Welcome to Italy, bella. Maybe this is your first trip alone traveling with a group or perhaps you’ve been to layered Italia more than once.

In any case, many of your memories will be crafted in the eateries across Tuscany, Umbria, and Campania, or wherever else you wander in this amazing destination.

When you eat out in Italy, you should know the difference between a ristorante and an osteria. Let’s take a look at what you can expect at each to set you up for success on your next vacay.

I want a relaxed vibe:

Osteria – Welcome to a casual restaurant where top local foods and wines are on the menu.

I want fancy:

Ristorante – Celebrating? At a ristorante you can bet on white table cloths and full table service. More expensive than the osterias and the trattorias, but definitely worth a splurge while you’re traveling.

I want a family spot:

Trattoria – Usually a family-run spot on the petite side. You want to go to a trattoria if you’re after something more relaxed than a traditional restaurant.

Discover the difference between trattoria and osteria on our trips for women.

When you join a Bold Spirit Travel trip, we take care of almost all the meal reservations for you. You can plan on a combo of osterias, ristorantes, and also trattorias in the itinerary.

Some nights you’ll have free and on those days you’ll set out with other guests to explore Sorrento’s ristorantes or Orvieto’s trattorias on your own. Not to worry if you’re unsure of where to start. We always have suggestions for you.

Ready to pack your bag and join us in Europe STAT? In 2024, you can come with us on a group vacation for women in the following areas in Italy:

• The Amalfi Coast and Islands
• Tuscany and Umbria

Regina Winkle-Bryan is a writer, educator, and avid globetrotter based in Seattle, Washington. She founded Bold Spirit Travel to help women connect and create community while exploring our vast and beautiful planet She leads all-women, small-group tours to Italy, Costa Rica, and her corner of the USA, the Pacific Northwest. She lived in Spain for a decade and loves to take guests along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, as well as curated trips to Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Learn more about where you can travel next with Bold Spirit Travel: www.boldspirittravel.com Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.