Plan your next Italian villa holiday with Bookings for You
Escape to Italy, embrace Italian life with a villa holiday. Take in the food, beaches, and culture - I’ve picked some of my favourite locations to help you plan your next Italian holiday.
If like me, you are still longing for an Italian escape, craving bowls of the freshest pasta, imagining locals calling ciao across piazzas, thinking which flavour of gelato you’d choose, and generally wanting to soak up some Italian sun and spirit then read on.
I’ve teamed up with Bookings For You to bring you inspiration for what Italian holiday to book next, plus offer you an exclusive saving when you enter code COOKINGCARAFES on the booking page (click got a coupon when booking, discount varies dependant on the property).
The Lakes
Lake Como in all its beauty
Let’s start with the Italian lakes, I have fond memories of travelling here as a teenager with my parents. I used to love catching the boats to different parts of the lakes. We visited both Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore (Lake Como is next on my list!), and I loved the beautiful, bright streets filled with bougainvillea and bright buildings as you came into each small port.
The lakes are all situated in the Lombardy region. Expect to find a mouth-watering array of meats and cheeses, coupled with earthy dishes that reign from the nearby mountains.
Lake Maggiore
One of my favourite cured meats is from this region, Bresaola. This meat is cured for a relatively short amount of time in comparison to some others, and is recognisable by it’s much brighter, and richer colour, with a faint marbled effect. If you’re ordering antipasti enjoy a delicious large plate of bresaola, often served with parmesan shavings, rocket and a drizzle of olive oil.
Another dish of the region is Risotta alla Milanese, a beautiful, bright, yellow risotto infused with saffron to bring its vibrant colour and subtle taste that pairs perfectly with ossobuco. Ossobuco is veal, very slowly cooked in white wine, stock and some veg until it is falling off the bone. It is often served with Risotto all a Milanese, it is a melt in the mouth combination and is making me hungry just thinking about it!
One other item you can’t miss is Taleggio cheese, this soft, creamy cheese has a mild but distinct fruity flavour. You’ll probably smell it before you taste it but don’t be deceived it’s one not to miss, either on its own or within a dish.
If I’ve made you hungry for a holiday in the lakes, take a look at the wide range of accommodation on offer at Bookings for You at Lake Maggiore, Lake Como & Lake Garda. Use code COOKINGCARAFES at checkout for an exclusive discount.
Le Marche
Let’s travel south a little to the region of Le Marche, set on the Riveria del Conero on the east coast along the Adriatic Sea, this lesser visited region is stunning. A little more untouched, and rugged but no less beautiful than neighbouring Umbria and Tuscany. With national parks to explore if you love the great outdoors as well as lazing on white pebble beaches, this is the perfect getaway.
Le Marche
Expect to enjoy a chilled glass of verdicchio famous to the region in your villa, enjoy it with fritto misto, stuffed olives or even a fish stew. This region is abundant in food, from the cattle and meat from the farming inland, including eggs for pasta, truffles, and some of the best olive oils come from this region, you’ll also find fish aplenty from the Adriatic coastline!
Fritto misto
Book your perfect stay in Le Marche with Bookings for You – don’t forget to use discount code COOKINGCARAFES for your exclusive saving
Sicily
Let’s continue our journey south to Sicily. The largest island in the Mediterranean, well known for its crystal clear waters, changing landscape, its Byzantine history and of course its famous volcano, Mount Etna.
Sicily encapsulates its many influences across the island from African to Greek; from historical sites such as Syracuse where you’ll find a Greek theatre dating back to 5th Century BC; to dishes like pasta con le sarde with North African influences such as pine nuts and raisins, combined with the island’s fresh sardines, wild fennel and toasted breadcrumbs.
You’ll also find familiar dishes like pasta alla norma, made with aubergine and ricotta salata (follow my recipe). However you can not visit Sicily without trying two things, arancini and cannoli.
Arancini, traditionally served as a street food are balls of risotto, deep fried with either a delicious gooey middle of cheese of meat ragu. Arancini are one of my favourite snacks, and recently I’ve taken to making them at home too. Look out for different shapes, some are more conical in shape and stature, and others are round balls of deliciousness!
