Italy Dreams

Category: Uncategorized

  • Access Italy Welcomes Visitors to Experience Italia With Passion

    The Amorico family of Access Italy. All photos used in this article are courtesy of Access Italy.

    “Italy isn’t a destination you conquer. It’s one you’re welcomed into,” says Simone Amorico, co-founder of the Rome-based Access Italy, a destination management company.

    “At Access Italy, we’re here to make that welcome feel warm, personal, and unforgettable.”

    He must be on to something when you consider that Oprah Winfrey trusts Simone and his brother/co-founder Marco as well as their father Angelo to plan her Italy trips.

    So do Sylvester Stallone, Stanley Tucci (Mr. Italy himself), Emily Blunt, Jessica Alba, and several other well-known celebs.

    Although Simone discreetly declines to answer questions about his celebrity clients, you can tell they must be happy with the results from the smiling photos these famous folks have posted on social media.

    “What we can say is that what people are really searching for is connection: with the place, with the people they meet, and with the moment they’re living,” Simone explains about his company’s clientele.

    Courtesy of Access Italy.

    What Access Italy Offers

    For Access Italy and its staff of 40, their sweet spot is an itinerary designed exactly around the client’s wishes.

    “Every viaggio (trip) is tailor-made, seamless, and designed around the people traveling, never around a template,” Simone explains.

    The company began in 2009 by Angelo Amorico; Simone and Marco now lead the firm along with their father. The 40 team members are destination experts, travel designers, and local insiders.

    Simone says that their personal relationships with artisans, historians, winemakers, families, and hotels across the country bridge together thoughtful travelers with these locals.

    The vast majority of the guests working with Access Italy are American.

    “They share the same mindset. They don’t want to just see Italy, they want to live it,” Simone says. “They travel with intention, preferring quality over quantity and meaningful moments over rushed checklists.”

    Team members usually work with 2 to 8 guests when designing a trip and sometimes groups of 10 to 14, including extended family. Travel groups may be couples, families, or small groups of friends.

    With a focus on tailored, luxury travel, the travel designers at Access Italy will speak with guests about their exact needs and desires for the trip. This could mean coordinating a completely private visit to a famous museum, choosing upscale Italian hotels and villas, or organizing a Michelin-star dinner with your travel partners.

    Courtesy of Access Italy.

    Of course, don’t forget other classic Italian experiences like:

    –Cooking classes or even a home cooking class with the Amorico family

    –Early-morning visits to famous sites

    –Personalized shopping tours

    –Yacht excursions

    –Private events

    Access Italy also can lead you to fewer crowds at the busiest destinations. Again, just ask Oprah. Here’s a testimonial from her shared on the Access Italy website:

    “If you’re ever in Italy, call these guys! Angelo has been showing me the best of Italy for 30 years now. His sons were toddlers and now Simone and Marco have joined the business. We were in and out of the Coliseum in an hour! Same for the Vatican. Their company is aptly named, cause they have real ACCESS!”

    (Find pics of Oprah and bestie Gayle King’s time in Italy, along with some pics of Angelo, at the link here from Oprah Daily.)

    Another fun way to discover just how a trip with Access Italy might work is a description on the company website of the Anderson family experience. The Andersons collaborated with the company to plan their southern Italian trip in 2023.

    The top areas that Access Italy visits with clients include Rome, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast/Capri, Venice, Lake Como, Puglia, and Sicily.

    For places a little more off-the-beaten path, their travel designers will direct guests to places like Piedmont (in northeastern Italy), the Dolomites (where the recent Winter Olympics were held), Umbria in central Italy, and the island region of Sardinia.

    “We often combine iconic destinations with lesser-known regions to create balance and surprise,” Simone says.

    Courtesy of Access Italy.

    5 Tips to Plan Your Trip to Italy, Courtesy of Access Italy

    If you’re dreaming of Prosecco and pasta after reading this article, then Simone has a few tips to help you with your Italy plans:

    1. Don’t cram everything into one trip. “Italy is about depth, not checklists,” Simone says.
    2. Balance cities with countryside. “It changes the rhythm of the trip,” he explains.
    3. Take to heart recommendations on when to go to specific destinations. Timing matters as much as where you’re going.
    4. Leave room in your trip for the unexpected.
    5. Contact Access Italy to set up your trip. “Save time and energy. We plan, you Prosecco,” Simone says.

    Find Access Italy online here and their contact page here. You can also find them on Instagram here and on Facebook with the name Access Italy.

    Buon viaggio!

    Courtesy of Access Italy.

  • 10 Fun Facts About Cortina and the Dolomites in Italy

    The beautiful Dolomites in northeastern Italy. All pictures in this story taken from Wikimedia Commons.

    With the Winter 2026 Olympics around the corner, the world turns its eyes to Milan and Cortina, Italy. Although the name “Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games” makes it sound like these two areas are close to each other, they are actually more than 255 miles apart—basically, an almost five-hour drive. In fact, this year’s Winter Games will be the most geographically widespread of any prior Olympics.

    We shared some fun facts about Milan in a previous post, so we wanted to give some equal exposure to Cortina d’Ampezzo (called Cortina for short) and the beautiful Dolomite Mountains, where Cortina is located.

    Andiamo!/let’s go

    1. Cortina is called “Queen of the Dolomites” and “Pearl of the Dolomites.” It’s famous as a luxury ski resort area.
    2. Cortina previous hosted the Olympics Winter Games in 1956.
    3. The movies “For Your Eyes Only” and “The Pink Panther” were filmed in Cortina.
    4. Olympics events that will be held in Cortina include Alpine skiing, the biathalon, bobsledding, curling, and luge. In addition to Milan and Cortina, some Olympics events will take place in the towns of Valtellina and Val di Fiemme in northern Italy, along with a closing ceremony in Verona.

    5. There’s a lot to do in Cortina. In addition to those famous winter activities, there’s golfing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and kayaking. If you’re a little less adventurous, you can browse more than 250 shops.

    6. The Dolomites (called Dolomiti in Italian) are part of the Italian Alps. Just like you’ve heard of the Swiss Alps, the Italian Alps are famous and include the Dolomites, the Aosta Valley, South Tyrol (a German-speaking region) and Piedmont. In addition to Switzerland and Italy, the Alps also span Austria, Germany, France, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Slovenia.

    7, The Dolomites are part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites because of beautiful rock cathedrals and natural beauty. One nearby resident said when you climb to the top of a peak in the Dolomites, you can see the world from a completely new perspective.

    8. The Dolomites stay busy! Do some research online, and you’ll see that many recommend that visiting from June to August is an ideal time for spectacular hiking views. However, this is also peak season, when you’ll explore there along with many other visitors. You also will face higher prices. Of course, winter is the best time to visit if you’re into skiing and other winter sports. Perhaps a visit in the fall or spring is best to enjoy some of the views without the full impact of crowds.

