Virtual Vacations
Welcome to Italy Via Austin
Ever wanted to be magically whisked away to museums, art, wine, and pasta dinners? Let’s go. You don’t even have to pack a bag. Enjoy the culture of Italy while supporting local businesses.
Buongiorno!
Start your day off with a strong doppio espresso and beat the crowds to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Start your tour here, and don’t forget to look up in the Sistine Chapel.
Local Austin Pairings
Merit Coffee: Both locations are offering to-go coffees via their website
Houndstooth: Both North Lamar and MLK locations are open for to-go orders placed in person or online.
Easy Tiger at the Linc: In need of some pastries or fresh bread to pair with your espresso, Easy Tiger at the Linc is taking to-go orders for pick-up and delivery.
A little culture
A chance to hear one of the greatest opera singers in the world? Yes please! Scoot up to Milan and catch Andrea Bocelli’s “Music for Hope – Live from the Duomo di Milano.”
After the concert, let the crowds disperse and peek inside the Duomo itself. We love the views from above and the crypt down below.
Milan is the design capital of Italy, so check out the Triennale di Milano, their most renowned museum dedicated to design. Its Triennale Decameron program offers daily artists, designers and architects talks through their Instagram account (can be seen and heard live on the official Instagram account (@triennalemilano). Other activities are held on the official Facebook and YouTube accounts.
All the pasta
Ready for lunch? Let’s learn from the best so we can replicate it at home. Osteria Francescana’s own Chef patron, Massimo Bottura, can teach you all the secrets to making a hearty and approachable Italian meal, no matter your skill level. (Every day at 1:00 pm CST)
When you travel, there is nothing better than being welcomed into a home kitchen. In Italy, the Pasta Grannies do just that. Check out their YouTube channel and follow along with nonna as she makes traditional pasta dishes. Can’t get enough of the nonna’s? Follow Pasta Grannies on Instagram @pastagrannies, too!
Local Austin Pairings
Need a personal pasta professor? Practice your pasta chops and schedule a Virtual Private Pasta Class via Pasta Social Club based in Austin, TX!
Cooking not your thing? No problem. All these places do take out or delivery.
Uncle Nicky’s: pick-up to-go orders via their website.
Mandola’s: All four locations have online ordering and curbside pickup available.
Juliet Italian Kitchen: Full menu of sharable pastas, pizza, and family-favorites available via website, email ciao@juliet-austin.com or call 512-479-1800. Pickup preferred w/ limited delivery available.
Get the heart racing
There is possibly nothing more exciting in Italy than the Siena Palio. Neighborhood competition, bareback horses, and a very narrow track makes this a must see.
When you’re done in Siena, check out the other cultural options in Venice, Rome, and Palermo.
La dolce vita!
Living the good life means taking time to savor the small things, and nothing is more enjoyable than the traditional Italian “Aperitivo” hour. Pick your favorite piazza and grab an aperitivo (we love aperol spritzes and negronis) with hearty snacks.
At Home Help
An aperol spritz is easy to make if you have the right ingredients. If you’re looking for something with a little more punch, think about a negroni. Mommymixology has a great online tutorial for making the perfect one. Next step? Raid your pantry for some olives to enjoy alongside some fresh bread and olive oil (Insider Tip: Sprinkle some flake salt on top of the olive oil!). In Capri, olives are also paired with salty potato chips (or Marcona almonds).
Time to retire
You’ve had a full day! Why not have a night in with dinner and a bottle of wine (or two, we won’t judge) from some of our favorites listed below?
While you’re opening that wine or cooking, set the mood with this Italian inspired Spotify playlist.
Make sure to end your evening with an Italian film or original series, or tune in to food and wine expert Katie Parla’s Podcast, Gola, as she talks about Italian food and culture.
Buona Sera!
Local Austin Pairings
Dinner + Wine = Perfection
Patrizi’s: Offering a limited menu of pasta’s and sides, Patrizi’s is offering call ahead (512) 522-4834 for take-out or cashless in-person orders.
Li’l Nonnas: Vegan pizza haunt offering pick-up on their website.
Andiamo: Offering a limited menu. Delivery or curbside pickup via their website.
Lolo Wine: For a natural approach, Lolo is offering same day curbside pick up and delivery on orders of six bottles or more.
House Wine: Bottle Shoppe is open for curbside pick-up and deliveries on bottles of wine via their website.
Apt 115: Offering to-go wine via phone calls and curbside deliveries. The bar’s usual 30 percent discount on retail bottles still applies.