Beware: Your Passport Can Be Invalid, Months Before Its Expiration Date

You may think your passport is fit to travel, but one unforeseen snag could bring your trip majorly down: 

Having a valid (aka non-expired) passport isn't enough, in many destinations. You'll often need a passport that's valid for three to six months after your departure date in order to travel.

Lots of travelers have learned this the hard way, because the rules aren't very well-known: The Schengen area, for example, comprises 26 European nations including France, Italy and Spain. To visit any one of them, American travelers must have a passport that's valid for at least three months after their departure date, according to the U.S. State Department.

In other destinations, including many Asian countries, your passport must be valid for six months after departure in order to travel.

Not complying could get you stranded before your flight takes off... or even worse, while transferring planes in another country.

The requirement has long been in place, the State Department explains, but "it is only recently that (it) has been more strictly enforced." Indeed, stories are all too common of travelers turned away from airports because their passports weren't valid for the required three to six months after departure. 

So check the date on yours, and renew the easy way if it's not eligible for your upcoming trip. You can find the passport requirements for your destination on the U.S. State Department website.

Happy travels!

Also on HuffPost:

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/06/passport-valid-expiration-three-months_n_8491526.html?utm_h ... and provided by entertainment-movie-news.com

The Best Hotels For Sleep In Spain

Sleeping is always part of a trip, even in one the Europe’s most lively travel destinations. The start of a great night’s sleep in Spain – like anywhere -- is often a white, fluffy hotel bed.

Both large hotel chains and independent properties understand the importance of a good rest for a culture that's becoming more and more stressed. That's because sleeping well is not a luxury, but a necessity. Fortunately, there are options for everybody at hotels across Spain. Special beds, treatments, relaxing decor, detox menus... here are the best recommendations to rejuvenate your body and soul during your visit.

The Westin Palace
Madrid

This is a historic place for luxury in the capital of Spain. In every one of its rooms, you’ll find a globally-recognized "Heavenly Bed" -- Westin’s signature that's specially designed for a unique rest. The rooms are decorated with playful colors, including both neutral and vibrant tones, which create a visual environment that fosters comfort.

MB Boutique Hotel
Nerja, Malaga

There are soundproof rooms, mattresses by the best brands, a pillow menu and customizable lighting in whichever color you choose. Rooms include relaxing extras like a hot tub for two people, and if you have something to iron, hotel staff will do it for free. This hotel is suitable for all budgets, and products in the minibar start at one euro. Plus, the beach is just a stroll away!

Only You Hotel & Lounge
Madrid

The key is in the small details. Here, 19th century architecture is fused with modern touches in a former palace known for its striking and exquisite interiors. Clients praise the comfort of the beds and how quiet the hotel is, two qualities that are difficult to find in the heart of Madrid.

Thalasso Hotel El Palasiet
Benicasim, Castellon

This hotel is focused on improving sleep through water. Its thermal pool of saltwater acclimates to the temperature of the human body, meant to foster a zen state before bedtime. The hotel offers a coaching service for healthy nutrition in an idyllic setting, with views of the sea and lush surroundings.

Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya
Barcelona

When you need to escape the daily grind, come feel the freedom that this ample space affords. It’s not easy to find a hotel where the smallest room is 420 square feet -- the largest goes to over 800! -- with one of the best panoramic views of the city. This hotel isn't the most well known, but it has something special: warm colors, many windows and luxurious beds to refresh you without leaving the city. Also, enjoy breakfast in bed while you watch the sun rise in Barcelona.

Paradores
Various Locations

One of the fundamental characteristics of this chain its location. Each hotel is situated in a strategic place, either because of proximity to a historic building or because of the way in which it interacts with the environment of the area. As a result, the rooms are often reminiscent of another era. The hotels’ giant beds, use of stone as a prominent architectural element and painstaking attention to decor all contribute to a better night's sleep. The hotel also offers yoga classes periodically, like those at the Paradores in Cádiz and Mazagón, or the Ayurvedic versions that are often offered in the establishments that have spas. Finally, there is also Santo Estevo, in Ourense, which was recently voted the best parador in Spain.

