What are the most popular Italian desserts? A tasty trip through Italian culinary traditions to discover 5 delicious desserts produced in the peninsula
As you maybe know (and as I recalled a few times in my previous articles) Italy has many differences from region to region. These differences deal with language (or dialects!), traditions, way of living and of thinking, and of course, food. Let’s focus on the part of the meal which I personally prefer (ok, it depends on the meal: I would change with pleasure my dessert with a good risotto alla pescatora, I admit it!). Anyway, I love desserts! Every Italian region has its typical recipes, but there are many desserts which are became national (and/or international) that you can find everywhere. Here’s my top five, which includes both of the mentioned kinds of desserts. Which one do you prefer?
Tiramisù is maybe the most popular dessert among Italian specialties; it deserves the first position in my Top-5-italian desserts-list! Tiramisù’s original recipe comes from the northern region of Veneto. (Additionally, it is my favourite one!)
Italian Panna Cotta is a delicious dessert coming from Piemonte region, but youcan find it almost everywhere It is usually served with wild fruit coulis, chocolate or caramel sauce.
4)Babà
The Babà is typical of Campania, and especially of Naples, although it has Poland origins. The Neapolitan babà is known all over Italy, but you can find the original one just in Campania.
5)Tartufo di Pizzo
The last Italian dessert in my top-5-Italian-desserts-list is typical from Calabria region and has ancient origins. It is my second favourite on this list. Never tasted? Just try, and then tell me!
What’s your favourite Italian dessert? Share with opinion with us and subscribe to our RSS!!!
Top selection of places in Italy to see at least once in life
I have a long, endless list of places to see before I die. I thing everyone has its personal list of places which have captured their interest. If Italy is in your top list of places to see before you die, I would like to suggest you some nice places to visit in my home country. Here’s the top ten of not-to-be-missed places in Italy …. Enjoy!
1. Walking through the historical centre of Florence, Tuscany
Florence is the first one on my places-to-see-before-you-die list and it’s not by chance. Have a stroll in the historical centre trough the most important monuments of the city, treading the same streets once travelled by Leonardo, Donatello, Giotto, Botticelli…really unforgettable moments.
Designed by the popular architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peters’ Square lies in front of the Basilica, the biggest existing Christian church. Rome is the city which holds the main concentration of historical and architectonical heritage of the world. How can you miss visiting the Eternal City? (Especially if you’ve just read Angels and Demons…)
3. Valley of the Temples, Agrigento, Sicily
Whith its 1300 hectares it is the biggest archaeological site in the world and was named World Heritage by Unesco in 1997. The Valley is composed by seven temples as well as sanctuaries, necropolis, fortifications…It is suggested the visit at sunset, both to enjoy the romantic atmosphere and to avoid the sultry weather, really strong there during hot summer days!
4. Boat trip to Cala Luna, Sardinia
Cala Luna is maybe the most fascinating cove of the island. It is reachable by boat from Cala Gonone (where you can also visit the beautiful Caves) or by land through a coastal path. The clearness of its waters is simply amazing. Cala Luna needs to be present in my places-to see-before-you-die list!
5. The Trulli of Alberobello, Puglia Credits: Flickr
The ancient white buildings are typical of south-centre of Puglia and the Trulli of Alberobello are the most popular. Just spend one night in a Trullo and experience the genuine Apulian atmosphere!
6. Aosta Valley Castles, Valle d’Aosta
Besides the amazing landscapes (the smallest Italian region is surrounded by the highest European mountains), Aosta Valley is popular for its medieval castles. Issogne, Fénis, Verrès…you’ll be spoiled for choice!
The medieval city of Siena is a popular tourist destination in Tuscany. If you decide to visit it during the Palio, one of the most ancient horse races in the world, you’ll kill two birds with a stone!
8. The Sea Stacks of Capri, Campania Credits: Capri Hotel
Capri is located in the Gulf of Naples (to be visited as well!) and it’s a well-known holiday destination. The three Sea Stacks that characterize the island rise from the deep blue sea and create a wonderful visual effect.
9. Cinque terre (The five lands), Liguria Credits: Flickr
Inserted on World Heritage List by UNESCO, the five lands are located in the northern Italian region of Liguria. They are represented by a rugged stretch of coast of the Italian Riviera and include five villages (anciently called five lands). Due to its long isolation, the five lands have kept their authentic and ancient traditions.
City of love, city of canals and city of bridges, Venice is the dream of lovers looking for romantic moments as well as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I think it’s the perfect place to end my places-to-see-before-you-die list. Don’t you agree?
