Authentic Pesto Sauce - International Day of Italian Cuisine January 17, 2011

Authentic Pesto Sauce from Liguria

Today is the 4th Annual International Day of Italian Cuisine.  To honor the date Genovese pesto was chosen as the official dish of the IDIC 2011, a worldwide celebration of authentic Italian food.

Pesto sauce of Genoa Italy, in the region of Italy is made with 7 ingredients: PDO Genovese basil, garlic, olive oil Riviera Ligure PDO, salt, pine nuts, pecorino and grana padano cheese. Pesto, an oily green sauce beloved by Italian food fans the world over may also soon have its own certification. Italy's Liguria region is seeking a European Union "STG" (Guaranteed Traditional Speciality) mark for pesto meeting strict criteria for genuine, Ligurian ingredients.

The seven ingredients of true pesto are all native to the liguria region.  PDO stands for Protected Designation of Origin, a European certification the Liguria region has already secured for locally produced basil and extra-virgin olive oil.

"With the STG designation we want to protect the seven ingredients of true pesto: PDO Genovese basil, garlic, olive oil Riviera Ligure PDO, salt, pine nuts, pecorino and grana padano cheese," said agricultural councilor Giovanni Barbagallo. "Defending the traditional pesto recipe from imitations is a priority for Liguria."

"We want to unite the name of Liguria with the territory's quality products, like pesto, as a fundamental strategy for tourism development through Ligurian culinary specialties," declared Genoa's tourism councilor Angelo Berlangieri.

The word "pesto" comes from "pestare", or to crush with a pestle and mortar, a reference to the original method for creating the Genovese sauce. Hence pesto is also known as "battuto genovese" or Genovese mince or mash. The pasta condiment was still rare in the days of legendary Genovese explorer Christopher Colombus, but had become well established by the 19th century.

IDIC's Pesto Day is officially sponsored by the Liguria Region, Grana Padano cheese, Genova Pasta and a consortium of olive oil makers, among others.

Over 2,000 participating restaurants in roughly 40 countries will honor real Genovese pesto January 17, and will even see pesto-based Ligurian specialties served on 14 ships of the Italian cruise company Costa Crociere. So get out and visit your local Italian restuarant for authentic pesto. And if you are lucky enough to be cruising with Costa this week, well buon appetito!

For more on authentic Italian food visit WebVisionItaly's Italian Cooking shows, including a video of how to make pesto sauce.

For more about cruises around Italy including Costa cruise itinerary click Italy cruises. To visit Cinque Terre, Genoa and other Ligurian destination click Italian Tourism Italy travel packages for independent Italy travel deals or click Italy tour packages for guided tours of Italy.

Italy Travel Agent Sells More Than Best Italy Tour Packages

While growing up in Providence, Rhode Island, in a family of proud Americans I was
introduced to the Italian culture and Italy from my family, having one great-grandmother from Ischia, a great-grandfather from Roccamonfino, a grandfather from Naples, a grandmother Mimi from Abruzzo, and another grandmother Mina from Rome.

Justin Del Sesto at a Prosciutto di Parma factory

As a child I was given the best of Italian culture, which included waking weekend mornings to an opera filled home with the smell of garlic and onions on the stove ready for the tomatoes wafting through the halls. Our family culture also included learning to play piano and cello with Mina, Mimi teaching me to recite poetry, learning to play baseball and golf from my grandfather who also spoke five languages, going with my dad every Sunday to buy fresh ravioli, meat and freshly baked bread, with one extra loaf to eat on the way home as our little secret, then learning to cook every Sunday afternoon from Mimi, Mina and my Mom before sitting down at the extended dining room table for long and delicious lunches around which I learned about art, literature, poetry, politics and the world.

Ron Del Sesto and Andrea Bocelli

It was on my first Italy tour with my dad, who is also an Italian diplomat, that I knew I wanted to pursue a career in Italy travel. We are not only proud Americans but we are also Italians - dual passport-holding citizens of both the USA and Italy (I am also a resident of Argentina and hold a Mercosur passport).

Prime Minister Romano Prodi & Ron Del Sesto

Arriving in Rome on my first Italy tour 30 years ago I followed my dad around Italy like a little duck.  Our family Italy tour started in Rome, where we strolled slowly through the streets of Rome's centro storico as if we had lived there for a lifetime. Zig-zagging our way through the ancient streets, just when I thought we were lost out came a story for what seemed every ancient cobblestone as we made our way to one hidden sight after the next, the Rome walking tour only pausing along the way when we stopped for an espresso, a new scarf, or a plate of pasta at a Roman trattoria on some tiny street where everyone was a local, and where we would meet family that still lives in Rome for a 3 hour lunch.

