the next, frustrated at the smallest things, from post office lines to just missing my train. And I'm ready to make a change.

Historically speaking, an osteria was a spartan, no-frills establishment where people would go to have a drink. The original osterias date all the way back to the Roman Empire. If you go to Ostia Antica or Pompeii, you find the osterias of the era. They were like bed-and-breakfasts, with rooms for rent above the dining room where people could listen to music.

Italian food products and cuisine have infiltrated just about every corner of the globe, but nothing compares to trying classic Italian dishes at their source-and there's so much more than pizza, pasta, and gelato. Don't expect to find the same dishes on menus all over the country. From carbonara in Rome to the best street food in Palermo, each Italian region has its own recipes.

On the final turn, Atrani appeared through a rock tunnel, its bridge illuminated against the purple night, houses cascading toward the Tyrrhenian Sea. Beneath the bridge, a narrow opening led to 80 whitewashed steps and winding passages to the lobby of our hotel, where the receptionist was waiting with a clunky key.

Our ride was down Venice's Grand Canal, the most famous one in the city, and I knew that was a mistake almost right away. Pulling away from the dock alongside several other boats reminded me of rush hour. Our gondola was sandwiched between two other boats, and I was worried about getting bumped the entire time.

During my recent 17-day trip there, I realized Ischia has everything its more popular neighbor offers - great shopping, a castle, beaches, a botanical garden - but with fewer tourists. Here's why it belongs on your Italy itinerary.

It's hard to name the best cities in Europe-there are so many great bustling hubs (not to mention charming small towns) spread across a relatively small continent, making it more a question of what you're looking for. Sure, some travelers just beeline to the best-known landmarks, eager for the chance to cross Rome's Colosseum or Paris's Eiffel Tower off their list. But we're in favor of taking a step back and asking yourself what you're most interested in.

Throughout my life, I've visited a total of 18 European countries. That number climbed quickly when I moved from Chicago to London for college and spent four years living in my favorite city, thrilled by my newfound proximity to so many bucket-list destinations.