What are in your opinion the most beautiful spots in Italy? Do you have a personal places-to-see-before-you-die list you would like to share whit us? Feel free to comment!
Mid August, called Ferragosto from Italians, is not as important as Christmas or Easter – of course! But it is anyway an important celebration with ancient origins.
In the ancient days, Italians celebrated the end of the hard work in the fields in the middle of the summer, mid August. The Roman Catholic Church adopted this celebration to represent the Assumption of Virgin Mary, but always keeping the old name (Feriae Augusti = Holidays of the Emperor Augustus, which established the celebration in 18 B.C.).
Due to its double importance (both civil and religious) many different celebrations are organized throughout Italy in this hot days of Mid August. If you’re planning to visit Italy in August, you’ll probably find yourself in the middle of a party, a concert or a procession.
Here are some of the celebrations organized during Mid August in Italy:
Procession in Santa Maria di Leuca and Notte della Taranta, Puglia
If you’ve chosen an accommodation in Salento, Puglia for your summer holidays you’ll probably be interested in taking part to the Ferragosto organized in Santa Maria Leuca. It begins early in the morning with several celebrations and it finishes with the famous procession at sea. During it, hundreds of boats go with the statue of Virgin Mary, accompanied by the local band.
If you are in the region of Salento you can also take part to the Notte della Taranta Festival (13th-18th August), an important musical festival dedicated to the restoration and enhancement of the “Pizzica” (a typical dance of Salento).
Palio di Siena, Tuscany
If you’re spending your holidays in Tuscany, what better time to go see the Palio in Siena? Just read my previous article about The Palio!
Candelieri and Rocce Rosse Blues Festival, Sardinia
I Candelieri is the biggest celebration in Sassari, the second main Sardinian city. It is a really suggesting festival as the whole inhabitants are involved and everybody takes part on it. For music lovers, I suggest the Rocce Rosse & Blues Festival, organized in the beautiful region of Ogliastra. It has started on 23rd July and the shows will go on until 28th August.
Cavalcata del Gigante (The cavalcade of the giant), Sicily
The Cavalcata is an important Festival organized in Messina, where two statues of papier-mâché representing a giant and a giantess on horseback go through the city, accompanied by the local bands and by many typical Sicilian carts.
Are you going to be in Italy and you wish to know what’s on? Just ask me! And do not forget to subscribe to our RSS to keep you informed about Italian events and traditions both in the mainland and in the islands!!!
I don’t know if it’s the same to you, but I find that old maps have a kind of charm I can’t explain. It’s just as if they tell a story which absolutely deserve to be listened. Ancient maps, I feel, give off a reverential power that you cannot pass over.
Furthermore, if you’re a bit curious like me, how could you avoid having a look at an old map if you have it within reach? Well, to satisfy our curiosity, I’ve looked for maps of ancient Italy which I am pleased to share with you. Enjoy!!!
Ancient map of Italy – Old map dating back to 1720 Credits: Anticoantico
Ancient Map of Pompeii – Old map of Pompeii before the eruption of Vesuvio Credits: Inform.umd.edu
The best islands to visit during your holidays in Italy
A few weeks ago I wrote about Volcanic Islands in Italy. It’s time to plan our holidays and this week I would like to present you a small selection of nice Islands which deserve to be visited. I’ve not inserted La Maddalena Island in my list as I’ve profusely written about it in the previous posts…I know I’m a little biased, but what can I do?!
Location:Campania, Campania Archipelago Surface: 10,36 Km2 Inhabitants: About 7,000 Description: Located in the Gulf of Napoli, Capri had been the place that inspired several artists, writers and intellectuals. It is often described as a “magic island”, reach in history and legends. The jagged coast is often fringed with sheer sea cliffs while the lowest part is in the centre of the island.
Location:Tuscany, Tuscan Archipelago Surface: 225 Km2 Inhabitants: About 31,600 Description: It is the third biggest Italian Island after Sicily and Sardinia. Elba Island represents the remaining stretch of land that one time linked Corsica with the peninsula. It is an appreciated touristic resort thanks to its transparent waters and its sandy beaches as well as the naturalistic and archaeological treasures of the inland parts of the island.
Location:Sardinia, Sulcis Archipelago Surface: 51 Km2 Inhabitants: About 4,400 Description: San Pietro Island is about 7 Km from the south-western coast of Sardinia. Its main centre is Carloforte, whose inhabitants speak a different language coming from the Ligurian. The coast is mainly rocky apart from the one in front of Carloforte, which on the contrary is flat and sandy.
