Six Delicious Food Experiences in Italy You Can't Miss

There are countless reasons to visit Italy: its ancient ruins, world class architecture, astounding art and stunning scenery make Italy one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.  Despite all of its cultural riches, the heart and soul of Italy lies in its food.

Any meal in Italy can be sublime, even with just a few simple ingredients. So what is the secret?

Roll up your sleeves and go behind the scenes to learn the traditions and techniques behind Italy’s most incredible dishes. Take your love of Italian food to the next level and truly immerse yourself in local culture.

Here are six delicious food experiences you can't miss in Italy.

1. Take a Classic Pasta Cooking Class in Rome

The ancient city of Rome has something for every lover of Italian cuisine. It has been a vibrant foodie capital for over two thousand years, and the recipes have been refined here for ages. If you have ever tasted Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Bucatini all’Amatriciana or Cacio e Pepe, then you know what to expect - comfort food at its most significant expression.

Learn how to prepare the classic Roman specialties with a chef in a hands-on cooking class.  Practice making fresh pastas from different flours – mix the ingredients, knead the dough and create just the right shape.

Discover the importance of high quality, fresh ingredients - the key to elevating simple dishes to an extraordinary experience. Master the traditional recipes as you learn different tips and tricks to take home.  (It has been said that perfect Carbonara requires adding the egg to pasta already on the plate - is this true??) Get the inside scoop on how authentic Roman pasta is made. Sample appetizers and wine throughout your class and then enjoy a fabulous meal!

2. Taste Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Puglia

Italy's olive oil is a vital ingredient that makes Mediterranean cuisine vibrant, flavorful and healthy. You may be surprised to learn that this golden liquid is much more complex than it seems.

Olive oil is very similar to wine in that it expresses a 'sense of place.' The unique terroir in each olive grove will impact the flavor nuances, like woodsy, grassy or floral undertones. Quality levels vary and the finest artisanal oils are handcrafted with care and expertise.  And just like wine, there's no better place to try it than where it is produced. 

The region of Puglia produces about 40% of Italy’s olive oil.  Its rolling hills are dotted with olive trees growing up to 50 different varieties of olives – with some trees as old as 3,000 years! Each variety of olive has its own character and flavor. Visit a family-run olive farm in Puglia to learn all about Italian olives, farming and oil production process. Learn to sample the many different oil varieties like a pro and discover just how unique – and delicious – olive oil can be. 

3. Learn to Make Arancini in Sicily

Sicily is more than sweet cannoli - the island's rice-based, crispy arancini are one of Sicily's most cherished specialties. Arancini means little orange, and it's easy to see why: these orange-hued, deep-fried beauties, often filled with meaty ragú, look just like Sicily's acclaimed oranges. You also will find arancini stuffed with other ingredients beyond ragú such as spinach, eggplant and mozzarella.

Learn how to make your own arancini from scratch. You can turn this traditional street-food snack into a delicious treat for guests at your next party.  The chef will give you a brief history of this beloved dish as you perfect the stuffing and shaping of your rice balls. Finish your lesson with a glass of wine and then enjoy all the rich flavors of this authentic Sicilian specialty.

4. Visit the Fish Market in Venice

Venice is the most famous bay in Italy; the canals and the flat-bottomed boats that run through them paint a picture-perfect scene of what it means to live on the Mediterranean coast.

Seafood is not only bountiful in Venice but also incredibly varied and of the finest quality.  You can experience it with all your senses while exploring the Rialto Fish Market.

The Mercato di Rialto Market is an open air market containing halls of fishmongers and local merchants selling seafood and fish of all shapes and colors.  With red drapes and surrounded by canals, the market is an extraordinary sight. As one of the largest markets in Europe, the Rialto market has incredible history, dating back to the year 1200!

Strolling through the market is a truly authentic local experience, particularly early in the morning when restaurant chefs and other residents shop for the freshest catches to prepare that day. You will find a huge variety of fish and exotic sea creatures, from giant octopus to spider crabs to snails (yes, fully alive).  

Arrive extra early to watch the fisherman unload their catches from their boats and tour the market with a guide for an insider perspective. No visit to Venice is complete without a visit to the Rialto Fish Market.

5. Cook like an Italian Nonna in Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna is well known for its comfort food and is often held as the heartland of Italian cuisine. The tortellini and lasagna, salumi and prosciutto, Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar – many favorite Italian dishes have originated here. With over 200 products protected by law, some rising to the level of PGI-protected status, Emilia-Romagna truly is the heart of classic Italian cooking.

Make the most out of this lush region's culinary traditions by preparing homecooked meals with an Italian Nonna in her kitchen. Learn the secrets behind beloved family recipes and listen to stories passed down for generations.

Let Nonna teach you first-hand the techniques behind authentic home cooking: fresh pastas, hearty ragú, tasty fish soup and decadent cake. Spend the evening as a member of family and take home more than just recipes: this is a memorable experience unlike any other.  After all, no one cooks like Nonna!

6. Make Artisanal Cheese in Tuscany

Italian food would not be as heart-warming and satisfying without the country’s hundreds of distinct types of cheese. Cheese here is the real deal, always artisanally made with the freshest ingredients. From ricotta to goat’s milk to pecorino, each cheese has its own distinct flavor, production process and tradition.

Take a drive through the gorgeous rolling hillside to visit a sheep farm and discover the art of cheesemaking.  Meet the family (and their sheep dog!) and learn the importance of organic farming. Visit the sheep shed and the dairy to see the cheese being aged.

The cheesemaker will walk you through all the steps of cheesemaking, starting of course with fresh milk. In just one hour, you will have your very own cheese to sample. Enjoy a delicious lunch of local cheese and cured meats and learn how the different cheeses pair with Tuscan wines.

Making cheese is more than a fun foodie excursion. This behind-the-scenes experience will give you a glimpse into a tradition dating back thousands of years. You will leave with a new appreciation for the art of Italian cheesemaking, underscoring the role that food plays in Italian history and culture.

There’s a reason why Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines on the planet. Wine, cheese, olive oil or pasta - they have it all!  

Italian specialties are better enjoyed where they were created. Do you want to know why? Because it’s never really about the food, but about the people and traditions behind it. Discover the heart and soul of Italy through these fascinating - and delicious - culinary experiences.

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