Mini Travel Guides

When one thinks of the great foodie destinations of Europe; Spain, Italy, and France seem to come to mind first. But Switzerland has culinary charms of its own. In addition to the renowned cheeses of the region (which hardly resemble the hole-ridden Swiss cheese of American supermarkets), Switzerland produces some of the finest chocolate in the world and local winemakers quietly create quality Swiss wines that are virtually unknown outside the country’s borders.

With Switzerland’s neighbors – France, Germany, and Italy – heavily influencing the cuisine, you can find everything from spaghetti to schnitzel to beef in mushroom sauce on menus around the country. Chefs take cuisine seriously here, and they have the accolades to prove it. The French-speaking side alone has 250 restaurants with Michelin stars or Gault Millau hats. Switzerland is even home to the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant. For a taste of some of the best culinary treats the country has to offer, savor Switzerland in these three ways: through cheese, chocolate, and wine.

Swiss Cheese

The most famous of Switzerland’s cheeses are Emmentaler and Gruyere (though there are many others worth trying). Near Vevey, you can take the ChocolateTrain to Gruyeres for a tour and tasting below the town’s castle. At the Gruyeres factory, visitors take an audio tour at their own pace and learn all about the production of the cheese, as told from one of the dairy cows, Cherry. While the tour can be a bit “cheesy” at times, it’s very informative, and only takes about 30 minutes if you stop at each station and participate in the interactive aspects, like smelling the various scents found in Gruyere (up to 75 have been identified in the cheese). The most exciting part – other than the tasting, of course – is standing above the production line and watching as the workers go through the entire cheese-making process.

Visitors will see the milk and rennet firmed by heat and then poured into molds and pressed. They can look down on the wheels as they sit in a bath of 20% salt (a process that takes 20 hours, by the end of which the cheese has absorbed about half the salt). They can also see the molds that have been resting for 16 hours, during which they are turned regularly, before being moved to a cellar where they will be left to ripen for 5 to 12 months.  At the end of the tour, visitors receive a tasting of three cheeses of various ages; after they can hit the gift shop to buy their own cheese or a myriad of other Swiss souvenirs. You can visit as part of the day-long Chocolate Train excursion (which allows time in between for exploring Gruyeres town and castle) or on your own. Individual admission is 7 CHF.

If Emmentaler is your cheese of choice, you can also go to the Emmentaler show dairy to make your own cheese, and do a tour and tasting. Aside from Emmentaler and Gruyere, you’ll find all manner of Swiss cheeses available for the tasting, many of which come from particular regions in the country. Try whatever’s local. While hiking or biking in the countryside, keep an eye out for open farms, places where you can go buy direct from the farmers (often these are left unattended and run on the honor system; take what you want and leave the appropriate payment). Or visit a year-round farmers market where you can sample before you buy.

While no self-respecting Swiss person would be caught eating fondue in summer, it’s available in restaurants all year round, so steel yourself for the strong smell and save up for the cheesy splurge. It may be a touristy experience, but it’s a delicious one that shouldn’t be missed. And on the German-speaking side of the country, try the Alpmagronen, a traditional Alp macaroni and cheese, often served in one big communal bowl and consisting of simply noodles, cheese, and sometimes bacon, onions, or apple.

Swiss Chocolate

Chocolate has been made in Switzerland since the 17th century, with milk chocolate production beginning in the early 1800s. You can still visit the factory of the first company to make chocolate in Switzerland, the same company that also invented milk chocolate. François-Louis Cailler learned the art of chocolate making in Italy. After returning to Switzerland he founded one chocolate factory, and then a second, which he later gave to his son-in-law. That son-in-law, Daniel Peter, decided to combine his chocolate with the milk of his neighbor, Henri Nestlé (the Nestle company eventually acquired the Cailler chocolate brand) and milk chocolate was born.

Visitors can now take the Belle Epoque Chocolate train to the Cailler factory. As mentioned above, it first stops in Gruyeres for a visit to the cheese factory, and then visitors travel by bus ten minutes to Broc to visit the Cailler factory. The train runs Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday in May, June, September and October and daily in July and August. A 1st class ticket for the full 9am to 6pm trip, including visiting the cheese factory, Gruyeres castle, and Cailler chocolate shop, is 99 CHF for an adult or 49 CHF with the Swiss Pass. Admission to Cailler on your own is 10 CHF.

