For once…just for once…forget Rome, Venice, and Florence! If you want to experience Italy in a unique way outside of the tourist roads, you have, whoops…you MUST visit Torino & Piemonte and Calabria. One is the ultimate paradise for food lovers, the other is Italy in its purest form. No mass tourism, just real life, real food, and real people. No pizza this time for you! Read this to learn about the 2 mysterious places and their delicious food.

Torino & Piemonte – The Ultimate Destination for Foodies

Do you love food? No, seriously. Do you REALLY love food? Then Torino and Piemonte are waiting for you. This is not just a region; it’s a temple of taste.

But first, let’s talk about Torino. Often called the Paris of Italy, Torino is elegant, refined, and full of history. It was the first capital of Italy, and you can still feel its royal atmosphere walking through Piazza Castello, looking at Palazzo Reale, or sipping coffee in historic cafés like Caffè San Carlo. The city is a masterpiece of architecture, with grand boulevards, baroque palaces, and arcaded streets that invite you to stroll and take in the beauty.

Now, let’s talk about something Torino truly excels at: chocolate. If there’s one king in this city, it’s chocolate. Ever heard of Gianduja? That’s the king of chocolate, and it was born here. It’s like Nutella’s wise grandfather, but way more sophisticated. You can find it in little pralines called Gianduiotti. They melt in your mouth. Literally. Want to take it to the next level? Sip a Bicerin alongside! Walking through Torino, you’ll find historic chocolate shops like Guido Gobino and Peyrano, where every bite is a taste of heaven.

And don’t even get me started on wine. Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo – these are not just wines, these are legends in a glass. Order a bottle, take your time, and let the magic happen. And of course, there’s the Aperitivo culture. Torino invented it. You sit in a beautiful piazza, order a Vermouth or a Negroni, and suddenly your table is full of delicious little bites. You just wanted a drink, but congratulations, now you have a full meal in front of you.

Calabria – The Soul of Italy

Want to see the real Italy? No fancy tourists, no overpriced souvenirs, just pure, raw, and authentic Italian life? Go to Calabria.
First of all, the people. Calabrians are the most welcoming Italians you will ever meet. They don’t speak much English, but who cares? They will still invite you to their house, feed you homemade food, and make you feel like family.
Then, the nature. Calabria is where the mountains kiss the sea. Crystal-clear beaches, dramatic cliffs, and hidden villages where time has stopped. You drive through the region and you feel like you’re in a movie. And oh, did you know Calabria was part of Magna Grecia? Yep, the Greeks were here before the Romans. You can still see ancient ruins and theaters that whisper stories of the past. For nature lovers, Calabria offers the perfect mix of sea and mountains. The stunning coastline is ideal for beach lovers, with its turquoise waters and secret coves. But if you love hiking, you can head to the Pollino National Park, the largest natural park in Italy, where you can trek through wild landscapes, ancient forests, and breathtaking peaks. Whether you want to relax by the sea or explore the mountains, Calabria has it all.

But let’s talk food again. Calabria is the European capital of chili peppers. They love it so much that they even have a Chili Pepper University. Imagine studying how to make food even spicier. That’s commitment! And let’s be real: nothing beats a spicy ‘nduja spread on warm bread or a plate of pasta with fresh seafood and a touch of heat.

Italy is much more than Italy

There is so much to discover in Italy that IG influencers and magazine haven’t shown you yet! Piedmont and Calabria are pure authentic gems. Just chat to your Italian friends and get all the insights about Italy off the beaten tracks. Then pack your luggage and hit the road…whoops sorry! We meant…EAT the road! And if you are still craving for pizza…well, Streaty Naples!

NEW STREATY TOURS COMING UP IN…TURIN AND BOLOGNA!

Stray tuned. We are about to launch our new food tours in Turin and Bologna. Why Turin…well, you’ve just read the tasty excuse in this article! Chocolate, wine and delicious street food bites. What else? Bologna? well, it’s one of the Italian capitals of food, mostly renowned for tortellini and bolognese sauce. However, you know that on streaty tours you are going to get different bites, only what locals eat, not what tourists expect. So expect to have another super cool and authentic foodie experience with Streaty!

The post Torino, Piedmont & Calabria: Italy’s Best-Kept Secrets appeared first on Streaty.

Title: Must-Try Italian Christmas Foods for Foodie Travelers

Italy is a feast for the senses year-round, but during the holiday season, the culinary experience reaches another level. Italian Christmas cuisine offers a unique blend of regional flavors, artisanal traditions, and seasonal ingredients, perfect for any foodie traveler to explore. Here are some must-try dishes and treats to savor if you’re traveling to Italy this festive season.

1. Panettone and Pandoro

The holiday season in Italy is synonymous with Panettone and Pandoro. Panettone, originally from Milan, is a tall, fluffy cake filled with candied fruit and raisins, while Pandoro, from Verona, is softer, without the fruit, and often dusted with powdered sugar. Many bakeries and pastry shops offer artisanal versions, each with unique twists like chocolate, pistachio, or cream fillings.

2. December 13th, The Arancini day in Palermo

December 13th marks the feast of Santa Lucia, especially celebrated in Palermo, Sicily. On this day, Sicilians prepare arancine (or arancini in other regions), delicious rice balls stuffed with meat ragu, cheese, or even butter and herbs, then fried to golden perfection. Traditionally, locals avoid eating bread or pasta on Santa Lucia’s day, making arancine the star of this festive occasion. If you’re visiting Sicily in mid-December, this is an essential treat!