Location:Apulia, Adriatic Archipelago Surface: 3,13 Km2 Inhabitants: About 500 Description: Tremiti is a small archipelago in the Adriatic Sea but is one of the main touristic centres of the region. It has wild nature and blue sea and is protected from 1982, when it has become marine nature reserve.
Location: Sicily, Trapani Surface: 83 Km2 Inhabitants: About 7,600 Description: Pantelleria is closer to Tunisia then to Italian coast. It is appreciated for the clearness of its waters and for the variety of its landscapes. The coast is reach in small coves and in several kinds of fish that can be easily admired.
Which island you would like to visit in your next holiday? Share your opinion with us!!!
Summer is approaching!!! A selection of the best wild dream beaches in Sardinia
It is time to think about the best place to spend our summer holidays. After having written about the 5 best beaches in Sardinia, this week I would like to give you a special tip. Apart from the most popular, there is a large variety of hidden coves and wild beaches which are less known and frequented by tourists.
Why wild beaches are less frequented?
It is just because they don’t offer as many services as you can find in an equipped beach. Or maybe because the route to reach them is too winding or not smooth enough.
A winding route discourages, above all if you don’t have enough time at your disposal, if you usually get car-sick or if you have young children. But if you finally take courage with both hands, you stock up on sickness tablets you will not be disappointed. In just few minutes you will have forgotten the trouble of the journey.
Ok, maybe I am going a little over the top…the journey is not so dramatic!!!
Let’s start our virtual tour througout Sardinia. Here below my list of the best wild Sardinian beaches.
1. Piscinas
Piscinas beach is popular for its dunes. They are among the biggest in Europe and have been declared World Heritage from Unesco. The sandy beach is about 7 Km long, the landscape you can see from the dunes is absolutely breathtaking.
2. Buggerru
Buggerru is a small town in Iglesias area, in the western coast of Sardinia. The coast, once known for its mines, offers both white sandy beaches and abrupt cliffs. This area is very appreciated from climbers and surfers.
3. Porto Pollo
Porto Pollo is a sandy beach in the north-eastern Sardinian coast. It is very windy and surrounded from the typical Mediterranean vegetation. It is very frequented by surfers.
4. Cala Cipolla
Cala Cipolla is one of the best beaches in Chia area, in the south-western coast of Sardinia. There aren’t any beach services, there is just a Bar at the car park, about 100 meters from the beach.
5. Cala Goloritzé
It is one of the best hidden creeks in the Mediterranean Sea. Cala Goloritzè can be reached by sea or by land through a charted downhill path of about an hour. The waters are clear and transparent. In 1990 it has become “Natural Monument” of Sardinia.
Dedicated to who needs a suggestion for this summer, but also to who just needs dreaming, waiting for the hot season. What wild beaches do you know? Share your experience with us!!!
Considered the Queen of the Garden, the rose includes about 150 different species as well as several varieties and hybrids. If you’re planning to visit Italy during May, you will maybe be so lucky to be close to one of the italian beautiful rose gardens.
What better way to enjoy the first sun, and why not, a romantic walk with your sweetie? I’ll suggest you some of the most romantic rose gardens in Italy. Here below my list. Let’s dream!
Valleranello Rose Garden – Rome
It has been classified among the 30 best rose gardens in the world. Valleranello Rose Garden has a surface of 12.000 sqm and hosts about 1000 different rose varieties, attended by Mrs. Maresa del Bufalo, called “the Queen of Roses”.
Opening: 20th April – 10th June. Cost: € 12.00. The tour needs to be reserved. Info
Niso Fumagalli Rose Garden – Villa Reale, Monza
Created in 1964 for want of Niso Fumagalli, president of the Italian Rose Association, the Garden Rose of Monza is one of the most popular and houses both modern and ancient varieties of roses. In May it hosts rose contests to award the best new roses varieties.
Opening in May/June: Tuesdays – Fridays 08.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 18.00. Saturdays and Sundays: 09.00 – 13.00 and 15.00 – 19.00 (closed 21st May and 2nd June). Free entry. Info
Rose Garden – Florence
Realised in 1865, the Florence Rose Garden is near Piazzale Michelangelo. It is a small garden whit about 370 rose varieties. In 1998, it has been enriched with a nice Japanese Garden.
Opening: 1st May – 31st July 08.00 – 20.00. Free entry. Info
Rose Garden – Nervi, Genova
In Nervi district, in Genova, there is a beautiful Park in which you can find a fascinating Rose Garden. The blue sea is the frame of the Park and of the Rose Garden, which have direct access to the sea and to the romantic seafront.
