COME TO ITALY WITH US!

28/08/23 - 11/09/23

Our new little family went to Italy and it truly was so magical. Two weeks exploring Italy with our delicious 3-month-old daughter eating the best, freshest Italian food… the word “special” doesn’t capture what a wonderful adventure it was. 

If you’ve been following my travel notes and lists, you’ll know that our adventures are spent walking and eating. We love to learn about where we are through food and Italy is the perfect place to do that. 

If you have questions about the travel experience with a 3-month-old baby, please slide into my DMs, otherwise, let me tell you our recommendations on what to do and where to eat in Rome, Florence, Bologna, Modena and Tuscany.

ROME

We stayed at Hotel Locarno. The hotel checked off all the boxes: incredible service, beautiful and clean space, great location, and delicious breakfast (included). The hotel is located right around the corner from Piazza del Popolo and is a 10 - 30 minute walk from every landmark and restaurant. 

WHAT TO DO

Rome is a great walking city and a lot of the historical landmarks can be seen within a day or two. I’d recommend spending half your time seeing the landmarks and the other half exploring the neighborhoods outside: Monti, Prati, Regola (where the Jewish Ghetto is) and Trastevere. 

  • Walk through MARKETS: we went to Camp de’ Fiori before walking through the Jewish Ghetto. 

  • LANDMARKS: Pantheon, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps 

  • Do a PASTA MAKING COURSE: We did one through AIRBnB experience that I will link here. You will learn how to make ravioli with butter and sage, a cacio e pepe, and a pomodoro. The class takes place in a historical pasta factory that stopped producing pasta in the 1960s and is now used by contemporary artists for galleries and studios. 

WHERE TO EAT

  • PASTIFICIO GUERRA - Around the corner from the Spanish Steps. It is a perfect quick grab and go spot for a quick delicious fresh pasta lunch. They typically make two options (get both) and you can take it to eat on the steps. 

  • DA FRANCESCO - Amazing service. We didn’t get the pizza but it did look really good. We loved the pasta. The vongole was *chef's kiss* delish. 

  • DAR SOR OLIMPIO AL DRAGO - It is in such a cute pocket of Trastevere. Sit outside for sure so you can enjoy the people watching. 

  • ROSCIOLI - The Roscioli restaurants are a fan favorite. Similar energy to the Terroni group in Toronto but in Rome. They have the ROSCIOLI CAFFE where you can try a traditional Roman breakfast (Maritozzo); ANTICO FORNO ROSCIOLI for pizza and sandwiches; and RIMESSA ROSCIOLI for pasta. We decided to do their food tour which takes you through all the stops, including their ROSCIOLI SALUMERIA to visit their private wine cellar. Let’s just say, after eating a maritozzo, pizza, carbonara, cacio e pepe and tiramisu, and multiple glasses of wine, we were insanely full and very happy campers. 

  • DA CESARE - You will be the only tourist if you eat here. We loved that. The pastas are amazing. Go ready to dine though because they do not move with speed. 

  • Other restaurants: TAVERNA TRILUSSA, SORA MARGHERITA (Known for their fried artichoke), MERCATO TESTACCIO (Meatballs), BARZALI or AI TRE SCALINI (Lasagna), EMMA PIZZERIA, MATRICIANELLA, DAL BOLOGNESE, MARZAPANE, PRO LOCO D.O.L

FLORENCE

WHAT TO DO

  • Walk and shop on the PONTE VECCHIO

  • Grab an Aperol Spritz or a glass of wine from a BUCHETTE DEL VINO (Wine Windows)

  • Walk around BOBOLI GARDENS (its a bit of a hike… a beautiful one)

  • Hike, bus or drive up to the Piazzale Michelangelo 

  • Walk around the Piazza Duomo

WHERE TO EAT

Florence is a great food city. In Florence, you will have the opportunity to eat pizza and pasta of course, but don’t focus only on those! Eat sandwiches, steak florentine, soups and try truffle dishes too! 

  • DA ROCCO TRATTORIA - This is a must. It is located in the oldest market in Florence called Mercato Sant Ambrogio. It is great to walk around before or after your meal. Such a fun experience. 

  • LE CAPPELLE MEDICEE - Great spot to try steak florentine! 

  • TRATTORIA ZAZA - It is a beautiful huge restaurant and every dish we got was a yes. I loved the dish that was prosciutto with chicken liver pate. The steak tartare was also great, and all the pastas. 

  • MERCANTO CENTRALE - This is a huge food haul. Think of like an Assembly Chef’s in Toronto but in Florence. You can come here to stop for bread, baked products, fresh fish, meat and charcuterie, truffles and cheeses etc. or to eat! This is a great spot to try lampredotto panino at Da Nerbone or get pasta from Pasta Fresca. 

  • ALL’ANTICO VINAIO - Famous sandwich spot. There are always lines but it moves quickly

  • RUTH’S - A little restaurant in the Jewish ghetto that makes a great fried artichoke

  • OSTERIA DELLE TREPANCHE - Unreal pasta and a beautiful view of the Ponte Vecchio.

  • Other restaurants: TRATTORIA SOSTANZA, TRATTORIA CAMMILLO, PITI GALA ENOTECA ENCANTINA, LA GIOSTRA, BOTTEGA CONVIVIALE, ACQUA AL, CIBREINO, LA GIOSTRA, L’TUSCANI 2

BOLOGNA

WHAT TO DO

  • There are a ton of great MARKETS including MERCATO DI MEZZO, MERCATO DELLE ERBE

  • Get Gelato and sit in the PIAZZA MAGGIORE 

  • Explore the QUADRILATERO - This is the heart of this culinary city. Do your own food tour by stopping at all the spots in this neighborhood. The narrow streets are filled with shops, vendors (local meats, cheeses, wines, fishmongers, bakeries, gelato shops and more). This area begins across from the Piazza Maggiore

  • We didn’t do this, but if it interests you, this is a great place to do TRUFFLE HUNTING 

  • Other sites to see include the TWO TOWERS (Asinelli & Garisenda), the tallest tower in Bologna: TORRE PRENDIPARTE and the BIBLIOTECA SALABORSA

WHERE TO EAT

Bologna is foodie heaven. When here make sure to try the following: tortellini in brodo, bolognese, mortadella, parmigiana reggiano, balsamic, and drink lambrusco or pignoletto. 

  • TAMBURINI - Go for culatello sandwich or tortellini bolognese

  • SIMONI - Definitely get a spritz and charcuterie here! 

  • Other restaurants: DROGHERIA DELLA ROSA, RISTORANTINO IL TINELLO, ‘O FIORE MIO, FRANCO ROSSI, L’OSTERIA DEL SOLE

MODENA

WHAT TO DO

WHERE TO EAT

  • TRATTORIA ALDINA - The tortellini in brodo was amazing! 

  • Go to one of Massimo Bottura’s restaurants: OSTERIA FRANCESCANA or FRANCESCHETTA 58

TUSCANY

WHAT TO DO

  • Go to WINERIES! Some of the popular one’s include: ANTINORI (Known for its architecture and located in Chianti), QUERCIBELLA WINERY (Known for their vegan / organic wines and located in Chianti), BRUNELLA DI MONTALCINO (Known for their red wine and located in Montalcino)  

  • We stayed at an adorable Bed & Breakfast called SIENA HOUSE and they have great recommendations on restaurants and areas to explore, linking here. 

WHERE TO EAT

  • If you love Chef’s Table like we do, then visit DARIO CECCHINI’S restaurants or butcher shop in Panzano

  • LA TORAIA - Also known as The Bull Steak House at Tenuta La Fratta - Famous farm as it is where the first white Oxon breed was held