    9. It’s not all pasta, all the time in Cortina and the Dolomites. Much of the famous local cuisine features German influences and includes knödel (a type of bread dumpling with herbs), Schlutzkrapfen (a ravioli dish), Spinatspatspazlen mit Schinken-Käsesauce, which is spinach spaetzle with ham and cheese sauce. We’ll let you google the pronunciation of that one as we’re not sure how to say it! Another famous dish in the Dolomites is Spaghetti Bolognese mit Speck, or bolognese spaghetti with a type of local ham. Another dish recommended to us? Turtres, a type of fried dough filled with spinach and ricotta. Find a recipe for them here. And don’t forget to try any local cheeses!

    10. The locals are multilingual. There’s more than just Italian spoken in the Dolomites. German and Italian are spoken by most people from the Dolomites, in addition to the ancient romance language of Ladin. Still, if you’re visiting a local tourist area and speak English, you should be in good shape to communicate with others.

      Buon viaggio!

    1. A Visit to Sicily, Italy, Off-Season May Be Just the Trip You Need

      Sciacca, Sicily. Picture shared by Enza Difalco.

      Sicily sizzles in the summer.

      Really.

      It sizzles not just with the weather, which can reach 100 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) during some of its heat weaves. It also can sizzle with an exploding number of visitors–5.5 million of them in 2023 and a whopping 7 million in 2024.

      Sicily’s beauty as featured in shows like “White Lotus” surely boosted its visitor numbers, not to mention the number of cruises that make their way to this southernmost Italian island region.

      Even if you have your heart set on going to Sicilia, as the island region is called in Italian, the throngs of people may make you feel like you’re at a theme park in the middle of summer.

      “You end up fighting crowds, being shoulder-to-shoulder navigating narrow alleys, and sitting in line in famous ‘insta-famous’ photo spots,” says Angela Isherwood, founder and owner of the boutique travel agency Olive & Atlas Travel Design. “It can feel like Disneyland as opposed to an authentic Sicilian experience.”

      Here’s a possible solution: Visit Sicily off-season! November to March can be a suprisingly great time to visit. And, because of the island’s location, you’ll get cooler temps but not the punishing cold found in northern Italy.

      Faro di Punta Secca/Lighthouse of Punta Secca, Sicily. Shared by Stefania Lampedecchia.
      Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

      With Mount Etna there, you can even go skiing during an off-season visit to Sicily, Italy.

      Read on while we lean on travel experts to tell us what’s great to about visiting Sicily off-season, a few potential drawbacks, and then some closing tips.

      By the way: Visiting other destinations in Italy off-season also can be terrific, as we reported a few months ago. You can find that article here.

      IImage shared by Enza DiFalco.

      Here Is What’s Great About Visiting Sicily Off-Season

      Let’s get into the pros of booking a trip to Sicily off-season.

      “Winter in Siciliy isn’t about beach clubs,” says Bryan Lewis, a European travel expert and the founder/CEO of Tenon Tours. “It’s about culture, cuisine, history, and everyday life. For travelers who want depth over crowds, off-season Sicily delivers a far richer experience.”

      “I just love how slow and real everything feels,” says Isabella Rossi, CPO at the San Francisco-based company Fruzo. Rossi and her husband travel to Sicily every year as his family is from there. “When it’s not the busy season, you get the island to yourself. The streets in towns like Cefalù aren’t crowded,so you can actually chat with shopkeepers and experience how locals live.” Cefalù is a popular beach town in western Sicily.

      Isherwood echoes the thoughts on connecting with locals. “Off-season allows you to spend more time with the local community and experience true Sicilian hospitality. People are more willing and able to spend extra time and attention on your experience,” she says.

      Sicily’s Valley of the Temples is open year-round, although you may find shorter hours. Check in advance.

      Of course, there’s a real price advantage, too.

      “Prices are generally lower, and it’s much easier to find availability at the best restaurants, which often feel more authentic and relaxed during this time of year,” says Simone Amorico, co-founder of the Rome-based DMC Access Italy.

      What Are the Drawbacks of Visiting Sicily Off-Season?

      Now, we’ll address the drawbacks of visiting Sicilia off-season. Honestly, they shouldn’t be deal-breakers unless a place you want to visit or stay at is completely closed in the off months:

      —You probably won’t swim in the ocean or have a beach day. Of course, you should check out the beaches as they can be beautiful year-round. Yet don’t plan on a day for frolicking in the sea unless you’re a polar bear.

      —Similarly, swimming pools and beach clubs will likely be closed and will reopen as the weather warms up.

      —Some restraurants and attractions also may be closed. “Italians value their leisure time, so you might find that a specific restaurant or boat tour is closed,” Rossi says.

      —The weather can be shaky. “You’ll get some sunny days and some random rainy ones,” Rossi says. The average temperature in January and February is 52 degrees, and the wettest months of the year in Sicily are December and January, with an average 4 inches of rain.

      —There may be less public transportation available.

      5 Tips to Properly Prepare for Your Off-Season Trip to Sicily

      OK–you’re on your favorite travel booking site and ready to book that trip you’ve always wanted to take to Sicily. You’ve carved out time between November and March for your trip. Here are some final tips.

      1. Check schedules online before you visit your preferred attractions. If you have your heart set on visiting a certain museum, restaurant, or other attraction in Sicily off-season, double check online first to make sure it’ll be open.

      Generally speaking, attractions in bigger cities will be open, Amorico says.

      “Palermo, Catania, and Siracusa are excellent destinations in winter, as they remain lively year-round,” he explains. “Major archaeological sites such as the Valley of the Temples, Segesta, Selinunte, and the Greek Theatre in Siracusa are open, as well as top museums across the island.”

      That said, you don’t want to plan your trip in Sicily (or anywhere, really) around visiting a certain destination that may be closed for season or another reason.

      It’s ALWAYS a good time of year to enjoy Sicilian foods, including cannoli.

      2. Plan to enjoy local in-season foods. The food scene in Sicily shines in the cooler molnths, Lewis says. “Autumn brings olive oil harvests, pistachios from Bronte, wild mushrooms, and heartier Sicilian dishes that rarely get attention in summer,” he says. Rossi recommends winter food like artichokes and fresh sardines. Sicily’s citrus season is in the cooler months, from December to May–similar to where we live (Florida). Of course, we probably don’t need to tell you that Italian food–and in this case, Sicilan food–is always in fashion no matter the season.

      3. Stay flexible. This tip has several purposes. First, anytime you visit Sicily, expect to be on “Sicily time.” The island is famous for running on its own schedule, so it’s not the place to be in type A mode, rushing around. Second, with more places potentially closed or having reduced hours off-season, you’ll need to go with the flow even more.

      A Sicilian church. Picture shared by Stefania Lampedecchia.

