There is so much to love about Italy that narrowing my favorites down to 5 wasn’t easy. I thought about what I look forward to every day, and what makes me feel good. Through my travels and online life, I’ve been lucky to meet other Italy-obsessed “stranieri” and Italians who share their world with us. Like Cinzia, an Italian teacher with a great website full of resources at Instantly Italy, Ashley & Jason, Americans who took a big leap of faith and moved to a tiny borgo in the Marche region where they opened La Tavola Marche, and Enrica, a Ligurian who offers online cooking classes and in-person food tours in Genoa. The common thread on this list is bringing people together - whether it is over a coffee, preparing food, or just relaxing at home with the family.

This post is about celebrating the Things I Love about Living in Italy through the eyes of some very special and talented people

#1 Coffee Culture

I wasn’t a big coffee fan until a specialty coffee bar opened up next to our offices in San Francisco. It was called Torrefazione which was eventually acquired by Starbucks. But this was when it was still a very Italian bar run by Umberto. He got tired of me ordering non-coffee drinks and one day said “just try a caffè macchiato.” I did, and the rest is history. David Rocco’s entertaining video is a great introduction to drinking coffee in Italy - specifically, Naples.

Coffee culture in Napoli, Italy. It's serious business folks!

#2 Food & Wine

Ok, this is pretty obvious. Italy is famous for its “slow food” way of living and variety and abundance of wine. I live in a region that has one of the largest wine cooperatives in Italy AND my town of Guardia Sanframondi was one of the towns awarded the European City of Wine 2019! We are surrounded by vineyards and olive orchards as far as you can see. Most of the locals have their own kitchen gardens or plots in the country where they rotate seasonal veggies. And if you aren’t fortunate enough to have a bit of land, just head to the local markets where you’ll find the freshest fruits and veggies year-round. And ….. How about pulling up the station to fill up your wine jug!

WINE FROM A GAS PUMP? IT DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS. LA FORESTA, SELLS FOODS & WINES FROM OUR REGION.

Do you dream of learning to make the best, authentic pesto or a local, Ligurian seafood dish? Well, Enrica of A Small Kitchen in Genoa will show you how through her online cooking classes and in-person food tours in Genoa. If you want to see more of Enrica, follow her on Instagram or book a class here. And don’t miss all the free recipes on her info-packed website.

#3 The Pausa - Mid-day break

It really didn’t take me long to adapt to the Pausa, or siesta. Where I live, a normal Pausa is from noon-ish to 4 pm. Shops are closed, people go home for lunch, a nap, and to be with family and friends. It’s a beautiful thing.

Cinzia Ferri has a fantastic website, Instantly Italy, where she offers Italian lessons, resources, and insight into the Italian culture and lifestyle. Her post “Want to be Happier? Then Live Life Like an Italian” fits in perfectly with the Pausa mentality. Click on the images below to read more and sign up for her newsletter for a slice of a “real” Italian life.

#4 Sense of Community

In my town of Guardia Sanframondi, you see and feel the pride in family and community every day. We have an annual wine festival, art events, a traditional folk dance group, show cooking at the castle, and the evening stroll (passaggiata) with the family. At first, I was a little overwhelmed by the enormous generosity (I know that sounds strange), constant offers of a quick coffee while you’re running errands, and 4-hour dinners. But now, I embrace the slower way of life dedicated to family and friends. Figuring out a way to give back will be one of your biggest hurdles once you move here!

Ashley & Jason are two Americans who have completely embraced their community and an Italian way of life. I met them by chance over 10 years ago when I was traveling through Italy with one of my sons. They had moved from the States to a little village in the Marche region where they took a huge leap of faith and opened La Tavola Marche Agriturimso. If you are looking for inspiration to make the move to Italy, think about taking one of their Virtual Workshops or visit their agriturismo where they offer truffle hunting, wine tasting, pizza making, and so much more. Oh, and they also have a hilarious and informative podcast called “Podcast from Italy.” What else can they NOT do?!

I don’t think there is a better example of caring for your community than what Danny McCubbin is doing in a small village in Sicily. Danny is an Australian who moved from London to Mussomeli, one of Italy’s many 1 euro towns. Not wasting any time, he started crowdfunding to help establish The Good Kitchen, which rescues surplus food and cooks for vulnerable people in the area. Not only are he and his volunteers offering a much-need service, but use food as a means of social inclusion and to combat loneliness. I’ve been so inspired by what he is doing in Mussomeli and continue to follow all the good work he and his community do together. Follow the journey here!

#5 Beauty & Diversity of Italy

Many of you have been to the major cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan which are incredible. But there is so much more. Italy reminds me a lot of my home state of California (Northern) where you can easily take in the mountains, beaches, and cities in a quick day trip; and sometimes all at once. Recently, I’ve become enamored with the Puglia region and wrote about my mini-vacay enjoying the small towns surrounding Martina Franca. Puglia has a very distinct look of white cities filled with conical-shaped homes called trulli’s. But that is what’s special about Italy the regions are so unique from each other: Things like different dialects, types of food, cultures and traditions. Instead of trying to show you each region, I thought I would share some movie suggestions where you’ll get a taste of it all!

I’d love to hear your favorite things about living or traveling in Italy. Where’s your favorite spot? Recipe? Coffee drink? Movies? Food? Wine? Music? Tutto!

Leave a comment below, DM me on Instagram, or email me at susan@getlostinitaly.com