Sha Wellness Clinic
El Albir, Alicante

This hotel-clinic is exclusively dedicated to improving and prolonging guests' well-being with the best natural therapies. Its philosophy is to rejuvenate mind and spirit in complete harmony with the environment, helping guests to eat healthy, enjoy more vitality and give proper analysis to the thoughts that preoccupy them. They offer special techniques to channel stress and set health goals, in addition to programs that foster better sleep and rejuvenation.

Barceló Hotels & Resorts
Various Locations

Of all this chain’s establishments in Spain, there are three focused on rest, including two luxury offerings in Cádiz (Barceló Sancti Petri and Barceló Montecastillo Golf). These accommodations were created using the "B-room" concept to offer more relaxation through special mattresses, 200-thread-count sheets, Nordic covers, a pillow menu and panoramic showers. There is also the Barceló Teguise Beach de Lanzarote, an adults-only accommodation geared specifically towards "muppies," the new urban tribe devoted to healthy living and sports. 

Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden
Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife

There are pillow menus and gigantic beds you can get lost in, all inside rooms that combine wood with Italian marble. The spectacular subtropical gardens are your first view in the morning, and in this luxury hotel, the TVs are flat screens from Loewe. All of the property’s treatments are based on eastern philosophies. Highlights include aromatherapy sessions using eastern, Polynesian, African and Japanese fragrances. Want to slim down? Their "Essence of Well-being” program helps restore healthy habits. Consult with experts in nutrition and health to determine a well-balanced diet complemented by personalized exercises.

Can Serola
Sales de Llierca, Girona

This 18th century stone house is the center of a vast park called La Garrotxa. The hotel, one of the highest-ranked on Booking.com, features rooms with a view of the mountain that are completely equipped for rest and decorated to send the mind on an adventure. India, China, Morocco... you can sleep in whichever country you wish with curated decor. Enjoy gardens, terraces, patios, a sauna and hydromassage foster rest, too.

AC Hotel Vila de Allariz by Marriott
Allariz, Ourense

Here, relaxation is a foundational concept. Active pools, stimulating showers, saunas, ice cabins, massages, facial treatments and a complete menu of bath facilities (steam, Turkish, hot and Niagara) provide an array of options. The hotel provides a relaxation program that ends the day in a room where the layout inspires equilibrium and serenity. Not one single element can disturb your inner peace here.

Cabañas en los árboles
Zeanuri, Biscay

With a name that means “house in the trees,” this establishment takes guests back to the happiest and most innocent time of their lives. There is nothing to remind you of the stress of daily life here: It’s just you and the forest, suspended in air while you look at a mountain and listen to the sounds of nature. The premise has given birth to a unique and different kind of rest. Don't miss their eco-spa!

Iberostar Grand Hotel El Mirador
Tenerife

This adults-only hotel from the luxury division of the Iberostar chain offers a pillow menu and sheets that provide comfort. There are two restaurants: one gourmet and the other Mediterranean. There is also a VIP area called "La Balconada" (The Balcony) with some of the most exclusive amenities for relaxation, including suites with a pool and solarium, and a traditional tea and coffee time.

This post first appeared on HuffPost Spain. It has been translated into English and edited for clarity.

Also on HuffPost:

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/05/the-best-hotels-for-sleep-in-spain_n_8492140.html?utm_hp_re ... and provided by entertainment-movie-news.com

