When it comes to Italy, less is more. Which is why I sing the praises of slow travel and slow food in Italy. Taking it easy, savoring every moment and not packing too much into your vacation. Staying in an agriturismo, (farm stay) or on a vineyard in Italy is really a perfect way to relax and adopt a slower pace on vacation. And isn’t that what vacation should be about?
But where do you find these gems?
From where to stay, where to eat and places to either drink wine or visit vineyards and wineries – here are some invaluable resources that will help you find and connect with places that also share and appreciate the slow pace of travel and support sustainable travel.
Italy Slow Travel, Food and Wine Guidebooks
- Osterie & Locande d’Italia
This book is in its 17th revision, which means it’s been around for quite sometime. It’s available in English and basically combines both traditional places to stay with local flavor and character with places to eat and drink that celebrate regional cooking and recipes. It’s packed with over 2100 entires!
Available through Amazon (affiliate link)
- Slow Wine 2013
Whether visiting Italy and wanting to visit and taste or if you just want to explore the best producers from home, this is a must! The book not only includes reviews but gives some back story on the wine makers and favors those who have adopted sustainable and natural winemaking practices. As a bonus, if you bring a copy of your book along some producers will offer a 10% discount!
Available through Amazon (affiliate link)
- Go Slow Italy
Drop-dead gorgeous photography is the big draw with this coffee table sized book that features over forty hand-picked places to stay. Though you’ll never take this on vacation with you, it does give you a good description of rural life in Italy and practical information about many destinations. There are even some local recipes featured.
Available through Amazon (affiliate link)
All of these books make excellent reference guides at home when you’re planning – but no one is going to carry a tome around in their luggage on the road, no matter how tasty the contents may be!
The good news – many of them are available as apps, so you can take them on the road.
Italy Slow Travel, Food and Wine Apps
- Osterie d’Italia 2014 (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch)
The reviews are in Italian, but the names and maps make it easy enough to navigate. Instead of high-end Michelin starred places, you’ll find more affordable spots where it’s all about the food. It’s a steep $8.99, but if you’re really passionate about eating in slow food approved establishments and you travel often to Italy, it may be worth it.
- Locande d’Italia 2013 (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch)
Think of this as the counterpart to the app mentioned above. Also $8.99, where the osterie app has food and wine selections, the locande version will list places to stay. You can browse authentic inns known for their charm, hospitality and slow pace. It covers all 20 regions, and has suggestions for hotels, B&Bs and farmhouses. In Italian.
- Slow Wine 2014 (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
I’m pretty sure you can figure this one out! This app is the Slow Food’s guide to the wineries in Italy. It contains reviews for over 400 wineries and 3,000 wines! New features added recently include over 700 restaurants and wine shops in the U.S. that carry the mentioned wines. The detailed maps for both Italy and the U.S. makes it an essential travel tool. If you’re a wino, you’ll need this one.
- Umbria Slow (iPhone, iPad, iPod, android)
This app is written in English, with a good humor and covers more out-of-the-way places in Umbria. It’s got great photos and maps and is a reasonable $3.99. A big bonus is the offline capability – you can use it without an Internet connection!
All of these apps are available for iPhone, but since Apple updates iOS frequently, I can’t make any guarantees if the latest versions of the apps work with updated software.
If you’re a food and wine lover heading to Italy, but don’t have time for the reasearch, I can help!
Let me plan a custom foodie adventure?