How to Eat Your Way Through Italy

[Guest Post]

You certainly have quite a few reasons for vacationing in Italy, and the food is likely one of them.
When you're touring Italy, what do you need to know in terms of restaurants, dining and sampling some of the best food available? Read on to find out!

How to Eat Your Way Through ItalyPhoto Credits: Flickr - Satanoid

Take a Tour
It's overwhelming to try to think about sampling food from an entire country, so we'll need to streamline the process a little bit. Look at the specific part of the country where you are staying, and then you can find out if any food tours are offered in this italian region. Going on a food tour usually exposes you to both the culture and history of the region while also introducing you to the delicious eats that people have been enjoying for years.

Talk to Locals
You might be tempted to go to that popular spot that all of the tourists recommend. However, as in most places, some of the best food really comes from those little mom 'n pop shops. While you're vacationing, try not to have every single meal planned out. Instead, talk to people who you meet, whether they be the receptionists at the hotel or families relaxing in the park. When you get the word straight from the locals, you are sure to enjoy some true Italian cuisine.

Focus on Food
Some people want to focus their trip primarily on food. Perhaps you actually live in Italy or maybe you have visited a number of times, so you have the ability to make food the true focus of your vacation. Pick one part of the country to start with. If you have knowledge of the country, then you can map out all of your food destinations in advance. Drive from top to bottom or bottom to top, spending a night or two in each locale, to really sample all of the cuisine. Don't miss out on all of the little markets lining the streets!

Remember The Wine
It's basically impossible to go to Italy and avoid sampling the wine from the region. Of course, at the restaurants you can try some different wines, and you can relax at the hotel bar with a glass of your favorite blend. However, something is to be said for actually going to some of the wineries and vineyards in Italy for a sampling. You're sure to be delighted at what you find. Ask if you can bring some lovely Italian cheeses along with you to truly enhance the experience and make your taste buds dance with joy!

Eating your way through Italy certainly sounds like a lot of fun. When you're sampling the various cuisine at the restaurants and markets, however, don't forget to show appreciation for the great tastes. If you've never had true Italian food (and I don't mean Olive Garden) grace the presence of your taste buds before, this experience is sure to be a truly memorable one!
Happy travels!

This is a guest post written by Jenda Marc
Jenda Marc writes about travel and her career in food journalism. Her recent work is on the Best Colleges Online for studying this field.