17 Classic Italian Street Foods That Everyone Should Try Once

Image: The Huffington Post Creative Labs
It’s no secret that Italy has America beat when it comes to homegrown cuisine. From creamy carbonara to melt-in-your-mouth burrata, Italian fare boasts some of the most drool-worthy dishes to ever grace our dinner tables (and our stomachs). Try as we might to mimic the mouthwatering meals stateside, any lucky duck who has visited Italy knows that nothing compares to tasting the real deal, straight from the source. Sigh.
Jetting across the Atlantic in search of superior pizza isn’t exactly easy -- but a foodie can dream, right? As if we didn’t already have enough reasons to fantasize about venturing to Venice, Florence and the like, we’ve recently discovered our new favorite type of Italian food: street food. Because, unsurprisingly, Italy has absolutely mastered the art of serving food anywhere, anytime. In the spirit of living a delicious, joyful life and savoring the flavors along the way, we’ve partnered with Sanpellegrino® Sparkling Fruit Beverages to bring you the very best of Italian street fare. Prepare for your taste buds to be transported -- and start planning that bucket-list Italian adventure ASAP.

SAVORY
1. Arancini

Image: BionicGrrrl/Flickr
Origin: Sicily
Deep-frying anything practically guarantees deliciousness, and these rice balls only prove the point. Imagine crisped risotto stuffed with gooey cheese, peas and minced meats, and you’ll have an inkling of just how incredible this street food really is. We see you, Sicily.
2. Olive all’Ascolana

Image: Darren and Brad/Flickr
Origin: Le Marche
Mediterranean countries tend to be in love with all things olive, and Italy is no exception. Take this breaded olive stuffed with spicy ground meat; you haven’t tasted Italy until you’ve tasted this.
3. Porchetta Romana

Image: JoshBousel/Flickr
Origin: Ariccia
Meat lovers, meet your match: this classic porchetta will make you want to mangia like never before. The pork is stuffed with garlic, rosemary and other herbs and slow-cooked on a spit. Could it get any better than this? The answer is no, unless of course you eat it in panino con porchetta form, sandwiched between two slices of grilled bread. You’re welcome.
4. Cuoppo Napoletano

Image: Morgan and Sean McBride/Charleston Crafted
Origin: Naples
Yet another (truly) shining example of deep-fried deliciousness, this paper cone filled with fried seafood makes us want to hit the coast right this second. Who needs home, anyway? Just start forwarding our mail to Naples, please.
5. Lampredotto

Image: Annette White/Bucket List Journey
Origin: Florence
Italians create some of the world’s most crowd-pleasing comfort foods (hello, spaghetti bolognese), but they’re also skilled at making more adventurous fare -- and their famed lampredotto is not for the faint of heart. This street food classic consists of cow stomach cooked in a tomato broth with herbs, and it’s often served on a bun as a panino con lampredotto.
6. Pani ca meusa

Image: Have Blog Will Travel
Origin: Sicily
If you’re game for lampredotto, you might be ready to take on this next street food staple: pani ca meusa, or chopped veal’s spleen and lung steamed in lard and then stuffed in a sandwich. Trust the Italians: this tastes way better than it sounds.
7. Pizza al taglio

Image: RosaPolis/Flickr
Origin: Rome
Take everything you think you know about pizza, and then throw it out the window. This is your new pizza now. Pizza al taglio, or “pizza by the cut,” is baked in large rectangular trays and sold by weight on the streets of Rome (and just about everywhere else in Italy nowadays). BRB, booking our plane tickets ...
8. Sgagliozze

Image: michelle@TNS/Flickr
Origin: Puglia
Don’t underestimate the power of fried polenta with salt -- it may sound simple, but it’s actually to-die-for, especially when made by the woman known as “Maria of Sgagliozze.” She’s famous for cooking up these mouthwatering morsels near her home in Bari, and you can score some for just a few euros.
9. Folpetti

Image: *tamara*/Flickr
Origin: Venice
You’re a fan of calamari, you say? Give your taste buds a treat and indulge in some folpetti straight off the streets of Italy -- you’ll go wild over this salty boiled octopus. Pro tip: Savor the flavor with a dash of parsley sauce and lemon juice.
10. Trapizzino

Image: N.Essuno/Flickr
Origin: Rome
Most of Italy’s storied street food has been around for decades or even centuries, but this gem has only graced the streets of Rome for a few short years. Invented by chef Stefano Callegari in 2008, the Trapizzino consists of white pizza (essentially cooked pizza dough) with fillings like oxtail or chicken with peppers. Drooling yet? Us too.
11. Panelle

