Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

The hill-top town of Montepulciano, in the surroundings of Siena, Tuscany, hosts the “Bravio delle Botti” Festival last week of August.
The climax of the festival is the barrel rolling contest with contenders — eight neighbourhood teams — rolling empty wine barrels through the narrow streets of the town.

The origin of Bravio delle Botti dates back to the 17th century. It is a historic festival offering a week of ceremonies, shows and tastings of local specialties.

Also, as Montepulciano is located in a major wine-growing zone, it offers the opportunity to sample the excellent wines this area of Tuscany produces.

When: August 21 - 29, 2010 (annual);
where: Montepulciano (Tuscany)
Here you have the festival programme.

Milano Food Week is a festival celebrating the pleasures of the good food and drink.
Held in Milan — the 2010 edition goes from June 5 through 13 — it features a large variety of tastings as well as workshops and cultural events centered on the “pleasures of the table” theme.

“EatMI” section is dedicated to a selection of regional foods, “CoffeeMI” to the traditional Espresso, “PanMI” to all things baked, as “ILoveCooking” is about practical skills in the kitchen.

When: Jun 5 - 13, 2010 (annual)
Where: Milan (main venue: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II)
For details about the program and the venues, please visit http://milanofoodweek.com .

If you love Dieta Mediterranea, you definitely love Mozzarella cheese.

The arguably finest Mozzarella, the world-famous “Mozzarella di Bufala” — buffalo mozzarella — can be found mostly in Campania, land boasting the most experienced “Mozzarella di Bufala” makers.

The town of Eboli, 54 miles away from Naples, celebrates Dieta Mediterranea and “Mozzarella di Bufala” by hosting a festival, “The Big Bufala”,  from May, 29 through June 2, 2010.

A five days filled with tastings, workshops and entertaining shows centered on “Mozzarella di Bufala” and other Dieta Mediterranea food specialties.
Festival details and programme can be found at http://www.lagrandebufala.it.
when: May 29 - June 2 2010 (annual)
where: Eboli, Campania (54 miles from Naples)

Florence offers ice-cream lovers a very unique chance to learn the secrets of Italian ice-cream.

The last week-end of May, Florence hosts the ice-cream festival: “Firenze Gelato Festival”.

Workshops on ice-cream making, an exhibition and tasting sessions will be held in the finest squares of Florence.

Details of the festival and information on how to get a festival card for discounts on tastings are available at http://www.firenzegelatofestival.it.

when: May 28 - 31, 2010 (annual)
where: Florence

If you are looking to experience secret local food and wine places in Rome, you could take advantage of a 3.5 hours private tour while visitng the Eternal City.

A private guide will take you through the following places — in each of them you’ll be able to enjoy tasting sessions.

- Chocolate shop: taste chocolate made from secret recipes which have been kept secret for decades.
- Coffee shop: taste hot coffee and visit of the roast room with explanations about how the coffee is prepared and roasted in the most famous coffee shop in Rome.
- Ice Cream Shop: taste artisanal ice cream.
- Campo de’ Fiori: wine tasting in one of the places where you can better experience the real flavor of Rome.
- Restaurant near the Church of Santa Barbara: try Baccalà (fried fillet of stockfish) + 1 glass of DOC wine, mineral water, olives, nuts etc .

The price starts from 73.06 euro (for 8 people, to 269.00 for 1 people). See details here.