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If you’re looking for a romantic getaway with a difference, why not consider a river cruise in Italy? Not only does this beautiful country have romance written all over it, but it is a haven for any couple who enjoy discovering both the cultural highlights and the culinary delights of any destination they visit. Mantua is a popular stop off city on a river cruise in Italy, and if you like to think of yourself as a ‘foodie’, you won’t be disappointed here – especially if you always look at the dessert menu first! There is no denying that this stunning city holds its own when it comes to sweet treats. Most of the cakes and pastries made here come from age-old recipes and were created as confections for particular ceremonies or parties. Today, you can get most of the offerings all year round and they are now very much considered part of the make-up of Mantua. The Helvetica Cake Making good use of the locally grown almonds, this cake is made up of marzipan layers that are built up alternating with zabaione and butter. Dusted with sugared egg whites, they are just as pretty as they are delicious. Sbrisolona This dessert is famous throughout the country, and the locals simply love it! Its origins date back to the time of the Gonzaga family but the sweet has only changed a little since then. Again, almond is the prime ingredient that gives it the distinctive flavour. Paired with red passito or a dessert wine such as vin santo, this delicious treat is made even more special. Bignolata Mantovana A real celebratory sweet, this decadent offering is normally eaten at birthdays and on other monumental occasions. Made up of bignè (a puff pastry), zabaione, cream and chocolate, this one is perfect enjoyed with a cappuccino after a long morning sight seeing. Anello di Monaco If you happen to be on a river cruise in Italy around Christmas time, look out for the beautiful Anello di Monaco cakes displayed in all the patisserie windows. This cake was originally created by Samson Putcher, a Swiss pastry chef. Putcher made his life in Mantua by opening a shop in the city that sold his own creations of traditional Swiss and Austrian cakes, and the Anello di Monaco was his most famous. Almonds take centre stage in the ingredients list and are complemented by lots of butter and icing. Resembling a panettone but with its own distinctive hole in the middle, the cake is a staple in every local home in the festive season. The gastronomic delights on any river cruise in Italy are always going to be wonderful, but Mantua’s desserts are like nothing else. Enjoyed with wine or coffee, you can indulge at any time of the day. Author Plate Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive luxury barge holidays. If you're looking for a fantastic river cruise in Italy, or cruises to other great destinations, they are the go-to experts. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.
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