Image: Mat’s Eye/Flickr
Origin: Sicily
Three words: Fried. Chickpea. Polenta. You can eat this cucina povera -- “poor man’s food” -- alone or in a sandwich bun if you’re feeling fancy. Good luck avoiding daydreams about this crunchy golden chickpea confection -- your snack cravings will never be the same again.
12. Polpette

Image: Lucy Arena/Olives & Lucinda
Origin: Venice
Jonesing for some spaghetti and meatballs? Forget the spaghetti for now -- polpette alone are all you need. Trust. Look for these meatballs in Venetian bàcari (wine bars), where you’ll find tapas-like finger foods called cicchetti that will make you want to live life by the canals for the rest of your days.



SWEET
13. Sicilian gelato

Image: The Girls NY/Flickr
Origin: Sicily
We know you’ve been waiting for this one. Sicilian gelato is made from a crema rinforzata base: milk, cornstarch and sugar, which means it’s much less creamy and a lot more flavorful than run-of-the-mill ice cream (sorry, old friend). Savor it in a brioche bun to achieve premium foodie status.
14. Zeppole

Image: Jason Lam/Flickr
Origin: Naples
Just when we thought the deep-fried magic of Italian street food couldn’t possibly get any greater, we discovered these crispy dough balls, and the world shifted. These delicious doughnut cousins come filled with custard, cream, chocolate or jelly, and -- much to our delight -- they’re always dusted with sugar.
15. Sfogliatella riccia

Image: Laissez Fare/Flickr
Origin: Campania
Hello, flaky goodness. Where have you been all our lives? This phyllo dough confection is named for its unique structure (sfogliatella refers to a thin leaf or layer), and it boasts a sweet ricotta filling that’ll make you forget why you ever bought a return ticket back home.
16. Crema fritta

Image: J Lastras/Flickr
Origin: Veneto
Got a sweet tooth? These hunks of deep-fried custard cream are the dolcissima indulgence you’ve been waiting for. Like all the best Italian desserts, they’re gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside. Score them in paper cones so you can wander along the Venetian canals as you snack; they’ll make a memorable moment that much sweeter.
17. Cannoli

Image: New Medio Logo/Flickr
Origin: Sicily
You’ve probably already fallen for these ricotta-filled pastries stateside, but the authentic Sicilian version is well worth the trek. Complete with candied cherries and oranges on each end, cannoli are worshipped in the street food pantheon, especially in their native Palermo. Ogle, indulge, repeat.
Whether you’re adventuring abroad or daydreaming at home, don’t forget to savor the flavors around you and enjoy every one of life’s sweet moments. With delicious citrus flavors like Limonata, Clementina and Aranciata Rossa, Sanpellegrino® Sparkling Fruit Beverages capture the joy, freshness and zest of life. Life is deliziosa -- so take a sip and enjoy.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/06/italian-street-foods-everyone-should-try_n_8280680.html?utm ... and provided by entertainment-movie-news.com

5 Best Cities To Live In

This story was originally published on 24/7 Wall St. 

Moving within the United States from one city to another is much more common today. No matter the reasons for the move — buying a house, looking for a new job, leaving home for the first time — it remains a major undertaking. A host of factors play an important role in the decision where to move, including the quality of schools, the strength of the local economy and job market, safety, culture, and even climate. Americans facing this decision have much to consider.

To determine America’s best cities to live in, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on the 550 U.S. cities with populations of 65,000 or more as measured by the U.S. Census Bureau. Based on a range of variables, including crime rates, employment growth, access to restaurants and attractions, educational attainment, and housing affordability, 24/7 Wall St. identified America’s 50 Best Cities to Live.

Click here to see the 50 best cities to live.

Click here to see our methodology.

