When one travels to Italy, one knows it will be a trip rich in history. One has to spend extended time there to take in even a fraction of its splendor. One has to visit again and again to absorb the different regions.
But one only has to visit once to fall in love with the food.
We knew this and certainly looked forward to the fare when we traveled there a couple months ago. We dined al fresco on narrow Roman streets.
We lingered on piazzas at night, listening to violin players and enjoying the wafting scent of flowers accompanied by the sing-song voices and laughter of small children on evening strolls with their parents, grandparents, cousins and neighbors.
This dish was so simple and perfect – blue cheese stuffed into the center of a pear, sprinkled with walnuts and drizzled with honey. Yes. It. Was.
We ate by the seashore in Amalfi where produce lined the shelves and spilled onto the streets.
In the hill town of Assisi, the most difficult task was deciding which of the beautiful desserts to enjoy. La dolce vita, indeed.
Pizza after pizza after pizza after risotto after gnocchi, followed by cheese ravioli’s with original sauces, seafood caught nearby, salamis and breads, cappuccinos and espressos.
So how was it that we returned home a few pounds lighter in spite of all that we enjoyed eating there?
My theory on that is twofold:
1. Italians eat regionally and prepare foods without the preservatives so prevalent in the States. Breads are baked fresh. Fruits are picked and served from nearby orchards. Tomatoes are red. Pastas are homemade. Cheeses are artisanal.
2. We walked. We walked. And we walked. There was the occasional train or bus, metro line or plane. But for the most part, we walked. Sometimes we’d sit by the side of a fountain, balancing lunch on our laps in the perfect afternoon temperatures (we were there in October). We’d climb steps that then turned a corner, only to find more steps. But each climb was so enticing. What was waiting around the bend?
The first few days my feet hurt and my knees hurt but after that, I could clock lots of time and many miles walking and climbing. It doesn’t take long for our bodies to adjust.
I like that combination and lifestyle. You can eat richly and fully and enjoy every bite. Because you’re moving. Because what you’re eating is fresh and natural.
On the side of a train station on one of our last days in Italy, I read the following in bright red letters:
EATALY.
“Isn’t that perfect?” I thought. A perfect word for our experience there.
Eataly. It’s a delightful, sumptuous country to eat your way through – as if its rich history, romantic language, warm people and natural beauty weren’t enough already.
Do you have a country, state or region whose foods are your favorite?
One that you particularly enjoyed eating your way through?
One that you dream of digesting?
I have typically lost weight on every foreign trip that I take, primarily because I walk so much when I’m there. I feel your pain with the sore legs and feet!
I was only in Italy for 24 hours (24 magical hours in Milan), and I had gelato 3 times! I normally eat from street vendors when I travel, and it was HOT (July 4th weekend), so I wanted to stay cool. What a great “reason”!
I think the place with the best street vendors would be either Berlin or Paris. The vendors in Berlin that I discovered were primarily ethnic foods (the first time I ate falafel was there), whereas the sandwich and crepes kept me going in Paris.
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Berlin…hmmmmm…I guess I’m surprised by that. Who knew? And Paris, sadly, I’ve never visited. One day.
What a delightful, sensory post! I’m half-Italian, so that part of me longs to visit the mother-land, to take in the scenery and the eats, to breathe in the scents and history. The other part of me is Irish, so I long to explore that country, too, to visit the tourist spots, kiss the Blarney Stone, and try to find a leprechaun or two. You’re an inspiration, my friend, and my feet are just itching to travel!
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An Irish Italian, Debbie…what a rich heritage you have. I’d love to travel in Ireland some day too. All that green. All those breathtaking pastoral views – magical, I imagine.
I spent three weeks last Summer in Italy and I loved every minute of it, the food is simply divine and my favourite is the way they prepare their pizzas. Growing up in France those were the kinds of Pizza I used to eat and I was so excited to have another tasting of it.
As for the region I like the best food wise it would have to be the South of France. I love their cuisine, the Mediterranean feel to it and how fresh everything is. Come to think of it it seems like the experience you had Eataly
Sounds like it Anyes, just a trip further right and then south on that same Mediterranean Sea – so similar. I loved every minute in Italy too – once my feet adjusted
While I’d surely be entranced by the history of Italy, the food would no doubt be the main attraction and experience for me. Such a pleasure it would be to visit and enjoy the tastes and treasures. Thank you for sharing your visit with your readers. (Perhaps you can share a piece of that pizza with us next time! Mmmm…!)
I have traveled so rarely—and not far at all—that I don’t have a favorite region to write about. Eataly tops my list of places I’ll one day visit, though, right after my No. 1 must-see destination: Bruges.