Here the tour is also automated, with animatronic figures and dramatically voiced dioramas used to illustrate the history of chocolate, from when ancient civilizations first discovered how to process it, to the modern history of the Cailler factory and the chocolate treats it produces. Visitors view an automated assembly line and are then given the chance to taste about a dozen varieties of the company’s signature candies. The factory also offers hands-on classes in chocolate making, and has a small café and, of course, a massive chocolate shop that would make Willy Wonka jealous. Visitors can choose from hundreds of chocolate treats, with most regular sized bars costing less than 2 CHF.

Despite the quality of Swiss chocolate, you don’t see as many chocolate desserts on Swiss fine-dining menus as you might expect. If that’s out of your price range anyways, just stick to the equally delicious supermarket options, or wander into any towns busiest chocolatier (just about every town has one). In Vevey, don’t miss a visit to Poyet, one of the best shops in Switzerland, and the preferred shop of Charlie Chaplin when he lived in town. In addition to a drool-worthy selection of truffles, cakes, and candies, the shop also offers chocolate-making classes to the public.

Swiss Wine

Switzerland has 3 main wine tasting regions – in the south near Ticino, in the northeast near Zurich, and in the west near Lake Geneva. Near Lake Geneva, the Lavaux region is one of the most striking, with terraced vineyards cut into the hills that rise out of the lake. The main grape grown in the Lavaux region is Chasselas, a dessert grape used to make white wines. Wine’s have been produced here since the 11th century, when monks built walls into the hillsides and planted the first vines. The region is now a UNESCO Heritage site that stretches 40km along Lake Geneva between Montreux and Cully, including 14 villages and 830 hectares of vineyards, which produce about 75% Chasselas grapes.

There are several ways to experience the best of this region. If you prefer to take it easy, ride one of the scenic wine trains – the Lavaux Express or Panoramic – which aren’t real trains, but motorized tourist trams that travel through the vineyards. In summer (July and August), a 3-hour tour that includes a boat ride and a stop for wine-tasting costs 60 CHF. If you’re more of a do-it-yourself traveler, there are several wineries open for tastings. Domaine Bovey offers one of the most picturesque locations, with a tasting patio overlooking the vineyard and lake. They produce 180,000 liters (about 250,000 bottles) each year, with 90% of the production white wine from the Chasselas grape. Most towns in the region also have a wine cellar that is open once a week to offer samples from several of the area vineyards. Others are open by appointment. Hiking routes within the vineyards are easy and well-marked, so you can take a boat or train to your starting point and then hike back through the vines, stopping for wine and lunch along the way.

For more wine-tasting, check out the weekly Vevey farmer’s market, which on summer Saturdays from July to August, becomes a “folkloric market” with traditionally-costumed vendors and a public wine tasting. For just 5.50 CHF, get a souvenir wine glass and all the tastes you can handle. During the harvest, which usually takes place in early October, you’ll also find several festivals and events featuring wine tastings and wine-paired dinners, and most of the area wineries are open for tastings. The biggest wine festival of them all, the Wine Grower’s Festival, takes place every 25 years or so (once a generation) in Vevey. The next is scheduled to be held in 2019.

Written by Katie Hammel for EuropeUpClose.com 

Katie Hammel is contributing for the BootsnAll Travel Network, a resource for independent travelers

If you watch a lot of action shows or movies, it is likely that you have seen Switzerland being used as the location for exciting scenes in various storylines involving banks. As much as Hollywood loves to use the financial notoriety of the country, we the regular folks love it for its skiing, hang gliding, chocolate, Swatch watches and the beautiful nature. This post features our travel tips on what to do in Switzerland.

Hike through Laufen

The little Basel town Laufen has fewer than 4000 residents, and it might be the perfect stop in a hiking tour starting from Flüh and also covering Mariasten. Most notable sights are in Laufen where you get to see the Church of St. Katharina, palace of the Prince-Bishops, the Neolithic gravesite and the palace of the Prince-Bishops The visually-appealing hiking lasts about 3,5 hours and while it is long, can be enjoyed by hikers of all levels.

