Italian ice cream, called gelato, is smoother and creamier than its American counterpart thanks to the process and ingredients. 

Gelato is churned at a slower rate than ice cream so less air is mixed into the ingredients.  That leads to a denser product.  Plus, it’s stored differently and eaten at a lower temperature.  There’s a lower fat content, which along with the fresh ingredients, leads to a more intense flavor—particularly fruit ones. 

While the consistency is closer to soft-serve than hand-dipped ice cream, it’s never served from one of those big silver machines.  Similar to hand-dipped, flavors at the gelateria are laid out in a glass display case and are dished out with a flat spatula rather than an ice cream scoop.

Not all gelaterie are created equal (although, really, it is hard to find bad gelato in Italy), so look for “nostra produzione,” or “produzione propria” for homemade, quality gelato.

And that’s why having gelato is a “must” on any trip to Italy.

Christmas is coming, and you know what that means. Cinepanettone!

Cinepanettone is an Italian genre, specifically a comedy film that is released in December (or thereabouts). The word comes from cine, short for cinema (which means the same thing in Italian and English) and panettone, the traditional Italian cake served at Christmas time.

According to Italian filmmakers, the cinepanettone was born after the blockbuster success of a 1982 movie, Sapore di Mare, a light-hearted comedy. The producer immediately ordered another film with a similar plot but set on the ski slopes, instead of the beach, for a holiday release date. And throughout the history of the genre, the formula has remained the same: easy jokes, catchy soundtrack, raunchy humor, the latest sexy “it” girl, and plenty of cleavage.

Even though it’s a safe bet that there’s never been a cinepanettone Oscar winner over the past 25+ years, plenty of Cinecittà actors have starred in them. In fact, actor Christian DeSica, who appeared in that 1982 flick, has been a mainstay. Italian movie-goers have also been a mainstay, as the cinepanettone is always a box-office hit, despite the critics.

Traveling with Children can be stressful at the best of times and in the most familiar circumstances. Throw your family into a foreign country where they don’t speak the language and your Fun Family Trip can quickly turn into something that would rival the Griswalds’ vacations. This doesn’t mean you should just stay at home, though… traveling, especially to foreign cities, can be an extremely rewarding experience for you and your children. Driver in Italy has compiled a list of tips to help you keep your trip to Italy running smoothly.

1. Do Your Research.
This one is a given for most parents, but it can’t be emphasized enough. Look into the hotels you’re booking and see what kid-friendly amenities they have. Going in the summer? Kids will probably want a pool to cool off in. Did you make sure to book a non-smoking room? Is there enough room in your suite for the kids to stretch out and play in?

2. Remember Your Kids.
While you may be going to Italy for the romance and the art, remember that your kids might not know a Botticelli from a bottle o’ Pepsi. While you shouldn’t avoid the culture, you should definitely make museum visits quick and easy. Check out the museum’s website and plan which paintings you want to see most so that you can get in and out quickly (before the kids’ attention span runs out). Does your daughter idolize Disney princesses? Find a real castle to visit. Does your son love race cars? Head to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello (or one of the other dozen car related attractions in Italy). Are your kids beach bums? Head to the coast and check out some of Italy’s amazing beaches.

3. Keep Them Active.
Take your kids to a piazza and let them run around for a while. Rent bikes and cycle around the city ala Audrey Hepburn. Take them on a short hike in Cinque Terre. The more energy your kids get out during the day, the more restful your sleep will be.

4. Simplify.
Simplify your travel. Traveling the long way with family can seem grueling and tedious. Driver in Italy has vehicles that can transport your whole family, from small a cozy at 3 to multiple generations at 8. By leaving the driving to Driver in Italy, you can enjoy the travel along with your family, rather than having to be the chauffeur yourself. If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Italy with children, Driver in Italy is the way to travel.

(Image: Azzurri Team, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from laertes_za’s photostream)

The World Cup 2010 is in full swing! For those fans of the Azzuri who are in Rome and Florence and want to catch some of the football action, we’ve compiled this list of places where you can watch the matches with other Italia fans!

Rome

Villa Borghese – One of only 7 places where FIFA (World Cup Sponsor) is hosting their FanFest. With the FanFest, FIFA is trying to bring some of the atmosphere of the World Cup venues into some of the world’s largest and most football obsessed cities. Admission to the FanFest area is free and games are broadcast throughout the day on large, outdoor screens.

Florence

Florence has placed large outdoor screen throughout the city, including ones in Piazzale Michelangelo, Via Villamagna and Piazza Santo Spirito. Around Tuscany has a great Google Map with all the locations on their website.

Where ever you watch, make sure to enjoy the game and celebrate responsibly! Forza Azzuri!

Image: Colosseum at Night, Rome, Italy, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from lightmatter’s photostream

Rome, the Eternal City. What is it that makes Rome one of the most visited cities in Europe? We’ve compiled a list of five reasons that Rome might be the top city to visit on your trip to Italy.

History

From the Colossuem to the Forum to the Pantheon to Vatican City, history is all around you in Rome. Dating back to the 8th Century BC and home to important structures and artifacts from the building of Western Civilization, you can’t throw a stone in the center of Rome without hitting something more than a couple centuries old.
Please note: We don’t recommend throwing stones at history.

Art

Some of the most famous works of art are housed in Rome, including the paintings on the Sistine Chapel, the rest of the Vatican collection, the works in the Galleria Borghese and the Capitoline Museums.

Romance

Before there was the phrase “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” there was the phrase “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” a phrase that dates back to the fourth century. Rome has long been a destination for travelers who want to immerse themselves in local culture and traditions and for travelers looking for a little Romance. It’s no wonder that Rome is the romance movie destination of choice for Hollywood.

Cusine

We’ve already covered the basics of Italian cuisine (and I’m sure your mouth was watering just reading that). Is it any surprise that visitors flock to Rome on all sorts of Food and Wine tours of Rome?

Shopping

Many of the top Italian designers call Rome home to the flagship stores including Valentino, Hermès, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci, Versace, Bulgari, Chanel, Armani, Dolce e Gabbana, Prada, Ferragamo and Campanile. All of those stores are on one street: the Via Condotti. Add to that other flagship stores, street vendors and the local merchants (with some of the most lovingly crafted leather goods in the world) and Rome is your power shopper’s paradise.