Cannoli, a sweet Sicilian pastry
Cannoli, a sweet Sicilian pastry filled with creamy ricotta and finished with cocoa, pistachios or citrus peel. Pistachios from Sicily are regarded as some of the best in the world, and are harvested by hand in the town of Bronte, near Mount Etna.
As well as the food and beaches, there are plenty of day trips to keep you entertained if you like to keep busy and use your villa as a base. A trip to the top of Etna is worth a visit, the landscape and terrain is quite awe-inspiring. It was certainly nothing like I’ve seen before. You travel up by cable car and jeep – you can stop en-route at some of the islands small waterfalls, and you may also see locals selling honey and other produce on the side of the road. Or take a trip to the Aeolian Islands, seven volcanic islands form this archipelago, an hour’s boat ride from northern Sicily. Each island has its own unique appeal from the Malvasia wines of salina to the suphur omitting Vulcano!
If you’re looking for some down time and day trips then head to the beautiful island of Sicily, book your stay today with Bookings for You, and use code COOKINGCARAFES at checkout for an exclusive discount
Bookings For You offer a stunning collection of villas across Italy, from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the Amalfi coast. They have some of the finest Italian villas available for rent, from the super-luxurious, to trendy city apartments. All of their Italian villas are handpicked so they can help you find the perfect holiday accommodation. Discount code COOKINGCARAFES applies to villas in all locations so don’t forget to enter it at checkout when you book.
Find out more at www.bookingsforyou.com
Disclaimer: I will receive a small commission from Bookings for You when you book using the discount code COOKINGCARAFES
My Dolce Vita
As part of #DolceVitaBloggers link up I've shared what La Dolce Vita means to me
La Dolce Vita.
These words were what I dreamed of living on a more permanent basis when I was a kid. If you’ve read some of my other blog posts you’ll know my love for Italy began as a child from annual holidays to Italy.
Mum and me in Italy in my late teens
It was the days before technology took over our worlds for good, so without a smartphone or iPad in sight I’d entertain myself as a teenager, mainly by staring out to the glittering blue Mediterranean Sea dreaming of what I wanted my Dolce Vita life to be.
Bucket lists would contain things like 1. Learn to sail a boat 2. Live in Italy. 3 Travel the world 4. Speak Italian fluently 5 ….
It’s amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. I’m a believer in writing your goals down helps you to achieve them, as I can say I ticked off a lot of my 13 year old somethings bucket list!
My real Dolce Vita moment was when I lived out my dream in Sardinia for a summer. As a holiday rep I whizzed around the island in my car going from hotel to hotel visiting guests, exploring the island and soaking up the sun on my favourite beaches. I built relationships with the people around me and I created myself a little life in the town of Pula, it was a temporary fix but it was part way to completing my dream.
Chia Sardinia
I always vowed I’d return, and I have on numerous holidays but never to live again. Not yet.
Now although it might not be my end goal of La Dolce Vita (which I hope to see out when I’m nearing my retirement years with a B&B or more permanent holiday home in Italy), my Dolce Vita is in fact in my little town of Buntingford in my forever home with my partner, Mark.
In between work I create my own corner of Italy, at home and through my blog. I immerse myself in Italian food, whether it’s making pasta from scratch, cooking up a quick Spaghetti Carbonara or finding new Italian products. Couple this with Italian wines, finding the latest Italian restaurant I want to visit, and scouring recipe books from my favourite bloggers, I’m dreaming and tasting Italy all the time.
It’s amazing how many people there are to connect with that share the same love and passion for a place that you do, we’re all connected by Italy’s spell it has put on us!
I love reaching out to people I meet through my blog and hearing their stories. I stumbled across Letitia Clark on Instagram and now I’m the proud owner of this original watercolour of Sardinia decorated with the produce, the food, the history of the island which will hang pride of place in my kitchen.
Hand painted watercolour map of Sardinia by Letitia Clark
Letitia is a chef and artist and starting out on her own Sardinian adventure, creating what I can only imagine will be her Dolce Vita too. If you’re a lover of Italian food and quirky illustrations with witty captions you need to follow her!
So you see, wherever you may be, once Italy has taken a hold of you, you will create your own Dolce Vita wherever you land.
This post is part of the Dolce Vita Bloggers link up and is the topic for July, read more about people's own Dolce Vita on their site.
