Cuisine

Throughout France, you’ll find endless opportunities to sample wonderful food at every price range. For a casual snack or picnic, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, patés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread and fruit. Sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, filled with cheese, ham, fruit or chocolate. Mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from the cafés. On the restaurant scene, the prix fixe option is popular, offering a three- or four-course set menu for a good price.

Most staples of the Italian diet have already become favorites in America, but on your tour, try those less familiar pasta sauces and the vast range of cured hams, cheeses, rustic breads and desserts. Tuscany is known for its subtle sauces, rich pasta and its wines, including Chianti. In Siena, be sure to try trattorias—small, family-run restaurants. Siena’s pastries are also top-notch.