Getting Ready for a Tour of Tuscany

 I knew then I wanted to learn the streets, sights and stories as well as he. I knew that I wanted to bring others to Italy to experience a unique authentic insider's view of Italy. From Michelangelo's facade on Palazzo Spada to Borromini's trick hallway inside Palazzo Spada, just off the Campo de' Fiori, to the stories of Via Giulia, to the false dome inside Sant'Ignazio, to Chiesa di San Pietro and Bramante's Tempietto a perfect example of Renaissance Classic revival and High Renaissance architecture in Rome, to Bernini's and the Pope's Rome I wanted to learn the stories and share the stories with others on an Italy tour. 

I returned to Italy dozens of times since that first Rome holiday, experiencing every month and every season

Italian Tourism Cinque Terre Boat Tour

of the year, the smells. skies, and the seasonal menus, enjoying Piazza Navona at Christmas time and in July for the fashion shows, while taking cover from the rain and the sun inside the Pantheon while also seeing how the weather in Rome changes the hole in the center of its dome and learning how it inspired Brunellschi's Florence Duomo, eating lots of Gelato and taking many espresso searching for the best while enjoying the present, always visiting Pasquino on Via del Governo Vecchio for a reminder that politics and leaks are as old as people, insiders, and society. I've visited Cinque Terre in the pouring rain and the blazing sun, which weather paints a unique picture both beautiful in their own way. I knew that since my first tour of Italy Rome was a city I had to return and also would love to share its Italy's inside secrets, its gems, with others. But I also knew that although Rome had enough sights for a lifetime Italy is a country full of destinations to share with other travelers.

Dad doing interview for WebVisionItaly.com

I felt that others traveling to Italy would appreciate the enriched experience with unique local experiences our Italy travel agency would provide. And I felt that including the vast hidden treasures to off the beaten track destinations away from Rome's crowds is something people would value on an Italy tour.  So, we've designed our Italy tours to provide freedom and flexibility because to experience Italy properly it must be done slowly otherwise a traveler will miss the authentic Italian experience. Whether it is a 7 day tour or a 10 day Italy tour or three weeks on a grand Italy tour, Italian Tourism Italy tours are not a sprint through Italy. Our Italy tours are focused on sharing Italy so our travelers experience the sights of Italy and feel la dolce vita.

Planning an Italy vacation is an investment of time and money.  When you plan your Italy vacation or Italy

Justin Del Sesto filming interview for WebVisionItaly.com

cruise with Italian Tourism you have access to a family owned and operated Italy travel agency that will help you maximize your investment and protect your investment in your Italy vacation.  With Italian Tourism you have access to Italy travel agents that know Italy from the inside and know how to plan an Italy tour so that your Italy vacation gives you an authentic unique insider's view of Italy. Italian Tourism will guide you to visit Italy's hidden treasures to off the beaten track destinations away from crowds. You will experience Italy from the inside, taking away an enriched experience with unique local authentic experiences.  That is our promise and that is why when you contact Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 or by email (travel at italiantourism dot us) you are contacting an Italy travel agency that sells more than Italy cruises and Italy tour packages.

How to Ride the Italy Rail: Guide to Train Travel in Italy

Train travel in Italy is made easy in the Italy rail guide, one of WebVisionItaly.com's most popular videos. The Train Italy video is a guide to riding trains in Italy. So for Thanksgiving when many of are on trains, planes, and automobiles, we're publishing 10 Tips to riding the train in Italy.

Motorino Man's Top 10 Tips to ride Italy's rails from the big three like Rome trains, Florence trains, and Venice trains to tips for buying Italy rail tickets in small stations in towns outside Italy's big three that may not be manned at all times by ticket sellers.

Click to see the video how to buy a train ticket in Italy for important tips and tricks to navigating the Italy train ticket vending machine so you may buy a train ticket in Italy without hassle when traveling Italy. Motorino Man suggests buying train tickets in Italy as itineraries change and trains do get cancelled.

Click for a full listing of Italy train travel vacations by Italian Tourism.

Motorino Man's Top 10 Tips to Ride Train in Italy.

