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AUTHENTIC ITALY
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Stop Making These 9 Big Mistakes on your First Trip to Italy
Visiting Italy for the first time has long been on your bucket-list. Now that you’re finally planning the Italian vacation you’ve dreamed of, you want to have the trip of a lifetime. After spending hours DIYing it on TripAdvisor, searching for last minute deals,...
The Best Pizza in Naples, Italy and Where to Find it
Naples is not only the birthplace of Pizza as we know it today, but remains the world capital of pizza. Pizza Napoletana is a cornerstone of the local cuisine and culture. Story narrates that in 1889 Raffaele Esposito, a local pizzaiolo, made the “ Pizza Margherita”...
7 Big Mistakes Retirees Make When Planning a Trip to Italy, And What to Do Instead!
As an Italian and a local expat, over the years we’ve helped many guests in their retirement years avoid common pitfalls that can put a damper on an Italian vacation. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to retirees' biggest mistakes when planning a...
Where to Eat the Best Pizza in Venice, Italy
Until the end of the 1990’s Venice was notorious in Italy for not offering decent quality pizza. Pizza chains dominated Venice for decades, often being the only way to get a slice of the most quintessential Italian food while visiting. Most of the pizza was made with...
Best Boutique Hotels in Florence, Italy
Searching for the best boutique Hotel in Florence Italy, is a difficult task, as many of the Florentine owned hotels have been sold to global hotel chains. This makes finding a personalized experience and selecting a hotel that directly supports Italian owned and...
A Quick Guide to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Wine
Beloved by Italians and wine lovers abroad, Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is the second most grown grape in Italy after Sangiovese. Together, the two of them share the majority of acres of wine grown in Italy. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is not to be confused with the “Vino...
What is Prosecco? An Italian Wine Expert Answers Your Questions
Prosecco might be one of the most well known Italian wines due to an unstoppable growth in the past 20 years which has crowned it the undiscussed king of Aperitivo hour, with the Aperol Spritz, one of the most popular drinks throughout Italy. With many producers...
Best Boutique Hotels in Venice, Italy
The magical lagoon of Venice is a dream trip that's on practically everyone’s bucket list. Taking a beautiful “traghetto” (handcrafted wooden water taxi) and sleeping in a Renaissance Palace is a unique experience that should be part of your stay and not be ruined by...
5 Pasta Types to Eat in Abruzzo, Italy
Abruzzo is one of the largest producing pasta regions in Italy. Some of the biggest names in Abruzzo's pasta-making business are located near Chieti. The province of Chieti is where traditional pasta types from Abruzzo have been made for centuries. Chieti is in an...
Best Restaurants in Venice, Italy for Authentic Italian Food & Wine
Top of mind on your trip to Venice is Piazza San Marco, Gondolas floating down the Rialto, and the stunning Venetian glassware - not necessarily the delicious “authentic” Italian food and wine. Drawing in the crowds with some of Italy’s most famous sites, chowing...
A Quick Guide to Pecorino Wine
When you hear the word “Pecorino” what's the first thing that comes to mind? It's probably a delicious aged cheese that you ate on your last trip to Italy. What you might not know is that Pecorino also happens to be a crisp white wine that is a perfect pairing for the...
Local’s Guide to Shopping in Florence, Italy
Known around the world as the "Birthplace" of the Renaissance, the city of Florence is no stranger to craftsmanship and artisanal handmade leather goods. My guess is if you're anything like me, you've probably already heard about it's famous leather markets and plan...
Ultimate Guide to Olive Oil Benefits (and more!)
Spending my summer vacations in Puglia, Italy’s largest olive oil producing region, many of my fondest memories are centered around olive oil. Olive oil benefits have been long heralded by Italians, including my family. On warm Italian summer nights, we’d sit out on...
This Italian Pizza Dough Recipe will transport you to eating Pizza in Italy
Digging into a slice of gourmet pizza in Italy is on every foodie’s bucket list. Nothing quite beats the real thing. But when you can’t make it to the Bel Paese to sink your teeth into a pizza margherita, the next best thing is learning the secret to enjoying...
