Italy – More Than Just Food

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to Italy? A small country, Italy is not much bigger than the state of Arizona. Italy’s train system is fantastic, making it possible to travel around the whole country in a single visit. Visit the legendary cities of Florence, Rome, Milan, and Verona, and enjoy delicious Italian cuisine in their charming “ristorantes.”

Italian Food

Even if Italy were not a beautiful country with a rich history, you would want to visit just to partake of the amazing food. You have not tasted real pizza until you have enjoyed an authentic Margherita (named after an Italian queen), baked in a wood burning stove and topped with the colors of Italy’s flag, red (tomatoes), white (crust), and green (basil). Other Italian specialties you will want to try are Zuppa di Pesce (fish stew with all local ingredients) and Scaloppine di Vitello (breaded veal scallops sautéed in olive oil), and compliment your meal with a glass of delightful Italian wine. There are many tantalizing regional specialties, and if time permits you will want to try them all with a side of Italian pasta. Don’t forget to have a slice of Italy’s famous tiramisu cake for dessert.

The Colosseum

This amazing structure was constructed on the site of Nero’s Golden Palace. The building was started by Vespian when he became emperor, but he died before it was completed. His sons, Titan and Domitian completed the construction. Originally it was built to allow the floor to be removed for sea battles (naumachia) and later stores and holding rooms were added. Animals and gladiators were kept in rooms until it was their time in the arena, and were lifted there by a series of elevators. This amazing piece of history should be near the top of your “must see” list.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The tower was built by successive generations of architects, and none could correct the tilt the shifting foundation created. In 1990 the tower was closed to the public, and an extensive engineering project was conducted. It was reopened in 2001 and offers limited daily tours, making it important to plan ahead. The inner walls are adorned with frescoes painted by local artists, fating back to the fourteenth-century.

Pompeii

 

This is another favorite destination for visitors from all over the world. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 buried the city under 20 feet of volcanic ash, which left much of the city remarkably preserved. The wall frescoes of many buildings still retain much of their color and luster. This amazing archeological wonder takes you back in time to see an actual ancient city and allows the visitor to see everyday life at is was in Pompeii moments before the volcano erupted. You can hire a local guide at the site.

Italy is where you can travel the Venice canals in a water taxi, visit Vatican City and maybe spot the Pope offering a prayer, and throw coins in the Trevi Fountain to assure you will return to visit Italy another time.To stay up to date with everything else go to https://hookedoneverything.com/stay-up-to-date/