Harvest

Autumn in Italy is spectacular, with the grape vines changing color in a tapestry that evokes thoughts of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, the upcoming olive harvest, and the tasting of the new wine not far behind. The scents that linger on the cooling breeze speak of autumn Italian meals;porcini mushrooms, artichokes, truffles and chestnuts. Festivals abound to celebrate the season for each specialty. Italy is the birthplace of the Slow Food Movement, the antithesis to the fast food culture. Italians relish the season a food is harvested and gear their menus around the bountiful crops. Foods are normally consumed  in the region they are grown. This is why from one region, or one town, to the next, you will find menus handed down through generations that reflect their own unique harvest and are sometimes unknown in other regions. Wine is a food group in Italy and the wines produced in each region are meant to complement the foods grown there. One way to understand a people and their culture is through their food. The rich diversity within Italy is reflected in the festivals and harvests of each region, and is well worth exploring from this point of view. Here at Dream Italia our tours, http://www.dreamitalia.com/escorted_tours.html provide just such an experience. Come with us to taste the flavors of the real Italy.

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