Europe Hotels Archives - Travel & Experiences at Boutique Hotels and Restaurants Around the World

Epic European Eurovision Holiday

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This mossy rock scenery reminds me of landscape from the Eurovision movie. — Rerouting back to nature in Europe

If you want to travel for holiday (as in European holiday) that’s popular in August and Christmas too!… below 👇is a Eurovision singing competition holiday travel suggestion that’s also good for a Christmas in July (or your travel month of choice)…

One of my favorite months is May because that’s when spring really gets into high gear and peony-bright flowers open up and the fresh berries 🍓are ripe! Away from the cold, it’s not too hot yet.

…Plus, I’m reminded because I love the Eurovision movie. The real LIVE singing competition takes place annually in May, so a Eurovision holiday is another reason May is my month! 💕

The movie is about the Icelandic singer duo in the song contest (played by Actor Rachel McAdams from The Notebook or more recently Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, and hilarious Will Ferrell who doesn’t need a movie reference).

But May month is neither here nor there…

And if you’re feeling the heat today, Iceland could be your cool summer Holiday instead of a Roman Holiday one you may have been planning. In Rome and most of Italy, inside air-conditioning is not always available.

Natural cooling methods are traditionally baked inside the ancient ruins or vespas, and that’s why they escape to the beaches for Ferragosto summer holiday break when stores close down. 🏝️

Soooo… if you prefer cool vibes, Reykjavik, Iceland is a different stride. The Keflavik International Airport is one of my favorites that I’ve seen because it’s a lot like an IKEA with the language signage.

The Northern Lights ceiling theme in other parts of the airport feel like you’re in a silent disco or a moving solar system light experience. I knew I was in for my adventure to Paris when my layover was in this airport with a dramatic ride on a sharp incline where the escalator encased with an arched glass, felt like a ride 🏔️ On the escalator ride up, you could see that part of the airport was cut out and built in between and on rocks like my photo above of the waterfalls.

In Iceland, you can focus your time there in awe over the natural wonders.

Picture yourself against green rolling hills and horses that date back to the Vikings times… Or spend your time by calming mineral-rich water sources… and get wet in the famous Blue Lagoon. 👙

If that’s your mission or destination 🙋🏻‍♀️, you could choose to stay very close to the Blue Lagoon feature that’s also a resort.

Another wonder on your bucket list (or cool-off agenda) could be to check out as many fosses (waterfalls) as you can, or just one or two.

Detifoss is Europe’s most powerful foss curtain of water, that’s more miraculous than any fountain of water. ⛲️

…And after you’ve had your time fill in Iceland, you can build a vacation buffer to stay in vacay mode. With just a hop, skip, and a jump flight, you can continue across the Atlantic to Paris ✈️ (from the U.S. you’re already halfway or more there!).

You can go to Paris, baby! 💋

Why Paris? It’s just so darn cool there!… it’s less busy during summer Holiday (unless it’s 2024 Summer Olympic Year). You can chill and see sights in a slower-paced way after the Tour de France has come and gone.

When you’ve deplaned you can walk to cobblestone Rue Mouffetard and get your smell-o-vision on! Enjoy a French crepe to please your wanderlust desires.

You can find deals in the 5th Arondissement Latin Quarter. Many shops are closed, so less people come to the City of Lights. ⭐️

The natural light at night and twinkling lights all add to the romantic warm vibes that the city is about. ✨

And to mix-it-up, you can go the other route where you start in Paris and end in Iceland. In December, Iceland is just kicking into performing high-gear with long, dark nights and moody Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) shows. It’ll be a nice contrast from the Paris Lights, so you get two experiences in one Eurovision holiday vacation! 🗺️

The Best of Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, and Hillside Towns

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I got the best of Spain working in event management in a “foodie” Spanish restaurant chain in DC, and that inspired my vacation to Spain.

Also, the idea that Spain had such a big historical influence on Europe and the rest of the world, like northern Africa.

My suggestion is if you’re going to Spain, do it right and visit the big cities (Madrid and Barcelona) and the hillside towns (Granada, Sevilla, and Cordoba) so you can get a full flavor of the architecture and styles that influenced the world.

Seeing Christopher Columbus’ tomb is a memorable event. I’d seen photos of the Alhambra in Granada as a child (since my architect dad owns hundreds of travel books).