Opening period in May: Daily, 08-00 – 19.30. Free entry. Info
Roseto Carla Fineschi – Cavriglia (Arezzo)
I’ve decided to mention it last because it is a little different from the others. Actually, Carla Finsechi Rose Garden – also called Cavriglia Rose Garden – is the biggest private rose collection in the world. It contains more than 7.000 rose varieties and its biological importance is well-known all over the world.
Opening in May/June: 09.00 – 19.00. Price: € 5.00. Info
If you need more information about rose gardens in Italy near your holiday resort, do not hesitate to contact me!!! And do not forget to subscribe to our RSS!!!
More than 200 islands are washed by the Mediterranean Sea, in Italian territory. Apart from the biggest and well known Sicily and Sardinia, there is a large amount of small islands which deserve to be mentioned for their beauty. I would like to start by introducing a special category: the volcanic Italian islands.
Stromboli Island
Location: Sicily, Aeolian Islands
Surface: 12,6 Km2
Inhabitants: about 500
Description: Stromboli is dominated by the impressive volcano and is characterized by a constant moderate volcanic activity, not dangerous for the inhabitants. It is very appreciated by people who look for a quiet holiday in contact with nature.
After the sunset, people can fully enjoy the starry sky, thanks to the municipality’s decision to avoid putting road lights.
Description: Located 25 Km north of Sicily, Vulcano Island takes name from the Roman God of fire.
It has been uninhabited for a long time because of the several eruptive phenomena; the last eruption dates back to 1890 but there is a constant eruptive activity, like fumaroles and steam jets.
Description: It is the only island of volcanic origin of the archipelago, originated about 9 millions years ago. Capraia is rich in vegetation, most typical of the Mediterranean, and houses lots of endemic species. It is nearer to Corsica (about 31 Km) then to the Italian coast (54 Km).
Description: Ischia’s volcanoes are inactive since about 700 years, but the volcanic activity still lives underground. It warms, for example, Maronti beach and foster the springs and the thermae, for which Ischia is famous all around the world.
Description: Raised by the eruption of at least 4 volcanoes, today completely extinct and partly submerged, Procida is less frequented by tourists than Ischia and is characterized by yellow and grey tuff stones as well as traces of other volcanic materials. Tourists can reach Marina Grande and make the tour of the island by bus, which stops in the best panoramic points of the island, or discover the sea by renting a boat.
Have I left out some important one? Feel free to share your opinion!
Lots of Islands in Italy are still to discover in our next posts!!! Subscribe to our RSS tostay informed!!!
During my stay abroad, I was often told that Italian language has something musical in its rhythm. True or not, many Italian singers have become very popular in non Italian countries, thanks to their typical way of singing, which generally includes romantic weepy songs. But I have to say that, as often happens, not all good singers have an international success, for many different reasons. Actually, Italy has a wide number of singers and particularly of singer-songwriters which really deserve a mention.
Starting from North Italy and moving to the south, I’ll present you 8 Italian singers, each one representing a region from where the singer comes from. You’ll find some well-known faces, but also some new interesting ones. This collection would be a sort of travel-songs selection, which will be able evocate the region you’re visiting and will accompany you during your next holidays in Italy.
LIGURIA
The third smallest region in Italy, Liguria, is a strip of land stretching from Tuscany to the border of France. The singer-songwriter I’ve chosen to represent this region is maybe not very popular abroad, but in Italy many consider him a poet besides a singer: after his premature death in 1999 at the age of 58 years old, some of his songs have been introduced in school anthologies of Italian Literature. The songs of Fabrizio de Andrè often told the story of marginalized persons and rebels; they will go with you during your holiday, sometimes just telling you something, often unmasking the weaknesses and hypocrisies of human beings.
The chosen song, CREUZA DE MA, entirely sung in the dialect of Genoa, has been considered one of the most important songs of the ’80.
EMILIA ROMAGNA
The second region we cross during our tour is Emilia Romagna, native land of the worldwide famous Tortellini. The singer, singer-songwriter and musician who represents this region has been nicknamed, during a Tv-programm in England,the italian mad hatman, because he is in the habit of performing with a hut (of which he has a big collection!). His name is Adelmo Fornaciari, stage name Zucchero (Sugar). He’s the black voice of the Italian music, and he has co-operated with many international artists, such as Paul Young, Joe Cocker, Luciano Pavarotti, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bono Vox, The Scorpions, Sting and many others.
