Italy's Slice of Heaven

As the birthplace of the Slow Food movement, Italy is known as one of the greatest destinations for food lovers and I have to agree. Some of my triumphant food moments in Italy include: finding a decadent profiterole-flavoured gelato in Sorrento, sipping the perfect coffee granita in Lake Como and learning to like the sour tang of limoncello in beautiful Positano (hello hangover).

But from all my Italian food memories (and it's a big collection of memories), the stand out has to be the pizza memories. No matter where I went, the pizza never disappointed. From grabbing a slice from a bare bones pizzeria to sitting down and enjoying it with a cool, beer in a restaurant, phenomenal pizza moments were to be found in every corner of Italy.

In case you can't tell, I love talking about food! Which brings me to some surprising conversations I've had about the quality of food in Italy. I'd heard that the food was underwhelming. It got me thinking… where were you eating? And did we visit the same Italy? Surely you can't be talking about the Italy where I unashamedly revelled in a culinary wonderland day after day?

I think the key to hunting down good food abroad might be simple. It pays to be a cheapskate. I was on a strict budget, staying at friend's houses, hostels and humble pensiones (guesthouses). When it came to food, my travelling partner and I usually avoided restaurants geared to tourists (typically found on the main street) and hunted down smaller (read: cheaper) eateries usually in the back streets or quieter areas. Although we did this out of financial necessity, we actually ended up scoring awesome food experiences to boot. Win!

Although it's tempting to play it safe in your food choices, it pays to push yourself out of your safe spot and try to find authentic food experiences. The markets, farms, vineyards and small, family-run restaurants are the lifeblood of a nation and well worth investing in. Don't be afraid to poke your head in that little cheese shop that looks like it's been there for centuries, because it probably has. It's no doubt home to years of supreme, cheese-making knowledge. Although there may not be many other tourists around, make that stop at the village markets, you'll probably find a punnet of plump raspberries that will rock your tastebuds' world!

Most importantly, take a look around and see who is there. Make sure you not only eat where the locals eat but also eat what the locals eat. Italians are generally very unforgiving of bad food experiences, so no Italian in their right mind would visit a place dishing up mediocre food. Dishes with simple flavours are usually are the most rewarding: Risotto Bianco, Tortellini en Brodo and a pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella & fresh basil were among the best.

So, next time you're heading overseas, wherever you're going make it your business to know the local food business.

Hungry? Considering a trip to Italy? Head here for inspiration:

Tuscan Highlights
8 days, ex Pisa
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/trips/ZMST#overview

Until the end of March, you can make other Delicious Discoveries here:
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Jo Stewart is a travel writer and media spokesperson for Intrepid Travel