Laufen by Chris Juden

Sip Pinot Noir in Schaffhausen

The northernmost point of Switzerland Schaffhausen is also one of the regions where the Pinot noir grapes are grown. I’ve never been particularly fond of wine, but even I’m intrigued to taste Pinot Noir where it’s meant to be tasted. You can find about how it is made by taking a walk along the wine trail.In addition to Pinot noir, Schaffhausen has some stunning Renaissance era buildings, All Saints Abbey, the Church of St. John and the Munot fortress.The old town is closed to cars, making it a lot easier and more convenient to walk around and shop. I’d recommend taking the train to Rhine Falls, to see Europe’s largest waterfall at the end of your Schaffhausen trip.

St Maria Cathedral Schaffhausen by LenDog64

Click here for the lowest prices on Schaffenhausen hotels

Discover Switzerland’s Oldest Town Sion

Sion lies in the southwestern Switzerland district Valais, with a population a little over than 30,000. Sion is the perfect sight-seeing area for those who don’t love big cities. Sion gets a lot of sun, which makes it ideal for both winter and summer getaways. Sion is also one of Switzerland historically richest areas, as its foundation goes back to pre-historical times. You can start enjoying its beauties with Basilique de Valère (The Valére Basilica) and Château de Tourbillon (Tourbillon Caste)- which face each other on their respective hills. You can then continue with Fine Arts Museum, Majorie Castle, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Grande Dixence Dam (the world’s highest dam, and you can take a tour inside from mid June to the end of September), Derborence primeval forest among others. Sion also hosts wine-tasting events, and football fans might want to drop by Stade Tourbillon, the stadium of the Swiss Super Leauge team FC Sion.

Sionby aleyda

Click here for the lowest prices on Sion hotels

Go Hang Gliding at Mount Chasseral

If you do not want to deal with ski equipment, the cold and the crowds, you might opt for a lesser known sport and go hang gliding at Mount Chasseral in the summer. Mount Chasseral is still an option if you are a skiing fan.

Hang gliding by Amanda Kendle

Watch the Rheinfall Waterfalls

Who doesn’t like waterfalls? They have a way of making you appreciate the nature. If you are like me and love waterfalls, you are definitely going to love Switzerland’s Rheinfall waterfalls- which happen to be the largest (in width and in the amount of water it carries) in Europe.

Rheinfall Waterfalls by Amanda Kendle

Read the rest of this entry »

The Black Madonna has been a figure of mystery for centuries. Some say she’s simply a statue of the Virgin Mary carved from black wood, or perhaps has soot on her skin from the smoke of thousands of candles.  But speculation goes much deeper than that.

Throughout Europe, especially in France, about 500 Black Madonnas, painted or carved in wood or stone, stand in Catholic churches, with a few in museums. Most date from the 11^th to the 15^th centuries. These medieval images of the Virgin holding the Christ Child gaze benignly on their devotees, who come as pilgrims and associate them with miracles and healing.

Many scholars say that the Black Madonna is a link to religions that existed long before Christianity. Her shrines are often in locations that were once pagan shrines to Diana, Artemis of Ephesus, Cybele and other goddesses. Some Black Madonna figures look just like the Egyptian goddess Isis with her infant son Horus, showing the influence of old ways on changing faiths. Even further back than that, she may represent the archetypal Earth Mother, the ancient, eternal power of the feminine force.

She’s a fascinating figure. Whenever I travel in Europe, I seek her out, finding her in immense cathedrals and hidden crypts. Sometimes she and her son both wear golden crowns and are encased in elaborate brocade robes, with only their faces showing. Sometimes she’s a simple, dark figure, the color of fertile earth, wearing a plain gown and an expression of mercy. Always she conveys a sense of depth and mystery.

Here’s where you’ll find a few of the better-known Black Madonnas, or Vierges Noires:

France: Chartres, Rocamadour, Puy-en-Velay

In the great cathedral in Chartres, 50 miles southwest of Paris, there are two Black Madonnas. Notre Dame de Pilar, a 16^th-century copy of a figure from the 13^th century, stands in her gown of gold in a side chapel of the cathedral. She perches regally atop a high pillar, surrounded by candles.  Notre Dame de Sous-Terre (“Our Lady of the Underground”) is tucked away in a crypt near a holy well that dates from pre-Christian days. During the French Revolution, the sculpture in the crypt was destroyed, and in 1856 a replica was sculpted.