3. Cannoli and Cassata Siciliana – The Christmas gift

Winter is the perfect season to try cannoli and cassata cake in Sicily, as sheep’s milk ricotta, the essential ingredient, is at its freshest in the colder months. Cannoli are crisp, fried pastry tubes filled with creamy, slightly sweet ricotta and often topped with chocolate chips, candied fruit, or pistachios. Their flavor is especially rich and memorable when made with winter ricotta, making them a winter delicacy not to be missed. The Cassata cake is the gift that “the uncle” brings to the table at the end of the Family dinner. A beautifully decorated cakes hiding inside a soft core of ricotta cream and chocolate chips.

4. Tortellini in Brodo – The Classic

In Emilia-Romagna, especially around Bologna, Tortellini in Brodo is a must for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. These tiny, handmade pasta parcels are traditionally filled with meat and cheese and served in a hot, flavorful broth. It’s the perfect winter comfort food and an essential experience of Italian culinary tradition.

5. Pangiallo Romano – History is served

In Rome, Pangiallo Romano is a cherished Christmas treat. This ancient recipe dates back to Roman times and features a golden, honeyed crust that gives it its name (meaning “yellow bread”). It’s packed with nuts, dried fruits, citrus zest, and warm spices, creating a dense, aromatic cake that’s perfect for the holiday season. If you’re in Rome, sampling pangiallo from a traditional bakery is a holiday must.

6. Cavallucci from Siena

Florence has its own holiday specialty: Cavallucci, traditional Christmas cookies made with honey, anise seeds, nuts, and candied orange peel. These dense, spiced cookies pair wonderfully with dessert wine and have been a Tuscan holiday tradition for centuries. Sampling freshly baked cavallucci while strolling around Florence’s holiday markets is a sweet, nostalgic experience.

7. Cotechino with Lentils

In Northern Italy, Cotechino with lentils is a classic New Year’s Eve dish. Cotechino is a spiced, boiled sausage with a rich flavor, served over lentils that symbolize luck and prosperity for the coming year. You’ll find it in many homes and restaurants across Italy, particularly in Modena and other parts of Emilia-Romagna. According to the Italian tradition, eating lentils on New Year’s Eve brings good luck and prosperity, as the lentils are thought to resemble coins!

8. Struffoli (Naples, Campania)

If you’re traveling to Naples, be sure to try Struffoli, a festive dessert made of small fried dough balls covered in honey and sprinkled with colorful sugar or candied fruit. These sweet, crunchy bites are a Neapolitan tradition during the Christmas season and add a burst of flavor and color to any holiday table.

9. Zampone (Emilia-Romagna)

Zampone, a hearty dish from Emilia-Romagna, is popular during the holidays. Similar to cotechino but made with a pig’s trotter casing, it’s traditionally served with mashed potatoes or lentils. Its rich flavor and hearty texture make it a beloved winter dish that’s steeped in Italian holiday tradition.

10. Christmas Markets and Street Food

Italy’s Christmas markets are a great way to sample holiday treats while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Sip on vin brulé (mulled wine) as you explore, and don’t miss roasted chestnuts, nougat, or local cheeses. From the Mercatino di Natale in Trento to Florence’s Piazza Santa Croce, you’ll find delicious street food and artisanal products to take home as souvenirs.

PLANNING A TRIP TO ITALY IN DECEMBER? BOOK A STREATY FOOD TOUR AND SAVE 20%!

Use the promo code streatyxmas24 to get 20% off your next Streaty food tour in Italy! The offer is valid for all tours scheduled from November 13th to December 31st. The code will expire on December 8th 2024.

How to redeem a discount code?
Follow these steps: Choose your Destination and tour -> choose your date -> select the number of participants -> click on “add promo or discount code” -> paste your code in and proceed to payment.
If you need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us at info@streaty.com

The post 10 Must-Try Italian Christmas Dishes appeared first on Streaty.

WHAT IS FERRAGOSTO?

Ferragosto, celebrated on August 15th, is more than just a public holiday in Italy—it’s an institution. The name traces back to “Feriae Augusti,” an ancient Roman festival established by Emperor Augustus in 18 BC. Originally, it was a period of rest and celebration to honor the hard work of farmers after the harvest. Over time, this pagan festival blended with Christian traditions, marking the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which commemorates the ascent of Mary to heaven. Today, Ferragosto is a mix of religious celebration and the pure Italian love of taking a break.

ITALY EMPTIES OUT

From Rome to Milan, Florence to Venice, Italian cities experience an exodus during Ferragosto week. Italians take this time to escape the heat of the cities and head to the beaches, mountains, or countryside. The result? Shops close, top-notch restaurants shut their doors, and even some of the most famous tourist attractions reduce their hours or close entirely. You’ll find bustling piazzas eerily quiet and streets where the only movement might be the occasional stray cat…or desperate tourists seeking freshness under trees. While cities empty out the beaches get overcrowded. Restaurants on the seaside are packed and music all over the coast just kill the magic of a quiet and romantic Italian summer night.

For travelers expecting a lively Italian experience, this can be a shock. The vibrant, bustling Italy that you read about in guidebooks seems to have vanished. Instead, you’re left wandering through empty streets, peering into shuttered windows, wondering where everyone has gone.

SOUTHERN ITALY: THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 14TH

In regions like Campania, Calabria, and Sicily, families gather for a special meal, often by the sea. It’s a night of food, music, and fireworks, as locals indulge in a feast that lasts until the early hours. The beaches are dotted with the so-called “falò” (bonfires). It’s a beautiful, vibrant contrast to the empty urban centers, highlighting the deep cultural roots of Ferragosto in these communities. When midnight strikes, hordes of young people run towards the sea, cheering and shouting for the traditional midnight swim. The rest of the night is music, dances food and drinks till the sun comes up to whistle the end. This is exactly what you should do to feel the Italian spirit in Ferragosto. Manage to enjoy this with an Italian friend and you will have a blast!

