While everyone else has moved on from visiting the renowned cities of Rome, Florence and Venice and is now exploring towns in Puglia, the Amalfi coast and Lake Como — consider a trip to these lesser-known destinations before they become overrun by crowds and high prices.

From rooftops to street corners and everything in between, don’t miss these unique places for awesome views and photo opps. Check out the "Details" section for each with more info!

In Italy, you'll come across various terms for what Americans would simply call a "restaurant". Each of them serves a distinct purpose and offers different services. While definitions and rules of each have become somewhat blurred in recent years, it's still helpful to know the differences while there. Knowing the types of food and drinks that these places offer will be helpful so you know what to expect when trying to plan your meals and make reservations. Whether you're seeking a formal meal, a casual bite, or a specific Italian specialty, understanding what each of these types of restaurants offers ahead of time will ensure you get exactly what you are looking for with no surprises. Here are the primary types of eateries in Italy, how they differ, and an example of each.

Trastevere is one of Rome’s most beloved neighborhoods, filled with locals, university students, artists, and vibrant energy. It is also home to some of the city's hippest and most stylish hotels making this Roman district a desirable choice for your home base when visiting. Below is a quick hit list of the most special hotels in the area, worth a book if you want to stay somewhere beyond the hustle and bustle of the city center while still in the heart of all that Rome has to offer. ⭐️Side note: You can book any of these hotels directly through booking.com using the links provided in the details section.

⭐️ Insider tips and tricks to maximize your travel experience in Italy. Have you ever booked a vacation only to realize once you arrive that a few important planning details weren't accounted for? You may have wished that you had prepared better beforehand to help make the trip run a bit more smoothly. For Italy first-timers, this guide will help keep the monkey wrenches out of your plans and avoid the "oh, I was not prepared for that" or "oh no, what do we do now?" moments that might pop up while you're trying to enjoy your trip. The tips in this guide aren't meant to overwhelm, but to help you prepare. Most importantly, they shed light on cultural differences, ensuring respect for the local customs, and avoid potential embarrassment with the locals. Keep this on hand to navigate the cultural nuances and stay organized so you'll be free to savor all the best that Italy has to offer without being bogged down by logistics. Featuring: 🍝Dining Reservations - When you will need them, when you don't need them, and an option for booking them online with a site used throughout Italy. ⏱️Dining Timing - Typical dining hours for each meal so you know when to avoid, or join, the crowds. 🎟️Tourist Attraction Tickets - Best sites to purchase from and recommended ticketing options. 🚃Transportation - Available options in Rome, details on how each mode of transport operates, how to navigate them, mobile apps to order and pay for taxis and metro tickets, and red flags with taxi fares to be on the lookout for. 🚾Public Bathrooms - How to find them and what you will need to access them. Plus alternative options for public bathrooms when you are out and about exploring. 🍽️Dining Etiquette - Cultural differences between the U.S. and Italy, and how to order and pay at different dining establishments.

Some of my favorite places to eat and drink in Florence!

Italy has its own dining rules and faux pas just like anywhere else. So, if you're planning a trip there soon, make sure you're caught up on how to avoid sticking out like a sore thumb and risking some awkward moments with the locals. Check out these common dining mistakes and why you should avoid them.

Have one day in Milan? This 24-hour itinerary is your key to discovering hot spots and must-see places in different neighborhoods to maximize your time and allow you to cover as much of the city as possible in one day. Feel free to mix and match recos in this itinerary based on preferences and go in any order you'd like! This is meant to spark ideas and help guide your visit, but can also be followed verbatim for an exciting and fulfilling day in Milan. Featuring: 🇮🇹 A directional walking tour with various stops that will take you eating, drinking, and sightseeing through different neighborhoods in Milan 🇮🇹 Selection of Milan tourist attractions and museums with links to purchase tickets 🇮🇹 Recommended timing needed at each museum so that you can properly prepare and plan the rest of your day 🇮🇹 A taste of the history and background on each landmark, neighborhood, and restaurant 🇮🇹 Multiple options for food and drink in the different areas so you can select which places are best for you 🇮🇹 Descriptions of each eatery and its atmosphere included in the details section 🇮🇹 Suggestions on what to order at each eatery based on personal experience and research 🇮🇹 Recommended timing for visiting each location to properly plan the day, keeping in mind beating the crowds at tourist locations and spacing out meals 🇮🇹 Ideas to help inspire your own DIY tour comprised of whatever places you'd like!