      4. Don’t neglect the charm of small towns. As mentioned, the well-known areas like Palermo, Taormina, Siracusa, Noto, and Mount Etna will still have a lot to see, with less crowds. Yet there are other areas to see as well.

      “Coastal towns are quieter, but that’s part of the appeal,” Lewis says. Consider checking out small towns with year-round residents, such as Modica and Ragusa. Work with travel experts, like those quoted in this story, to identify smaller towns off-the-beaten path to explore.

      5. Relax! You’re in Sicily off-season, with fewer crowds, some glorious food, and cooler weather. Lucky you. “The off-season is perfect for long lunches and sitting in a quiet square with a book,” Rossi says.

      A final thought: Sicily can still be wonderful to visit during tourist season–we recently wrote about a great wellness resort in southeastern Sicilia that we think is worth visiting any time of year. Yet if you must visit in-season, work with travel experts to identify the best ways to navigate crowds and still have a great experience. We always appreciate the expertise of Rick Steves as well.

      Buon viaggio!

      Mount Etna may be part of your travel plans, no matter when you visit Sicily, Italy. Picture from Wikimedia Commons.

    2. Kapuhala Sicily Amazes Guests With Tranquility, Sicilian Heritage, and Vegan Meals

      Drinks and a sunset view at Kapuhala Sicily, a resort near Noto. All pictures shared courtesy of Kapuhala Sicily.

      If you’re dreaming of Sicily and want some wellness with your getaway, then look no further than Kapuhala Sicily, located near Noto and Marzamemi in the southeast corner of the Italian island.

      Kapuhala Sicily was created as a sustainable, wellness-focused resort by chef Crystal Lee and her husband, Stefano Passarello, whose father is from the area. Crystal is originally from Hong Kong but trained in Milan to be a chef.

      “We’d been going to Sicily for 20 years and absolutely love it,” Crystal says. “When the resources and land became available, we decided to build something there.”

      Kapuhala Sicily debuted in June 2020, almost a year after the couple opened Kapuhala Koh Samui, an eco-friendly resort in Thailand. They divide their time between the two properties. Kapuhala means “holy tree” in Hawaiian.

      Relax among the vineyards at Kapuhala Sicily.

      “Ahhhhhh”–What to Expect When You Visit Kapuhala Sicily

      If you’re visiting Sicily for Kapuhala Sicily, you’ll make your way through the countryside of the Valle di Noto region–an area Crystal describes as famous for its natural beauty, olive groves, and traditional Sicilian heritage.

      Upon driving up to the resort, you’ll find 60 acres of vineyards, olive groves, and organic gardens–with much of the food served at the resort grown onsite or sourced from local farmers. The owners of Kapuhala Sicily also were able to revitalize 300 trees that would have otherwise been uncultivated.

      Kapuhala Sicily can accommodate up to 30 guests in total in small individual homes and in buildings once used for wine-making; most of the places to stay there can host up to four people at a time. Each unit has a private bathroom, and some units have kitchenettes.

      Kapuhala Sicily focuses on sustainability, wellness, heritage architecture, and plant-based cuisine. It also follows many of the “blue zone” principles for living longer and staying healthy. Sardinia, another island in Italy, happens to be one of the world’s blue zones, and one area of Sicily is considered an emerging blue zone.

      Chef Crystal Lee operates Kapuhala Sicily along with her partner, Stefano Passarello.

      Italy is already famous for its cuisine–it was just recognized by UNESCO this December–yet Kapuhala Resort takes plant-based cuisine to another level. How about spaghetti with Sicilian curry, tenerumi (a summer squash-like vegetable in Sicily) and tomato confit? Si, per favore! With some of the dishes, you may be fooled into thinking you’re eating the traditional meat version, only to realize the vegan option is just as tasty.

      Spaghetti with Sicilan curry served at Kapuhala Sicily resort, located in the southeastern corner of the island.

      In addition to the great food, there’s lots more to enjoy at Kapuhala Sicily, including:

      –Wine tastings

      –A pool

      –A botanic yoga studio

      –Sunset views

      –Nature walks

      –Doing absolutely nothing!

      –Day trips just a short drive away, like Noto (famous for its baroque architecture–see our article here), Marzamemi (a former fishing village that’s popular to visit), and nearby beaches

      Yet there’s nothing wrong with just enjoying your time at Kapuhala.

      “Kapuhala Sicily isn’t just a hotel but a lifestyle-oriented retreat. It’s a place designed for people who value sustainable living, plant-based food, mindful living, nature, and authentic local heritage,” Crystal says.

      It’s also considered a “heritage farmstay” because guests have the chance to connect with the land and rural Sicilian traditions.

      7 Tips to Plan Your Visit to Kapuhala Siciliy

      If you’re hopping on your favorite travel website right now to book your stay at Kapuhala Sicily, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

      —Plan to rent a car while you’re in the area. There’s not much public transportation.

      —Slow wayyyyyyy down. Keep your type A side tucked away in your suitcase while you’re vacationing, both in SIcily in general but also specifically at Kapuhala. “It’s about relaxation, wellness, a connection with nature, and simplicity,” Crystal explains.

      —Stay open to vegan cuisine. You may be surprised by how much you like it!

      —Bring comfortable shoes. It’s hard to get around the countryside in high heels, Crystal says.

      —Plan your local trips to include beach visits, local historical towns and the countryside. Crystal calls this a “balanced Sicily experience.” Staying for a few days in the area gives you a better chance to get to know the resort’s part of Sicily without feeling rushed.

      —Check online to make sure the resort will be open before you book. Like many other accomodations in the area, Kapuhala Sicily is generally open from April to the end of September, which is the main tourism season for Sicily.

      —Staying elsewhere in Sicily but still want to check out Kapuhala? You can visit their restaurant, Vivi Vinu, for an apertivo or dinner.

      Buon viaggio!

    3. Find the Sweet Scent of Italy With These Two New Perfumes

      Cortile Dolce and Ferragosto, two perfumes that will transport you to Italy.

      If you’re looking for a permanent vacation to Italy, we’ve got some sweet-smelling suggestions for you.

      Two new perfumes from Jordan Samuel Scent will transport you to Sicily and Capri in Italy without ever leaving your living room sofa.

      The unisex scents are sold by New York City’s Jordan Samuel Pacitti and his eponymous Jordan Samuel Skin. Pacitti, a former professional ballet dancer and esthetician, worked with famous Italian perfumer Luca Maffei to create the scents (more on their collaboration below).

      So, just what do the perfumes smell like? Once we describe them, we’ll have you booking your flight to southern Italy in no time–and spraying on the scents.

      “Our fragrances really are a transportive vacation in a bottle,” Pacitti says.

      Cortile Dolce and Ferragosto

      Cortile Dolce, which means Sweet Courtyard in English, brings together sweet, soft, and citrusy scents that define Sicily–a region that Pacitti has gotten to know through several visits all around the island.