Rocamadour is a town 100 miles north of Toulouse, set against a high cliff with spectacular views of the countryside. A long staircase rises from town to the church (there is also an elevator). Pilgrims sometimes crawl up the 216 stairs on their knees to reach the Chapelle de Notre Dame, a separate chapel devoted to a lovely, carved Black Madonna. This shrine has been a sacred place of renown for centuries, credited with numerous miracles.

Le Puy-en-Velay, 274 miles south of Paris, is a charming town set on hills. Climbing one of those hills takes you to the Romanesque Cathédrale Notre Dame. The small Black Madonna is in the cathedral against a curtain backdrop, resplendent in her full golden robe, with only her face and the Christ Child’s showing. On August 15, the Assumption of Mary is celebrated by carrying the Black Madonna statue in a procession through town.

Switzerland: Einsiedeln

The Black Madonna of Einsiedeln is a Gothic wood carving that dates probably from the 15^th century. Wearing a brocade robe and gold crown, she’s in a black marble chapel in the basilica of a Benedictine monastery. This Madonna has long been considered a shrine of healing; hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit every year. The elaborate, baroque abbey church is 20 miles southeast of Zurich. Every day, the Mass and Liturgy of the Hours are sung by the Benedictine monks in Gregorian chant. Near the abbey a nativity scene said to be the world’s largest holds some 500 wooden figures.

Spain: Montserrat

La Moreneta is a statue said to have been carved by St. Luke. It was brought to Spain, hidden, and discovered in the 9^th century and now stands in a basilica next to a monastery. This small Black Madonna is seated with the child on her lap. If you get to the basilica at 1 pm you may hear one of Europe’s oldest and best-known boys’ choirs in their daily singing of the Montserrat hymn. A funicular and walking path lead up to the Holy Grotto, considered to be the site where La Moreneta was discovered.

Poland: Czestochowa

The “Queen of Poland” is hugely influential to Poles and a steady stream of visiting pilgrims. This is another icon traced to St. Luke, who is said to have painted it on a cypress table top (No wonder Luke is the patron saint of artists.)  It came to Poland in the 14^th century. This Black Madonna, with a mournful face, wears a robe with a design of lilies; Jesus is in a gold-trimmed red robe. Both have crowns. The national shrine is in a chapel attached to a baroque basilica on a hilltop in south-central Poland. A large Pauline monastery is a part of the sanctuary, run by the Pauline fathers who celebrated their 700^th anniversary in 2010.

Written by Marilyn McFarlane for EuropeUpClose.com

Related posts:

1. Amazing Amasya in the Turkish Black Sea Region
2. Le Puy-en-Velay: Stepping Back in Time

Fans of French Impressionist art travelling in Europe this winter are in for a treat. Not only are there the usual permanent collections in the museums and art galleries of various European cities, but there are also a number of spectacular temporary Impressionist exhibitions in Europe that bring together art works from institutions and private collections around the world.

The National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Edinburgh and Madrid
Thanks to artists such as Monet and Pissarro, the Impressionists are known for their paintings of gardens. Surprisingly then, there has never thus far been an exhibition that explores the garden as a theme in its own right within French Impressionism. The National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid have joined forces and curated an amazing exhibition that explores the origins and significance of the Impressionist garden. The exhibition, which brings together over 90 paintings from around the world is on show in Edinburgh until 17 October, when it then moves to Madrid for 16 November 2010 until 14 February 2011.

There are many articles about Edinburgh on Europe a la Carte – just search for Edinburgh, where you will find all sorts of information including restaurant and hotel reviews as well as lots of information about other attractions. And Andy has some tips for Saving Money in Madrid.

Le Grand Palais

Paris
There is not one, but two exhibitions of Claude Monet’s work not to be missed in Paris this winter. The first, already open – and closing 24 January 2011, is a retrospective of Monet’s painting organised by the Musée d’Orsay at the Grand Palais on the Champs Elysées. Some 170 paintings have been brought together to show his painting changed over his lifetime, during which he is said to have made some 2500 paintings. Sadly, some of the more iconic paintings will not be included in this exhibition, for example the very painting that gave rise to the name Impressionism. This is because there is a bit of rivalry between the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Marmottan Monet.

