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5 Vacation Rentals In Italy That Have Stunning Kitchens

5 Vacation Rentals In Italy That Have Stunning Kitchens

If you’re a foodie who is planning a trip to Italy, you are in for a treat! While it is always a pleasure to experience the delicious cuisine and impeccable hospitality in Italian restaurants, you might find even more delight if you have your own kitchen during your stay.

Each region of Italy has its own specialty dishes that you can try to make in the comfort of your own home. Explore the local farmer’s markets and come home with some beautiful produce that you can use to make your own authentic creation.

Today, we are featuring some vacation rentals with stunning kitchens in five Italian cities. Andiamo a mangiare!

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1. Rome

5 Vacation Rentals In Italy That Have Stunning Kitchens

Get spectacular views of the Palatine, Roman Forum, and the Capitol from your rooftop patio in this stunning Roman apartment. It has a fully-stocked, beautiful kitchen where you can live out your culinary dreams, as well as an elegant dining room where you can share your creations with your loved ones.

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2. Amalfi Coast

5 Vacation Rentals In Italy That Have Stunning Kitchens

Stay in Villa Baroque, a sumptuous ten-bedroom retreat in the oldest part of Positano. Enjoy taking dips in the infinity pool with a full view of the sea, or relax in your beautifully-decorated bedroom with high ceilings and frescoes.

Believe it or not, this rental also includes a cook who will make all your meals, which is a great way to learn how to make Italian dishes. You can even request a professional chef who can come to your house and elevate your experience to new levels. Perfetto!

3. Florence

5 Vacation Rentals In Italy That Have Stunning Kitchens

If you’ve ever seen the movie Under The Tuscan Sun and have been dreaming of life in a Tuscan villa ever since, look no further than the Villa Rogai in the tiny village of Romola. You’ll be ten miles away from the center of Florence, yet you’ll feel like you’re a world away.

The villa was built in the late nineteenth century and is decorated with beautiful antique furniture. You can enjoy your meals on the terrace by the pool with a view of the nearby hills. We recommend buying several bottles of local chianti wine to taste, too.

4. Milan

5 Vacation Rentals In Italy That Have Stunning Kitchens

Experience the northern grandeur of Milan in a vacation rental that is as fashionable as the city. This luxury loft sets you up perfectly for exploring the city, and you’ll feel like a local in this small but comfortable space.

Fun tip: take a day trip to stunning Lake Como, and buy some fresh fish to bring back and cook for the evening in your little Euro kitchen.

5. Venice

5 Vacation Rentals In Italy That Have Stunning Kitchens

Plan a trip for you and your nine other friends or family members to the Palazzina Canal, a stunning property in Venice that is right on the water. You’ll have views of the whole city from the windows of your apartment.

The kitchen space is perfect for big cooking productions: you can spread out all of your ingredients on the large island and put people to work – or sit them down at the barstools, and give them samples of whatever you’re making.

The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Milan

The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Milan

As the second most populous city in Italy, Milan is often dubbed as the fashion capital. It is also well known for its fine cuisine and world-class restaurants. As of 2014, it has 157 Michelin-starred restaurants. Therefore, Milan can really be described as the city of decadence where shopping and eating never ends. We are going to introduce to you some of the Milanese food that you can't miss out when you are in the city.

1. Risotto Alla Milanese

Milanese cuisine features less pasta and more rice. Usually served as the first course, the use of the precious spice saffron gives the rice a rich golden color while it is cooked with other ingredients like white wine and onions. As simple as it seems, this dish is the true embodiment of Milanese cuisine: simplicity and elegance. Try this dish with our host Barbara, who serves up classic Milanese delicacies like this one!

[MILAN-BEST-RISOTTO https://www.bonappetour.com/barbara-bs/classical-milanese-evening-in-a-peaceful-home-in-navigli]​

2. Cotoletta Alla Milanese

 

Every city has their version of meat chops. Milan is no exception. The meat of choice, usually pork, fish or veal, is thinly sliced and dipped in a beaten egg It is then coated with bread crumbs and deep fried. The bread crumbs give it a crispy texture while the meat inside is tender and juicy. Squeeze some lemon or lime juice to top it all off with a refreshing citrus taste. Simple, but certainly not short of anything amazing, this dish is not one to be missed out on. So why not try it with our host Susanna, who offers a homey Italian Meal in the beautiful province of Pavia, just 20 minutes from Milan's City Center!

3. Cazzoeula

This pork and cabbage casserole is a distinctly Northern dish. If you are looking for comfort food or something that will surely warm you up during the cold winters in Europe, this casserole is the dish for you. The unique taste of this dish goes perfectly in winter with a polenta and strong red wine.

4. Ossobuco

Ossobuco consists of veal shanks braised with vegetables and white wine broth. This hearty dish is an excellent selection if you are looking for a flavourful meal. The veal shanks are soft and fall apart easily. Cooked with white wine and broth, the vegetables in the stew soak up all that taste. This can be eaten with Risotto Alla Milanese or polenta and mashed potatoes. Do not miss out on this dish delectable delicacy with our host Susanna, who offers an extensive Italian menu with a welcoming atmosphere that will certainly make you feel right at home

5. Panettone

This pastry is normally served during Christmas. It is extremely fluffy and has raisins, citrons and lemon zests which give it a tangy flavor. If you are hungry on an afternoon in Milan, hop into the nearest cafe and order a panettone with a cup of hot chocolate. It will give you an instant boost and satisfy your sweet cravings.