Love Letter to Italy
As part of the #DolceVitaBloggers Linky I've written my Love Letter to Italy
Dear Italy,
You stole my heart a long time ago. You wrapped me up in your magic and swept me off my feet. From the moment I first set eyes on the Amalfi coast, the glistening Mediterranean sea sweeping round the coast sparkling in the sunshine, oozing with Italian class as speed boats glided along the coastline, I knew it could be the real thing. I don’t know what made me fall in love, perhaps it was your charm as I watched people shouting ‘Ciaooo!’ as they passed friends in the street, or watching locals talk with such passion that every sentence was accompanied by arms being flailed around, or the madness of drivers out of Naples beeping their horns, the sound and smell of vespas whizzing by with gorgeous Italians on board, OR perhaps it was PASTA!
Year after year I returned to see you with my parents, we explored regions from Puglia to Tuscany, and to the lakes in Lombardy, but eventually it was summer in Sardinia that I fell harder than I had before! I always say ‘my heart is in Sardinia’ and it’s true, it’s my happy place - the sea, the mountains, the food, the passion of the island, it caught me. Summer 2006 is etched in my mind as one of those fabulous summers, the kind I’ll talk about until I’m old and grey; at 21 it was my dream to finish uni and live with my love, Italy, how was I going to do that? I landed myself a job as a holiday rep and where better to be posted than the stunning island of Sardinia. I couldn’t wait, I used to read and re-read the Citalia brochure and imagine myself living out my days there with you. Of course, like any love affair it wasn’t all smooth-going, I quickly realised I didn’t talk your language of love (not well anyway), I didn’t know anyone and I was indeed, alone. It wasn’t long though before I was yelling ciao! across the piazza and speaking in broken italian to friends around the little town of Pula that fast became home.
I remember speaking to my mum and telling her “I don’t miss anything’, I embraced your lifestyle from morning to night, day in, day out. I took my cappuccino with a cornetto con marmellata (my favourite!), if it was after 11 it was always un cafe (an espresso) so I wasn’t frowned at by my friends, I learnt to eat spaghetti with just a fork, I never went for dinner before 9pm, evenings always started with aperitivo, I abandoned my car with reckless abandon on streets and pavements - “I’m in Italy!” I would declare. I welcomed both family and friend with love and passion and showed them the way of life in this little gem I had uncovered for myself in the south of Sardinia.
My friends in Sardinia knew how much your island resonated with me, they knew I wanted to live and breathe it for evermore, saying goodbye that summer wasn’t easy, but I know whenever I return they are there waiting for me - waiting to greet me with Ciao Kate! Come va? like I never went away.
Italy does that though, if you let it. If you embrace the lifestyle it will embrace you back with the warmest abbracci e baci. Your heart will flutter at the sound of someone speaking Italian, it will catch you unaware, on a tube, in a quiet cafe, in a queue - it will make you smile with a warm glow, and you’ll transport yourself momentarily to a piazza con un bicchiere di vino, watching the world go by with the Mediterranean sun beating down on you, even on the coldest winter days.
I suppose my Love Letter to you wouldn’t be complete without talking about the food… your combination of simple ingredients, with sun rich produce is a combination that can’t be beaten, throw in great wine and the Italian way at meal times and you’ve got a match made in heaven. From long, leisurely lunches to grabbing un gelato - everything is perfect!
My life wouldn’t be complete without pasta, the different shapes, sauces and pairings - I try to recreate a bowl of all this goodness in my kitchen every week. My kitchen shelves are full with Italian recipe books, pasta shapes, flour, olive oil, olives, and much more of your fabulous produce, not to mention the wine rack!
I suppose there isn’t much left to say, except Italy, you will always be my greatest love.
Grazie mille, ti amo.
Baci
This blog post is part of the Dolce Vita Bloggers linky from Mamma Prada, Italian at Heart and Questa Dolce Vita You can read other letters on the linky.
If you'd like to read more about my adventures in Italy and my love affair with Sardinia you might like Sea and Sardinia or for more Italian food follow me on Instagram @cookingcarafes
Travel in your thirties
Travel in your 30s vs travel in your 20s - a very different experience
On my recent trip to Slovenia one of the things I recognised was how travel in your thirties is very different to travel in your twenties.