Not to be out done by the already very popular exhibition at the Grand Palais (tickets for the guided tours of the show have already sold out), the Marmottan has curated an exhibition of its own. Monet: his Museum, 7 October 2010 – 20 February 2011, has not only been designed to remind us which is the World’s leading Monet museum, but it also displays other artefacts of Monet’s related to his painting.

And don’t forget to read Karen’s Best of Paris Travel tips, a summary of all that is good about Paris on Europe a la Carte; or should that be all that is good on Europe a La Carte about Paris?

Martigny
When the exhibition at the Marmottan closes, much of their collection will head over to Switzerland and the Pierre Gianadda Foundation in Martigny for next summer. The Marmottan collection will be on show from 17 June – 20 November 2011 with the various Monet paintings in the various private and public collections held in Switzerland. This promises to be a great exhibition, with a number of private collections on show for the first time in ages.

London
Opening tomorrow and closing 16 January 2011 is Gauguin at the Tate Modern. This is said to be one of the most significant exhibition of the great artist’s work in over 50 years. Most people think of Gauguin as a post-Impressionist, but he did start out as an Impressionist having been trained by my favourite Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro. Gaugin is well known for his wonderful paintings of women in Tahiti.

The Tate Modern is located on London’s Southbank – read Heather’s list of free things to do on the Southbank.

Europe is Awash with Impressionist Exhibitions this Winter

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

I’ve been to Switzerland many times, often to visit relatives, but I’d never made it to the Swiss capital: this time I decided to fix that and we made a day trip to Bern. As far as capital cities go, it’s relatively small with a population of around 120,000. But in fact this makes it a great spot for a day trip, because you can easily stroll around to some of the key sights.

Bern has a historic old town on a kind of peninsula almost surrounded by the River Aar. Understandably, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s very photogenic. I had no map and no plan when I hit Bern – but it was easy to start walking up and down the cobbled streets of the old town area and stumble across sightseeing spots. For example, there’s a clock tower with puppets, reminiscent of Munich’s Glockenspiel, and two major fifteenth century buildings – the town hall and the cathedral.

There is also plenty for keen shoppers to discover in Bern, especially in the old town where boutiques line the street. Particularly interesting shops seem to be “downstairs” at cellar level, disappearing off the main streets. However, as with most things in Switzerland, it’s unlikely you’ll find any real bargains there.

One tourist attraction which I thought was a bit of a stretch was the Einstein house – with big signs advertising the fact that Einstein had lived there, and smaller signs admitting it was only for two years. But Bern was so lovely I’ll forgive it for that!

Exploring the Swiss Capital, Bern

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Switzerland is synonymous with snow and skiing (oh, and chocolate, but that’s another story!) – but what happens if you visit Switzerland in summer? On my recent trip, summer meant that we could enjoy the Swiss mountains at their greenest – and warmest – time, which for me with my inability to ski is probably better than trying them out in the crowded winter season.

At the top of Chasseral there is something of a lodge where you can eat meals – it’s quite large and has both indoor and outdoor seating. You can also, as I did, just treat yourself to an ice cream there, which seemed a much more appropriate thing to do on a relatively warm, summery day.

Hang Gliding at Mount Chasseral in Switzerland

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

In preparation for our Germany trip, my husband kept talking about some big waterfalls and it took me a while to realise that I’d already been there: and they are as impressive as he said. I’m talking about the Rheinfall or Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland.

If I tell you in advance that they’re “the biggest falls in Europe” your expectations might be too high, but they do apparently have the largest volume of water of any waterfalls in Europe; there are no particularly high falls but the width is impressive and you can take plenty of great photos. There are various viewing platforms to walk around to and you can also take a boat trip to get close to the falls – but expect to get wet from the heavy spray coming off the Rhine Falls themselves.

You can get to the Rheinfall Waterfalls easily by car but even by train from both Switzerland or Germany. There is talk about using the falls for hydroelectric projects so I’d recommend getting there soon in case anything comes of that and spoils the scene.