In Barcelona, the freshest fish can be caught right off the Mediterranean Sea. Port Vell is the area where most of the restaurants are that you shouldn’t miss. Skip the tourist traps and go for the real deal seafood if you like fresh Mediterranean salmon.

You’ll taste what fresh really means! Tapas and paella for the most part is like fast food in Spain (that’s popular and delicious in the US).

In Madrid I found memorable the solomillo (tenderloin) with patatas bravas (fried potatoes). In Cordoba, I had salmorejo (gazpacho specialty) that was very unique. Jambon (ham) is famous there, especially the bellota (acorn) ham.

This menu I worked with in the States, is a food and language lesson all in one.

There is so much to see in Spain, that I wouldn’t go for the most expensive hotel. I’d go for a great value hotel that’s city center in Agumar Madrid and Abba Sants Barcelona.

These are the ones I stayed at that were nice and I was happy at.

best of Spain in a warm hotel room — Abba Sants Hotel, Barcelona

At Agumar, even a pleasant hotel chatbot named Velma pops up on the site. While that may be good or bad in some cases, for hotels that are often decades behind in tech, this is a futuristic move up.

If you’re checking out all of Spain, you may not remember the hotels, but you will remember the best of what Spain has to offer, and finding a nice stay will help you enjoy your vacation.

These are some that I would come back to:

Agumar Hotel Madrid

Abba Sants Hotel, Barcelona

Melia Lebreros Hotel (heart of Sevilla or Seville 😊)

cool vibes to enjoy the best of Spain — Melia Lebreros Hotel, Sevilla

If you are charmed by the hillside towns of Spain like Granada, you’ll probably love rooftop views and architecture finds in Bologna, Italy.

Paris Neighborhoods 101 (Perfect for a Solo or First Visit)

…and Paris neighborhoods you don’t want to miss out on!

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The Eiffel Tower is one of the most sought out Paris neighborhoods for obvious reasons

If you are like me, you’re not afraid of going to exciting places with cultures where they don’t speak your native language. And as a solo person or a first-time visit. It’s the vibe of the modern traveler who enjoys trying, tasting, and seeing new places. 👀

Paris is one of these great exploring cities. It’s a great walking city, and flooded with tourists and visitors who don’t speak french. Walking from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower is exciting.

My favorite is walking through posh neighborhoods like Saint Germain du Pres, and having a cafe.

One of the nicest neighborhoods is St. Germain du Pres in the 6th arondissment

And then visiting Ile Saint Louis, Sacre Coeur, and walking through the Tuileries Gardens (not necessarily in that order ;-). And you’ll want to know how to get an inside look at best food options with no reservations (great if you don’t like to plan!).

And of course, with so many Paris neighborhoods (arrondissements), you want to know where in stay…

If you want to save money, near the Latin Quarter (close by to Sorbonne University and Luxembourg Gardens), you can achieve that. I stayed at the coolest vibe boutique hotel, The Five Hotel. The shower had different lights. Each of the rooms were painted different colors, like this teal color room…

I was kinda intrigued by the black painted room and actually moved out of the beige room (too boring for me!). I like the cuh-lahs! And I had a beautiful view of the courtyard.

The best feature of the hotel is that they will hold your bags for you for FREE. This is convenient if you’ve checked out and still want to explore the city before you have to leave. Wifi worked great in the room and I could Facetime without hiccup 😊

Their service was exemplary and I left a tip for the maid as I felt the room was cared for. When I got back home and realized I left my small personal pillow behind, I wrote them and they wrote back that they found the white pillow and could ship it back to me. Most short-stay venues wouldn’t be that thoughtful.

Latin Quarter is one of the Paris neighborhoods you should check out and maybe stay at

each room is unique and exciting to enter…

Romantic Venice Hotel Recommend

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Want a great romantic Venice hotel recommend for couples? Keep reading…

Well, first of all, I’m a bit of a hotel “snob.” But not in the way you think. I just like good-value hotels. The first hotel I worked for and would recommend back then, was a Renaissance Hotel with a fine dining restaurant, banquet rooms, and a 70s-style disco lounge (Zodiac Club) near Washington Dulles Airport when I was in my 20s.

