Italy is, quite rightly, a popular foodie destination. The country has produced many classic dishes, including pizza, spaghetti bolognese and gnocchi, not to mention being famous for its cheeses, olive oil and other fresh produce.

But with so much on offer, you may find it hard to narrow down the destinations to visit during your stay in property in Italy.

Each region of the country has its own specialities and your own personal tastes are likely to play a role in your decision about where to go and which delicacies to sample.

Visit Italian property in the central regions for ‘classic’ cuisine

Many of the dishes that people consider to be classically Italian were created in the central regions of the country.

Tuscany is often synonymous with down-to-earth Italian cooking and if you decide to find a property in Italy here, you will be able to sample olive oil, cheese made from sheep’s milk and numerous dishes that incorporate local ingredients.

Head into the city of Florence for some local specialities such as steak prepared ‘alla fiorentina’ and ribolita, a thick vegetable soup.

Meanwhile, Lazio and Rome are the places to go to try various pasta dishes. Stay in property in Rome and you will be able to seek out authentic spaghetti alla carbonara, gnocchi alla Romana and bucatini all’amatriciana, which blends tomato, onion, bacon and cognac in the sauce.

Sample southern Italian cuisine

If you stay in property in Italy in one of the southern areas of the country, you can also look forward to numerous gastronomic treats.

Naples is in fact the home of the humble pizza and the world’s first pizzeria – Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba, which is still serving customers today. The establishment began selling the now-famous Italian dish in 1738 before expanding into a restaurant and pizzeria in 1830. If you want a taste of authentic Italy, then this is certainly it!

The region of Campania is not only renowned in the food world because of its association with the pizza though – it is also well-known because of its various cheeses. Buffalo mozzarella, mascarpone, pecorino and ricotta are all produced here and used in many regional dishes.

You will also find that seafood is an important part of the diet in many coastal regions, with fresh fish, as well as octopus, clams and squid often seen on menus.

Stay in property in Italy’s north for a different culinary experience

The food in the northern regions of Italy is different to that found in its more southerly counterparts. Its mountainous geography has played a part in shaping the cuisine and you will find that alongside pasta, rice is also frequently used.

Risotto is one of the most famous rice dishes to come out of the region, while polenta is another staple in the northern Italian diet.

The unspoilt nature of the countryside means that game and wild fowl are a popular choice when it comes to meats, with beef and pork more widely used than lamb, which is a favourite further south.

You may find that you are staying in a property in Italy that is in or near one of the major cities, such as Milan or Venice, in which case you will have a variety of eateries to choose from. Milan is perhaps known as one of Italy’s more cosmopolitan destinations but you will still find many restaurants here serving traditional Italian cuisine, alongside the speciality regional dishes.

According to What’s On When, the Brera district of Milan offers an eclectic mix of restaurants, with traditional trattorias found alongside curry houses and cocktail bars.

Eating out in Italy – enjoy the experience

When you venture out from your property in Italy for an evening meal, it is worth bearing in mind that the Italians tend to eat several courses – in fact up to five – for dinner. Each is smaller than you would expect to find in a British restaurant but that does not mean they will not be filling!

As with eating out in other European nations, you should take your time and savour the experience.

Typically, you will start with antipasto, which are similar to hors d’oeuvres, followed by primo and then secondo, which is the main course. A desert – whether a pudding, cheese selection or ice cream – tops off the food and you will round off the entire experience with a real Italian coffee – although be warned that espresso without milk is the norm!