Adventures in my twenties
Parking as close to the terminal with as little stress as possible (forget transfer buses) or even stay the night before at a hotel, depending on the airport and the flight time
Getting to the airport in plenty of time so you can get a decent meal at a restaurant, whatever time of day
Enjoying a pre-holiday drink, except now it's not in Wetherspoons (not always anyway) and it's more likely to be a Prosecco than a pint!
Ok you still normally travel on a budget airline and join the queue with everyone else to board but at least you get an allocated seat these days
Hungry or thirsty on the flight? You're suddenly willing to pay for the overpriced food and drink because you want it, especially that in-flight drink
Arriving at your destination… you're no longer scrabbling around to find out what bus or train you need to get to the city centre or resort (unless you're determined you are still in full travelling mode), instead there's a man holding up a piece of crumpled A4 paper with your name on
The hotels - before you travelled you read every review possible to help make your decision, you looked at ratings, googled ‘best hotels in …’ and checked Condé Nast recent articles before you booked, or you took the easy option and went with Secret Escapes best hotel
During your stay you scour the streets, the Internet and the guide books for the best places to eat and drink. You want to experience the local cuisine and wine and you want to go to the best place in town for it. Failing that you want an amazing location or view that you can Instagram like crazy and check in on Facebook so everyone at work knows you're having a really good time
You're also no longer the last people in the bar barely able to stand, you're tipsy and tired and need to get back to the hotel for your beauty sleep ahead of a new day exploring, or sitting on the beach or fresh faced (behind the sunglasses) by the pool
Finally your return home; you're early for everything, you've allowed time to get to the airport, you've factored in for delays and you even have some cash left to enjoy an airport coffee and something to eat.
Vigne Surrau | Wine tasting in Sardinia
Take a trip to this vineyard to taste award winning Sardinian wines
From the moment our trip was booked we'd planned to head to some Sardinian vineyards, little did we know we'd find this one practically on the hotel's doorstep!
Having been exploring in the car through the mountains in search of Lago di Liscia we’d passed plenty of vineyards with roadside signs stating who owned them and ‘Vigne Surrau’ certainly took precedent.
On our return to our hotel in Baia Sardinia, we asked the concierge about the vineyard, whose wine was also recommended in the hotel wine list, and he brought out a map to show us the short drive.
The next day we headed to nearby Porto Cervo in the morning, but after having wandered the artificial streets and window shopping in the luxury stores we decided it wasn’t for us, so where to next…? A vineyard of course!
On arrival it doesn’t look like much from the car park, some barrels tower over the entrance road and the car park was more or less desolate. We wandered to the driveway and made our way to the main building entrance. As soon as we stepped inside it was a wine lovers dream… so I was in heaven. We were greeted by a young sommelier who welcomed us to try some of their wines. He selected four for us initially, two red and two white; from the Cannonau and Vermentino grapes, famous for Sardinian wine.
We began with the Branu Vermentino di Gallura, Commended in the Decanter World Wine Awards. Translated from Gallurese, Branu means ‘spring’ – with its straw colouring, this wine was fruity with a relatively long finish and mineral undertones and would be perfect served with a local fresh fish dish. Next up we tried the Sciala Vementino di Gallura, which was slightly higher in alcohol content at 14% but had a smooth and long refreshing finish.
Then we moved onto the reds, the Barriu Isola dei Nuraghi and the Sincaru Cannonau di Sardegna. The blended Barriu has won multiple awards but both tasted great to me as I’ve been a lover of Cannonau since my early trips to Sardinia. It’s hard to get hold of in the UK so was worth savouring!
As we tasted sommelier, Simone talked us through the wines and how the vineyard now welcomes over 10,000 visitors a year. We also exchanged conversation about his time in Ireland (which had led to his fantastic English), his parents and grandparents are all from different regions across Italy. However our common thread we discovered was he was from Cagliari, where my Sardinian journey began 10 years ago!
We took in our surroundings and looked at the hundreds of bottles of wine, along with wine books and other paraphernalia, the little deli fridge filled with cheeses, salami, honey and chutneys. Then Simone asked if we wanted to try a dessert wine and mirto (the Sardinian digestif) – naturally we obliged.