According to Elise Gould, senior economist with nonprofit think tank the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), “most people move because of jobs.” Indeed, for many families on the move, the prospect of obtaining a job is often the most important — if not the only — consideration. For this reason, 24/7 Wall St. weighed this factor heavily when identifying the best places to live.

Of the 50 best cities to live, 41 have unemployment rates below the national rate, and all but five have had faster recent job growth than the national job growth rate. Incomes in these cities, when adjusted for cost of living, exceed the national household income of $53,657 in the vast majority of cases.

The affordability of housing was another key measure in our assessment of U.S. cities. The median home value in all but nine of the 50 cities exceeds the value of a typical American home of $181,200. Since housing prices are often tied to local and statewide market forces, a particular city’s home value was more often compared to statewide home prices. In all but a handful of the best cities to live, the city’s median home value was greater than the comparable state figure. In six of the 50 cities, a typical home was valued more than double the statewide value.

The ability to live safely in a given area is also a top priority for American families on the move. The violent crime rate, therefore, was another key measure when determining the best cities to live. Because violent crime rates tend to correlate with other measures of livability, these cities tend to have very low crime. The violent crime rate in the vast majority of the best cities to live is less than half the national violent crime rate of 365 per 100,000 residents.

Population growth was not part of our assessment of cities, but we excluded cities with negative population growth from our analysis. The most desirable cities to live in tended to have above-average population growths in the last decade.

As Gould observed, designing a singular index of this kind can be a challenge because people move to — and either grow to love or hate — a city for a variety of often-personal reasons. Indeed, while jobs are a major determining factor for a move, people often prefer to stay where they are because of other reasons. “And that could be city amenities, it could also be proximity to family and friends,” Gould said.

Many of the best cities are located near major cities, as this proximity provides residents with access to good schools while living in safe neighborhoods. It also allows them to enjoy the amenities available in the nearby larger cities.

Perhaps surprisingly, none of America’s largest cities are on this list. There is no New York, Los Angeles, or Houston among the best places to live. Nearly all of the biggest cities in the country by population had crime rates that automatically excluded them from consideration. Additionally, the largest cities tend to have higher poverty rates, making them less likely to qualify.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/06/best-cities-to-live_n_8494076.html?utm_hp_ref=travel&ir=Tra ... and provided by entertainment-movie-news.com

One Of Austria's Top Hiking Spots Transforms Into A Majestic Lake

Watch your step.

A hike in the park could turn into a scuba trip if you walk slow enough in Grüner See, a mountainous Austrian park that turns into a lake every year.

Grüner See, which means "Green Lake" in English, sits at the base of the Hochschwab mountains near the town of Tragoess in Austria, and everything in the park -- the benches, grassy knolls, creeks and bridges -- become a popular diving spot come spring, when winter's snow and ice flood the area with beautiful aquamarine water.

By summer, the lake reaches its maximum depth of about 40 feet. The lake's green color (hence its name) is a result from the grass and foliage that line the bottom of the basin.

We're getting into prime hiking time, just make sure you don't take a long nap on one of those benches -- you might wake up underwater.

Check out the photos below:

Also on HuffPost:

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/05/gruner-see-austria-pictures_n_8494274.html?utm_hp_ref=trave ... and provided by entertainment-movie-news.com

One Of Austria's Top Hiking Spots Transforms Into A Majestic Lake

Watch your step.

A hike in the park could turn into a scuba trip if you walk slow enough in Grüner See, a mountainous Austrian park that turns into a lake every year.

Grüner See, which means "Green Lake" in English, sits at the base of the Hochschwab mountains near the town of Tragoess in Austria, and everything in the park -- the benches, grassy knolls, creeks and bridges -- become a popular diving spot come spring, when winter's snow and ice flood the area with beautiful aquamarine water.

By summer, the lake reaches its maximum depth of about 40 feet. The lake's green color (hence its name) is a result from the grass and foliage that line the bottom of the basin.

We're getting into prime hiking time, just make sure you don't take a long nap on one of those benches -- you might wake up underwater.

