Top dishes, wine regions, and seasonal tips.

Italy greets you first through its aromas: tomatoes simmering with basil, freshly pulled espresso, warm cornetti from a corner bakery. Food here is a living tradition — shaped by region, season, and the stories passed down in family kitchens. From northern risottos to southern seafood, every dish reveals something about the place it comes from.

Start with the classics: handmade pasta, Neapolitan pizza, and creamy gelato. Pair them with a sparkling Prosecco or a bold Piedmontese red. Italy’s food culture invites you to slow down, taste thoughtfully, and savour each moment.

Essential Foods

Fresh Pasta

In Emilia-Romagna and beyond, pasta reflects local pride — tagliatelle with rich ragù, delicate tortellini filled with prosciutto, and regional shapes that change from town to town.

Neapolitan Pizza

Naples perfected pizza with simple ingredients: thin dough, San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, and the intense heat of a wood-fired oven.

Risotto alla Milanese

This golden, saffron-infused dish embodies northern elegance — creamy, comforting, and deeply aromatic.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Tuscany’s famed steak is thick-cut, flame-grilled, and served rare, celebrating both tradition and exceptional local beef.

Gelato

Silky, dense, and intensely flavoured — whether bright lemon, earthy pistachio, or dark chocolate, gelato is an essential daily indulgence.

Wines to Seek Out

Barolo

Structured, aromatic, and age-worthy, this Nebbiolo-based wine reflects the misty hills of Piedmont.

Prosecco

Fresh, lively, and perfect for aperitivo hour, it brings a celebratory note to any meal.

Chianti Classico

Ruby-red and Sangiovese-driven, it offers a balance of fruit and earthiness that pairs beautifully with Tuscan cuisine.

Other Iconic Tastes

Arancini from Sicily, zesty Amalfi Coast limoncello, crisp cannoli, a quick espresso at the bar, and beloved tiramisu round out Italy’s essential flavours.

Planning Your Culinary Journey

Italy’s food culture follows the seasons — autumn for truffles and wine harvests, spring for vibrant produce, summer for seaside meals. Dining is unhurried; evenings stretch long, and meals are as much about connection as cuisine.

Ready to Visit Italy?

To eat in Italy is to experience the country’s heritage first-hand. Whether you’re wandering a market, tasting wine in the countryside, or enjoying a simple plate of pasta, every flavour tells a story — and invites you to linger just a little longer.

CARP members save an additional $100 per person off any tour — combinable with all other retail offers. See www.collette.com/carp to learn more.