6. Mondeghili

Ground beef is the main component of this dish, though pork or salami may be added to it. The meat is seasoned and dipped in a mixture of eggs, milk and breadcrumbs before being fried until it turns a lovely golden brown. Traditionally a poor man's dish, leftover meat was used to make this dish back in the day, but it is now the perfect snack on the go while you are touring Milan.

Are you tempted by these Milanese delicacies? Why not join our hosts at BonAppetour for an authentic Milanese dining experience. You can get to taste all the traditional Lombardy dishes prepared by our hosts and some even offers a tour of the city at night. What are you waiting for? Discover your next meal with one of our hosts today!

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Expo Milano 2015 – Exclusive Giveaway

Expo Milano 2015 - Exclusive Giveaway

Here at BonAppetour we want to offer our foodie friends the amazing chance to be part of the 20 million people across the globe visiting Milan’s Universal Exhibition: Expo Milano 2015. The theme is Feeding the Planet and the importance of sustainability. This is a fantastic opportunity to sample the delights of the world’s food culture, marvel at the latest technology and be inspired by architecture.

 

Although the exhibition has been running since May, all good things must come to an end. So we would like to offer you the chance to visit the Milan Expo before it finishes on October 31st. This is definitely an event not to be missed!

You will taste the best dishes the world has to offer and find out more about what we are doing, as a planet, to resolve the problems of nutrition and the resources of our world.

This is guaranteed to be an experience you will never forget. We have 3 tickets to give away to 3 winners. All you have to do to win is:

 

  • Head over to our Facebook page and give us a like

  • Comment under our Giveaway post why you want to go to the Expo. That’s it!
     

We will be announcing the winner by the end of this week- Good luck!

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Travel Guide to Milan: 6 Things to Do in the City

Travel Guide to Milan: 6 Things to Do in the City

Trendy Milan, welll-known for fashion, luxury brands and commerce, draws a sizable crowd of eager visitors who arrive at the city for shopping. But even as you gather a shopping list and make grand plans for your retail therapy fix in this city, do set aside time to visit some of its spectacular monuments and travel sites!

1. Duomo  

It is impossible to miss this iconic cathedral when in Milan. The Duomo is the city's most recognisable building, and one of the largest Gothic-style cathedrals in the world. Apart from exploring the interiors of the Duomo, visitors can also take an elevator ride to the roof to enjoy panoramic views of the city. If you have plenty of time to spare and care for a workout, take the tougher way out by opting to climb the stairs to the rooftop. Just make sure that you are donning comfortable footwear, as the surface of the steps are not even throughout! 

[MILAN-BEST-RISOTTO https://www.bonappetour.com/barbara-bs/classical-milanese-evening-in-a-peaceful-home-in-navigli]
 

2. Santa Maria delle Grazie

A central work of Renaissance architecture, the Santa Maria delle Grazie is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is better known for housing the renowned fresco, Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper", situated in the refectory of the church. If you wish to see Da Vinci's masterpiece, do book tickets in advance as queues to see the painting are long, and only a fixed number of visitors allowed to see the painting at a time. Each visitor is allowed a viewing time lasting a mere fifteen mintures, so if you get the opportunity to this masterpiece, be sure to make the most of your time spent admiring the work of art!

3. Piazza Fontana

Situated close to the Duomo, the Piazza Fontana is a site that houses a beautiful fountain and plenty of benches. In 1969, the site was attacked by terrorists, resulting in the death of 17 people, and a total of 88 injured. Today, the piazza offers an oasis of calm for those seeking respite from the crowds. Ideal for locals and holidaymakerskeen on spending a quiet afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of Milan's attractions. 

4. Castello Sforzesco 

Discover the history of Milan at Castello Sforzesco, home to several of the city's museums, libraries and art collections. Following Italian unification in 1861, the castle was on the verge of demolition, but the city council was persuaded by architect Luca Beltrami to preserve the historical site. Here, you may view the Pieta Ronadanini, Michelangelo's final, unfinished sculpture, as well as other works that he created. There are also exhibits of masterpieces by renowned artiests such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Andrea Mantegna and Bramantino. 

5. Parco Sempione 

A large city park in Milan, Parco Sempione is located just beside Castello Sforzeco, and houses the arco della pace, which was meant to be an emblem of Napolean's triumph in Italy. During the warmer months in the year, the park serves as a popular spot for the locals to enjoy picnics and recreational activities. It is also common to find locals basking under the sunlight and lying upon the grass. Even when temperatures start to dip, visitors can still venture here to enjoy quiet and leisurely walks away from the busy bustle of the city.

6. Dine with the Locals

Eat like a local by dining with the Milanese in their homes! Tuck into a sumptuous three-course dinner with Alessandra, or enjoy dinner and a fun-filled tour of the city with Federica. Local hosts will happily alter the menu to suit the tastes and dietary restrictions of diners, so be sure to state your dining preferences during the booking process. 

 

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