things to see and do.. restaurants, etc

Catania for food lovers

The markets are the heart of the city. They also help you understand what is in season and what to look for on the menus. There are several larger food markets and some other weekly markets in the neighborhoods as well as antiques and flea markets. This is not a complete guide to dining in Florence, but rather where I would eat near the markets. A taste of some of the Florentine neighborhoods. -I also can create your own custom guide including what to see in town paired to where you eat. Send me an email divinacucina@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram @divinacucina When using the guide, be sure to open the map and you can see where you are and what's closest to where you are.

I lived downtown Florence from 1984 to 2000. I love old school trattorias, but have included some newer places as well.

Start with the markets to know what to eat in Napoli. There is a lot of wonderful street food here so leave room to sample. It can be chaotic, but fun!

Italians are famous for the Dolce Far Niente... sweet doing nothing. I always suggest people build in some time to sit and people watch. The Aperitivo is an art form in Italy and in Florence now, rooftop bars have become a thing. Many are in hotels. You will need a reservation, especially in high season.

Certaldo is a personal favorite of mine, not just because it is my hometown. I live in the hills outside town. This was the home to Boccaccio, the author of the Decameron. It is one of the less touristy hilltowns, so you get a real feel of what it was like. There is the larger lower city which was buildt in the 1800's and then the original village from Medieval times, made entirely of red bricks, it is truly beautiful.

The markets are the heart of the city. My favorite markets in Rome and where to eat nearby. This is more than just markets, also some of my favorite neighborhoods.

My Livorno! Normally, I really just love to hang around the market, eating my way through and then hit the Gagarin for the Torta. Then take a boat ride though the canals and visit thefish market and eat there. Then if I stay the night, I go to a old school trattoria. But the entire VENEZIA area is filled with bars and restaurants, too many to mention. DO have a PUNCH, their rum-spiked coffee with a lemon zest "vela" - sail. You will feel like a pirate It's out of the way,but Bar Civili is where the old guys hang out playing cards and drinking!

When you head south past Siena, the landscape opens up to incredible rolling hills of farmlands. The area has often been used in films for it's beauty. Here are a few of the towns to visit. For a day trip, pick three or four. But you can easily spend a whole day in each one. Don't forget to take some time and just enjoy a town. Sit in a piazza, people watch. Take a hike in the area. Leave your car.

I created this for a couple of friends coming and looking for Jewish History and places to eat. I added some don't miss sites for their short visit. There is not a large Jewish part of Florence. Rome has a large center and Pitigliano in Southern Tuscany. There is a lot of history If you would like your own curated guide, Email me divinacucina@gmail.com

Eat. Drink. Shop. Stay. Day-tripping to Bologna, the capital of Emilia Romagna

La Serenissima- One of the most important ports of the Mediterranean and home to some incredible art,food and wine. It's an open air museum. The Rialto Market is right on the Grand Canal. It can be really crowded on these tiny streets, watch your wallets.

Mercato and more

Mercato and more

Some of my favorite places in the area between Florence and Siena known as Chianti. It's not just the name of the wine, but also the area which produces it. Greve is the "capital" of the area, not all the small towns and villages have town halls. Some are what's called a "borgo" a group of homes and perhaps a church. Fun to explore the small off the beaten track places as well. There are so many lovely bars and shops to have simple snacks if you don't want a large sit down meal. People watching is one of my favorite pastimes. Letting it all soak in. The 222 highway is often popular with bike riders as well and there are no bike lanes, so drive carefully, especially on the weekends. Many of the small towns have a market day once a week. Where the mall comes to you. It's always fun to visit a weekly market. More than just food! Clothing, shoes, purses, fabric, kitchen supplies and more. Often a Porchetta truck.

Torino is a personal favorite. Home to Fiat and one of the world's best Egyptian Musuems. Chocolate lover's heaven, Gianduia was created here, using the local hazelnuts to stretch the chocolate. It inspired Nutella. The city has 18 km of covered walkways and wonderful shopping. The food is incredible. It was home to the King of Savoia. He lived there when Italy became united and it was the first capital of Italy. The Market of Torino is one of the largest in Europe. There is a historic building and a huge piazza filled with stands. Not just food, I also adore the flea market, Balon and the grand Balon.

Exploring the port town of Bari in Puglia.

I adore city markets, it's when the mall comes to you. Not just food, but household items and more.

Walk by those high mountains of gelato and search out wonderful artisanal gelato's. You deserve the best!

Some tips when you are based in Bari for touring in Puglia

The markets are the heart of the city. They also help you understand what is in season and what to look for on the menus. There are several larger food markets and some other weekly markets in the neighborhoods as well as antiques and flea markets. The markets were built

When you need a little peace and quite in the city.

Notes from my 2 day trip... plus another special restaurant.