Later this week, we’re taking a little trip and would love to hear your travel recs… especially those that involve food (of course)! If you have favorite restaurants, markets, or gelato shops please let me know!
Jack and I are heading to Rome, and the Amalfi coast so we’d love suggestions for Positano, Amalfi, Capri, and Sorrento. We’ve been to Rome (and Capri, pictured) before, so we’ll probably skip some of the main tourist attractions but would love other ideas – cool neighborhoods to check out – that sort of thing.
Grazie!!
Try to get into a cooking class at mamma Agata’s in Ravello. She has the most amazing garden and all her food is made from it. It’s an experience of a lifetime… Find her on the web. You can tell Chiara I sent you- Brett from Colorado. Talk about lemons- you’ll think you died and went to lemon heaven- her cake is unbeatable!! Also, if you can make day trip to Paestum- not far from amalfi, see organic water buffalo and mozzarella and everything else made fresh… Another unforgettable experience and 1 of a kind- only in this area- products not exported… That should keep you busy!!
Cheese in Paestum? Hello????? If you go to Paestum the thing to do is to see the Greek temples, one of which is almost intact soon, and the museum. Unlike Pompeii, Paestum has not been run over by tourists and still has a strong sense of spirituality. Same with Stabiae and Herculaneum
Oh you’re right, I did see the ruins at Paestum but I was thinking along the lines of food. Perhaps I was remiss in not mentioning the ruins- they are wonderful as well, and great to combine with a visit to the only biodynamic organic water buffalo farm which I thought was unique as well…
ok thanks!! Great to know so we can do both together 🙂
I agree, this class was AMAZING. Tell her Myaa and John from DC say hello too. We went last June and it’s a fantastic way to spend a day!
If you stay in Amalfi, try the Hotel Luna Convento. its a bit more rustic & very authentic. Make sure to eat at the beach restaurant and have the lemon pasta with fish.its amazing. Visit Ravello & go to the concert. Buy Lemoncello.
I stayed here too, on my honeymoon 12 years ago. Amazing memories. There’s a great seafood place down by the water in Amalfi. If you have a car Priano is sweet and a bit under the radar. Also swim in the ocean, rent a kayak. Ahhhhhhh to go back. Have a great time.
rome: —Giolitti gelatto shop has THE BEST gelatto. order the “gnutella” one and you will be delightfully amazed. The tiramisu gelato is also very good.
—there is a tiny restaurant below a grape-vine ceiling that is quite nice and has very good food. it is called “il baccaro” , though i can’t remember the street. be sure to look it up and also be sure to order the “cacio
e pepe” pasta.
I wish you luck on your trip, and I hope you find my reccomendations helpful!
Giolitti IS the best gelato in Rome. Went there once in 2009 and again last year. It is amazing. I never knew gelato could be sooo good. I recommend the pistachio gelato 🙂
My only tips are to eat whatever is in season, it’s always best! It’s nearing the hottest part of the summer for Italy so don’t forget to hydrate and wear sun protection.
As for activities, rent a bike for the Appian Way! If nothing else it lets you eat more Gelato!
You MUST visit the restaurant “La Tagliata” in the mountains near by Positano. It was the best Italian food I ever had and I’ m living in the south of Germany and so we often visit Italy. I recommended it to friends and they are they are of the same opinion. Have much fun!!!!
I second La Tagliata!! Absolutely amazing views and the best food I’ve ate in Italy!
You must go to Ravello. I agree with another comment..Campo Cosimo is delicious..excellent pizza, among others! One of our favorite places (went there 2 times) is Salvatore. Simply the best outdoor restaurant with AMAZING views. They are only open for dinner, but u can check out the restaurant and choose ur table in the afternoon. You will not regret it,or forget it!
One of the most amazing places to see in Rome is San Clemente. If you haven’t already gone, it should definitely be on your list. Layers of history–the ruins of a Mithraic temple and an early Christian church underneath a basilica with one of the most breathtaking mosaics ever. The eyes and the heart need feeding too! Here’s a link to the official site: http://basilicasanclemente.com/eng/.
Chez black is the place to eat in Positano. It’s on the beach and lovely. Giolitti is the best gelato on the planet. From the Pantheon in Rome go up the street on the right (facing out from the Pantheon) and it’s on your right. Not to be missed. Raspberry gelato with panna is to die for.
Millennium gelato near the Vatican is a must!
Also, Roscioli for dinner near Campo d Fiori, they also have fabulous sandwiches while walking around during the day
If anyone has any recommendations for the Piedmont area, we would love them.
We have some great dinner recommendations in Rome: Antica Pesa in the Trestevere section is wonderful. Do not miss Da Benito for incredible seafood near the Vatican (recommended by a local). We had lunch there. Also, Baffetta for pizza. Also, Fiaschetteria, wonderful little local restaurant near the Spanish Steps. These are not tourist traps! We have recommended them to friends and they made repeat visits! In Amalfi, we highly recommend Da Gemma. We stayed at Hotel Santa Caterena, which was really amazing. If you stop in Ravello, go to Campo Cosimo for lunch. Enjoy!
Please & please be very careful in Rome, there are pickpockets everywhere.
Our group was hit three times in a matter of minutes.
They are brazen, and quite obvious. I must assume they have the cops paid off.
If you are not conscious they will ruin your experience.
Best
Abakash
Definitely head to Ravello. It’s little less touristy but it has the best views. I went there on my honeymoon and it was magical. Have a drink or snack at the Palazzo Avino hotel… You will never forget it!
As an Italian, who grew up in Northern Italy and traveled extensively to Rome for work, I highly recommend Venchi for gelato and chocolate.
I literally just returned from Rome / Amalfi this morning! In Rome, be sure to make a reservation at Roscioli. In Sorrento, the best gelato is a toss-up between Davide and Raki. In Positano, get a lunch reservation at Adolfo (they have their own beach that you can spend the afternoon at) and book a table for dinner at Next2! Enjoy!
Supplì al telefono are the quintessential Roman street food. They’re like arancini, deep-fried balls of tomatoey risotto filled with oozy mozzarella. The place I would have to recommend is Supplizio, which isn’t far from Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori.
I was just in Italy two weeks ago and the highlight of Rome for me was this restaurant called Pizzarium. It’s absolutely amazing – definitely the best pizza we had our entire trip 🙂
Try to use the ferries since the buses can be overwhelmingly crowded. Transport will be a main consideration at this time of year, but if you can get to Cetara, it has fantastic restaurants. If you are interested in hiking, there are two books you can pick up in advance, one published by Sunflower and the other by Cicerone.
South of Salerno there are Greek temples at Paestum–amazing, as are the buffala mozzarella farms in the area.
Check out the travel tips on the blog History in High Heels: http://historyinhighheels.blogspot.com/search/label/Travel%20Tips
She’s an American grad student doing research in Florence and has TONS of awesome Italy tips! Has me daydreaming of an Italian getaway!
You can’t miss an aperitivo at Andrea Pansa, in Amalfi. While this café is famous for their amazing sweet treats (which are, in fact, amazing), their savoury aperitivo is outstanding. Try the San Bitter, for instance, and they will bring to the table some delicious roasted almonds, spicy olives and other perfect companions for your drink. Besides the service is flawless. Oh, how I miss those aperitivi at dusk! Everyone in the village dresses up and goes out for a walk at the Piazza!
Ravello is also a must. The best views and a fantastic Summer music festival.
Drinks at Le Sirenuse’s swimmingpool bar in Positano were some of our Summer rituals too.
Enjoy your trip. The Amalfi coast is simply the best place on Earth!