⚠️Prepare for most places to be closed on Sundays in Italy! In Italy, it's common for smaller local shops, boutiques, and family-owned businesses, including restaurants, to close on Sundays. Museums, government offices, and some larger supermarkets may also have limited hours or be closed altogether making it challenging to find dining options and visit certain attractions. This variation in business hours could disrupt your travel plans if you're unprepared, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where closures are more prevalent. While larger cities generally offer more options, there may still be restrictions, depending on the area. It's best to anticipate closures and schedule changes on Sundays, but rest assured, this doesn't mean you'll go hungry or have a dull day! Here are some suggestions on how to plan meals on Sundays in Italy, while embracing local life at a leisurely pace, just like the Italians do.  

⭐️ Skip hours of researching and second-guessing to find the best and most unique wine bars in Rome with this guide! When you are in the mood for some incredible wine, there is no shortage of enoteche in Rome. But if you are looking for something specific, choosing any random place off the street may prove to be sub-par. This guide features a list of heavily researched wine bars based on quality, unique offerings, and different atmospheres to take the guesswork out of which enoteca is worth spending your time and money imbibing in. The spots on this hit list are centrally located within the city so it will be convenient to find them and pop in for a drink when you need a break from exploring. Spanning from old-school operations to contemporary takes, these wine bars are sure to help quench your thirst when it's time for a glass (or a bottle), then sit back and soak it all in. Featuring: 🍷A variety of researched recommendations from an experienced wine bar discoverer in Rome (me). 🍷Where to find them, plus direct links to their address in Google Maps so you can easily locate them while in Rome 🍷Details on each enoteca and what you can expect from the wine and ambiance 🍷Link to the websites with more details 🍷Hours of operation so you can plan your visit accordingly Salute!

⭐️ Experience the real heart and soul of Rome through your glass. Grab this guide for recommendations on some of the best places to grab a well-deserved vacation drink, from aperitivo hour to local wine bars to classy cocktails. Wine and cocktails are flowing in Rome from the early aperitivo hour (looking at you at 10:30 AM Aperol spritz) through to the early morning hours of the next day. As you stroll the streets of the eternal city, have some time to kill before your next museum reservation, or are looking for an after-dinner drinking scene, the places in this guide are all uniquely different from one another so there is something for every traveler, circumstance, or mood. Each place on the list was carefully selected based on their offerings when it comes to drinks and atmosphere. They are also conveniently located in the more centrally located parts of the city, some just a few minutes walk from the next if you want to stop by more than one, which I fully endorse. From classic enoteche, to rooftop bars with city views, to dark and moody spaces perfect for an intimate moment shared over a glass of natural wine, there is something for every drink lover on this hit list. Featuring: 🍷Carefully researched and curated recommendations from a wine and cocktail enthusiast who has drank her way through Rome (many times) 🍷Examples of different scenarios that would make each bar a good choice to visit 🍷Details on each, including suggestions on what to order 🍷Where to find them, plus direct links to their address in Google Maps 🍷Link to the websites with more details 🍷Hours of operation so you can plan your visit accordingly Salute! 🥂