      Cortile Dolce’s scent notes include:

      –Lime leaf (Sicily is famous for its citrus)

      –Jasmine, which fluorishes on the island

      –Cedarwood, a grounding scent you may experience along seaside cliffs

      –A touch of sweetness, which promotional info for Cortile Dolce describes as “a taste of la dolce vita” and “silk-spun notes of almond granita and brioche buns”

      –White amber, which “hints at the spirit of the Italian isle”



      Then, there’s Ferragosto, named for the Italian national holiday on August 15 that leads many Italians to their famous beaches. The fragrance is inspired by the island of Capri near Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

      With Jordan Samuel Scent’s lovely Ferragosto, here’s your scent combination:

      –Fig skin and sap, just like those from the gardens of Villa San Michele in Capri

      –Apricot, famous on the island, and “juicy, sun-drenched, and just shy of too sweet”

      –Cardamom, the famous spice that adds structure to the fragrance without stealing the show

      –Cut grass accord, described as “the hum of heat rising from the terraced hillsides near Chiesa di San Michele with summer, like an anchor clinging to the air”

      –Sandalwood, wrapping it all up in a soft-focus haze

      Jordan Samuel Pacitti and master perfumer Luca Maffei.

      The Scent Story and the Italian Connection

      You can probably feel Pacitti’s passion for Italy just from the descriptions above. Yet what led him on his Italy scent journey?

      Pacitti had aIways been fascinated by fragrances. In his early adulthood, he was a ballet dancer living and traveling around the world for his career. After several years of dancing and putting on and removing makeup for shows, his skin became more sensitive.

      After two serious injuries, he realized that it was likely time to bow out of his dancing career and pivot to something new. He had always loved the beauty industry and its associated products, which led him toward skin care. He earned his aesthetic license and starting practicing hands-on within the skincare world.

      Pacitti decided to start his own skincare line, which led to the creation of Jordan Samuel Skin. His cleansers, serums, eye gels, and more often have names that give a nod to his ballet background, such as The Performance Eye Gel and The Matinee Gel Moisturizer.

      Jordan in Capri, which serves as the inspiration for his Ferragosto fragrance.

      That inches us closer to the fragrance and Italy connection.

      “I used to make fragrances myself, but I always wanted to work with a perfumer,” Pacitti tells Italy Dreams. “I knew that in addition to the skincare line, we one day were going to have fragrance or fragrances.”

      Yet after several attempts, it wasn’t happening just yet.

      In 2022, after Pacitti and his partner returned to the U.S. from a trip to Italy, they brought with them several half-ounce fragrance samples that were, incidentally, mostly created by master perfumer Luca Maffei.

      Realizing that Maffei was the common demonitator for the favorite fragrances he had purchased, Pacitti reached out to him online to discuss a potential collaboration. He didn’t hear back.

      Meanwhile, with momentum still behind him, Pacitti worked with other Italian contacts to get his Italian-inspired fragrances off the ground. As an Italian-American himself, Pacitti has fallen hard for the country’s beauty and spirit, leading to many trips there.

      “I wanted the perfumer to add their essence and bring it to life with what I had said,” Pacitti says. He continued to work with his contacts to get the scent combinations just right, although he initially was not in contact with the perfumer.

      As the fragrances continued to evolve, Pacitti eventually realized who was working with his contacts to develop them–Luca Maffei.

      “It was truly a serendipitious-like moment,” Pacitti says. The two are now collaborators and friends.

      Cortile Dolce became available via the Jordan Samuel Skin website in December 2024, and Ferragosto became available in October of this year (2025). The fragrance is available for sale in the U.S.

      Jordan in Lipari, Sicily, Italy.

      A Love for Italy: Pacitti’s Picks

      As evident through this story, Jordan Samuel Skin’s Cortile Dolce and Ferragosto are both a testament to business expansion as well as love letters to Italy–a place he actually had not traveled to prior to 2012.

      “I’ve been all over Asia, to Turkey, Belgium, France, and Denmark, but it was so strange that for being Italian-American and wanting to go to Italy, I just thought, ‘We’ll get there one day.’”

      And that he did. Here’s how he describes the country now:

      “Something that’s always fascinated me with Italy is it’s such a small country, but then from top to bottom, you can experience so many different dialects and types of food cultures and other patterns…It’s just so wildly different and extreme and beautiful. That also is why outside of being personally obsessed with it, I feel like it’s the most beautiful muse because each area tells its own story through food, scent, and the people.“

      With Pacitti’s extensive travels throughout the country, we asked him for a few of his favorite travel locations:

      —Rome, which he calls his “absolute favorite place in the world.” He and his partner have vacationed there but also have worked there for several weeks at a time and know the city well.

      —Sicily, where he had a great time in southeastern Sicily but then later visited Palermo on the west coast and realized that both areas of the island were amazing

      —The Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily, which he visited with his partner and his parents. “We all want to go back,” he says. “It’s clean, beautiful, not busy, and affordable.” Plus, there was some terrific seafood.

      —Torino/Turin, the northern city where his perfumes are manufactured

      Check out Jordan Samuel Skin’s product line here, and check out his fragrance shere.

      Follow Jordan Samuel Skin on Instagram (@jordansamuelskin) or TikTok (@jordansamuelskin).


    4. Here’s What to See and Do in Noto, Sicily

      Beautiful Noto, Sicily, Italy, with its Baroque architecture. Picture from Wikimedia Commons.

      Whether you’re lured to Noto, Sicily, Italy, by its Baroque architecture or its famous appearance in season 2 of “White Lotus,” there’s plenty to see and do in this charming town, located in southeastern Sicily.

      In his Sicily travel guidebook, European travel guru Rick Steves says that Noto may well be “Sicily’s most pristine small city.”

      Let’s quickly fill you in on Noto’s history and then guide you to things to see and do.

      Like much of Sicily, Noto’s earlier influences came from a mish-mash of cultures, including the Muslims, Normans, and Romans. If you fast forward a few centuries–specifically to the year 1693–a major earthquake hit and destroyed the city, which at that time was called Netum.

      In the 1700s, the city was rebuilt at a new site a few kilometers away and constructed in Sicilian Baroque style. That paved the way for the beautiful, classic Baroque look that defines Noto today. In fact, the Baroque background led Noto to become recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

      Now, the city is a growing destination for those visiting Sicily, whether they are spending more time in Catania (an hour away by car), Siracuse (Syracuse) or even coming from Palermo a couple of hours away. Noto can make for a beautiful day trip, or you might choose to stay there for a few days to explore and use the town as a “basecamp” to explore nearby cities like Siracusa, Ragusa, and Modica.

      Here’s the scoop on things to see and do in Noto bello.

      Picture shared by Stefania Lampedecchia. (@Slampe78).

