Italian

They say that a trip to Venice begins a love affair that one can never quite quell, and as much can be related for the exquisite cuisine of Europe's most romanticized country. We've all been exposed to the culinary delights of Italy in one way or another, whether via Pizza Express or within an authentic trattoria restaurant currently vogue in the U.S. From Spaghetti Bolognaise, to the four-cheese deep-crust pizza enjoyed by millions on a Friday night, Italian gastronomy has become a much loved staple of the Western diet and one we couldn't live without. Of course, Italy's tantalizing fayre extends far beyond pasta and pizza. Regional dishes such as Gnocchi Risotto from Tuscany are fast evolving the way we perceive and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, opening our eyes to a whole new world of flavor and fusion. Gnocchi are essentially small dumplings made from durum wheat or semolina, served with grated cheese or a tomato based sauce as an antipasto (starter). Italian cuisine is without doubt one of the most organic, characterized by the use of fresh garlic, home-made cheeses, tomatoes and herbs. Fish is a common basal ingredient for Southern dishes, such as Bagna Calda from Abruzzo, made with sardines, anchovies, garlic and roasted vegetables, served as a thick soup. Shrimp and artichoke linguine is a delightful summer main course recipe that you may well find served within the featured trattorias of our guide. The delicious Southern version is cranked up a notch with red pepper flakes and chili to add a little bite! Creamy Spaghetti Carbonara is an international favorite, along with spinach and ricotta ravioli (pasta parcels). Just one thing to remember, no dish is complete without a glass of full-bodied, red wine – considered the highlight of any authentic Italian dining experience.