If you followed my last post you know that I am sharing some of our delectable experiences from our 5-week European vacation this summer. After leaving our first major city stop in Rome, Italy, we drove into Northern Italy through Umbria to Florence, Pisa, the Cinque Terre area along the Mediterranean, into the Piedmont wine region, through the foodie capital of Parma, Bologna and Modena (think Parma ham and balsamic vinegar), and ending along the Adriatic Sea in Venice.

We had the most amazing smorgasbord of Umbrian salads, cheese, and meats in the little town of Orvieto where hospitality was at its best. There were fun times at lunch in one of Florence’s oldest buildings turned into Ristorante Toto where they cut your steak for you just when you order it.

The views from our hotel rooftop in Florence were the most beautiful I’ve ever seen in a city. The Duomo looked almost unreal it was so perfect.

The seafood was so fresh in Manarola, part of the Cinque Terre, along the Mediterranean Sea, that you chose your dinner from the local catch of the day.

It’s not Italy without some gelato, homemade pasta, and a cop drinking a martini during his shift.

The view of Manarola along the Cinque Terre’s hiking trail was picture perfect.

Venice’s Grand Canal was teeming with classic photo ops.

And the local custom of eating cicchetti (similar to Spanish tapas) was great for lunch and dinner especially with the traditional drinks of Prosecco (which comes from this region) and Aperol Spritz (a drink made with Prosecco).

And finally, it may be overpriced and some might even say cheesy, but listening to a live classical music ensemble while eating a sundae on a hot Italy day and people-watching in San Marco Square is a wonderful way to pass some time and rest your feet after all the sightseeing of the day.

NORTHERN ITALY HOTEL & RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Hotels:

-Florence: Antica Torre di via Tornabuoni, in a pedestrian area right next to the River Arno, breathtaking 360º views of Florence from the rooftop decks

-Cinque Terre (Manarola): La Torrettas, beautiful views of the town and sea, next to the main square church

-Piedmont (Monforte d’Alba): Villa Beccaris, quaint walking town with some great restaurants, surrounded by vineyards, has a pool and huge solarium breakfast buffet

-Bologna: Art Hotel Orologio, perfect location off the main square Piazza Maggiore, quiet & charming rooms

-Venice: Hotel American Dinesen, in the Dorsoduro neighborhood on a pretty canal, quieter than near San Marcos/Rialto area, very close to the Guggenheim and Academia Museums, a real gem

Restaurants:

-Orvieto: Ristorante Maurizio, owned by Martinelli Wines, classic hilltop village in Umbria with unique church and medieval town

-Florence: Ristorante Toto, in a very old building, feels like you stepped back in time without any cheesiness, known for their large steaks, near the Ponte Vecchio bridge

-Manarola/Cinque Terre: Trattoria Dal Billy, stunning views of the sea below and the freshest seafood where you choose your fish from the local catch of the day

-Corniglia/Cinque Terre: Il Pirun, small restaurant and wine-tasting room with homemade pasta

-Monforte d’Alba/Piedmont: Dal Felicin, owner makes you feel like family, multi-course menus in a relaxed atmosphere outside in the garden or inside the lovely hotel

-Nonantola/Modena: Acetaia Pedroni di Modena, traditional Balsamic Vinegar producer, take a tour and eat a lunch where every course is homemade and cooked, drizzled with or served alongside their famous vinegar and sparkling wines…one of my favorite experiences I’ve had in Italy. Anthony Bourdain ate here on No Reservations.

-Bologna: Ristorante Vicolo La Colombina, just off the Piazza Maggiore on a quiet back street

-Venice: Osteria al Squero in the Dorsoduro and Cantina Do Mori (since 1400s!) in the San Polo for the Venice staple of cicchetti crostini (similar to bruschetta or tapas)

-Venice: Ai Gondolieri, on a quiet back canal across from the Guggenheim in the Dorsoduro neighborhood

-Venice: Enoteca Osteria Ai Artisti, on a pretty canal, eat indoors in an intimate setting or outside along the canal for better ambiance