Check out the photos below:

Also on HuffPost:

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Source: http://feeds.huffingtonpost.com/c/35496/f/677550/s/4b4df37a/sc/10/l/0L0Shuffingtonpost0N0C20A150C110 ... and provided by entertainment-movie-news.com

17 Classic Italian Street Foods That Everyone Should Try Once

Image: The Huffington Post Creative Labs

It’s no secret that Italy has America beat when it comes to homegrown cuisine. From creamy carbonara to melt-in-your-mouth burrata, Italian fare boasts some of the most drool-worthy dishes to ever grace our dinner tables (and our stomachs). Try as we might to mimic the mouthwatering meals stateside, any lucky duck who has visited Italy knows that nothing compares to tasting the real deal, straight from the source. Sigh.

Jetting across the Atlantic in search of superior pizza isn’t exactly easy -- but a foodie can dream, right? As if we didn’t already have enough reasons to fantasize about venturing to Venice, Florence and the like, we’ve recently discovered our new favorite type of Italian food: street food. Because, unsurprisingly, Italy has absolutely mastered the art of serving food anywhere, anytime. In the spirit of living a delicious, joyful life and savoring the flavors along the way, we’ve partnered with Sanpellegrino® Sparkling Fruit Beverages to bring you the very best of Italian street fare. Prepare for your taste buds to be transported -- and start planning that bucket-list Italian adventure ASAP.


SAVORY

1. Arancini


Image: BionicGrrrl/Flickr

Origin: Sicily

Deep-frying anything practically guarantees deliciousness, and these rice balls only prove the point. Imagine crisped risotto stuffed with gooey cheese, peas and minced meats, and you’ll have an inkling of just how incredible this street food really is. We see you, Sicily.

2. Olive all’Ascolana


Image: Darren and Brad/Flickr

Origin: Le Marche

Mediterranean countries tend to be in love with all things olive, and Italy is no exception. Take this breaded olive stuffed with spicy ground meat; you haven’t tasted Italy until you’ve tasted this.

3. Porchetta Romana


Image: JoshBousel/Flickr

Origin: Ariccia

Meat lovers, meet your match: this classic porchetta will make you want to mangia like never before. The pork is stuffed with garlic, rosemary and other herbs and slow-cooked on a spit. Could it get any better than this? The answer is no, unless of course you eat it in panino con porchetta form, sandwiched between two slices of grilled bread. You’re welcome.

4. Cuoppo Napoletano


Image: Morgan and Sean McBride/Charleston Crafted

Origin: Naples

Yet another (truly) shining example of deep-fried deliciousness, this paper cone filled with fried seafood makes us want to hit the coast right this second. Who needs home, anyway? Just start forwarding our mail to Naples, please.

5. Lampredotto


Image: Annette White/Bucket List Journey

Origin: Florence

Italians create some of the world’s most crowd-pleasing comfort foods (hello, spaghetti bolognese), but they’re also skilled at making more adventurous fare -- and their famed lampredotto is not for the faint of heart. This street food classic consists of cow stomach cooked in a tomato broth with herbs, and it’s often served on a bun as a panino con lampredotto.

6. Pani ca meusa


Image: Have Blog Will Travel

Origin: Sicily

If you’re game for lampredotto, you might be ready to take on this next street food staple: pani ca meusa, or chopped veal’s spleen and lung steamed in lard and then stuffed in a sandwich. Trust the Italians: this tastes way better than it sounds.

7. Pizza al taglio


Image: RosaPolis/Flickr

Origin: Rome

Take everything you think you know about pizza, and then throw it out the window. This is your new pizza now. Pizza al taglio, or “pizza by the cut,” is baked in large rectangular trays and sold by weight on the streets of Rome (and just about everywhere else in Italy nowadays). BRB, booking our plane tickets ...