10. Save money by buying bread and prosciutto before arriving at station for food on train. If you don't bring food the dining car is a very nice place to have a snack.

9. Arrive 30 minutes before departure for stress-free travel.

8. Trains in Italy are used by Italian commuters at rush hour so try to plan your travel off rush-hour and do plan accordingly. Train ticket in Italy will be less expensive off rush hour.

7. In Italy's big three Rome, Florence, Venice and all Italy's big-city stations like Naples, Milan, Bari, Genoa etc. if standing on line or at vending machine to buy ticket beware of pick pockets and other thieves and do always keep an eye on your baggage by keeping it eyesight next to you.
6. Gather belongings before destination so exiting is smooth and efficient - especially important when exiting before end of line because Italian trains only stop long enough for exiting and entering passengers. Every time you stand up on train in Italy glance back to see what you left behind.

5. Carry change to buy ticket at vending machine in small stations where there is no attendant.

4. Carry-on bags: Keep your bag under your seat or between your legs. If you are going to place it in the overhead compartment, try to place it ahead of your seat location, so you can see whoever reaches into the compartment.

3. If catching the train outside major cities like Italy's big three Rome, Florence, and Venice be sure to check that the Italian train you get on is the one you want. Many travel same track.

2. ALWAYS validate Italy train ticket by stamping it in CONVALIDA yellow box in the station or along the track platform.

1. Keep an eye on things at all times in stations and on Italy's trains. YOU carry your luggage onto the bus, train, truck, or taxi with you. Don’t allow a porter or stranger to take your bag for you. You might not ever see it again.

And finally, when you buy a train ticket in Italy be sure you actually receive a ticket for a Italy train.

Buon Viaggio!

Now that you know how to ride the Italy rail check out these great Italy train travel vacations. Or click to see a full listing of cruises around Italy including cruises from Rome and cruises from Venice.

For more about riding trains in Italy visit WebVisionItaly's video how to train travel in Italy.

Amalfi Coast Vacation

Escape on an Italy Amalfi Coast vacation from $939 by Italian Tourism to enjoy stunning scenery, great wine and gourmet cuisine at 60% less than the price of similar packages.

Depart on this Amalfi Coast vacation Italy travel package through March 2011 to obtain the deal. The $939 per person package includes:

1) Roundtrip airfare to Naples from New York City. Other cities to Naples available at additional rate

2) Six nights hotel to enjoy your Amalfi Coast vacation

3) Weeklong car rental with manual transmission (automatic available)

Finish off this Amalfi coast vacation package with an Italy cruise or a Rome holiday using this cheap airfare to Italy. A cruise around Italy or a Rome vacation are both unforgettable experience that will give you memories to last a lifetime. And no better place to build memories than with a Italian Tourism Italy travel package.

The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula between Naples and Salerno. It is renowned for its rugged terrain, scenic beauty, picturesque towns and rich history. The famed towns of Positano, Pompeii and Capri are located 8 to 17 miles from the Hotel Gardenia.

Note: A seven-night version of this Amalfi Coast vacation package including an extra night in Sorrento is also available at discounted rates.

Book by now to reserve your discounted Italy tour and save over $1000. Rates are not guaranteed until booking is confirmed with payment and available seats and rooms for this Amalfi Coast vacation are limited.

$799: Amalfi Coast 6-Night Vacation w/Car & Air - Italy Travel Packages

Escape to Italy's Amalfi Coast for a vacation filled with stunning scenery, great wine and gourmet cuisine at 60% less than the price of similar packages.

Depart November-January on Wednesdays to obtain the deal. The $799 per person package includes:

1) Roundtrip airfare to Naples from New York City or Newark; Boston +$30
2) Six nights at the Hotel Gardenia in Sorrento, located along the Corsa Italia, Sorrento's main street
3) Weeklong car rental with manual transmission (automatic available)

Finish off this vacation with an upgrade on the final two nights to the four-star Villa Franca Hotel in Positano for only $99 more per person. This luxurious and sought-after hotel offers breathtaking views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula between Naples and Salerno. It is renowned for its rugged terrain, scenic beauty, picturesque towns and rich history. The famed towns of Positano, Pompeii and Capri are located 8 to 17 miles from the Hotel Gardenia.

Note: A seven-night version of this Amalfi Coast vacation package including an extra night in Sorrento is also available at discounted rates.

Book by Oct. 8 to reserve your discounted Italy tour and save over $1000.