Blog - L'amore Italian Restaurant

January 8, 2020 by Kim Abbott

5 Top Tourist Attractions in Italy

Italy is full of wonders from the past. From the Roman Empire to the Renaissance, visitors can explore art, architecture, and ruins. In fact, Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country. Travelers can also visit the natural beauty of Italy – her lakes, mountains, and gorgeous coastline. If you’re planning a trip to Italy, here are the five top tourist attractions to put on your list.

1. The Colosseum

Whether you’re a history buff or just love everything about the Roman Empire, visiting the Colosseum is a must. This one of a kind gigantic amphitheater is famous throughout the world as being a past sports venue with the most spectacular shows. Explore underneath the Colosseum to see the cells and tunnels the gladiators used, along with where the wild animals were kept.

2. Venice Canals

The romantic city of Venice is a must, especially if you’re on your honeymoon. Take a gondola ride through the ancient canals along a labyrinth of narrow passageways that wind around the city. From this vantage point, you’ll have amazing views of Venice, including her most historic sites.

3. Pompeii

The city that died in an instant, Pompeii is famous for being destroyed by a sudden volcanic eruption in AD 79. In fact, Mt. Vesuvius is still blowing smoke! While the inhabitants of Pompeii perished, the eruption did manage to preserve the city’s art. Such treasures as mosaics, sculptures, and frescoes have been encased in lava that then cooled. Archeologists discovered these treasures two centuries later, along with temples, baths, homes, streets, theaters, and human remains.

4. Pisa

Pisa is itself a famous city, but it’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa that is the most popular attraction here. The tower was built in the 1100s but due to sinking, it began to lean by the time the third story was completed. The tower was expected to topple over by the year 2000 so restoration work began in the 90s. Today, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is stable and visitors can climb the grand stairs to look out over the tower for a spectacular view of the city. While in Pisa, visit the Romanesque Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

5. Lake Como

Nature lovers will definitely want to make time for a trip to Lake Como. This is where the wealthy Romans of Ancient Rome vacationed. The lake is surrounded by small, quaint towns and beautiful mountains. Along the shore, you will find lavish villas and palaces with some gardens open to the public. The climate is mild, making Lake Como the perfect place to unwind and relax after visiting the buy, historic sites of Rome.

December 7, 2019 by Kim Abbott

5 Italian Dishes MOST Kids Love

Do you have a child who is a picky eater? Or just the opposite? A kid who loves to try new foods?

Either way, you’ll score big in the kitchen when you make these Italian dishes that most kids love.

They’re easy to make at home and your kids can even help! Read on to discover some Italian meals that will please everyone’s palate at lunch or dinner time.

1. Spaghetti and Meatballs

Mmmmmm. Noodles. Who doesn’t love noodles? And when you pair them with hearty marina sauce (it’s ok you can use it from the jar) and meatballs, they’re even better. This is an easy meal to make, as well as inexpensive, that your kids will surely love. Give them some tasks, such as stirring the sauce, helping form the meat into balls, and setting the table. Finish the meal with a yummy, fresh salad to help with digestion – the Italian way.

2. Italian Style Pizza

Otherwise known as Neapolitan, this Italian style pizza is sure to make a hit. It is made from a round and flattened (can you say thin crust?) base of leavened wheat-based dough. Top it with tomatoes, cheese, and any other toppings you want. Then bake it. For the kids, have them “decorate” the pizza with their favorite toppings.

3. Roasted Veggies

It can be hard sometimes to get your kids to eat vegetables. But with this Italian recipe, they’ll love their veggies. You can use any veggies you want, so have the kids choose which veggies they’d love to roast, such as baby potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, and more. Cut and place them together in a large mixing bowl. Add your favorite Italian seasoning and olive oil and then transfer to a lightly-oiled baking sheet and stick them in the oven. Yum.

4. Calzones

Calzones are basically folded pizza. They are made from salted dough and baked in the oven. Stuff them with your kid’s favorite meats and cheese, like pepperoni, salami, ham, parmesan, and mozzarella. Sneak some veggies in there too.

5. Gelato

For dessert, offer this Italian favorite. The main ingredients are milk and cream. The best flavors are vanilla, chocolate, or anything fruit based. If you decide to make it at home, have the kids do the churning. Otherwise, pick some up in the frozen dessert section at your local grocery store for a new twist on dessert time.