8. Sgagliozze


Image: michelle@TNS/Flickr

Origin: Puglia

Don’t underestimate the power of fried polenta with salt -- it may sound simple, but it’s actually to-die-for, especially when made by the woman known as “Maria of Sgagliozze.” She’s famous for cooking up these mouthwatering morsels near her home in Bari, and you can score some for just a few euros.

9. Folpetti


Image: *tamara*/Flickr

Origin: Venice

You’re a fan of calamari, you say? Give your taste buds a treat and indulge in some folpetti straight off the streets of Italy -- you’ll go wild over this salty boiled octopus. Pro tip: Savor the flavor with a dash of parsley sauce and lemon juice.

10. Trapizzino


Image: N.Essuno/Flickr

Origin: Rome

Most of Italy’s storied street food has been around for decades or even centuries, but this gem has only graced the streets of Rome for a few short years. Invented by chef Stefano Callegari in 2008, the Trapizzino consists of white pizza (essentially cooked pizza dough) with fillings like oxtail or chicken with peppers. Drooling yet? Us too.

11. Panelle


Image: Mat’s Eye/Flickr

Origin: Sicily

Three words: Fried. Chickpea. Polenta. You can eat this cucina povera -- “poor man’s food” -- alone or in a sandwich bun if you’re feeling fancy. Good luck avoiding daydreams about this crunchy golden chickpea confection -- your snack cravings will never be the same again.

12. Polpette


Image: Lucy Arena/Olives & Lucinda

Origin: Venice

Jonesing for some spaghetti and meatballs? Forget the spaghetti for now -- polpette alone are all you need. Trust. Look for these meatballs in Venetian bàcari (wine bars), where you’ll find tapas-like finger foods called cicchetti that will make you want to live life by the canals for the rest of your days.



SWEET

13. Sicilian gelato


Image: The Girls NY/Flickr

Origin: Sicily

We know you’ve been waiting for this one. Sicilian gelato is made from a crema rinforzata base: milk, cornstarch and sugar, which means it’s much less creamy and a lot more flavorful than run-of-the-mill ice cream (sorry, old friend). Savor it in a brioche bun to achieve premium foodie status.

14. Zeppole


Image: Jason Lam/Flickr

Origin: Naples

Just when we thought the deep-fried magic of Italian street food couldn’t possibly get any greater, we discovered these crispy dough balls, and the world shifted. These delicious doughnut cousins come filled with custard, cream, chocolate or jelly, and -- much to our delight -- they’re always dusted with sugar.

15. Sfogliatella riccia


Image: Laissez Fare/Flickr

Origin: Campania

Hello, flaky goodness. Where have you been all our lives? This phyllo dough confection is named for its unique structure (sfogliatella refers to a thin leaf or layer), and it boasts a sweet ricotta filling that’ll make you forget why you ever bought a return ticket back home.

16. Crema fritta


Image: J Lastras/Flickr

Origin: Veneto

Got a sweet tooth? These hunks of deep-fried custard cream are the dolcissima indulgence you’ve been waiting for. Like all the best Italian desserts, they’re gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside. Score them in paper cones so you can wander along the Venetian canals as you snack; they’ll make a memorable moment that much sweeter.

17. Cannoli


Image: New Medio Logo/Flickr

Origin: Sicily

You’ve probably already fallen for these ricotta-filled pastries stateside, but the authentic Sicilian version is well worth the trek. Complete with candied cherries and oranges on each end, cannoli are worshipped in the street food pantheon, especially in their native Palermo. Ogle, indulge, repeat.

Whether you’re adventuring abroad or daydreaming at home, don’t forget to savor the flavors around you and enjoy every one of life’s sweet moments. With delicious citrus flavors like Limonata, Clementina and Aranciata Rossa, Sanpellegrino® Sparkling Fruit Beverages capture the joy, freshness and zest of life. Life is deliziosa -- so take a sip and enjoy.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Source: http://feeds.huffingtonpost.com/c/35496/f/677550/s/4b4dcb85/sc/26/l/0L0Shuffingtonpost0N0C20A150C110 ... and provided by entertainment-movie-news.com