L'amore Italian Restaurant

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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.

 

 

 

 

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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!

 

 

 

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Excitement Is Exploding About Italy’s Hot Volcano Tourism!

When you think of Italy, you may not automatically think about volcanoes. However, this is one of the few European countries that still has active volcanoes. In fact, there are more than 12 active volcanoes here, and Italy is home to some of the most dangerous in the world.

The three most active volcanoes in Italy include:

  • Etna
  • Stromboli
  • Vesuvius

Due to the high level of activity occurring within these volcanoes, there are an array of tours and holiday packages focused on them specifically. If you want to experience the thrill of seeing an active volcano up close and personal, booking one of these tours is a smart move. Get to know more about the three most active volcanoes in Italy here.

Mount Etna: The Largest Active Volcano in Europe 

At 10,900 feet in elevation, Mount Etna is the highest and most active volcano in all of Europe. It’s found on the eastern coast of Sicily, located between the Italian cities of Catania and Messina. The last major eruption occurred in 1928; however, there have been several smaller eruptions since that time. This is a popular destination for hikers who want to see the active craters found at the top.

Stromboli: Called the Island Volcano 

This volcano is also located in Sicily, on the island of Stromboli. Approximately 1,000 people live here, and this volcano has been actively erupting since 1932. The area is actually a group of islands formed by volcanic activity. The best part of visiting this volcano is the lava that spurts out of the ground, which the Romans called the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.”

Mount Vesuvius: The Powerhouse that Burned Pompeii 

By far the most popular mountain in Italy, it’s located on the bay of Naples. It stands at 4,203 feet tall and is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and was made famous for burning the ancient city of Pompeii in 79 AD. Today, there are more than three million people living nearby.

If you plan to visit Italy, be sure to consider one of these popular volcanoes. It will truly be an experience you will never forget.  Due to the popularity of the volcanoes, there are several professional tour services that will take you if you don’t want to venture off on your own. The former is probably the safest way to see these powerful creations but for the truly adventurous, try wandering around on your own.

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5 Fun Facts about Italian Food

Whether you’ve grown up eating Italian food or you’re just discovering this famous cuisine, there are a few things you probably don’t know about Italian food – unless you’re Italian!

The next time you go out to an Italian restaurant or have friends over for an Italian dinner party, wow everyone with these five fun facts about Italian food.

1.  The Main Meal is Lunch

While Americans say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and typically fill up on dinner after a “light” lunch, the Italians see lunch as the main meal of the day. Typically, pasta is the first course, followed by a meat dish, salad, fruit and dessert. You’ll need a nap after a lunch that size.

2. Morning Coffee Always has Milk

Italians don’t drink their coffee black, at least not in the morning. While traveling in Italy, expect to order a milky coffee like a cappuccino or latte with your breakfast meal.

3. Never Eat and Walk at the Same Time

If you’re in a hurry and expect to grab a meal on the run, forget about it in Italy.  In fact, don’t even stand while you’re eating. The whole point of Italian food is to enjoy it. How can that be done if you’re walking down the road or standing on an overcrowded bus? Instead, do like the Italians do and take your time finding pleasure in your food and drink.

4. Pizza was Considered Food for Poor People

Most likely born in Naples, the first style of Italian pizza was called Neapolitan pizza. It was a flatbread that came with a variety of toppings and was sold on the streets to mostly the poor. It wasn’t until 1738 that the first pizza restaurant in Italy opened. It was called Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba.

5. Italians eat Special Foods on Special Holidays

Enjoying food is a big part of Italian culture. During the holidays, this love of food also serves as a symbol of the holiday being celebrated. For example, during the Christmas season, you’ll find many of the following foods gracing the table of Italians:

  • Cured olives and pickled veggies
  • All kinds of cheese
  • Cured meats
  • Roasted wild game
  • Lentils
  • Fish
  • Fennel
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Pandoro

Traditional Easter dishes include:

  • Lamb
  • Easter eggs
  • Salami with boiled eggs
  • Casatiello napoletano
  • Torta Pasqualina
  • Scarcella and Fiadoni
  • Fresh beans
  • Pizza di Pasqua

There is so much more to learn about Italian food that this list could be fill many pages. We hope it gets your appetite whet!

 

 

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3159 E Lincoln Dr
Phoenix , AZ 85016
Phone: 602.381.3159

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Our Hours

Lunch
Mon – Fri: 11am–2:30pm
Dinner
Mon – Fri: 4pm–close
Saturday Dinner: 5pm–close

Note: We're closed from 3pm–4pm
Sunday Closed

Happy Hour
Mon – Fri: 4:00pm–6:00pm
No happy hour on Saturdays
Credit for most photos: Kay W. Eskridge: Images By Kay

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