The main building also has a panoramic seating area overlooking farmer’s fields where they serve a flight of wines accompanied with meats and cheese, my friend Enrico said it was best for this later in the day from 5pm onwards when it’s a little busier.
Simone, then to our surprise asked if we’d like to see the cellars and after checking with his colleague we were lucky enough to see the beautiful barrels ageing the wine, including some of the winemakers most recent trials that they only had a limited number of. It was truly remarkable, the sheer size of some of the barrels for one and then other smaller barrels marked with the age of when they bought them to ensure any oak wasn’t too strong. Older barrels give a softer, less intense oaky flavour to the wine.
After being mesmerised by so much wine, we picked up a few bottles to enjoy back in our room as we didn’t want to risk packaging them in the suitcase. Fortunately we managed to pick up a few bottle at Olbia airport but at a much higher price tag. Since returning I’ve found Ocado stock the Cannonau and Vermentino di Gallura.
All in all it is the perfect way to spend an hour or so enjoying great wines and hospitality from the team there. I will definitely be returning!
Sea and Sardinia
Discover why this island is so special with its enchanting waters...
I haven't yet written about my love for Sardinia and perhaps now is the right time. Having returned from a week's holiday in Baia Sardinia my passion for this island is once again ignited. I fondly refer to it as 'my' island as it feels like that's where I'm most at home and it is without a doubt my 'happy place'.
As D.H Lawrence once wisely described in his book Sea and Sardinia, 1921 "This land resembles no other place. Sardinia is something else. Enchanting spaces and distances to travel-nothing finished, nothing definitive. It is like freedom itself.”
Sardinia is enchanting, from the glistening crystal blue waters to the magnificent mountains as its back drop - the mare e monti are what makes this island so special. The sea and the mountains are the essence behind their regional dishes, their way of life and the history of the island.
Mare e Monti
Famous for its nuraghi from settlers in the Bronze Age, the island has been home to many invaders since 350,000 BC, including the Romans and the Spanish throughout the years. However, post WWII Sardinia was granted autonomy in 1948 and today the Sards are proud of their island and their heritage. The Sardinian flag flies proudly from boats, restaurants, apartments and more and you'll often hear locals conversing in Sardo (Sardinia's first language) - don't try to understand it though as it's a world apart from Italian!
The colours of this island are as vibrant and warm as the people who live on it. From the turquoise waters to the bright green shrubs and pines that grow between the mountains and bougainvillea that brighten hotels and apartments.
Tuerreda Beach from my trips in 2006
The people are some of the kindest I've ever met, they take life slowly and with good humour - something we can all learn from. Tranquillo my friend Daniele used to tell me all the time, con calma...their warm hearts and generosity knows no bounds. Something that I was extremely thankful for when I arrived in the small town of Pula with limited Italian, no friends and a new job, country and culture to get to grips with. As my network of friends slowly built and my knowledge of the local area grew, my italian improved and I fell in love with this magical island. I loved driving between my hotels, visiting local restaurants with friends, trying new dishes, drinking good wine and laughing with these very special people.
I became accustomed to their way of life; cappucino and cornetto con marmalata was the perfect start to my day, I'd visit and liaise with guests at their hotels, enjoy a leisurely lunch (pranzo) before taking a well deserved siesta! Later on I'd head out for un aperitivo (aperol spritz, negroni or campari orange were, and still are my favourites) with friends. Of course an evening wouldn't have been complete without a glass of Sardinia's famous red wine Cannonau - coupled with pane carasau, pecorino and salame, which is traditionally served as an antipasti or stuzzichini (snack with drinks). Whether it was pizza, pasta, porcheddu or pesce that followed I was never disappointed! Traditionally most meals would then end with mirto - a digestivo made from myrtle berries but I wasn't too keen on the taste so if I was feeling brave I'd take a grappa!
There is a lot to be said of the Sardinian way of life they are a longevity hotspot and one of five identified blue zones in the world where people are happier, healthier and live for longer. Some of you, like me, might be glad to know that some of the keys to living this longer, healthier life include:
Drink one or two glasses of red wine a day - Cannonau is rich in antioxidants that are good for the heart
Laugh with friends - how can it not be good for you?
Pecorino cheese - is made from grass fed sheep's milk so is high in omega-3
Chi mangia bene, vive bene!