To give you a quick run-down on our trip, we spent two days in Rome, two days in Naples (Pompei/Capri included), two days in Florence, one day in Bologna and one day in Venice. Without boring you with every tiny detail and pictures you probably won’t look at, I’ll just tell you what I learned about food while in Italy.

Regions matter. Pizza in Rome is not the same as pizza in Naples. In fact, no pizza is the same as pizza in Naples (amazing!!), because that’s where pizza was born. When in Italy, eat the local specialties. Find out what ingredients are special to the area and eat those. There’s no better place to do it. You’d think all food is created equal in the amazing land of Italy, but it’s not. Examples from our trip: pizza in Naples, caprese salad in Capri, ribollita in Florence, bolognese in Bologna..

Breakfast means croissants. Not that I have anything against croissants, but there aren’t too many breakfast choices in Italy. It’s just not their thing. They’re coffee people.

Fresh pasta is worth the work. Nick and I took a cooking class while in Bologna, where we made fresh pasta with bolognese sauce. The technique is specific, and it takes some work, but the taste of fresh pasta is something you must taste before you die. The Italians really know what they’re doing pasta-wise.

Gelato is the King of Ice Creams. I know everyone talks about how amazing gelato is, but it bears repeating. It is amazing. Only the Italians can capture fresh fruit flavors so flawlessly in ice cream form. Our best cones were in Rome and Florence.. if you’re there, eat as much as you can.

Avoid the tourist spots for dinner. I knew this rule before we went, but I decided (in a fit of tired, preggy, hungry craziness) on our second night in Rome to eat on the Piazza Navona. The food was overpriced and just wasn’t up to par. Try to get recommendations from your hotel or at least try a restaurant on a side street instead of a main area. Your wallet and your tummy will be glad you did.

Enjoy every bite. The most important thing is to enjoy the food. That’s why I have so few pictures of it- because I wanted to experience it and enjoy it to the fullest. It’s truly some of the best food in the world.

We had an amazing time, but it’s back to real life. Fun, fall treatsies to come!

(first gelato, watermelon. enjoyed every bit!)