Get splashed by the Rheinfall waterfalls in Switzerland

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Amanda wrote earlier about Enjoying the Views of Burg Hohenzollern Castle, Germany. And I couldn’t agree more with her in regards to stumbling upon those fairy tale castles that sometimes dot the landscape of Europe.

In the city of Gruyères, Switzerland sits one of those castles – the Château de Gruyères.

I went to Gruyères for a cheese festival.  Because eating cheese is one of the most obvious things to do in Gruyeres.  The rain dampened the hopes of a great cheese festival, luckily as we walked up to the city of Gruyères, the castle came into view.  And just like Amanda, it was worth it.

The Château de Gruyères makes a great day trip from Geneva.  Take the train from Geneva to the town, you’ll have to make a change onto a little local train that winds its way about half a kilometer or so from the city.  The remaining hike will lead you to the city.

The medieval city of Gruyères is situated in the foothills of the Alps.  Of course, the foothills of the Alps make some mountains pale in comparison.  The 13^th century castle sits atop a hill looming over the surrounding valley.  During the day, this Gruyeres attraction is impressive in its own right.  At night, it lights up like a movie scene.

Another interesting thing to do in Gruyeres is to visit the HR Giger Museum which displays science fiction artwork.

If you’re planning a trip to Gruyeres, find the best deals at hotels in Gruyeres using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

The Château de Gruyères, Switzerland

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Located just north of the Italian border (7km) in southern Switzerland, Lugano (the largest Italian-speaking city in Switzerland) is home to lakeside retreats, gourmet eateries, galleries, museums, universities and world-class shopping.

Read more about Lugano, here.

Written By Jen Westmoreland Bouchard for EuropeUpClose.com

Located just north of the Italian border (7km) in southern Switzerland, Lugano (the largest Italian-speaking city in Switzerland) is home to lakeside retreats, gourmet eateries, galleries, museums, universities and world-class shopping.

Getting to Lugano:
Lugano has a small airport at Agno which accomodates small planes flying mainly to other Swiss airports. There is, however, a privately run shuttle service that provides transportation from Agno (or area hotels) to Milan’s (Italy) international Malpensa airport. Moreover, Lugano is located on the railway linking northern Switzerland with Italy via the Gotthard.

Where to stay:
There is no shortage of lovely hotels and resorts in Lugano, many of which offer spectacular views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains.  Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola, a five-star establishment, is famous for its wellness center, offering thalassotherapy (water therapy treatments) as well as a full menu of massages and beauty services. Their luxurious resort offers lake views, a pool, sauna, tennis courts, and fitness center, as well as a five-star gourmet restaurant.  The four- star Hotel du Lac,  located directly on the lake, offers luxury accommodations, spa services and innovative Mediterrranean-inspired cuisine at their restaurant, L’Arazzo. The three-star Hotel Ceresio is located within walking distance of the lake promenade. The reasonable room prices (starting at 90 euros) includes a continental breakfast.

What to do in Lugano:
One of the most popular activities in Lugano is to take  boat cruises on the lake. Most hotels will have boat schedules at the concierge desk. If cruising by foot is more your liking, head down to the pedestrian shopping area in the middle of town. Here you’ll find high end gift shops as well as popular European chains such as H&M. Lugano is home to a variety of fascinating museums as well as an ethnographic arts center. Lugano’s extensive municipal art collection is housed in the Villa Malpensata and features artists from the 20th and 21st centuries as well as rotating international exhibitions.

Where to eat in Lugano:
Ars Café (5 Riva Albertolli) is a stylish bistro café by the lake’s edge. The menu features a  range of Mediterranean-inspired salads and pasta dishes served with fresh artisanal breads. I suggest going here for a leisurely lunch on a sunny afternoon. It is quite possibly the loveliest eatery on the lake. For a lively dinner, head to the Olimpia (1 Piazza della Riforma) after 7:00pm to catch some live music and fantastic contemporary Italian fare in this large establishment. Be sure to save room for dessert- it’s worth it! Trani (12 Via Cattedrale), a favorite amongst locals, is located near the cathedral. The menu is comprised of a variety of reasonably priced pastas, seasonal fish dishes, snacks (sandwiches, paninis), a decent selection of local wines, and several decadent homemade desserts.

Written by Jen Westmoreland Bouchard for EuropeUpClose.com