⭐️ This travel guide will save you 30+ hours of researching the best places to eat and drink in Rome, right at your fingertips. Skip the second guessing, save time and have no regrets with this great resource of over 60 places! Featuring: 🍝Places for coffee, pastries, pasta, pizza, aperitivo, wine, gelato etc. - The best of Rome! 🍝A mix of casual and more elegant dining options to match whichever mood you are in. 🍝Carefully researched recommendations based on quality, atmosphere, neighborhood, and overall experience. 🍝Where to find them, plus direct links to their address on Google Maps 🍝Descriptions and details on each of the eateries (dishes to order, vibe, when is a good time to visit, etc.) 🍝Recommendations on what to order based on personal experience 🍝Links to the websites with more details 🍝Hours of operation so you can plan accordingly ⭐️ This guide will be continuously updated. Once you purchase you will have access forever, so keep checking back for updates!

⭐️ This travel guide will save you 10+ hours of researching the best restaurants, wine bars, meat/cheese/antipasti, coffee & sweet shops, and more in Emilia-Romagna! Emilia-Romagna, often hailed as Italy's "food valley," is the birthplace of some of the world's most cherished and protected foods, the freshest and most well-known ingredients, and some of Italy's most beloved recipes. This region is renowned for treasures like Parmigiano Reggiano, (aka the king of cheeses) Parma ham (prosciutto), Lambrusco, tagliatelli ragu (also known as bolognese sauce), and so much more. Emilia-Romagna benefits from a unique microclimate, making its location, terrain, soil, and climate perfect for cultivating the finest resources. Because of this, the food is undeniably some of the best in the world. If you want a foodie adventure, consider a tour through Emilia-Romagna. In my opinion, the Fall and Winter months would be the most ideal based on the region's classic hearty and warm dishes like tortellini en brodo which would just not have the same magic in the middle of the summer. But regardless of when you visit, finding a subpar meal will be a challenge. This guide features a curated list of places to eat and drink in a few of the larger cities in the region – Parma, Modena, and Bologna. I've included an array of wine bars, cafes, trattorie, sandwich shops and sweet shops, catering to various price points and styles so that there is something for everyone! While you can't really go wrong with any eatery in this region, choosing any of the recs in this guide will ensure hassle-free and time-saving planning so you can enjoy every meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner). Featuring: 🍝Curated dining and drinking recommendations in Parma, Modena, and Bologna based on quality, atmosphere and overall experience 🍝Recs include coffee shops, sweet shops, wine/cocktail bars, aperitivo bars, and restaurants for lunch and dinner 🍝Descriptions and details on each eatery with recommendations on what to order 🍝Direct links to each eatery's address on Google Maps so you can easily get directions once there 🍝Direct links to Instagram pages (if available) 🍝Links to the websites with more details 🍝Hours of operation so you can plan your visit accordingly Buon Apetito!

There are four classic Roman pasta dishes: carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and alla gricia. All such simple recipes that are perfect as they are and should not be tampered with. My rule of thumb has always been, do not order these Roman pastas anywhere else besides Rome. They will just not stand up to the expectations. Romans do these dishes the best. 🍝

⭐️Be your own guide with this DIY food, drink, and sightseeing guide through the heart of Rome! In a city like Rome, guided food tours are popular but restrictive, and you might not get the most bang for your buck. And for some, touring a few specific places with a group of strangers is not their style. Why not DIY and at your own pace while doing a little sightseeing as well? This DIY tour will take you in a loop through the Centro Storico, Regola, Trastevere, and Jewish ghetto neighborhoods as you take in the sights and savor the local flavors of Rome. Multiple options are included so you can repeat this another day but hit different spots! Featuring: 🇮🇹 A recommended walking tour with various stops that will take you eating, drinking, and sightseeing through different neighborhoods in Rome 🇮🇹 Multiple options for food and drink in the different areas so you can select which places are best for you 🇮🇹 Descriptions of each eatery, including background information and details on atmosphere, in the notes sections 🇮🇹 Suggestions on what to order at each eatery based on personal experience and research 🇮🇹 Ideas to help inspire your own DIY tour comprised of whatever places you'd like! ⭐️ If you can't visit some of these places either because you get too full or too crunched for time, then create your own hit list and visit a different day!