The Most Affordable Boutique Hotels in Rome, Italy
Let’s face it, accommodations make up one of the biggest expenses of your trip to Rome. And while you’re probably dreaming of a 5-star luxury stay at the St. Regis, you might not have the budget, or desire, to spend at least $500 USD a night for the most basic room in...
A Local’s Guide to Eating Pizza in Ascoli Piceno, Italy
There’s nothing quite like digging into your first slice of pizza in Italy. Whether you love a traditional neapolitan pizza, you’re wanting to go gourmet, or can’t stomach the gluten, Ascoli’s pizzerias offer something for everyone’s taste buds and dietary...
Escape to Le Marche on the Untold Italy Podcast
Listen to the interview with Katy from Untold Italy and discover what to see, do and eat in Le Marche, Lonely Planet's Top Region to Visit in Italy for 2020.UNTOLD ITALY PODCAST INTRODUCTION Josie: Ciao and benvenuti to Untold Italy. I'm Josie. Katy: And I'm...
The Best Beaches in Le Marche, Italy
Italy’s beautiful beaches are synonymous with Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and overcrowded umbrella lined lidos. Make your way across the Bel Paese, just a few hours from Rome, and instead you’ll find some of the best beaches in Italy that only the locals know about. ...
Ultimate Guide to Pizza in Italy
Of all the experiences I’ve had during my career in Italian food and wine, there was nothing quite like working with chefs when pizza in Italy, and around the world, was undergoing a culinary evolution. Pizzaioli (Master Pizza Makers) treated their dough like a...
13 Essential Tips for Driving in Italy
Planning the ultimate Italy road trip can be quite a daunting task. Aggressive Italian drivers, roads that don’t make it on google maps, and limited traffic zones are just a few of the things you’ll encounter when driving in Italy. Having the right to cruise the...
How to Cook Pasta like an Italian
Growing up Italian, learning how to cook pasta was one of the first kitchen skills my mother taught me. It's the quintessential Italian main course that every Italian can whip up in a jiffy to have a healthy and delicious meal ready in under 20 minutes. Cooking pasta...
Most Underrated Wine Region of Italy
Like most Italian families in Le Marche, wine from our region was present at every big family gathering. Still it wasn’t until my 20’s that I gained a real appreciation for the diversity and quality found in the under-rated wine region of Le Marche. Considered all...
Visiting Valle d’Aosta? Try these Small Italian Towns
Cozy Mountain Towns Tucked inside Valle d’Aosta Nestled between the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps, Valle d’Aosta has its share of ultra glamorous ski towns and resorts. The least densely populated Italian region. Val d'Aosta has no provinces, and lays claim to just...
Why You Need Travel Insurance for Italy
Planning a trip is fun. Planning an Italian trip-of-a-lifetime is even more fun. But aside from planning how you’ll get from A to B, what you’ll eat and where you’ll sleep, it’s important to consider the more practical side of travel: insurance. Adulting may not be...
A Local’s Guide to Urbino, Italy
Perched high up on one of Le Marche’s hills, Urbino is a city that delights both history buffs and foodies. Its architecture, art, and history rival any of Tuscany’s famous masterpieces and Urbino has the street cred to back this statement. Making the New York Times...
The Best Time to Visit Rome, Italy
When is the best time to visit Rome There’s no bad time to visit Rome. The eternal city is stunning in all seasons, but October has the upper hand. The weather in Rome, Italy is cold during the winter and sweltering in the summer, but Rome in October is warm during...
Best Time to Visit Italy for Wine Lovers
May is the best time to visit Italy for “Cantine Aperte” Wine lovers can rejoice with a visit to Italy in May. Not only will you experience less crowds, you can take part in Cantine Aperte. It’s Italy's largest wine festival where wineries open their cellars to the...
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“Giovanni & Chantelle personally guided us. After having been to Italy multiple times, I can honestly say no other experience compares to the one provided by Giovanni & Chantelle. With their local knowledge we were able to experience food & restaurants we would not have discovered on our own.”
“When I lost my luggage, Giovanni took his personal time to help me sort things out, it really showed how much they care about their clients. They really went above and beyond the scope of the tour.”