      Cattedrale di Noto

      The most iconic sight in Noto is Cattedrale di Noto, often just called the Duomo or Chiesa Madre (Mother Church). The wide staircase outside of the Duomo is great for pictures. Find lots of frescoes and gold carvings on the inside.

      Don’t forget to enjoy lots of food when you’re in Noto or anywhere in Sicily. Picture shared by Stefania Lampedecchia. (@Slampe78).

      Eat

      Sicily is known for an amazing food culture, just like the rest of Italy. So, it’s probably no surprise that one major item on your Noto to-do list is sampling lots of restaurants and types of food.

      As you enjoy the places below, keep in mind that Sicily grows a ton of fresh produce as well as items like almonds. Your next plate may feature tomatoes from nearby Pachino or blood oranges or almonds fresh from Sicilia.

      Here are some specific Noto food recommendations and remember–gelato is calorie-free in Italy :-).

      —Ristorante Manna Noto, featuring Mediterranean food in a modern bistro style. “The dining experience was spectacular, from the service to the dishes,” says Brianna Buffo, who visited Noto in May 2025. She said one person in her group had celiac disease, and the restaurant was very accommodating.

      —Trattoria Fontana d’Ercole, where visitor Azmi Anees had fresh pasta alla norma that featured fried egglant and ricotta.

      —Caffe Sicilia, a well-known pastry shop in the area that’s been featured in an episode of “Chef’s Table” on Netflix. Enjoy almond pastries, cannoli, and much more, yum…

      –If you’re staying local and want a unique experience, Buffo recommends Via Delle Palme, a husband-and-wife chef team that will prepare a meal where you are staying. Buffo says the meal she enjoyed included fresh and seasonally harvested ingredients perfectly paired with wine–and homemade limoncello for the finale. She also said that the chefs, Buccio Cappello and Giuliana Pucci, were “kind, lovely people.”

      The view from Chiesa di Montevergine. Picture shared by Chris Cavanaugh.

      Wander Around Noto

      Of course, if you’re on vacation in any town in Italy, you’ll do yourself a favor by wandering a bit and soaking up in the atmosphere. Although Noto has gained more tourists in recent years, it doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of a Florence, Rome, or Venice. Take advantage of that calmer feel to check out some of Noto’s top sights, including:

      –Porta Reale, or the Royal Gate

      –Palazzo Nicolaci

      –Street art. “I enjoyed wandering the city streets to look at the art on the stairs by artist Carlo Coniglio and others,” says Chris Cavanaugh, travel expert and founder of the online travel publication Spritzience.com. (Some of the pictures in this article were shared by Cavanaugh.)

      –Corso Vittorio Emanuele

      –Chiesa di Montevergine, where you can hike up a spiral staircase to the top of the bell tower for city views, Cavanaugh says.

      –Shopping! We found these two interesting articles (here and here) with several shopping recommendations in Noto.

      Street art on the stairs in Noto. Image shared by Chris Cavanaugh.

      Infiorata di Noto/Flower Festival

      If you’re in Noto in mid-May, you may be lucky enough to witness its annual flower festival with unique floral mosaics. Called the Infiorata, the festival takes place the third Sunday in May each year.

      “It was a beautiful sight and added another layer of fun and conversation as we strolled the city,” Buffo says.

      Noto Antica

      Check out Noto Antica, or ancient Noto, to see the ruins of the original town demolished by the 1693 earthquake. It’s about 20 minutes away from downtown Noto.

      Look at these cute boxes at Teatro Comunale Tina Di Lorenzo. Picture shared by Chris Cavanaugh.

      Teatro Comunale Tina Di Lorenzo

      Check out Teatro Comunale Tina Di Lorenzo for its marvelous boxes and a painted ceiling to admire, Cavanaugh of Spritzience recommends. The theater seats 308 and is used often for opera, concerts, ballet, and shows.

      Cantina Marilina

      Want to check out a local vineyard and winery? Cantina Marilina is a great, famiy-run option where you can enjoy lunch as well as vino.

      Kapuhala, a farm-based resort near downtown Noto.

      Kapuhala: A Unique Place to Stay

      You’ve got many choices of places to stay if you’re in Noto or southeast Sicily. One place we were told about while researching this article is Kapuhala, a family-run, eco-conscious resort in Noto that has a farm-to-table restaurant, a yoga studio, two vineyards, and olive trees. It’s considered agri-turismo, or a farm stay. It’s close to both Noto and Marzamemi.

      Noto views. Picture from Wikimedia Commons.

      Nearby Places to Visit from Noto

      OK, so you’re on the Noto train with us and ready to visit. Here are some other nearby destinations you may want to check out:

      —Catania, which has lots to see and is home to a major airport (when you fly into Sicily, you’ll fly into Catania on its east coast or Palmero on its west coast)

      —Marzamemi, a small village where you can grab a bite to eat, shop a little, and discover the area’s tuna processing heritage

      —Vendicari Nature Reserve, for peaceful nature, bird watching, and a beach experience (bring your own towels, snacks and other supplies)

      —Modica, a town also known for beautiful Baroque architecture and a chocolate museum (yum)

      —Siracusa/Syracuse, popular for its history and scenery and includes the stunning island of Ortigia

      —Ragusa, with more historical architecture and the Ragusa Archaeological Museum

      Buon viaggio!

    5. Here’s Why to Visit Italy in the Winter and Off-Season

      Snowy mountains as seen from Lake Como, Italy, in early March. The winter can be a great time to visit Italy.

      Italy says “Buongiorno!” to about 70 million tourists this year (2025), with most arriving in the summer months. If you’ve been to Florence, Venice, or Rome that time of year, then you know what it feels like to have thousands of new friends who all want to visit the same places as you, right?

      If you’re an astute traveler, you may be asking yourself what it’s like to visit Italy other times of the year, such as in the winter or off-season. The good news: There are some real advantages if you’re willing to brave a little cold.

      Let’s take a look at why you should consider visiting Italy in the winter or off-season months. Then we’ll suggest a few choice destinations for those quieter months.

      Florence’s Duomo/Cathedral looks impressive any time of the year.

      Why to Visit Italy in the Winter or Off-Season

      You’ll have more destinations to yourself

      We’re not saying you’ll be the only tourist there, but most destinations will have fewer people. Enjoy the so-called la dolce vita with fewer visitors! It’ll make it a lot easier to book museums, hotels, etc.

      Enjoy cooler temps

      Let’s face it, Italy can get hot in the summer. Walking around Rome, Sicily, and even Milan in June, July, or August can get uncomfortable. Although many places have air conditioning, it’s not as chilly cold by default as in the U.S. The solution? Bring a coat, scarf, and gloves, and come in the winter!

      Plus, keep in mind that Italy has a diverse climate depending on where you go. For instance, Milan’s temps can average in the 40s (Fahrenheit) in the winter, compared with average temps in the 50s (Fahrenheit) in places like Puglia and Sicily.