That was quite an experience. Not only did they have great Easter brunches in the hotel restaurant, but they also had regular locals who came into the unique lounge bar with silver decorated wallpaper.

And big clubby chairs where I served beverages I’d never even heard of! That ambiance got me excited enough to get myself going in the hotel catering sales business as my first career, in several DC area hotels.

Fast forward to now, I love hotels and staying in nice hotels. They don’t have to be super ritzy, they just have to have some character, of course be clean, and just be nice.

A place that is memorable, not a cookie cutter room hotel. Just a little north of the “Renaissance” region of the world in Florence, Italy, up in Venice, Italy, there’s a little hotel that I found that we stayed at on a travel excursion years ago. Ca’Gottardi was really charming, perfect for a romantic getaway for couples and a perfect romantic Venice hotel recommend.

We recommended this hotel to friends who also stayed for their anniversary. I hope to hear that they are still a good hotel find and a great Venice hotel recommend.

Our room looked like this one, in the heart center of Venice (a romantic hotel recommend).

Ca’Gottardi breakfast for hotel guests

Ca’Gottardi had good value compared to other hotels located in the same central area. It was right in the middle of Venice, convenient to St. Marco Square which was what of the main benefits. It also had a fabulous continental breakfast that I still remember to this day.

They had a buttery croissant and fruit, typical of European continental breakfast, but this was served to us, and that just made my day. That’s when we were trying out $26 Bellini’s at the famous Harry’s Bar.

Venice is doable in 2-3 days and actually you can walk along the entire canal in one day. So if you just have one day in Venice it’s worth it. But you want to build in time to look at shops and take a gondola ride.

There’s an almost-FREE gondola that can take you across the canal (there are two canal sides) for less than 1 euro (it was the equivalent to 50 cents when I was there).

Cinque Terre, Italy Gem Stay

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cinque terre italy gem hillside town — Vernazza, Cinque Terre Italy gem stay in the heart of Cinque Terre (views are postcard-esque and something to write home about 💌)

This is a hidden Cinque Terre, Italy gem. La Polena Hotel is apartment-like and has a rooftop that we had for private sunbathing and enjoying at sunset. It’s private to the building that only has 2 other rooms that may or may not be occupied.

In the Emerald Suite, there’s a beautiful view above the water (Ligurian Sea), that you can indeed swim in. It’s lovely in the summer.

Great way to travel is to take the boat ferry and village hop in Cinque Terre. You can also take the train from town to town. If you love hiking and walking, it’s a great place for hikers and walking enthusiasts.

And if you’re Italy hopping, you can take the train to La Spezia. From Florence, you’ll see the Carrara marble and quarry that Michaelangelo used to dream up and carve the statue of David in the town of Carrara.

And then in Cinque Terre, you can enjoy the dreamy Italian tourist seascape. 🌊

The Emerald Suite comes with a Nespresso maker and coffee, and a kettle (hot water pot). The bedroom is in a separate room separated by a hallway that leads to the bathroom. The bathroom is very modern and nice.

There’s a shower enclosed by glass (no bath tub). There’s a bidet beside the toilet. It’s not really a family with kids’ place, it’s actually perfect for a romantic getaway.

There’s a big wardrobe in the room hallway. The safe inside did not work when we stayed but perhaps is fixed now.

Not a big deal as there’s a lock outside the door of the building. For the hotel room price, this is a Cinque Terre, Italy gem. You’re getting a suite in the heart of Vernazza, one of the 5 famous villages in Cinque Terre, Italy!

When you leave the building, halfway down the steps (which mind you, are real Cinque Terre steps –stone and uneven), there’s a great restaurant.

They have delicious fresh seafood and an anchovies plate (Cinque Terre is known for anchovies and pesto). I don’t usually leave recipes but this is so simple:

Cinque Terre pesto: Crush up basil, pine nuts, and garlic with some salt in a mortar. Then mix with grated parmesan cheese and olive oil.

In the Vernazza village where this hotel is, there’s one restaurant that stands on a cliff and has amazing food. It’s the Belforte Restaurant.

