Eat well, and slowly

Italian food is globally revered. Cuisine of this caliber deserves to be savored — slowly. Ease into your Italian getaway with a coffee at Rome’s Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffè, which is close to the Pantheon, or try the century old Sciascia Caffè 1919 in the upscale Prati neighborhood, famous for its high-end boutiques, cocktail lounges and gourmet restaurants.

Italy has its own dining etiquette — never drink cappuccino after noon, don’t grate cheese onto risotto — but the slow food movement brings another level of appreciation to Italian dining. Looking to connect guests with local produce and its providers, slow food values mindful choices? In Rome, visit D’Oro in the centrally located Monti neighborhood. The popular eatery focuses on Tuscan and Umbrian dishes, such as wild boar with chocolate and gnocchi with lamb and tomato sauce.

You can also stop and contemplate your place in history as you dine next to ancient Roman walls at Flavio al Velavevodetto, with their collection of natural wines and a menu of Roman classics such as carbonara (egg, cheese, cured pork and black pepper pasta) and cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper pasta).

You’ll want to take time basking in Rome’s first and only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, La Pergola at Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, or perhaps catch up over the hotel’s famed Sunday brunch by Chef Fabio Boschero.

If your travels take you to Sardinia, you’ll find an authentic, trattoria-style experience at Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia, which has a choice of idyllic dining spots such as Sa Mesa and La Terraza. Local produce gives unique flavor to all dishes, including the freshest seafood.

Sit still for a while

To really appreciate the peacefulness of an Italian summer, it pays to be still. Sightseeing is all well and good, but it’s easy to burn out, so step back and decompress for a while.

The good news is that in Rome, you can do this while you absorb the magnificent culture. Pick a bench inside the Villa Borghese, for example, and reflect upon the incredible ceiling frescoes, or any of the centuries-old paintings and sculptures by artists such as Caravaggio and Bernini. If modern art excites you, then the city’s National Gallery of Contemporary and Modern Art has plentiful places to stop and watch the world go by.

There’s a specific satisfaction to just sitting and watching master artisans at work. Allow the concierge at Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel to arrange a visit with a local master cobbler or a private tour of the Vatican gardens and Sistine Chapel. Art lovers will also appreciate that the hotel is home to more than a thousand pieces of art dating back to the 14th century, and guests can take an exclusive tour of the hotel’s private art collection with the resident art historian.

In Sardinia, the concierge at Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia can organize another display of Italian expertise for you, in the form of a private tour of one of the Sardinia’s prestigious wine estates such as the organic vineyards of Pala Vini or the serene Sella & Mosca winery, which was founded in 1899 and produces exceptional wines to this day.

Paul Oswell is a British award-winning journalist and published travel author based in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. His books include Bucket List North America and The Great American Road Trip, as well as New Orleans' Historic Hotels. He has also been an editor of and contributor to several guide books/editions published by Dorling Kindersley (owned by Penguin), including New Orleans, Florida, Orlando, Los Angeles, California and The United States. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure (both of which he has written multiple online travel guides for) and The Guardian, as well as dozens of international newspaper and magazine titles, and inflight magazines for major airlines.