WHY VISITING ITALY IN MID-AUGUST IS A BAD IDEA

Unless you’re seeking solitude in an empty city, Ferragosto is not the best time to visit Italy. The lively restaurants and charming shops you’ve heard so much about? Closed. The vibrant markets? Silent. Even the locals are nowhere to be found…oh yes! find them at the beach! You’ll miss out on the authentic Italian experience, as the very heart of the cities seems to take a holiday too.

Instead, plan your visit for September. Italy wakes up from its August slumber, with cooler weather, reopened businesses, and a renewed energy. The streets buzz with life once again, and you can truly enjoy the full flavor of Italy—literally and figuratively. Plus, you can join us for a Rome street food tour, where the post-Ferragosto culinary delights will be waiting for you. Take advantage of our 15% discount offer valid until August 25th. Use code “blog1508” to redeem the discount!

In the meantime, if you find yourself in Italy during Ferragosto, head south for a taste of the local celebrations. Just be prepared for quiet days and empty streets in the cities—after all, it’s Ferragosto, and all of Italy is on vacation.

The post Ferragosto or why Italy is a ghost country in Mid-August appeared first on Streaty.

Mamma Streaty is happy to announce the publishing of her very first cookbook! “Mamma Streaty’s family recipes” is now online. 

Who is Mamma Streaty

Mamma Streaty, who’s real name is Maria Luisa Liotta, is the mother of Streaty’s founder Marco. A sweet 75 Sicilian woman born in the small mountain town of Capizzi (Province of Messina). Convinced by her sons, Mamma Streaty decided to write down her 30 top ranked family recipes! From the most classic Italian dishes to the most intimate family treats. Have you ever cooked or tasted an anchovy-flavored chicken? Do you know how high can the sweetness of Mamma’s Ricotta Passion lift you up? You don’t need to know, you don’t taste…you can simply make it yourself!

Mouth watering dishes

Appetizers, pastas, second courses of meat, vegs and fish will simply make you wanna cook more and more! Each recipe includes a short introduction with Mamma Streaty’s thoughts and stories. Recipes have been drawn for different number of people. Some easy pastas, like the Pasta col pesto alla trapanese (tomato, almond, garlic, mint, tomato and pecorino cheese) has ingredients and instructions to serve 2 people. Other more elaborated dishes, like the Involtini di pesce spada swordfish rolls list instructions to serve 4 people. Food is social, right? Mamma Streaty’s would make swordfish rolls for her own. The pleasure of sharing well cooked food is a fundamental asset of Italian cooking culture. If you cook something special…just share it with friends and family!

E-cookbook: What you’ll get

• 30 authentic family recipes (7 appetizers, 3 desserts, 10 pastas, 10 second courses with fish, meat and veg)
• Technical tips and notes to cool like a real Sicilian mum
• Exclusive photos of real Mamma Streaty’s dishes
• Designed for Apple iPad / Android Tablets / Kindle. Available also as PDF. 
• Share on Facebook and get 10% discount on the book
• Contents in English language only
• European measures in Grams and Kilograms

A Sicilian-International project

While Quarantine was bringing cancellations and frustrations. Mamma Streaty’s recipes were surfing the web from the Australian coasts to the British cliffs. Streaty is honored to have collaborated with Patrick Kilbey and Carmela D’Amore. 

Patrick Kilbey (Colchester – UK), a passionate cultured English food lover and former Streaty’s client, edited the contents. We needed a native English speaker to do this. We feel honored to have collaborated with Patrick for the publishing of Mamma Streaty’s cookbook.  Patrick Kilbey is a deep connoisseur of Italian food culture and he does know his stuff when it comes to write. 

The Sicilian-Australian chef, Carmela D’Amore, reviewed the first drafts in order to adjust the technical vocabulary. Beside being a professional chef and a lovely person, Carmela D’Amore is also a long time Streaty partner. Under the brand Carmela’s cucina cooking class she runs multiday food and cultural tours around Sicily.  Check it out!

Cook online with Mamma Streaty

The ebook is all you need to cook and delight your own and your family’s palate, but there is more! You can also meet Mamma Streaty online and cook with her! Yes you can! We run an online experience called “Cook Sicilian online with Mamma & Marco”. Go to our Virtual event page. You can connect in real time with Marco & Mamma and cook along! The experience lasts 1 hour. You can choose among a short list of recipes and, since cooking and eating is a social moment, you can also invite a friend to join in! Before you consider booking the Online cooking class with Mamma Streaty, make sure you have a bottle of wine home coz we are going to have a live e-toast! 

Go to download!

The post Mamma Streaty’s E-cookbook is online! appeared first on Streaty.

WHAT ABOUT CHICKEN

Chicken is one of America’s favorite foods: in sandwiches, fried, in salads, you can find it in many variations. In Italy, it is usually eaten alone, as a main course, yet in the U.S. they are convinced that it is used to make pasta sauce, or as a topping for pizza, but in fact, there is no such tradition in our country. One of the most peculiar recipes you can try in New York is chicken parmigiana, which is prepared with chicken instead of eggplant, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, but not even a shadow of parmesan cheese. The original Italian parmigiana is made only with fried eggplant layered with caciocavallo cheese, tomato sauce and fresh basil. Chicken Marsala? delicious! recipe is good but Sicilians would normally make it with veal.

FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

Fettuccine Alfredo for Americans is the symbol of Roman cuisine and one of the staple dishes of Italian cuisine. Too bad that Alfredo sauce in Italy is known only among the most passionate foodie community. This dish is said to have originated in Alfredo di Lelio’s restaurant in Rome in the early 1900s and in essence, it is fettuccine mantecate with butter and parmesan cheese and in some variations may include the addition of shrimp. How this dish became famous in America is quickly said: two Hollywood movie stars, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, who tasted this specialty in Alfredo’s restaurant during their honeymoon in Rome and made it famous in the US, made it famous. The real “Fettuccine alla Alfredo” is still around. Try the original one in Rome at Ristorante “Il Vero Alfredo“.