We made a reservation at 7 pm and were standing in a line outside in the heat. But it’s worth the wait! The food is amazing. If you love seafood, THIS is the place. I loved their black squid ink pasta. I could eat that every day.

cinque terre italy gem restaurant on the vernazza cliff cinque terre italy gem finds like this patio dining

Then for breakfast, it is free and included with your hotel stay at La Polena, a Cinque Terre, Italy gem. It is a nice buffet with fruit, yogurt, bread, and pastries. A server will come by and ask if you would like a beverage, like a coffee or cappuccino. You can sit inside or outside. This free-for-guests-breakfast restaurant has an outside picturesque view of the main plaza in Vernazza. For lunch, this restaurant is busy with tourists. We had lunch there one day and I ordered the seafood pizza that was 10 euros.

Night Roof view of Vernazza from hotel

And if you like charming Cinque Terre water views, you’ll probably love the canals in Venice!

Best FREE Spa Hotel in Norway

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Best free spa hotel in Norway with steam, sauna, and jacuzzi in a quaint ski town in Lillehammer where the 1994 Winter Olympic ski jump competition occurred… keep reading.

I started loving spas and especially free spas (yes, they exist)! I discovered the benefits of steam, sauna rooms, and jaccuzis. They’re healthy, relaxing and therapeutic. Turkish bath and Russian bath houses are great but hard to find in the States (Philly and Miami are two places to check out). And good luck finding a thermal spa. When you’re in Europe, they are common. Some are free (courtesy of nature), but most are not.

Amazing free hidden gem spa at the Lillehammer Hotel.

This was the most amazing “hidden” free spa hotel in Norway I discovered by accident. It’s in the Scandic Lillehammer Hotel.

Down in the basement, where you think the operating controls are for the hotel, there is an entire free-for-guests spa. This hotel spa has a cold dip pool where you walk down stairs shaped as a square (add some unique drama to getting into the cold pool). There are also 3 steam room and sauna rooms set on different heats.

And several additional large pools. For those who like fun, instead of traditional shower heads there are several overhead bushels of water where you can pull the string for a neat shower experience.

It’s very unique.

This is what people used to hear about as jokes when you were sleeping at camp (where they throw a bucket of water over your head). Or what you see that they do on SuperBowl night to the MVP. It’s even better when you’re doing this yourself as it’s not a shock.

Rooms look like this have a view of the Lillehammer ski jump.

I doubt you would go to this hotel, just for the spa (I mean I would, but everyone isn’t like me!). The Lillehammer Hotel is just a few hundred feet away from the Lillehammer ski jump, famous in the 1994 Winter Olympic. It’s surrounded by a cute town. So after you visit the town you can enjoy the free spa and complimentary nice breakfast.

And if you love thermal spas, you may want to checkout Bath.

Thermal Spa Bath Experience in Bath

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Bath’s Christmas Market near the thermal spa bath steps away 🐾

If you’re looking for a heavenly thermal spa mineral-rich experience, then Bath could be your place. It’s a wonderful hidden gem town that has many year-round events.

If you go during the Christmas season, you’ll get to experience the outdoor Christmas Market that’s not crowded like other ones that are more known. You can sometimes find good holiday deals.

But a must-do anytime is the Thermae Spa that the town is known for and has an outdoor rooftop thermal pool and indoor pools. If you’ve ever wanted to try mineral spa waters like the Romans did 2,000 years ago, but in a controlled environment, then this is the place to visit. And the 2-hour body therapeutic experience is affordable.

With the savings of going to this spa over one in a larger city, you’ll comfortably be able to have a nice stay at the Abbey Hotel that’s just a 4-minute walk to the Thermae Spa and Christmas Market in the City Centre (and less than 2 hour drive from London).

Bath City Centre tree around Christmas 🎄

The hotel is convenient and the rooms are unique. You can stay in the Cinematography Room with a modern design or the Gallery Room with a soothing green color wall.

And the hotel has one of the best afternoon teas you don’t wanna miss! 💕 When you’re ready for brunch and art-deco inspiration, head over to The Ivy Bath Brasserie for a unique Bath dining experience, the foodie kitchen sink with anything from Shepherd’s Pie to Lobster Prawn Free-Range Eggs Benedict.

And if you want a ‘lil history you can visit the Roman Baths and appreciate your modern spa bath even more in this quaint town and what it has to offer.

roman bath thermal spa — The Roman Baths in Bath, UK

London Anyone? For Great British Baking Show Fans

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Great British Baking Show contestants made Chelsea buns — Chelsea bun anyone?

