OK, this will sound like such a stupid question to those who go back and forth to Italy. We'll be in Italy this August (Rome, Sorrento, Tuscany, Venice). Mostly staying in apartments.

My question is the availability of bakeries in Italy. One of my fondest memories in France was being able to run into a bakery (almost) around every corner, whether to buy a morning pastry, or a fresh hot baguette while walking around.

So what is the situation in Italy? Can one buy a fresh hot cornetto from a corner bakery or do you go to a cafe for one?

We're staying near Piazza Barberini area in Rome, and the Canneregio area in Venice. Can anyone recommend a bakery/pastry shop in those areas?

Someone will answer with more authority but it seems every cafe has lots of pastries you can take out at bakery-like prices. But you do not see the raft of pure bakeries per se dotting the streets.

But getting a pastry is a snap at any caffe it seems.

Can't help with Rome but the area you speak of in Venice has a good bakery, near the Tre Arche bridge (and vaparetto stop), just past the Jewish ghetto piazza. The Italians have an older tradition of pastries in cafe's and speciality patiserri and bread in bakeries and cornettos in cornetto stores: this is now honoured more in small towns than in Rome where everything is combined and on offer in larger stores.

There are no bakeries that I can think of in the Piazza Barberini neighborhood although there are plenty of cafes that will have cornetti. There is Pepy's on the corner of Piazza Barberini and Via Tritone and a couple of cafes up the street on Via Sistina. I seem to recall a bakery somewhere around the church of San Andrea delle Fratte, maybe on Via di Bufalo, but that is a few blocks away from your hotel.

I know a couple of great bakeries in Rome, but I am not familiar with the area you are staying in.

I see lots of bakeries in Venice.

Here is my suggestion: Get the TimeOut Guide for Rome and Venice and you will find pasticerrie listed for each area.

Where in Tuscany? I can recommend great bakeries in a few places.

Wow, you guys are great!

In Tuscany, we're in Montepulciano and then Greve in Chianti.

I've purchased things from several bakeries in Rome, but I'm not really familiar with the area you are staying in so can't give any advice. My favorite was along the road heading to Vatican City from the metro stop...unfortunately the name completely escapes me.

Tracy

Ok, two towns whose bakeries I am unfamiliar with.

In Rome, at the top of Via della Scrofa, there is the great little Antico Forno.

At Largo Argentina, there is also a marvelous bakery to your right as you face into the ruins. But be careful there: it's wares are delicious but the cashier is a short change artist.

In Italy, in most bakeries, you make your selections, then pay the cashier before receiving your goods. After you've payed, offer your receipt or just simply turn and your goods will be ready in a lovely tied package.

To tuscanlifeedit: we are going to do day trips to Montalcino, Pienza, Cartona (that's probably Umbria?), San G, Lucca, Pisa, and stop in Orvieto and Siena on travel days. Any recommendations in those places?

Hey tlf, any recommendations for the other towns in Tuscany?