SPUMONE

Spumone has Neapolitan origins and is widespread throughout Puglia and also in Sicily. It is a semi-cylindrical or cylindrical shaped dessert composed of different types of layered jelly, including Chocolate, Stracciatella and Hazelnut. What is known in the United States and Canada, however, has nothing to do with traditional spumone allegedly originated in Naples in the XIX century. The spumone has been modified to become a symbol of Italians: Spumone in America and Canada is prepared with the three flavors whose colors are like the Italian flag (cherry, cream and pistachio), sometimes chocolate, candied fruit and dried fruit are added. Spumone has become so famous overseas that two themed days have been dedicated to it: August 21 is celebrated in the United States and November 13 is National Spumoni Day in Canada. 

STROMBOLI

A pizza from the Neapolitan tradition? Not really and not even a calzone. In fact, the “stromboli roll” is a stuffed roll of bread dough. The pizza Stromboli is an Italian-American dish invented in 1950 by Nazzareno Romano, the owner of “Romano’s Pizzeria” in Essington (Philadelphia), one of the first Italian restaurants in the area. His recipe (ham, cotechino, cheese, and pepperoni wrapped in pizza dough) was an immediate success. In choosing the name, Nazzareno Romano once again wanted to seal the Italian-American nature of the dish: from “pizza imbottita” to “stromboli roll,” inspired by the then-recent scandal of the Rossellini Bergman couple on the set “Stromboli Terra di Dio.”

MAC’N’CHEESE

Mac’n’Cheese are those famous macaroni noodles topped with stringy cheese used in America as a side dish. Often served in combination with barbecue dishes, they represent an American classic of clear Italian derivation but experience a paradox: Italians do not recognize it at all as their gastronomic heritage. As folklore legends report, it was actually English immigrants who supposedly spread this dish to the United States. Then cleared through customs and made even more popular thanks to the anecdote about President Jefferson.

WHAT’S OUR OPINION

Italian-American cuisine is not Italian, it’s Italian-American and it’s delicious the way it is. Who cares if it doesn’t meet the fundamental cooking rights of Italians. Food is good and beautiful because food is culture.

The post 5 Italian-American dishes unknown by Italians appeared first on Streaty.

Challenge your palate. Markets and Street Food exploration.

There are a lot of alternatives if you want to visit a market in Florence:
– The market of Sant’Ambrogio is the oldest and also the real local market of Florence, located in Piazza Ghiberti. It is a landmark not only for the neighborhood but also for the rest of the city because of the quality of goods and popular prices. And of course, It is the highlight of our street food tour in Florence! In alternative, you can visit the San Lorenzo Market. More touristy than Sant’Ambrogio but with a wide variety of food offer! 
– Florence’s famous flea market is located in Piazza dei Ciompi. There you can find furniture and antiques, paintings, coins, and jewelry. You can also find affordable treasures among the antiques and dusty books. It is really worth taking a stroll even if only to get a taste of ancient Italy through the objects displayed in these large stalls.

Get inspired! Admire the History and Art

Florence is unquestionably the most famous Tuscan city in the world. Every year millions of people come to the “cradle of the Renaissance,” visit the city’s major museums, and walk its streets admiring its monuments, churches, palaces, and places of interest. Florence really has so much to offer and it is not easy to choose what to see, especially when you do not have much time. 
Not to be missed:
– The Uffizi Gallery. Just a short walk from Palazzo Vecchio you will find the Uffizi Gallery, one of Italy’s most visited and well-known museums, known for its vast collection of Renaissance works by artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael, to name just a few of the most famous.
Make sure to reserve your museum entrance tickets in advance! Consider spending at least 2 hours in the Uffizi Gallery, but better yet, visit the museum on a guided tour so you don’t miss the most important masterpieces.

– Accademia Gallery. The Accademia Gallery is among the most beloved and visited museums. The original marble statue of Michelangelo’s David was placed here. A copy of the work can be found in front of Palazzo Vecchio, another one at Piazzale Michelangelo, but seeing the original is something else entirely! Book your ticket in advance!

– Palazzo Strozzi in Florence is one of Italy’s finest Renaissance palaces. Massive in size, it hosts inside the most interesting modern and contemporary art exhibitions. Check the website!
If interested, you can ask us to arrange a private Art & History tour. Write to info@streaty.com

Do it different! Alternative visits 

Off the most touristy itineraries, there are a few unusual museums in Florence that are absolutely worth a visit. We present here our top three favorites.

Football time! Fiorentina FC Museum 
Are you a soccer passionate or just curious about it? If you are around the Duomo area, you can stop to check out the Fiorentina Store Duomo (Borgo San Lorenzo 11/R).
Want to check out the Stadium or assist in a match? Check out this website for the latest info: ACF Fiorentina – Sito ufficiale

The Specola Museum. 
With more than 3.5 million animals, 5,000 of which are on public display, and 1,400 anatomical wax models, La Specola is one of the largest science museums in Europe. And one of the most unusual museums you may happen to see in your lifetime, not only in Florence. Marvel as you walk through the halls of Ungulates and Carnivores, pause before the giraffe antelope and the white rhinoceros. Be intrigued by the saurians of South America and feel a little Darwin in front of the giant tortoises of the Galapagos. But the real thrills will come when you walk through the collection of waxworks, made in the late 1700s and early 1800s for educational purposes so you don’t have to resort to direct observation of a corpse every time. Beyond: the Hall of Skeletons, which can be visited by appointment only, where 3,000 artifacts are collected including skulls, bones, and skeletons of animals, including the Tasmanian tiger, an Indian elephant, and three extraordinary cetaceans.

