If you’re craving la dolce vita but couldn’t afford Euro summer this year, we’re bringing the sunshine your way instead. We’ve teamed up with Peroni Nastro Azzurro to bring you a slice of the good life from the best Amalfi-inspired spots all over Mornington Peninsula. They're also giving away a stunning Italian-inspired getaway for you and four besties worth a very cool $10,000 to help bring those Mediterranean vibes in your direction.
From great pasta and gelato joints to charming boutique bottle shops to find all your aperitivo hour supplies, here are six ways to get you inspired to live your best Italian life on the Mornington Peninsula.
Eat Up
It’s no secret that the way to any true Italian’s heart is food—so, of course, hunting the best authentic Italian-inspired restaurants has to be priority number one. We suggest treating yourself to a typical Italian long lunch at the quaint Tedesca Osteria in Red Hill or at D.O.C Pizza and Mozzarella Bar where their Sweet Goat’s Cheese Tiramisu is worth a visit alone. Donna Maria is a great little eclectic date-night spot that focuses on the region’s freshest seafood, or if you’re keen on a more relaxed pizza night at home, the locals will send you straight to the hidden Papa G’s Pizza on Main Street.
Graze On Gelato
In our humble opinion, there are very few problems gelato can’t fix, especially when it’s lovingly made by the best in the biz. For your authentic fix, Okay Lucy Gelateria has the most deliciously decadent Sticky Date Pudding gelato we’ve ever tasted right in the heart of Mornington, while Tutti Frutti nestled down a sneaky laneway will have you praising the Italian high heavens with its creaminess.
Embrace Golden Hour
You could easily be fooled that you’d stumbled across a charming little Italian village as you meander through the the endless rolling fields across the Mornington Peninsula. Enjoy a laid back picnic and some charcuterie and a Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%, then relax while dusk settles in. All that's left to do is sit back and pretend you’re on vacation. Cin cin!
Bring Home Those Amalfi Vibes
Italian design is all about bold patterns, vivid colours and plenty of texture. Wander through SALTBOX for some divine Italian prints and effortlessly chic homewares, or treat yourself to some luxe linens and ceramics fit for a Roman king or queen at Albert and Daphne.
Learn To Cook Like Nonna
Adored Italian actress Sophia Loren once proclaimed that spaghetti can be eaten most effectively when you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner. We’ve never heard anything more relevant—but before you can eat the pasta, you’ve got to make the pasta, so why not take a shot at whipping it up from scratch? Green Olive’s Farm School or Carmela’s Cucina Classes both offer a wide variety of sausage, pasta, pizza and other delightful classes to help you impress your amici at your next dinner party.
Sip As The Locals Do
Mornington Peninsula is home to a slew of great boutique bars and bottle shops with plenty of international imports so you can recreate some of those European classics. Spend quality time with friends at the iconic Portsea Hotel or Sorrento Hotel by the sea and admire their Peroni range perfect for aperitivo hour.
Peroni Nastro Azzurro is also giving you the chance to win the ultimate Italian-inspired weekend getaway worth $10,000. You'll have to opportunity to live it up poolside in a luxe Sorrento property fully-decked out with everything you need to feel like you've hit the Amalfi Coast. To be in the running for this stunning prize, visit the competition page and get ready to bring a taste of the Mediterranean to you.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Peroni and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image: Urban List