Festitalia

Touring Italy in Brisbane

That celebration of Italian culture – Festitalia – returns to Brisbane next month. It’s a feast of Italian food, fun and culture, taking place at Spencer Park in Brisbane’s Newmarket on Sunday 8th October.

The festival is a little like touring Italy in one day…which you can do any day of the year in Brisbane.

Here’s our guide to a virtual tour of Italy in Brisbane – from Turin, to Naples, Venice and Sicily.

Turin
Buy yourself a Fiat…or even better, find someone who has one to drive you around. Turin is the home of these beautiful cars. The classic 1971 Fiat Spider that Sofie Formica got the pleasure of touring in will be on display at the Italian Car Show at Festitalia. If you’d like to see more of these beauties, check out the upcoming events on the Fiat Car Club of Queensland website.

Fiat Car Club of Queensland
www.fiat.org.au

Naples
It’s the birth-place of an Italian dish that’s a global favourite…pizza!
Youssef Ben Touati is a champion pizza acrobat and what he can do with dough is downright dazzling! (check out the video). He will be performing multiple times across the day at Festitalia and also works with Fuel by Salt Meats Cheese – the Brisbane-based Napoli-style pizza food truck.
You’ll find fabulous pizzas by Fuel at Gasworks in Newstead during the week and at The Carseldine and Milton Markets on the weekends.

Fuel by Salt Meats Cheese
Gasworks, and Various Markets around Brisbane
www.saltmeatscheese.com.au
www.facebook.com/Fuel.SMC

Follow Youssef on facebook
www.facebook.com/yousspizza

Venice
The Brisbane River isn’t quite the Grand Canal – but a Golden Gondola experience makes it easy to imagine gliding through Venetian waters. At the tiller is Gavin Fisher, the trusty gondolier. He chauffeurs guests on romantic day and evening cruises along the Brisbane River is his lovely limousines of the water.
The atmosphere of old world charm is guaranteed to kindle romance and Gavin will even provide a sumptuous seafood spread to seal the deal.
If there’s one thing the Italian’s do best, it’s amore…and this is certainly a delightful way to treat a loved one for that special occasion.

Golden Gondola
40 Ross Street, Newstead
0419 400 944
enquiries@gondola.com.au
www.gondola.com.au

Sicily
Bid arrividerci to Venice and say buongiorno to Sicily.
Sicilian-born Guiseppe Castellana is a master of the Zufolo. His nonno taught him to play this ancient flute – a skill handed down through the family for 300 years. Guiseppe has performed around the world – and he’ll be among the talented Australian-Italian entertainers at Festitalia.
Now, as sweet as Guiseppe is…another Sicilian creation might be just a little sweeter!
Gerbino’s Italian Bakeries serve up a splendid selection of dolci delights and their cannoli – an Sicialian pastry tube filled with custard or ricotta – has earnt quite the reputation. For an extra sweet treat, you can order a giant cannoli filled with mini pastries for special occasions (check them out here)

Gerbino’s Italian Bakeries
Stores at Ashgrove, Kelvin Grove, CBD
3356 7913
www.gerbinos.com.au

Festitalia
Spencer Park, Newmarket
October 8
10:30am – 7:00pm
www.festitalia.com.au

Padua
While you’re in the mood, we thought we’d throw in an extra destination to complete your virtual tour of Italy in Brisbane (as they say, when in Rome!)
Why not take a trip to Padua – the birthplace of the on-trend Italian aperitif, Aperol.
Brisbane’s gorgeous Customs House is re-launch their successful pop-up garden bar – Sunset Spritz (in partnership with Aperol). Celebrate apertivo with Italian inspired bites, beers, wines and cocktails (we’re talking Aperol Spritz, Bellini, Negroni and Limoncello Collins, to name a few)…combined with picturesque views of the Brisbane River.
The outdoor, pop-up bar will run from Thursday – Saturday from 4pm until late, and Sundays from 12 – 4pm. Sunset Spritz just launched on September 21 and will remain open throughout the spring and summer months. It’s a perfect excuse for a catch up with friends on a balmy Brisbane arvo, so get there pronto!

Sunset Spritz Pop Up Bar
Customs House
399 Queen St, Brisbane
Thursday – Saturday from 4pm – late
Sundays from 12pm – 4pm
www.customshouse.com.au/restaurant/popup-bar