      We visited Florence, Milan, and Lake Como in early March and got around most days with the requisite jacket and scarf. One day in Milan even reached near 70 and was sunny.

      A Christmas market in Trento, Italy. Picture from Wikimedia Commons.

      Christmas markets!

      Whether you’re familiar with European Christmas markets from previous in-person visits or just Hallmark movies, this shopping experience is a real pleasure. Find dozens of vendors with hand-crafted Christmas items that are perfect as unique gifts for others or souvenirs for yourself.

      Here are a few Italian areas famous for their Christmas markets, according to the tourism operator Discover Your Italy-FuorITinerario:

      –Trento in north Italy

      –the Dolomites, a chain of mountains in north Italy

      –Florence, which features a German-style market

      –Arezzo in Tuscany, which takes on the feel of a Tyrolean village

      –Rome, where you can find a festive market feel in Piazza Navona

      Artichokes are one vegetable that some Italian residents enjoy more in the winter.

      You can try different types of foods

      It’s no secret that Italy is known for terrific food. With eating in Italy a hyper-local experience, it’s probably also not a surprise that food changes seasonally there based on what’s available at certain times of the year.

      So, the special dishes you may have in the summer could have a completely different feel in the winter or other times off-season. One Rome resident we spoke to sung the praises of artichoke dishes in the winter. Root vegetables like potatoes as well as greens are commonly in season in the winter, and citrus season in Sicily (like blood oranges and regular oranges) goes through the winter and spring–just like here in our home state of Florida.

      The Dolomites in northern Italy welcome visitors in the winter and year-round.

      Pursue winter sports

      If you’re into skiing, snoeshowing, ice skating, or other winter sports, then visiting Italy in the winter is an obvious choice. You’ve got your pick of mountainous destinations (see below). The Winter Olympics held in 2026 in and around Milan and the town of Cortina will further shine a spotlight on Italy as a winter destination.

      You’ll need to find different angles for pictures in the winter and off-season in Italy. This picture, taken in Sicily, is from Wikimedia Commons.

      Get new perspectives for pics

      A view of Italy in the summer, with historic buildings drenched with sun and everything colorful? That’s low-hanging fruit. Yet how do make those same buildings look interesting on a rainy, cold day? If you’re into photography, visiting Italy in the winter can become a fun photographic challenge. If you’re creative enough without using filters on your phone, you can still have blockbuster pics from your trip.

      Bellano, Italy, on Lake Como, in early March.

      6 Places to Visit in Italy in the Winter

      Here are six specific destinations to consider in Italy for the winter or off-season. Don’t be afraid to explore areas outside the typical big-city destinations.

      The Dolomites

      This mountain chain that spans several northern Italian regions can become your winter playground for sports or relaxing by a fire. With its close proximity to Austria, both Italian and German are commonly spoken here.

      Lake Como

      This famous destination in north Italy, just an hour by train from Milan, will lead you with charm through towns like Bellano and Bellagio. Hop on a train to traverse between towns. The ferry on the lake operates year-round although it’s on a reduced schedule in the winter. Find out more about day tripping around Lake Como with our articles here and here.

      Florence

      For the heart of Renaissance art and culture, you can’t go wrong with Florence. Find Christmas markets if you visit around the holidays, or find fewer crowds if you visit in the months thereafter. You’ve probably read enough about Florence elsewhere, so we’ll just share our article about eating in Florence, here.

      You also can find Christmas markets in Rome, Venice, and Naples. Naples is well-known for its living nativity scenes, or presepi.

      Sicily’s Mount Etna in the winter.

      Sicily

      Sicilia in the winter? It’s definitely worth considering! Bigger cities like Palermo and Catania may have enough going on to keep you busy, but smaller resort towns like Cefalu may be pretty dead, according to the blog Adventurous Kate. Still, if you want some Sicilian culture and quieter views and don’t mind some potentially rainy weather, you still could have a great trip. Some people even go skiing on Mount Etna. Plus, you’ll find several winter festivals as well as Christmas markets.

      Cortona

      The town of Cortona in Tuscany (not to be confused with Cortina, the site of the Olympics) has medieval charm and wonderful artisan markets around Christmas, according to Discover Your Italy. You can even find a Floating Christmas Tree. “This area is perfect for travelers seeking a quieter, heartfelt experience rich in culture and tradition,” Discover Your Italy reports.

      Beautiful Bormio, Italy. Picture from Wikimedia Commons.

      Bormio and Vatellina

      Yet another recommendation from Discover Your Italy, find skiing and spas in the Alps-based towns of Bormio and Vatellina in Lombardy in north Italy. The towns combine famous ski slopes with Roman-era stone pools, hydrotherapy, salt rooms, and a UNESCO railway that takes you from Tirano into Switzerland.

      Buon viaggio!

    6. 11 Fun Facts About Milan, Italy

      The Galleria Mall in Milan.

      If you’re planning to visit Italy, will you spend some time in Milan? This cosmopolitan city often gets overlooked for Florence, Rome, Venice, and other destinations.

      Yet don’t rule out Milano just yet. This city of 1.3 million people (more than 3 million if you include the full surrounding area) has plenty of history and can serve as a great place to stay if you plan day trips to other destinations in northern Italy.

      The Milan Duomo/Cathedral is never too far away from your Milan view.

      To help gear you up for Milano, here are 11 fun facts about the city.

      –Milan will host the 2026 Winter Olympics. The games are formally called the 2026 Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina and will be held from Feb. 6 to 22, 2026. However, only a few of the activities will actually take part in Milan. Many of the sports will take place mountainous areas a couple of hours away from Milan, in northeast Italy.

      —Milan is the second-largest city in Italy, second only to Rome. Rome has 2.7 million people within the city itself and more than 4 million people if you include surrounding areas.

      —Milano is the capital city of Lombardy, which is one of Italy’s 20 regions (similar to states in the U.S.).

      Souvenirs for sale in Milan.

      —Looking for some nearby day trips? Milan is only an hour by train from the famous Lake Como (read our article here for a guide on day tripping around the lake). It’s also under an hour from the charming city of Brescia as well as Verona (yes, as in Romeo and Juliet) and Bergamo.

      —“The Last Supper” painting by Leonardo DaVinci is in Milan, located at the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It’s highly recommended to book in advance to see the popular artwork.

      Inside Milan’s Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II.

      —If you like shopping, then you’ll be impressed to know that the oldest mall in Europe and perhaps the most continuously active mall in the world is Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It was designed in 1861, but it took 12 years to finish building it. You’ll find very cool architecture and some expensive shops and restaurants.

      —Want good luck? Here’s something to try when you’re at the Galleria. The mall has several mosaics on the floor, in honor of Italian nobility. One of the mosaics has a bull–and legend has it that if you spin around three times on the bull’s–hmmm, cojones–it will bring you good luck. We passed on that opportunity when we were in Milan, but maybe you’ll want to try it! If anything, it’s fun to watch tourists give it a whirl.