Move over James Bond, if you’re a fan of The Great British Baking Show (aka Great British Bake Off or GBBO for Brits) like I AM 🙋🏻‍♀️, then you’ve probably taken an even stronger liking to London recently.

The Paul Hollywood show actually takes place in the outdoor big white tent off the beaten path in the country, but the baking adventure definitely has brought modern appeal to the historic city. And it’s a massive one at that! If you like sweets, you’re definitely in for a treat.

If you’re in London to take a ride on the London Eye to check out the city views, come for Wimbledon tennis, to museum hop, and check out the Rosetta Stone or portraits of famous Brits, you will not be bored!

…OH, and expect a huge shopping or window shopping selection (…have you heard of the 8-floor Harrod’s Department Store?). Plus, the foodie scene. It’s not just Fish & Chips anymore if you check out Insta photos. And one boutique-y area with tasty foodie food and free outdoor entertainment I’d recommend is Covent Garden.

London can actually be very overwhelming if you’re coming and going for the first time even if you do speak English. You’ll quickly learn to speak Brit with afternoon tea and get from place to place taking the Tube or London cabs. 💂‍♂️

And this Park Plaza Westminster Hotel is central modern to your visit. Not only does it have amazing views of the London Eye wheel 🎡that you can eye throughout the hotel and maybe even your room, you can see the other iconic architectural wonders London is known for like Westminster Abbey … And you can try to keep track of time looking out at Big Ben. Now that’s a Wow-za and a one-of-a-kind city view you don’t want to miss. 🇬🇧

Plus… the hotel has its own onsite restaurants that serve French cuisine… and sushi anyone? Having worked in the hotel foodie scene (I’m a former hospitality catering sales manager) I know the inside scoop behind-the-scenes. It’s not easy to run a hotel kitchen with all the moving parts and departments. Just sayin’ you won’t be disappointed with these efforts.

Don’t forget to fit in your Great British Baking Show dessert time and afternoon tea… and a visit to Fortnum & Mason before you leave. Cheers! 🫖

Fortnum & Mason is a great place to tea shop or get your fancy scones to give as gifts back home.

Copenhagen Amusement Park Hidden Gem

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Tivoli Copenahgen Amusement Park on the exterior

The Copenhagen amusement park scene needs to be on your bucket list if you like amusement. Maybe you visit the happiest city in the world for your birthday or an anniversary. 🎂

The park is close to city center but far enough to stand out on its own.

City center is reminiscent of many cobblestone streets in Europe and a clean, modern vibe without the downsides of city life. You may hear an occasional bicycle bell but that blends into the calm living air that’s not crowded.

And part of this calm Copenhagen living, is cycling around town. With the summer’s Tour de France 🚴‍♀️🚴🚵‍♀️ competition that happens further south, we learn that Jonas Vingegaard has won for the 2nd year in a row.

Famous Nyhavn and storybook building fronts are near the Copenhagen Amusement Park

It’s no surprise he’s Danish because Denmark is the top bicycle city. And you don’t have to look far to see a cyclist in the city. They bike everywhere and confidently along highway streets.

And whether by wheels or feet, when you want to shake it up, Tivoli Gardens amusement park is a good spot to hang out. Start off with your visit in the day where you can appreciate the gardens, whimsical design theme choices, and architecture, but be sure to stay for the lights at night (and maybe plan for the Friday live music entertainment).

It’s kinda like souped-up Busch Gardens (if you’re familiar with the Williamsburg, VA theme park) where you want to see and appreciate park details and landscape outlines in the day, but also get the dazzle of the European-style carnival night life that’s lit up.

Tivoli Gardens is a smaller theme park and not too crowded. But don’t let that fool ya! Tivoli Gardens also has fireworks 🎆 during certain occasions like Easter 🐣 Summer is also a good time to go.

It’s also one that Disney modeled some of their theme parks after 🦄, and caught the unconventional inspiration from with all its creative rides and colors. And when you visit, you’ll understand why.

Before you freak out on the ticket prices, note it’s in Danish Krona (that today in writing this is about 7x the US Dollar, and that’s a lot less than half or a third of the price you’d pay in a U.S. theme park).

