For the majority of holidaymakers, food plays an integral role in enhancing the experience, getting a feel for local cultures and simply serving as an excuse to relax, unwind and indulge. Of course, not everyone is on the same page of the recipe book when it comes to how food is prepared.
While some people maintain that they “don’t go on holiday to cook” and would much rather be served up meals by someone else, others would contest that they “enjoy cooking as a pastime and prefer to prepare meals for the family rather than eat junk food on holiday.” So does one argument trump the other?
We have taken as an example a villa Holiday home in Italy in Puglia, southern tip of Italy, to reason on the matter and help you to make a choice. Why Puglia? Because the region has a warm Mediterranean climate, boasts the Italian longest coastline, is peppered with fairy-tale towns of trullo houses and majestic masseria (local farmhouses), Baroque Palaces and churches, ancient olive groves and fantastic beaches.
Furthermore, Puglia is a heaven for foodies and Italian wine lovers so a villa holiday in Puglia is a fantastic pick. Read on for our guide to the ultimate holiday decider: cooking VS not cooking!
Why Cooking during your villa holiday in Puglia?
- Immerse yourself in local flavours
One of the great things about cooking while on holiday is the opportunity to really immerse yourself in local flavours.
The experience of heading to a farmers market, deli or grocery store gives you a chance to purchase your own ingredients, chat to the locals and find out first-hand where produce originates from.
Puglia, Italy’s southern heel is peppered with farms and orchards that produce fantastically fresh produce that can be purchased at local markets across the region.
Durum wheat, vine ripened tomatoes, artichokes, fava beans, rocket, courgettes, beans, fennel, peppers, onions, beef and lamb are all core local ingredients, not to mention the unique ‘orecchiette’ ear shaped pasta shells.
- Bond with your family
We love the social aspect of cooking and think it’s a great way for families and friends to bond while on holiday.
When renting a holiday villa in Puglia, southern Italy, with Aria Luxury Apulia, guests enjoy deluxe kitchen facilities that make cooking an absolute pleasure.
Cooking at home is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in local cultures and traditions. For example, as you add a splash of fragrant olive oil to a pan you’ll really get a feel for why the region produces around 40% of Italy’s olive oil output.
When you prepare pasta al forno, a famous provincial dish made up of meatballs, hard-boiled eggs and a melt in your mouth pasta you’ll not only be creating a sensationally rich meal but you’ll also be following in the footsteps of generations of Puglian families who treasure this regional recipe.
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