The chosen song is IL VOLO (The Flight)
TOSCANA
From Emilia Romagna we arrive in Tuscany, one of the most popular Italian regions due to its cultural, artistic and landscape estate. I am pretty sure you already know the chosen singer and tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Here one of his best successes: CON TE PARTIRO’ (Time to say Goodbye)
LAZIO
From Tuscany to Latium, which capital is Rome, where we find another Italian popular singer-songwriter: Lorenzo Jovanotti (birth name: Lorenzo Cherubini). He started his career with Rap songs, but his musical evolutions approached him to the world music style (a kind of contamination between pop and ethnic music). The themes of his songs gradually involve philosophic, politic, social and religious themes. Pacifist, he co-operated with important international societies such as Emergency and Amnesty International.
The chosen song, SAFARI, is representative of his style
CAMPANIA
Latium borders to the south on Campania, the second most populous Italian region, which capital is Naples. The Neapolitan music is popular all over the world (who doesn’t know O Sole mio?) and many Neapolitan artists left a mark in the Italian music. The singer (singer-songwriter, of course) I’ve chosen to represent Campania is Pino Daniele. TERRA MIA, the solo debut, is the first example of what he called Taramblù, a mix of Tarantella, Rhumba and Blues.
PUGLIA
Puglia (Apulia) is the heel of the Italian boot, well-known for its beautiful landscape and coasts. The singer-songwriter I’ve chosen comes actually not from Apulia, but in 1998 he created the Taranta power, a musical and cultural movement in order to promote Tarantella (a folk dance typical of south Italy) through motion-picture, musical and theatre activities.
The song we present you is GRANDE SUD (big south)
SICILY Our tour comes to the biggest Italian island: Sicily. This region is represented in this selection by a skilled singer-song-writer, the only woman in this selection: Carmen Consoli. She is appreciated for her melodious and interpretative skills, for her determination and passion in singing.
She sings both in Italian and in Sicilian dialect, as the following song shows: A FINESTRA (The Window)
SARDINIA
From island to island, here we are in Sardinia, our next stage through this songs-travel-selection. The group I’ve chosen, Tenores di Bitti, is representative of the Cantu a Tenore, a typical style of polyphonic folk singing, one of the most important in the Mediterranean, characterized by a group of four (male) singers each of whom has a distinct role. In 2005, the Cantu a Tenore has been classed among intangible world heritage by Unesco. Here below the BALLU LESTRU (the quick dance, in Sardinia language)
As you noticed, this selection underlines how Italian regions are different from each other, and how each one is deeply connected to its own traditions. If your favourite Italian singer one doesn’t fall in this selection, feel free to share your opinion with me!
Talking about Italian food, the first things coming to your mind are, of course, pasta, pizza, and lasagne. Travellers who like testing, know that there is a large amount of savoury regional recipes having nothing in common with them. But not many of them know about some Italian culinary traditions that can sound a little strange or even disgusting to most.
But please, don’t say that: I assure you, they’re much appreciated in the regions they come from, and people are very proud about them as they’re considered a kind of speciality. In many cases also became illegal for health reasons. And for this, more precious too. Enjoy your reading and ….buon appetito!
1. Casu Marzu – Maggot cheese – Sardinia
Sheep milk cheese, obtained in a natural way, thanks to the Piophila casei (cheese fly), which depose the larvae to the cheese. Eating the cheese, the larvae promotes a high level fermentation; when cheese has fermented enough, it can be eaten on a slice of typical thin bread Carasau. But pay attention! Cheese became toxic when the maggots have died. So, it has to be eaten when they are still alive…and jumping.
2. Raw snails – Sicily
It’s a very common tradition (and not just in Sicily) eating raw snails, in order to fight various gastrointestinal disorders. This is why its dribble is able to close gastric ulcer and to destroy helicobacter, responsible of gastritis. It’s not just a popular legend: just try the snail’s syrup…
3. Raw Octopus – Puglia
Eating raw fish is an ancient tradition in Puglia, and raw octopus is considered a delicious specialty. Once netted it, fishermen skilfully turn the head and start a series of precise procedures (pounding it against a rock, washing him from its “foam”…) in order to make the “curl” and make it tender. If you want to satisfy your curiosity, just have a look on this video.
4. Pork blood cake – Tuscany
A popular proverb about pork says that nothing is thrown away, to underline that every part of the animal can be eaten, nothing is wasted. And that’s really true, even the blood can be used to prepare delicious recipes. It occurs in several parts of Italy but I’ve taken Tuscany as an example, in order to present you the tasty pork blood cake.
Are you dying to try this food?
Just follow the procedure!
Ingredients
1 litre of sifted out pork blood
1 spoon of sugar
1 glass of milk
4 beaten eggs
vanilla powder
Procedure
Prepare a sweet sheet of pastry with flour, eggs and sugar and cover the cake pan with it. Make a blood stratum, a sheet of pastry stratum, until you reach the right thickness. Put into the oven and serve hot.
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