Italy

An introduction to my Mediterranean cruise with Celebrity Cruises and a taster of the highlights on board and the destinations we visited.

Coffee is a serious past-time in Italy and comes with its own etiquettes and customs. Let’s get to grips with the ground rules of ordering coffee in Italy…

Recipe for Aperol Spritz the aperitivo that Italians love. How to make the perfect summer drink that I like to call ‘sunshine in a glass’.

How to get from Pisa Centrale Station to the Leaning Tower of Pisa including a handy map. What to see on the way and where to get the best gelato…

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the campanile, or free-standing bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, famous worldwide for its tipsy tilt to one side.

Catania’s cafes and bars are the perfect place to indulge in a cup of coffee and a cannolo when the sightseeing begins to take its toll. Chock full of character, charm and the best Sicilian patisserie.

The Port city of Catania, Sicily’s second largest city, is situated on the east coast of the island. Enjoy colourful food markets, cool cafes, coffee, canolli and culture.

The cool, calm, quiet of the Consoli kitchen is a complete contrast to the clamour of Catania’s colourful market. The next part of the tour was to immerse ourselves into the flavours, cooking customs and rich history of Sicilian cuisine.

Catania’s Pescheria is an explosion of sights, sounds and smells – bustling and chaotic it’s alive with atmosphere which instantly awakens all the senses – and the appetite!

Tuscan cuisine is food for the soul; intense fresh flavours from a few choice ingredients which have been freshly picked or pulled from the earth. Unpretentious, seasonal and prepared with passion.