Galileo Museum
Spotting scopes of all kinds and types, astrolabes of all sizes, alchemists’ glass bottles and bells, aerometers, archometers, doctor’s cases from the early 1800s, surgical irons for skull surgeries, optical toys, lenses, newsstand clocks, pendulum clocks, oil clocks, carriage clocks, and even a pair of magnetic ducks equipped with floats under their wings dating back to the 18th century (perhaps for educational purposes). At the Museum of Science in Florence, also known as the Museo Galileo, you can find everything and the opposite of everything. Objects that have marked the history of philosophers, inventors, scholars, and astronomers on their way to modern science. There is a discount for those who visit both Galileo and Specola. Family packages are also available to bring children and grandparents.

Enjoy the most romantic views

Grab a bottle of Chianti from a nice enoteca (check out ) and head to Piazzale Michelangelo for a magnificent panoramic view of Florence. From here you will be able to see from afar the places you visited in your two days spent in the historic center of Florence!

 A visit to Florence that excludes a stop on the immediately surrounding hills deprives the traveler of evocative and relaxing atmospheres. Visit the small town of Fiesole in the late afternoon right on time to see the sunset and stay there for dinner. Fiesole is located 6km from Florence. The center is small but full of small restaurants offering excellent wine and traditional dishes.
The real treat, however, is the panorama from which you can see Florence in all its splendor. The view encompasses the whole city, and sunset at the Terrace of Fiesole is the perfect time to see Florence from above with all its colors. 

🚃 Searching for some cool excursions from Florence? 🚃
Read 4 Easy Excursions from Florence…by train! 

The post Long weekend in Florence: what not to miss! appeared first on Streaty.

Our selective criterias

We recommend places based on three main criteria: quality of food, vibes of the location, kindness of the hosts. In our humble opinion, the best food served by a grumpy waiter is not worth the dinner. So we come to the conclusion that a trattoria is worth being recommended when their service is well balanced in quality, kindness and good vibes.

Best Trattorias in Florence

TRATTORIA DA TITO DAL 1913
Via S. Gallo, 112/r (train station area)

Well…you miss something if you don’t go to Tito for a meal. We can confidently state that this is the best authentic Trattoria in Florence. The laidback mood of the house is contagious. Don’t expect to be treated like a guest. They will treat you like an old friend with no filters or formalities of any kind…like it or not! This is not the place you
would for a romantic date, it’s the place you would go to have fun! The Fiorentina steak is by far one of the best you can try in Florence. The crostino nero with chicken liver is supreme, just like any other dish you will order. Finish your dinner with cantucci e vin santo and remain sit munching cantucci and sipping wine till you get drunk. Just book and go! 

TRATTORIA DA GINONE 1949
Address: Via dei Serragli, 35/R

Lovely small place situated on the other side of Arno river. Very kind host and super delicious traditional winter recipes. Go traditional and try gnudi ricotta e spinaci. It’s a Florentine specialty too often ignored by tourists. Do not miss it! 

COQUINARIUS BISTROT
Address: Via dell’Oche, 11R (near the Duomo)

Lovely place. Don’t expect to enter a traditional trattoria with red and white table cloths. The modern furniture does match with the interesting innovation brought to the traditional recipes. Everything you order is simply “soooooo good!”. The young hosts are very kind and professional. It’s a real pleasure to have dinner at Coquinarius Bistrot. The wine list is excellent! Every single euro you spend at Coquinarius is worth it.

RISTORANTE I’BRINDELLONE
Address: Piazza Piattellina, 10 (Santo Spirito area)

A tiny cozy trattoria with a fun host and an intense Florentine pride spirit! The “I’Brindellone” is regularly mentioned by locals as one of the best restaurants in Florence where to enjoy Tuscan cuisine. Tradition also comes in the fancy old style “fiascos” of Chianti. The meat is definitely the specialy of this place. However, we strongly recommend you to try the tagliatelle ai funghi!

RISTORANTE BRANDOLINO
Address: Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini, 3R (train station area)

Compared to the rest of the restaurants recommended on this article, the Brandolino can be considered a higher standard place. The beauty of each plate does reflects the intense flavours they carry inside. Ideal place for a romantic dinner. If you love truffles, do not miss Brandolino’s pasta with fresh black truffle! Ask your host to choose the right Tuscan wine for your dinner. 

TRATTORIA LA CASALINGA
Address: Via dei Michelozzi, 9/R (Santo Spirito area)

If you wanna go where locals go, this is the place. Breath the Italian spirit at La Casalinga, with its pros and cons! The Trattoria La Casalinga celebrates the Italian cucina povera, old style homemade cuisine. Slow service, simple recipes, simplse dishes, simple wine…and super fair prices! This would be an ideal location to try the local ribollita or pappa al pomodoro, the renowned Florentine vegetarian soups. The Trattoria La Casalinga celebrates the Italian cucina povera, old style homemade cuisine.

RISTORANTE PENSAVO PEGGIO
Address: Via del Moro, 51 r (Train Station)

Located near Santa Maria Novella train station, the Pensavo peggio is an everyday local trattoria. The list of dishes is essential, strictly belonging to the local tradition. Start with some good bruschettas and then enjoy the tagliatelle al ragù di cinghiale. This is not a gourmet restaurant, it’s a nice place for an Italian lunch in a cozy and relaxing environment. We simply love it.

MARINA DI SANTO SPIRITO
Address: Via Maffia, 1/C (Santo Spirito area)

As they state in their website, this is an eclectic family-run restaurant located in the area of Santo Spirito. The food history of this family starts with Mamma Rosa in the early 80’s and reaches our days with the same top quality service! Have a refreshing white wine and some marinated seafood to forget you are now sitting in the center of Tuscany. You’ll pay what you eat…quality!

