OOPS,

I meant Lionel. Calvin is the son.

The last time I went to Italy, I decided to try to find the best gelato. So, in the interest of research, I went to every place with homemade gelato I could find. I found one place with outstanding gelato in a tiny town in Umbria. I even had a second scoop to verify. Unfortunately I don't remember the town. It was the only gelato place there. Guess I'll have to start the research trials again until I find that place again! (good thing I have a high metabolism)

In Rome just a few steps away from Piazza Navona is Gelateria/Caffetteria Mariotti located at Via Agonale, 5/7 (Piazza Navona) 00186. It's not a large place and doesn't have lots of selections, but the gelato is pretty good. Cheaper here than in the piazza where it's touristy and expensive.

bookmarking..yum

And no one has mentioned Gelataria del Piazza in San Gimignano? Oh my; pistachio that is too good.

The panna at San Crispino in Rome: also too good.

dei Neri in Florence is my favorite there. Chocolately chocolate.

Monteforte in Rome sometimes has an orange chocolate that is great.

This is a 3 year old post which has been disinterred, but since it's here...

Having been to Venice twice since I last contributed to this, I can now share that my favourite in Venice is Gelateria Squero - IMO much better than the well-known Nico just round the corner. Can't decide which is best out of my top 4 flavours - mango, pear, chocolate & pistachio. Mm... Not quite up to San Crispino but the next best I've had.

And just for a laugh... Last month we visited Barga whence a lot of Scottish Italians originated, and still visit - and the ice cream shop there had Irn Bru flavour ! (No, I didn't bother :-) )

bookmarking for gelato-ing.

I love when the really old posts are brought back to life, and are still helpful all these years later.

In fact, just today I was wondering what would be the quintessential gelato flavor to try for my very first Roman gelato purchase.

Ideas, anyone?

Oops...never mind. Just saw the Gelato Flavors thread.

Bookmarking. Can't wait to have my first gelato.

Santa Margherita Ligure-try the Gelateria Centrale Excellent

Rome-Il Gelatone on Via di Serpenti
The best we've found anywhere

Castellina-in-Chianti-don't know the name of it, but it's the gelateria at the intersection of all the roads there.

And another favourite place since this thread was last resurrected - 'La Dolce e La Vita' (yes really !) in Sant'Angelo, Ischia, for the 'fondente' flavours (dark chocolate with cherry/orange/praline…)

bookmarking

To add to the list:

Como: I don't know the name of the place, but it was next to the Tabachi on Piazza Cavour.

The frutti di bosco was better than Giolitti's. Team it up with some coconut for a tropical vacation on your tongue.

in Siena, at the Campo, little place to the left of the Torre di Mangia. Don't remember the name of the gelateria , but it was reeeeally good.