Italy is one of my favourite places to visit in the world. But although I can enthuse for hours over its architecture and fascinating history, I have to secretly admit it’s really the food that keeps me coming back for more.
Italian food culture really is something special. It’s not just the simplicity of flavours and the pride in fresh ingredients that permeates the everyday eating experience here, but the relish with which these are served – food is not merely to feed the body, but the soul – and in particular the soul of the family and the community. Even in these fast food, global-busy days there is still a sense in Italy that real food is important to take time for.
Polenta Festival Italy
Every Italian province and town has its own traditional delicacies and specialty produce.
One of the best ways to experience this regional diversity is to time your visit to coincide with ‘sagre’ – festivals held by locals to celebrate the harvests of certain foodstuffs. Common celebrations around Italy include ones dedicated to mushrooms, local cheeses, pork, peaches or truffle – but whatever the taste, it is always embedded in tradition and folklore that binds food firmly to local identity.