LA FETTUNTA
Address: Via dei Neri, 72r (Santa Croce area)

This is your place if you want to grab a quick but memorable schiacciata toscana (crunchy focaccia). You can stand in a line for an hour or so to grab a delicious schiacciata at the famous Antico Vinaio, like all tourists do. Or you can skip the queue, sit comfortably and have an equally delicious schiacciata at La Fettunta. You will love the food, you will love the place, you will love the hosts! They are always in a contagious good mood. Their cured meats, pates and cheese are PHENOMENAL!  

Trust us and enjoy these restaurants, and please, let us know if something goes wrong…since we care of you Our list of restaurants is constantly updated based on our triple checks and your opinions. Buon appetito!

Photo credits
Some photos have been taken from restaurants' websites and gmb pages

The post Our Favorite Restaurants in Florence appeared first on Streaty.

If you want to keep feeding your curiosity around Tuscany, below we present 4 of our favorite day trips giving you a few pointers on why we love them and how to incorporate these into your holidays.

Situated between Pisa and Florence in northern Tuscany, Lucca is without any doubts one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. It is entirely surrounded by ramparts dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, it features completely cobbled streets that give it a charming, retro look. Visit the medieval Guinigi Tower and enjoy the sight of oaks growing in the rooftop garden. Stroll over the oval-shaped square of Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, and you’ll see vestiges of the square’s original amphitheatre walls among its many restaurants and souvenir shops.

 How to reach Lucca: Travel by train from Florence to Lucca in just 1h 13m.

Art & history attractions in Lucca

Among the city’s most beautiful attractions are: the Cathedral of San Martino, marvellous and completely Romanesque in style, inside which you can admire Tintoretto’s Last Supper; the Church of San Michele in foro, whose facade is dominated by a statue of the saint in which an ancient emerald is set, visible only in certain light conditions; the house where Giacomo Puccini was born, now used as a museum; the National Museum of Palazzo Mansi, which in a 17th-century setting houses paintings by important Lucchese painters of the 19th and 20th centuries

Local specialties and our favourite restaurants

Lucca is home to a multitude of typical restaurants, and its gastronomic quality is renowned throughout Tuscany. Don’t miss these specialties:
• Zuppa alla frantoiana – vegetable soup with black cabbage laid on crusty bread;
• Baccala’ arrostito – cod roasted on the grill with chickpeas;
• Rovelline lucchesi – sliced beef breaded and fried and then sautéed in a tomato and caper sauce, all accompanied by mashed potatoes;

Our favorite restaurants in Lucca
– Buca di Sant’Antonio
– Osteria Cantine Bernardini
– Trattoria Canuleia

Considered one of the most attractive cities in Tuscany, Siena is a day trip from Florence not to be missed. The shell-shapedPiazza del Campo is famous worldwide as the site of the bareback Palio horse races held twice a year in July and in August

 How to reach Siena from Florence: You can travel from Florence to Siena by train in only 1.19 hr.

Art & history attractions in Siena

Not to be missed are the Piazza del Duomo and its monuments: the Romanesque-Gothic-style cathedral, inside which are important works by Donatello, Michelangelo, Pisano and Pinturicchio; the Piccolomini Library, dedicated to Pope Pio II; the Crypt, which contains frescoes of the Sienese school; and the Baptistery, at whose font important artists such as Donatello, Jacopo della Quercia and Lorenzo Ghiberti worked.

Local specialties and our favourite restaurants in Siena

From the famous appetizers with crostini and cured meats, first courses made with fresh pasta and soups, to second courses of fine meats and desserts famous throughout Italy, you will feel your taste buds dancing with ancient flavors dating back to rural traditions. Poor dishes prepared with simple and genuine ingredients, some even revisited in a modern key, that you can enjoy in every corner of the city and, above all, suitable for all budgets. Not be missed:
• Pappardelle alla lepre – handmade pasta with hare sauce;
• Ribollita – a peasant soup famous throughout Tuscany. Its preparation takes as many as three days!
• Arista di cinta senese – pork served sliced with sage, rosemary and garlic sautéed together.

Our favorite restaurants in Siena

– Osteria dei Rossi
– Enoteca I Terzi
– Osteria la Piana

A medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, nestled in the Tuscan countryside. Seventy-two towers once crowned the picturesque, walled town of San Gimignano, and 14 of them are still standing. Make sure to climb the more than 50m high Grossa tower and enjoy the splendid landscape of Tuscany from this outstanding vantage point.

+  How to reach San Gimignano from Florence: take the train (1.04 hr) or bus (50 min) from Florence to Poggibonsi station. Then take a bus ride to San Gimignano (20 min). It’s in total 1.5 hr trip.

Art & history attractions in San Gimignano

Very beautiful is the Church of St. Augustine in Gothic-Romanesque style, the Palazzo Comunale, which houses works by Masetto, Memmi and Filippuccio, Archaeological Museum, Spezieria and Art Gallery, housed in the former conservatory of Santa Chiara and in which it is possible to admire Etruscan, Roman and medieval artifacts respectively, the reproduction of an ancient pharmacy and collections of modern art.
Finally, not to be missed is the Vernaccia Museum: a journey that involves the five senses and invites visitors to discover the wine, almost as if it were a work of art. The town is in fact famous for Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a very fine white wine. The first in our country to receive the DOC designation! The wine is characterized by its straw yellow colour and a very broad aromatic spectrum.

Local specialties and our favorite restaurants in San Gimignano

Vernaccia, oil and saffron. These are the three typical products of San Gimignano cuisine. Ingredients wisely used from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Among other products, there is no shortage of typical local cured meats. At the restaurant, we would order:
• Risotto con carciofi, mascarpone e zafferano (vegetarian)
• Tagliatelle al cinghiale – handmade pasta with wild boar;
• Coniglio alla vernaccia – rabbit with vernaccia sauce.