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Lisa; Bruges? Now I have to go look that up on Google. I’m afraid I’m not familiar. But I AM intrigued.
I am a bit jealous of your fantastic voyage. There is nothing more beautiful than Europe. Perhaps because I am of European ancestry, it felt so comfortable to me.
At book club this month we had that exact pear dish. It was not only delicious, but beautiful.
We sit too much here in America, (As I sit and type this.) Oh for days gone by when people weren’t tied to technology and moved about all day, casually burning calories without thinking about it. Then one could indulge occasionally without the requisite guilt we feel now.
BTW, I am just finishing up the third book in a series by Jennifer Niven. The first book is called Velva Jean learns to drive. I now love Velva Jean and am so sad to be finishing Becoming Clementine, the third book. I hope she is writing a forth book starring Velva Jean. She is my hero. Your post made me think of this because book three ends in Europe. I recommend reading these books immediately for maximum happiness and joy.
You had this exact pear dish? Isn’t it fantastic? Such a nice melody of tastes. Your book series sounds fun – I’ll put the first in my queue. Maximum happiness and joy? Who can resist that recommendation…..
Your post made me weak in the knees and made me long to go back. Sigh. Someday.
Connie, it was my third trip to Italy this time, and I find myself, like always after visiting there, longing to go back. It’s an intoxicating country. And so glad you stopped in, by the way. Welcome!
As we are so often, we are in sync in our thinking again. I believe you are absolutely right. The lack of preservatives, eating locally and seasonally, and walking. I think these are the secrets to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. I am trying to move towards these things in my life this year. But…oh, to do it in Italy! If only!
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May, I’ve been “moving” toward them myself, bearing that lifestyle in mind since we’ve been home. Like, for example, a couple days ago when I was downtown and inquired about a certain place I was looking for, and the girls in the coffee shop told me it was four blocks one direction and then three to the south and I’d probably want to drive. I could have. And it’s cold. But I remembered how good it feels to walk and how ridiculous we are about hopping in our cars for the shortest of distances, and I walked it. It felt good. I would have walked that far and more on vacation. We can do it here at home too.
The open air markets! The produce! As usual, your pictures are a feast for the eyes.
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Aren’t they beautiful? A vegetarian’s delight, Lina!
Eataly! This post made me eager to bake.
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Oh good, Mrs. Tucker. Their creations were so spectacular….I’m happy if my chocolate cakes, from a mix, turn out right. I’m in awe of those who can bake beautiful pastries and cakes. And so glad you stopped in, by the way!
I can’t pick a favorite, but Italy is definitely in the top tier. We plan all our trips around food, deriving the length of our stay at any given destination from the number of restaurants we need to visit. Usually my sole regret on leaving is my inability to eat enough!
You are right, there is so much more activity and inadvertent calorie-burning, that aside from the sore muscles, you don’t realize until much later that you’re actually losing weight. I didn’t realize how out of shape I’d gotten in the flatlands here until I went to Seattle and hiked up and down hills for a week. I could barely move my legs after the first day!
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“we plan all our trips around food, deriving the length of our stay at any given destination from the number of restaurants we need to visit.” That made me smile, Katrina! I want to travel with you…you’re my kind of traveler.
“Eataly” indeed! Every time I read one of your Italy posts I’m even “hungrier” for a visit. I’ve been so close, so many times, and never quite made it there…
Maybe someday?
(Meanwhile, I’m craving pizza!)
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And perhaps one day, D.A., I’ll make it to Paris. Talk about your moveable feast…..
I love all things Italian, so this blog was heaven to me!!!! I found you through my pal at Grandma’s Briefs. That photo you sent her was fabulous!! As are all the ones here, on your blog!! I’ll be back!
Thank you so much Gabriele! So kind of you to stop in and comment. So nice we have a “pal” in common. Lisa is a dear one.
Oh. Yum.
Thank you for getting the taste buds going – under three months until we hit the Amalfi Coast and Italy.
We visited Provence in 2012 and I felt the same way – amazing fresh locally grown produce, so much walking – in Paris we walked for hours on end each day.
The first few days all the bones in my feet hurt so much – I wanted to walk forever but my body said no.
But by the end of the holiday – I could walk forever with such a carrot dangled – so much to see – and we ate so much, more than I ever eat.
On arrival home I was a bit nervous about the weight gain – but ‘we both lost kilos!! Can only be the walking and the ‘eat when you’re hungry!
Loved this post and even more excited now ..
Happy to whet your appetite, so to speak, Vicki Lee. Wish I could slip away there again as soon as you’re going. Have a great time!
Beautiful post and images ~ I’m so happy that you shared all this … oh, the food looks and sounds so perfect!