There are now three truffle fairs throughout the year in Acqualagna. The Regional Black Truffle Fair is held around the 20th February, the Regional Summer Truffle fair is held mid August and the most important, the National Truffle Fair, is held for 2 weeks from the end of October.

Acqualagna is a town of some 4000 inhabitants settled between the two hills of Gola and Furlo in the province of Pesaro Urbino, in Le Marche

The Bra cheese festival is an essential appointment for all of us passionate about eating well, not only in Italy. Described as the biggest collection of quality cheeses in Italy each year, 'Cheese' is organised by Slow Food, the City of Bra and the Ente Turismo Alba, Bra, Langhe and Roero.

The event is usually held over the 3rd weekend of September every two years, 2009 .. 2011 etc, and attracts around 150,000 people and the organisers expect them to eat 400kg of Swiss Cheese and buy 1200kg of Italy's finest mozzarella.

The whole of Bra is involved with stands lining the length of the 'centro storico'. The overall aim is to promote regional producers and local products who are under threat from inevitable market forces.

Ariccia in the Roman hills of Lazio is well known for its pork or porchetta.

But this Italian roasted pork delicacy can be found across central Italy, not least in Campli in Abruzzo in the province of Teramo.

At the middle of August go there for porchetta ham festival or 'sagra della porchetta italica'.

It is, in effect, an annual competition when the best local pork is judged in the main square of Campli.

The event attracts many people from around the region as well as curious holiday makers. It is the summer gourmet happening for this delightful town.

Visitors to Italy might like to bear in mind that the word 'primi piatti' is plural and there is no harm helping yourself to two servings of pasta or soup for your lunch.

Anyone who has been to an Italian wedding will also appreciate that the 'primi' never end.

To 'pasta' and 'zuppe' we can add 'riso' and 'polenta' and it is these four which make up the main protagonists at the annual September 'I Primi d'Italia' or 'Italy First Course Festival' in Foligno, province of Perugia.

As with all these type of events expect free sampling, exhibitions and local color all orientated around the 'Villaggi del Gusto' or 'Taste Villages'.