Our favorite restaurants in San Gimignano
– La Mandragola
– Bel Soggiorno
– Le Vecchie Mura

Ancient and modern at the same time, proud of a powerful past as a Maritime Republic and home to one of Italy’s most famous universities, Pisa is much more than the marvellous Leaning Tower that dominates Piazza dei Miracoli. Rising on the banks of the Arno river, it is one of the most important Tuscan cities and certainly the most surprising: bridges crossing the Arno that survived the bombings of World War II. At sunset, the spectacle on the river is truly magnificent.

 How to reach Pisa from Florence: This day trip from Florence is particularly easy, given the quick train journey of 48 min to the Central train station in Pisa.

Art & history attractions in Pisa

Home of Galileo Galilei, Pisa is an artistic, cultural and fascinating city. The imposing and enchanting Piazza dei Miracoli was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Begin your visit with the symbol of Pisa, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It dominates Piazza del Duomo, and its distinctive slope is due to ground subsidence in the early stages of construction (between the 12th and 14th centuries). Moving on with the treasures of Pisa: Piazza dei Miracoli contains the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Leaning Tower and the Monumental Cemetery of Pisa, in a cluster of breathtaking beauty reminiscent of the economic power achieved at the time of the Maritime Republic. Finally, it is worth admiring one of Pisa’s places of worship, the Baptistery of Pisa, which is the largest in the world. Begun in 1153, its construction was the work of the architect Diotisalvi, but some of the many splendid sculptures on the facade were created by Nicola Pisano and his son Giovanni.

Local specialties and our favourite restaurants in Pisa

A healthy, good cuisine that reflects the true Tuscan tradition. Many of the typical dishes originated from the peasant tradition, a poor cuisine prepared with simple ingredients and which come mainly from the vegetable gardens and the countryside.
Do not miss…
• Bordatino alla pisana – bean and kale soup (vegetarian)
• Stoccafisso alla pisana—stewed stockfish with potatoes
• Castagnaccio – chestnut flour cake

Our favorite restaurants in Pisa
– Antica Trattoria da Bruno
– Porci Comodi
– Osteria dei Cavalieri

We hope you will find this article useful to let you step off the busy city center of Florence. If you wanna leave your comfort zone instead, read our article “Florence horror food“! 

The post 4 Easy Excursions from Florence…by train! appeared first on Streaty.

You won’t believe this! or maybe you will! Just like Christmas and other Christian celebrations, St.Valentine’s day has a past in the pagan rites. We are going to discuss this and also find the connection with food. What food do Italians eat on these days and what food is directly connected to love (in all its senses) in Italy?

Needless to say, If you want to pick a city in Italy where to impress your better half and spend a proper romantic time, you must go to Venice?  and since food and love are life companions, the gift can’t but be a private food and wine tour of Venice with Streaty!

ST VALENTINE BEFORE THE SAINTS

Have you ever heard of the Lupercalia? Lupercalia stands for “the feast of Luperco”. Luperco – from Latin lupus, wolf – was an ancient pagan God worshipped and celebrated in Roman times. During the Lupercalia, romans would basically random match couples as a result of a draw. An innocent child’s hand was in charge of doing the draw? the child as personification of Cupid.  
The new lucky couples (hopefully for them!) they have the right to spend their Lupercalia together…party time!
Let’s get serious again. As you can easily understand, this rite would celebrate fertility. It is not a case that many pagan rites and feasts wishing fertility were places right before spring or at its beginning. It’s the time when men have to boost the fertility of their lands waiting for rich harvests. 
You can read the same way Easter, the Resurrection, when the fruits of Nature resurrect!

ST VALENTINE SUPERSTAR

In 496 Pope Gelasio I established St.Valentine’s day and doing so he did cancel the former pagan rite and made it Christian.

So who was Mr Valentine? Nowadays he would work as a couple therapist. Back then he was an Italian Bishop based in Terni (Umbria, the green heart of Italy). But he was not any bishop! Valentine made his reputation as the man who would help “unblessed” couples get together. The Emperor could not bear the fact that Valentine would facilitate these encounters and celebrate their union without his official approval. And just like many other saints, Valentine’s destiny was written…imprisoned, tortured…Martyred. So, Another Martyr joined the list of holy men and women who would pace our calendar.

According to the story, Valentine never gave up to Love. During his detention he fell in love with his warden’s daughter. Guess what?Valentine’s last words were spent for love, in a love letter! And this is the origins of the American tradition of sending “valentines” letter to impress their better half! Keep doing it lovers!

ITALIAN FOOD IN SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY

We would disappoint you this time. There is not a specific St Valentine’s dish in Italy. However, since this is the day of love and fertility, let’s take a look at what Italians would eat to empower these emotions…and instincts! 

BACI PERUGINA, MARKETING OF LOVE

The Baci Perugina! There is no tradition that welcomes this delicious hazelnut chocolate…it’s just marketing! The Perugina company made such a massive promotion in the past decades that it is nowadays considered the Italian chocolate of love. The bacio perugina is in the market since 1922 and it became the official love treat coz each delicious chocolate topped with an hazelnut goes with a small piece of paper that reads a love dedication! 

ZABAIONE, MAMA’S CURE

Zabaione is a delicious cream made with egg, sugar and marsala wine. It’s used to stuff cakes. In Palermo you can find the ice cream version of sabbione, it’s called “zuppa inglese”! 
According to Italian mama’s theory Zabaione would grant extra energies to their sons to be spent in more intense love performances! Not kidding! This is not an old tradition! Italian mamas still do it!
Is it only a coincidence that in these days that match with Carnival (another celebration of abundance) Venetians make frittelle with Zabaione??? I would say it is not.