      Pasta dish made in Milan, but risotto is actually Milan’s specialty.

      —Of course the Milanese (as people from Milan are called) enjoy pasta like all good Italians, but they also are known for some non-pasta dishes. These include risotto alla milanese (a rice dish with saffron) and ossobucco (braised veal shank with bone and marrow), among other classics.

      The Milan Duomo/Milan Cathedral on a busy day.

      —The Milan Duomo (Cathedral), a central part of the city and its tourism, is the fifth largest Christian church in the world. It’s also said to have the most statues of any Christian church–3,400 in total, along with 135 gargoyles (that’s a lot of gargoyles!). It was built in 1386 and took a whopping five centuries to complete, with some final touches on its facade in the 1960s.

      Sforzesco Castle in Milan.

      —Did you know that Milan has a castle? It’s called Sforzesco Castle, or Castello Sforzesco, that was constructed in the 15th century. The castle has several art collections, including antique art and musical instruments. On a recent Milan visit, we didn’t make it to the inside but we were able to walk around the exterior along with many other people who were strolling around the city that day.

      Fashion is never far away when you’re in Milan. Note the fashion ads behind the pastries for sale inside one of Milan’s train stations.

      —Milan is considered the Fashion Capital of the World, but do you know which fashion businesses are located there? They include the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Prada, Valentino, and Versace. Some of the major Italian fashion brands are now owned by global conglomerates, but they still have headquarters in Milan.

      Buon viaggio/happy travels, and enjoy your trip to Milan!

      Milan at night.

    7. Here’s What It’s Like to Bike Nearly 1,000 Miles Through Italy

      Viewing Italy’s scenery by bike, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa.

      Imagine gliding your way through Italy’s smaller, quieter towns by bike, avoiding the hustle and bustle of packed cities. You get to enjoy fresh air, bellissimi panorami (beautiful views), and local cuisine.

      That’s exactly what two residents of northern Italy did in summer 2025. Read on to find out what type of planning this special trip took, what were some of the highlights, and how seeing Italy by bike made them appreciate their country even more.

      Fabio B. (left) and Ernesto G. (right) of northern Italy, on their summer 2025 bike ride through Italy.

      Ernesto G. and Fabio B., both of Brescia, Italy, are long-time bikers. After taking a successful long-distance bike trip in 2023 (843 miles/1,357 kilometers and 16,000 meters of elevation) throughout Italia, they enjoyed it so much that they set their sights on a new trip that covered 976 miles/1,571 kilometers and 18,000 meters of elevation.

      These guys aren’t just weekend warriors. They brought athleticism to their trips, with Ernesto swimming competitively in the past and also doing trail running, ski mountaineering, and climbing as well as other long-distance bike trips in the past.

      “Cycling is my favorite exercise,” Ernesto says. “I have a strong desire to explore new places, and doing it by bike makes me feel alive and happy.”

      That sense of wanderlust is also what led him to pursue the recent long distance bike trips through his home country. He says he loves geography and wants to get to know as many places as possible.

      An early morning view during a bike ride through Italy.

      Of course, planning a bike trip that would take Ernesto and Fabio from the town of Bagnolo Mella near their hometown of Brescia all the way to Lecce in south Italy is not something they could just wake up and do spontaneously. Ernesto says that trip planning involved the use of Google Maps, Google Street View, Basecamp, and various other online tools to create a route. Using those apps, he could target roads that are better and safer for bikers.

      The pair planned in advance to leave nothing to chance and to enjoy overnight stays with showers and comfortable beds. “Cycle tourism is also practiced by those who don’t plan anything in advance, sleeping in tents without a daily destination but only a route to follow,” he says. That wasn’t their plan, but it may work for others. “You have to experience cycle tourism according to your own personality,” he says.

      In his newest trip, he and Fabio wanted to go straight toward south Italy and reach some specific destinations, including new cities, mountains, and valleys they did not visit before. Most of the time they planned to avoid big cities, although they weren’t completely off the planning table.

      Starting the Trip

      The trip took about two weeks, with an average of 104 kilometers/65 miles each day. Although they initially biked longer distances, they eventually reduced that amount due to elevation gains.

      The bike ride took them through towns that were charming and quaint like much of Italy, but much less crowded.

      Enjoying the scenery, usually at a relaxed pace, was a highlight of the bike ride.

      “We stopped to enjoy the views many times to photograph landscapes and towns,” Ernesto says.

      Since the trip was during the summer, the heat was a challenge. Sometimes the temperature would reach the mid-30s Celsius or near 100 Fahrenheit. They would often leave their overnight stay in the wee hours of the morning to get ahead of the heat. “There was a strong heat in Italy during those days, but luckily it was too hot just the first day and on the coast,” he says.

      On the type of route they followed, encounters with stray dogs also were a potential threat. However, they only saw them in two or three places.

      The bike trip took Ernesto and Fabio through some famous Italian destinations, including Pisa with its Leaning Tower of Pisa; Matera, known as the oldest city in Italy; and Alberobello, which has a series of homes called trulli, with domed roofs that date back to the mid-14th century. Both Matera and Alberobello are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

      When the tiring but exhilarating trip was over, Fabio and Ernesto returned home by train.

      A nighttime view of Matera, Italy’s oldest city.

      Reflecting on the Journey

      One surprising point for Ernesto was the diversity of dialects he found in their home country. “I was impressed at how dialects drastically change in just a few kilometers,” he says.

      Although Italian is the main language of Italy, the country actually has several dozen recognized languages and dialects. Ask any Italian you meet, and they most likely know both Italian and another language or dialect (or at least a few words of it) they’ve used in their hometown and with family members.

      There were also several towns among their favorites:

      —Berceto, in the Emilia Romagna region, located in the Apennine Mountains. “It’s a little old town in the mountains with beautiful views and fresh, clean air,” Ernesto says.

      —Castiglione della Pescaia, in the region of Tuscany on the coast. The town has a medieval castle to visit, narrow streets, and sea views.

      —Lecce in the Puglia region, with its Baroque style, Roman Amphitheater, Cathedral, Bell Tower, and more. “All places definitely worth a visit,” Ernesto says.

      —Pitigliano in the Tuscany region. This medieval-style town was built on volcanic tuff and has well-kept alleys and squares as well as a Roman aqueduct fountain.

      —Barrea in the Abruzzo region, located on Lake Barrea. “Its mountains, old town, castle, and narrow streets make it a must-see,” Ernesto says

      More long-distance bike trips are slated for the future, Ernesto says. The next trip is planned for Italy’s Dolomites region in north Italy, with future trips in south Italy, including the regions of Campania, Calabria, and Sicily.