Inside, if you like the circus environment, you’ll love this Copenhagen Amusement Park that’s full of sightseeing surprises 🍭🎠

You think you’re riding into the future or somewhere Far East (or maybe outside this Universe 🪐). And at the least, you’ve never seen these wild-bending rides. Here’s one ride shot below… but for the others, you’ll have to check it out for yourself!

And they have 70 (and maybe some 70s decade-inspired) gourmet eatery, cafe, restaurants, and one-of-a-kind shops… and fantasical shop fronts, like a Marshmallow Shop (how fun!).

Foodie foods range from churros, lobster, and sushi, plus fun boardwalk faves like bougie ice cream, popcorn, and cotton candy, to name just a few. If you’re not entertained with just the food scene ambiance and fun-decorated shops, I’d be shocked! And if you’re not hungry (that I think you will be 😋), I’ll be wondering. 💭

There’s also free entrance to the Tivoli Food Hall in case you’re meeting up with people who don’t want to go to the Amusement Garden Park.

And being the planner that I am (and for a decade), a cute place to stay that is walking distance to the Copenhagen Amusement Park is an affordable hotel find called the Imperial Hotel that you can walk comfortably to with your friends or companion, as I did on my visit. 💕

What I love about the hotel is the simplicity, and the room headboard is huge so it makes the ceiling look expansive. There are also homey velvety touches that soften the tight bed corners.

You can full chill-ax after you’ve got your fill of amusement. And the bathroom has spa-esque calm colors with thoughtful warm lighting. ✨ I’ll be back!

Ferragosto Italy Holiday Foods

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Potato gnocchi is Italy’s version of Spain’s patatas bravas tapas.

Ferragosto Italy holiday foods is an opportunity experience.

First off, what happens during Ferragosto? August 15 is the feast of Assumption recognized as a public holiday for Catholics (Italy is predominant in). Italians celebrate the public holiday by closing the doors of their business. And that marks the beginning of the Ferragosto summer holiday (vacation) for the rest of August and sometimes beyond.

You see paper signs on windows like the shop owners wrote the note just before they left. Even though we know they’ve been planning their holiday vacation for months. 😉

And then they head to the local Italian beaches along the Ligurian Sea like Cinque Terre (Five Lands) and Livorno. And some go north to Northern Europe, maybe to Norway and I recommend this spa hotel and Denmark. You can learn about one of the most unusual amusement parks in Copenhagen that Disney caught inspiration from.

They definitely stay away from the super hoppin’ busy places like Rome and Amalfi Coast that could be similar to or where they just left.

And maybe that’s where you head to enjoy. And if so, you can be bummed that the town you’re visiting looks shut down… or you prefer the slower pace… You can still enjoy what’s open and that serves cool pesto that’s made of cooling basil. And you can say Yes! to refreshing lemon dishes. And delight in bright seafood galore. 🍤

ferragosto italy holiday travel foods in cinque terre

And Ferragosto Italy holiday travel could be the opportunity for you!

I mean, it’s perfectly timed during the hottest time of the year and at the tail end of summer… AND before the start of any school year. That’s a golden recipe for expanding your year’s enjoyment…

And think of all the food travel adventures you can have before year’s end. 💭

You’ll be fine if you keep cool and pack an aluminum water bottle in your travel bag as sometimes they’re difficult to find in the city or at the destination. And if you’re heading to Rome (where it’s hot, you can fill up your bottle and drink clean water from public fountains and aqueducts that date back to Ancient Times. That’s an experience in itself! ⛲️).

Then when you have your water-filled, remember to order cold dishes like gazpacho and save your warm soup for another day. ❤️

Order fruit salads… see this rustic cantaloupe bowl 🍈 paired with Italian prosciutto that gives a cool taste explosion in the mouth.

And here’s an opportunity to get in those unusually good black squid ink pasta dishes that are straight from the Ligurian Sea.

ferragosto italy holiday travel foods in liguria

And cannellini dishes with bread make for enriching Ferragosto Italy holiday foods in northern Italy. This dish has hints of summer herb gardens and shrimp from the sea. Even the bread keeps cool with air pockets and holes. 😃

And even during the slower Ferragosto months, there are festivals and events happening in the surrounding Tuscan hills for your Ferragosto adventure… so, what are you waiting for? 😉