I’m sure everyone can rattle off their favourite Italian dish: lasagne, pasta, gelato, and coffee to write home about.
If you have ever had the opportunity to visit Italy, I am sure you can recall the time you first bit into that “authentic” Italian dish, and your mouth melted.
Mine was in Bari, on the East coast of Italy. We were staying there only because it was the place where our ferry would depart for Greece the next day. We found a free hostel that offered free beer and pizza. For real.
It was a simple margherita pizza: pizza base, tomato sauce, garlic and basil. I thought it was going to be a little boring.
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To this day it is the only pizza I can remember eating in my whole 36 years on earth. Simple yet bursting with flavour.
I’ve not been back to Italy since, but the flavours of this delightful country can easily be found in Australia to satisfy me.
The Central Coast Italian Festival
Ettalong, our local town on the Central Coast, has an annual Italian Festival and this year we will be around to experience the highlights of Italy for the weekend.
The best that Italian culture has to offer.
Fast cars
There is the opportunity to see Italian cars, such as Craig’s favourite, the Lamborghini, watch Italian films in the Cinema, and be exposed to the Italian language with introductory lessons – handy for those who are soon to travel to Italy.
Full list of activities activities include:
- Cooking classes
- Italian car show
- Coffee art classes
- Italian nightclub
- language classes
- Italian films
- Italian weddings
- Vino, Grappa, Birra
- Italian products
- Free entertainment
- Accomodation in boutique motel
- Heaps of prizes…
Michelangelo will be there adding to the collection of Italian Renaissance Art found throughout the Ettalong Beach Tourist Resort and the Cinema Paradisio.
You can even learn how to make amazing Italian dishes with the cooking demonstrations and how to wear fashion like a Milanse model, another thing Italians are well known for.
Amusement rides and activities will be available for the kiddies as well.
You can top off the Italian festival in the evening dancing with Italian DJ George Vumbaca besides the fountains and statues in the village Piazza St. Pano.
Ettalong Beach Tourist Resort
Ettalong Beach Tourist Resort is an Italian inspired seaside village, owned by an Italian family, the Altavillas. Both Craig and I went to school with Larry, who’s father originally started the village.
We enjoy catching up with him for good Italian coffee at the Walkabout Cafe in the resort, and I always enjoy a pizza and wine night with my girlfriend’s at the La Fiamma pizza restuarant. Do not come here without eating the nutella pizza – it is the only desert pizza I have ever rememberd.
The resort has:
- a 38 room boutique motel
- a 7 screen cinema complex
- and 14 restaurants and cafes that are always busy with locals and travellers enjoying delicious food and wine.
Why not come to the Italian Festival at Ettalong, our home area, on the weekend of April 14 and 15?
You can meet up with us for a coffee or vino.
The Facts
Getting There
If you are in Sydney, I highly recommend catching the ferry from Palm Beach. It is a picturesque and relaxing way to reach Ettalong and it will drop you off into the action of the Italian festival. The ferry will also be decked out Italian style to get you in the spirit of the event.
You can also get a train from Sydney (1 hour journey) followed by a short bus or cab ride.
When?
14th and 15th April
More Info
Website: www.EttalongBeachTouristResort.com.au
