Ahhh, Italia! It's a given: The time-honored Italian culture is steeped in the arts, architecture, incredible cars, music, fashionable clothing, fine food and wine -- and yes, family tradition. Within the culture, gathering with family is a high priority and frequent get togethers are commonplace -- especially on holidays and important occasions where festivities are centered around multi-course feasts.

Italian food -- often referred to as the "Mother Cuisine" -- has influenced cultures worldwide with each and every region in "Sunny Italy" taking on a life of its own.  In Italy, small towns have their own town markets at least once or twice a week, while in the larger cities one can find a market on almost any day of the week.