How to Tour Italy without leaving home!

TRAVELLIFESTYLE

9 Sept

So we recently covered Franc’s whirlwind visit to Rome and her best highlights of everything to do (and eat!) However Italy’s is a pretty far way to go so we thought this week we’d follow it up with a guide to living La Dolce Vita (the sweet life) right here at home…

What to Eat: Why pizza and pasta of course! Try making your own. Pizza is super easy – either make your dough from scratch (Google it!), or grab one from the supermarket, then top with your favourite toppings – try a bast of tomato paste, then add salami, olives, finely sliced red capsicum and plenty of cheese. Make enough for the whole family and impress them with your Italian flair! For dessert, finish with classic Tiramisu or gelato.

What to Watch: There are so many awesome movies to choose from that are set right in the heart of Rome and/or Italy.

For the Romantic – it’s an oldie but a goodie, Under The Tuscan Sun (PG13). It’s got Romance, that beautiful Italian countryside and of course gelato!
For the action adventurer – Gladiator (M). This epic Hollywood blockbuster takes place at the height of the Roman Empire with many a scene battled out in Rome’s great Colosseum. With drama, romance, intrigue and many an epic sword fight, it is a must-see.
For the historical drama – La Vita e Bella (Life is Beautiful). World of warning here – even though the film is rated PG13 it is harrowing (that means very sad!) Set in WWII Italy, the story follows a Italian-Jewish family sent to a Concentration Camp and a Father’s unending love for his son. You’ll need the tissues for this one.

What to Play: Sette e mezzo (Italian for "seven and a half") is an old-fashioned card game similar to BlackJack. It’s simple to learn and easy to play, making it great for all the family with instructions found here. You can also buy the set of cards here.

What to Listen To: This is an easy one with so many awesome pre-made lists on Spotify. Try this one as you make your pizza dough, top with your favourite ingredients and then enjoy with the family!