The $30 million taste of Italy

Actor and food enthusiast Stanley Tucci has spent years exploring Italy's regional cuisines, cultures, and hidden gems.. Through his bestselling books, travel series, and social media cooking videos, he shares his insights on where to go, what to eat, and how to experiennce Italy.

From Calabria to the lakes:Tucci's family ties

Tucci's connection to Italy runs deep, with both parents of Italian descent and family lineages originating in Calabria . He first lived in Italy at age 11, shaipng his cooking perspective detailed in books like 'The Tucci Table'. His big-picture advice includes avoiding crowds by visiting off-season and eating where locals do.

Off the beaten path:Tucci's top 5 destinations

Tucci recommends Milan for its elegance and proximity to lakes and mountains, Rome for its grandeur and iconic pasta dishes, and southern cities like Palermo and Naples for their madness , pizza, and seafood. Florence, with its cultural richness and simple yet delicious food, completes his shortlist.

Markets, menus, and a few words of Italian

Tucci encourages exploring markets to understand a place's food culture and ordering regional specialties.. He advises against asking for cheese on spaghetti alle vongole and suggests learning a few words of the local language.

A taste of Italy: Tucci's top hotels

Tucci has stayed at several hotels he'd happily return to, including the Mandarin in Milan, The Gritti and The Danieli in Venice, and the Ferragamo Hotel Lungarno in Florence.