Category: Foodie Travel

Italians on holiday: the purchase of local food as holiday souvenirs is a rapidly developing trend encouraged by the growing of opportunities for the enhancement of local specialities.   Nearly three out of four Italians on holiday (71%) at the sea, in the mountains or in the countryside during summer 2018 have chosen to visit olive oil mills, mountain huts, wineries, farms, “agriturismi” or farmers’ markets to buy local food directly from producers and to have the best price/quality ratio. This is what emerges from a Coldiretti analysis, which shows that Italy has conquered the world leadership in food and winetourism thanks to 5056 traditional local specialities, 294 PDO and PGI products recognised by the European Union, but also the “green” primacy with almost 60 thousand organic farms in Europe, over twenty-three thousand “agriturismi”, about ten thousand food markets and farms where people can buy directly from “Campagna Amica” farmers, the hundreds of cities of olive oil, wine, bread and many food and wine tours and festivals of every kind.     The purchase of local food directly from the producer is also an opportunity to learn not only about the product itself, but also about its history, its culture and its tradition from the words of those who have helped to preserve a heritage that often has nothing to envy to the Italian artistic and natural treasures. In many cases, the purchase is also an opportunity for food sampling and guided tastings, which makes it possible to make an informed choice that is difficult to find elsewhere, but also to learn about farming methods in a natural environment that is typical of the countryside. 42% of Italians on holiday bring home wine, cheese, olive oil, cured meats or preserves as holiday souvenirs: they are classified as the favourite ones in summer 2018. Local specialties and typical local food can be purchased in the great variety of tourist routes related to food and wine that are in the cities, but also in smaller towns in the countryside that are being revitalised thanks to these new opportunities.   Did you enjoy this article about Italians on holiday? Find out more