It's hard to think of an Italian meal without thinking of a wine to enjoy it with, and the food and wine in Italy could arguably be two of the top reasons to travel there. Pairing your meal with the perfect wine makes the dining experience that much more enjoyable so to take the guesswork out of what will pair best, the following is a brief guide to some of Italy's most renowned regional dishes, spanning from north to south, along with a few recommended wine pairings for each. Whether you're dining at an Italian restaurant at home or exploring local eateries in Italy, this guide will help you avoid becoming overwhelmed by extensive wine lists if you are unsure what to look for. In Italy, feel free to also ask the waiter or sommelier for recommendations on what to drink with your food. They are likely to suggest a wine from the region you are in, not only to help support local wine growers and producers, but also so you have the chance to experience the authentic flavors of the area through both the food and the wine. ⭐️PRO TIP - While dining out, if you plan to enjoy wine with your meal but haven't decided on what you will be eating yet, start with a glass of sparkling wine. This way, you'll have something to sip on while reviewing the food and wine menus and making your choice. Sparkling wine is an excellent palate cleanser to prep you for a savory meal, and Italy has some of the best. Buon Apetito!

⭐️ If you want to know where to go for some of the best pasta dishes in Rome without being overwhelmed by the choices, then grab this guide! In Rome, every corner boasts a trattoria, ostaria, or ristorante flaunting its cacio e pepe or carbonara and many of these eateries (especially in the centro storico) aim to capitalize on tourists' unfamiliar tastes, lack of experience in the city, and a quest for convenience. Unfortunately, this often results in higher prices, the use of subpar, less fresh ingredients, and shortcuts in cooking methods. It's overwhelming to sift through all the options, and tourist traps can make it difficult to find the places that are serving up the most authentic dishes. When you just want to confidently walk into a restaurant knowing that the meal will be spectacular without putting in hours of research, look no further than this guide. I've compiled a hit list of restaurants serving up the best traditional Roman pasta dishes, and you won't be disappointed. Having eaten A LOT of pasta in Rome, I can confidently say that these are the best. You can't go wrong at any of these places so book away! Featuring: 🍝Carefully researched recommendations based on quality, atmosphere, and overall experience. 🍝Where to find them, plus direct links to their address on Google Maps 🍝Description and details on each of the four traditional Roman pasta dishes to help turn you into a pasta pro (if you aren't already). 🍝Personal recommendations on which pasta to order at each restaurant, based on experience. (It is also 100% ok to order all four at each place, which I have done plenty of times) 🍝Links to the websites with more details 🍝Hours of operation so you can plan accordingly ⭐️This guide is also great because you can plan your meals around what you would like to eat and when. You might want cacio e pepe one night but need to make sure you also plan for a plate of amatriciana another night. ⭐️Side note: If you need help making reservations at a restaurant that does not offer online booking (many do not), schedule a private consultation call with me for the best way to do so via phone!*

Rome is a city of magnificent, well-known squares (piazze) that everyone must see when they visit (Piazza Navona, Piazza San Pietro etc.). However, many of the Eternal City’s most beautiful and charming piazze don’t fall on the typical tourist-trodden paths and are woven throughout the smaller streets and neighborhoods. These are often the most unexpected and delightfully surprising scenes to stumble into while you are exploring. So, keep an eye out for these piazze when you’re in town, and take note of whether you might want to plan a lunch, dinner, or stop of aperitivo as you take in each of their unique atmospheres. ⭐️Check out the details page on each of the below with notes from me that include specific recommendations at each piazza!

Ready for your next getaway to Italy? I’m here to help make it as seamless as possible! From personalized recommendations to custom itineraries, I offer travel design services to create incredible experiences abroad and minimize the stress of travel planning beforehand. Check out the below for an overview of my services and how to get started! Grazie!