      “Traveling by bike makes me feel so good,” he says. “It gives me freedom. I think I’ll always travel by bike because I’m basically an explorer.”

      Advice for Future Bikers

      If you are thinking of a long-distance bike trip in Italy or elsewhere, Ernesto shares some advice:

      1. Start with shorter trips to get used to the pace of longer distance rides.
      2. Train for at least five to six months before your departure.
      3. Learn how to create routes and not just blindly rely on navigation apps. “Study maps and check roads on Google Street View,” he advises.
      4. Pack lightly.
      5. Invest in a good navigation advice; one pick he likes is the Garmin Edge 1040, which is a GPS created for biking.
      The trulli, famous dwellings in Alberobello.

    8. 12 Facts About Italian Food in Italy That May Surprise You

      An amazing pesto pasta dish in Florence, Italy.

      Many people outside of Italy looooovvvveee Italian food, including here at Italy Dreams. Our favorite food was pizza growing up–OK, so maybe it was Pizza Hut pizza, which would make real Italians shudder (hey, we were in the D.C. suburbs, not New York or New Jersey!). And pasta and risotto dishes are a regular part of the meal rotation at Casa di Italy Dreams.

      In any case, traveling to Italy is eye-opening when it comes to Italian food, as you start to learn what cibo Italiano (Italian food) actually is versus Italian-American food.

      We gleaned many of these tips during a 2025 visit to Italy, while others were discovered online. And we’d be happy to continue the food conversation in the future.

      You’re welcome for the yummy food pictures throughout. 🙂

      Mercato Centrale (Central Market) in Florence, Italy.

      The Big Picture

      1. Italian food differs drastically by region.

      When we say “Italian food,” we’re making a huge generalization. That’s because Italian food can differ drastically by region. Italy has 20 different regions, each with its own distinct food, wine, cheese, bread and desserts. Heck, food can sometimes even differ by town. Pizza and pasta may be popular throughout the country, but there are even variations there. Risotto, for example, is an Arborio rice-based dish popular in northern Italy. Couscous is famous in the island region of Sicily (see tip 12).

      We’ve found the book “Rick Steves Italy for Food Lovers,” by Rick Steves and Fred Plotkin, to be particularly useful in understanding different regional foods. You’ll discover where cannoli originally are from (Sicily), where cinghiale (wild boar) is most common (Tuscany), and lots more.

      2. Eating local is a way of life.

      In the U.S., we like to tout that we’re eating local if we’re eating a dish with produce grown within our state or region. In Italy, eating local takes on a whole different meaning. The whole meal may come from the town where you’re eating the meal. The person preparing the meal may have even picked the produce or helped raise the chickens. It’s no wonder that Italian cuisine is known to be so yummy, with such fresh and in-season ingredients.

      A crossaint and an espresso is a typical Italian breakfast option.

      Eating Breakfast/Colazione

      3. Breakfast is light.

      Let’s face it, Italians as a whole stay slim for all the food that they eat. One secret may be that they keep their breakfast, or colazione, light. Un cornetto e un espresso–or a crossiant and an espresso–is a common Italian breakfast. Some may add yogurt or fruit as well.

      4. A latte will get you milk, not coffee.

      The word latte means milk in Italian. For Starbucks fans like us, latte means something different, right? It’s what you order when you want a coffee-and-milk combo. So, don’t walk into an Italian food establishment or bar and ask for a latte unless you want just milk. And you may want to study other phrases for ordering coffee, as saying the wrong phrase could lead you to an alcohol-infused drink (which, hey, you may still enjoy).

      Breakfast pastries at a shop in one of Milan’s train stations.

      5. Italians don’t nurse a coffee all day.

      Like many Americans, we at Italy Dreams find it comforting to nurse our coffee for awhile, like it’s a baby that needs affection. Italians–not so much. Those espressos are small and meant to be consumed rapidly. Keep in mind that they also pack a caffeine punch. So, what they lose in “coffee nursing” time, they still make up for with a caffeine jolt.

      We hear that Italians drink beer when they have pizza–but this combo of pizza and vino was still a delight.

      Pizza & Pasta

      6. Italians eat a lot of pasta.

      This fact may not be too surprising. After all, pasta is perhaps Italy’s best-known food. However, did you know that the average Italian eats 50 pounds of pasta (23 kilograms) a year? That compares to 20 pounds a year in the U.S. on average per person–which is still a heck of a lot of pasta.

      The cool thing is that Italians have so many different ways to prepare pasta–and so many different types. Just go to a supermarket or other market of choice while you’re there to see what we mean.

      7. Italians like their pasta al dente–and they eat it with a fork.

      Al dente means “to the tooth.” The end result is pasta that’s still a little firm when eaten. Overcooked pasta is not common. And don’t cut your pasta with a fork and knife! They will use a fork to eat their pasta, thankyouverymuch.

      One quick kind-of-related story: We once taught English to a group of Italians here in the U.S. and mentioned that we put olive oil in the water as we cooked pasta. The look of horror on their faces could have stopped a ghost. We learned that day that salt goes in the water to cook pasta, and the olive oil goes on the pasta afterwards.

      8. Don’t look for pepperoni pizza or Hawaiian pizza in Italy.

      Italians in Italy aren’t seeking out pineapple on their pizza. They also aren’t fans of pepperoni pizza like we are here in the U.S. However, you can get peperoni pizza (notice only one “p”), which will get you a pizza with bell peppers. You also can get pizza diavola, or Devil’s Pizza, which uses spicy salami that resembles pepperoni as we know it.

      9. You’re not at Olive Garden anymore, Toto, so there’s no dipping bread in oil and vinegar.

      You may get bread with your Italian meal, but Italians commonly use it to dip into the sauce and oil leftover from the pasta or other dish they’ve eaten. This practice is called fare la scarpetta, which means to make a little shoe. Cute.

      There’s not usually garlic bread either. Sorry.

      A pasta dish in Florence, Italy.

      10. You also won’t find spaghetti with meatballs.

      However, you can order meatballs as a separate dish called polpette.

      Gelato outside Santa Maria Novella in Florence. Yummm……

      Miscellaneous

      11. Gelato isn’t the same as ice cream.

      There’s a lot of gelato around Italy, and for good reason. It’s soooooo good. But it’s not the same as ice cream. Gelato is actually made with more milk than regular ice cream and doesn’t include eggs. It’s also denser. Make sure to look for gelato that has more natural colors versus bright colors (which could mean that the gelato was dyed).

      12. There’s a Couscous Fest in Italy that you might want to attend.

      When you think of couscous, you think of the Middle East, right? Yet couscous is actually a specialty in Sicily (among its many food specialties). There’s a Cous Cous Fest each year in Palermo, Sicily, each year attracting more than 200,000 visitors. It also brings in musical guests and has become a huge celebration.

      Hungry yet?

      Gelato as seen in a shop in Florence, Italy.