November 15, 2019 by Kim Abbott

Off the Beaten Path in Italy

Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world. This means crowds and more crowds. While you don’t want to miss out on the top tourist attractions like the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and more, there are some off the beaten path destinations in Italy where you can miss the crowds and get to know Italy at your own pace. Read on to learn about the best places to explore in Italy that are off the beaten path.

Castelmezzano

This village sits on the side of a mountain. It’s cute, quaint, and not so easy to get to. You can drive up there but some choose to take a zip line to the village. Either way, it’s worth the trip. In fact, it’s one of the highest villages in all of Italy and the houses sit perched on narrow ledges that drop into a gorge. While here, visit the ruins of the ancient city walls of Castrum Medianum, along with other attractions, such as the historic castle, abandoned mills, and more.

Basilicata

Known as the region of forests and mountains in Southern Italy, Basilicata has many cities to visit with a plethora of things to do. Visit the hillside caves that date back thousands of years. There are also one hundred and fifty rock-cut churches to visit. There are many small, charming villages to explore, as well as many lakes.

Trento

Located in the northern regions of Italy, Trento sits on the River Adige. It’s considered one of the richest cities in Italy and the people here enjoy a high standard of living. Trento has a long history with ancient Rome so you’ll see lots of historical structures left behind, such as the Duomo and the Castello del Buonocnsiglio. There are also many museums and galleries to visit, along with fine shopping. In the winter, there are plenty of opportunities to ski nearby.

Lombardia

Also located in Northern Italy, Lombardia is the Italian hub of finance and fashion. There are many high-end restaurants and shops. One of the most touristy things to do is visit the Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, which houses Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of “The Last Supper”. Lake Como is also a short distance away.

Valsugana

Known as Italy’s “Middle Earth”, Valsugana is a fertile plateau dotted with vineyards. In the distance, you will see snow peaked mountains all year round, as well as historic castles that look down from the hills above. Valsugana is full of beautiful rivers, lakes and streams that reflect the mountains and castles, making this a truly magical place.

October 5, 2019 by Kim Abbott

The Italian Guide to Diet Secrets

It’s well-known that Italians love food, so how do they stay so healthy when they seem to eat some much? It has a lot to do with their Mediterranean diet, but there’s more to it than just what Italians eat – it’s also about how they eat. Read on to discover the Italian secrets to dieting that result in health and vitality.

The Mediterranean Diet

This diet consists mainly of lots of olive oil, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and unrefined cereal, a moderate amount of fish and dairy products, and a small amount of meat products.

Take Your Time Dining

Italians are not in a rush. They love to enjoy their food. In fact, you’ll never see an Italian walking and eating. They just aren’t in a rush, like most people in the States. Instead, they sit and leisurely enjoy their meal, savoring every bite. Eating slowly helps aid digestion, which is vitally important for your health.

When You’re Full, Stop Eating

Because Italians take their time dining, there’s no question when they feel full. One they’ve had enough, they stop. They don’t go for seconds. Overeating does happen in Italy, but it’s not exactly the norm. Italians know when to call it quits and let their full bellies digest.

Balance Your Plate

Italians have a knack for balancing quality and quantity. While not everything they eat is super healthy, they know which foods to eat more of and which foods to eat less of. Pile more veggies and go sparse on the fatty foods. It’s all about balance.

Eat Fresh

It’s always better to eat local fresh food. In Italy, there’s a lot of that. Most Italians avoid packaged and heavily processed foods. Instead, they love their food fresh. Local vegetables, meats, and cheeses from different regions of Italy grace their plates for every meal.

Try NOT to Diet

Italians don’t diet. They don’t try the latest diet fad to lose weight or detox or gain muscle. Food is for fun and pleasure, not something that should be analyzed and strictly eaten. Instead, Italians follow the simple guidelines listed above – don’t overeat, eat fresh, balance your plate, and take your time eating. Oh, and add some exercise to help. If you’re in Italy, then you can get in lots of walking, hiking, swimming, and skiing. Does shopping count? Sure, as long as it gets you moving!

5 Top Tourist Attractions in Italy

5 Italian Dishes MOST Kids Love

Off the Beaten Path in Italy

The Italian Guide to Diet Secrets

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