FRITTELLE VENEZIANE

The birth of the frittella  – “fritea” in Venetian language – can be dated back to 7 centuries ago! This is not a story, it’s history, the evidence is readable on a document preserved in the Biblioteca Casanatese in Rome. The standard frittella dough contains flour, milk, sugar, yeast, egg. Don’t forget to add in the mixture some raisins! This is now the official Carnival treat in Veneto region. Come to Venice in February and try the frittella with zabbaione cream! Celebrate taste and fertility in Venice.

TIRAMISU’

Do you actually know what tiramisù mean? It means “lift me up!”.

Yes, it’s always about sex in Italy! According to the story, the tiramisu was made by a brothel “maitresse” in Treviso. The brothel’s landlady would help her clients reinvigorate after their daily sin by offering them this delicious and energetic cake. Sinful love, but still love.
And see what you have inside the tiramisù cream? Egg and sugar! Many Italians also enrich the cream with a licor…here it comes again…the zabaione cream!

Guys…you know you don’t have to mess up with food in Italy. Two regions compete for being the fathers of Tiramisù, Friuli and Veneto.
We stand for Veneto and its erotic story. If you wanna try the best tiramisu of Venice, join us on the evening Venice food and wine tour…Your palate will not regret!

The post Valentine’s Day: saints, sins, savors appeared first on Streaty.

First of all, it is not about sport. Actually we don’t do much sport…unless people watching is considered one. Obesity is not a major social issue in Italy because Italians care about food quality more than anything else. Italian meals don’t happen by chance. Italian meals are carefully planned. There is no lunch in Italy that hasn’t been previously planned according to a precise scheme.

So let’s dive into this topic.

How do Italians plan their meals?

Italians eat well, eat a lot but stay fit because they generally follow a well-balanced nutrition that includes a wide variety of foods.
If I had pizza yesterday night, today I will try to avoid carbs for lunch, so I am going to make a salad! If I had a margherita pizza yesterday night and I had a salad for lunch…what am I going to cook today for dinner? Let’s say…steak and peas! And what happens tomorrow? Tomorrow for lunch I will cook spaghetti with fresh basil pesto. And for dinner? Well…In my former meals I had pizza, salad, steak, pasta…then my dinner is gonna be fish! And so on…

Italian breakfast: as easy as sugar

The Italian breakfast is sweet. According to contemporary i-wanna-be-a-nutritionist-but-i-don-want-to-study bloggers, the sweet breakfast is a disastrous way to start a day, whereas according to Italians this is the only way to sprint up your morning attention.
So what do we really eat for breakfast to stay so fit?

The standard Italian breakfast is a croissant and a coffee or a cappuccino.

You will never see an Italian having egg and sausages for breakfast. You may see Florentines devouring veal stomach sandwiches at 10 am right, but those gentlemen are probably coming from a very early wake up call! Our breakfast is sweet because we need sugar to get the right energies to start moving our hands…how would we talk otherwise?

Italian lunch: pasta all day everyday?

While breakfast might be considered by Italians as a quick pit-stop between bed and work, lunch and dinner are considered much more important eating moments (Lunch and dinner involves sociality!).
So once again, how do Italians manage to stay fit? I began this article underlining that Italians plan their meals. This is what happens for real!
I know what you’re wondering now…so what about pasta…don’t you have it everyday!? Indeed we do, almost everyday yes. However, we don’t consider spaghetti with tomato sauce the same dish of tortellini in broth. Still pasta, correct, but different dish! 
In conclusion: Italians generally eat pasta for lunch BUT…with fresh products and homemade sauces!

What’s an Italian dinner like?

Italian dinner is generally fish or meat with a veggy side dish.
Dinner is the main family moment, the moment to share with the rest of  your family the gossips collected during the day at work or at school. This moment requires a bottle of red wine on the table which will help everybody loosen their tongue and get into the details of their gossip report.
Find below a list of classical Italian dinner dishes:
– Cotoletta alla Milanese and fries 
– Boiled veal in broth also renowned as bollito.
– Sicilians hardly resist to have a swordfish or tuna steak served with some pan-cooked vegs.
As you can read, I haven’t mentioned pizza yet! Coz pizza comes in the dinner section. The pizza moment for Italians is Saturday night. That’s the time to reserve your favorite pizzeria in time!

Italians do not eat pizza for lunch. Read the Italian Food Bible.

KEYWORDS TO UNDERSTAND WHY ITALIANS CAN EAT WITHOUT GETTING FAT

Cooking. As you could read along this article I did use the verb cook many times, because this is what we do on a daily basis. This is one of the reasons why we eat well, we eat a lot and we stay fit. We cook ourselves.

Fresh. We use fresh products. Even we do it sometimes, we do consider a bad choice to top pasta with a jarred tomato sauce bought at the groucery store…even if we are talking about the top quality sauce available in the market. Quality stays in real tomatoes, not in jars. Fresh basil, fresh olive oil bought directly from the producer, fresh bread coming from the baker, meat butchered by your friend’s uncle. Know what I mean!? 

Human quantities. Normally the questions is…How come Italians eat so much and don’t get fat? Simple! At home we do not fill our plate with the same amount of pasta you get served at restaurants. We tend to cook much smaller portions at home…when I say we…I mean for ourselves.

When we cook for the family it’s another story. Read the Italian christmas meal Survival guide!

Blog Author
MARCO ROMEO – STREATY’S CEO
“Marco is a Sicilian tour guide and founder of Streaty Tours company. He is graduted in foreing languages. He lived in many places around Europe and Arab countries. His tapping on the keyboard is guided by an innate passion for food, especially street food.”

The post Italians eat and stay fit. How come! appeared first on Streaty.