Italy is known for its rich pasta and fine wine-- and fresh-caught octopus? Here are some of our family's favorite restaurants and dishes from our tour stops.
Varenna
Albergo Del Sole Ristorante Pizzeria
Our first sit-down meal in Italy, Albergo Del Sole Ristorante was everything we wanted it to be. Ordering two pizzas, one cheese and one prosciutto and mushroom, caprese salad, and a liter of house vino blanc was the perfect classic Italian meal. Staff was warm, welcoming, and timely.
Hotel Villa Cipressi Breakfast
We all call the breakfast provided at our hotel, Villa Cipressi, one of the highlight meals of the tour. Tables filled with fresh-baked waffles, boiled eggs, jellies, yogurt, croissants, squeezed orange juice, and canned fruits were topped off with the joyful waitress who greeted us with a warm "Buongioro!" before taking our orders for cappuccino. And did we mention that the seating area is a balcony that overlooks Lake Como?
Bar Il Molo
Our last restaurant dinner in Varenna, Bar Il Molo was the perfect atmosphere for taking in the beauty of Lake Como while enjoying classic Italian dishes. Staff were very friendly, and the menu had extensive options.
The Dolomites & Castelrotto
Restaurant Puflatsch
At the top of a peak just a ski lift ride away from our hotel, this restaurant was the perfect place to sit and enjoy the miraculous view before setting out on our hike. Staff were very friendly.
Venice
Ristorante Quadri
While the prices are a little bit higher than we would typically spend on fruit and espresso, the live music, professional staff, and views of the Campanile and St. Mark's Basilica make delicious food taste even better. One of the best dining experiences of our tour.
Artblu Cafe
Recommended by our tour guide, this restaurant offered Venetian-style classics. Relaxing and out of the way of some of the busy tourist areas of Venice, this was the perfect restaurant for dinner at the end of our day before catching a late performance of Vivaldi musical selections.
Florence
Osteria Vecchio Vicolo
This is a cozy spot near the Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, etc. It's easy for tourists to find but not particularly tourists. The bruschetta was superb, as was the risotto, pizza, and pasta dishes. The sparkling vino della casa was cold and refreshing. Our waiter was fun, personable, and spoke perfect English as he offered to help us with our selections.
Monterosso, Cinque Terre
Hotel Pasquale Restaurant
Hotel Pasquale's pesto dinner was one of the best meals-- and it was made while we watched! The breakfast at this hotel also was one of best, and seating overlooked the beaches of Monterosso.
Rome
Target
Just a few blocks from our hotel, this was where we had our last two dinners in Italy-- one with our tour group and one for Gary's birthday dinner on the last free day of our tour. Both indoor and outdoor seating is classy and clean-looking, service is professional, and the food is everything we could have wished for from our final Italian meals.