11 Reasons Why I Love Italy So Much

Yes, I love Italy. It wasn’t love at first sight, though. It was more of a “best friend turned lover” situation for me. My first trip to Italy was in March 2012. A very budget trip, with a super cheap flight we managed to grab from WizzAir. I discovered the olives, cheeses and that I didn’t quite like Rome. Then we went back for more, a year later, in September. And suddenly, I started to love it. We even lived and worked from Italy for a while.

Here are my reasons for this love affair.

The incredible archaeological sites

Pompeii

While I am still not a major fan of Rome, I have to say that the Roman Forum is majestic and interesting. But the sites which will always be in my heart are Pompeii and Herculaneum . One is enormous and super popular among tourists, the other is smaller, yet sends you shivers down the spine. I fell in love with Herculaneum and want to go back for more.

Alberobello

Alberobello

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello is located close to Bari and is known for the trulli houses. I felt as if I was exploring a fairy-tale city when I was walking its streets in May 2016. It is a site you have to explore.

Pizza

Pizza

Sure, here comes to cliché: pizza! I swear I have never had bad pizza in Italy. Of course , the best one was in Naples, the birthplace of this food. But I’ve had amazing pizza in small places tucked away in small cities at the Adriatic Sea.

Cornetto & Cappuccino

cornetto

The staple Italian breakfast is a cornetto and coffee. Since the espresso is way too short and too strong for me, while in Italy I go for a cappuccino. I love this combination so much that when I start craving it back home I know I have to plan to go back to Italy.

Olive oil, Olives and Cheese

olives

Go in any farmer’s market and you’ll find a lot of olives. And olive oil and a lot of cheeses to choose from. And you will want to taste them all. For our wedding anniversary in 2016, we ended up in a tavernola. They served only local products and one of them was fresh bread with olive oil and olives. Everything made by them. It was heaven.

Gelato

gelato
While translated as “ice cream”, it is not the same thing. Gelato is thicker and heartier. And amazing! Yes, you need to be careful where you buy it from and it is a good idea only to go where the locals go. But when you do find the perfect place, you’ll be in heaven.

The hikes

dsc_5503

There are a lot of hiking paths available, you only need to have time and good walking shoes. This year (n.a. 2016) we did a lovely hike in Puglia, among olive groves and wild, colorful flowers. On our first trip (n.a. 2012) we did a short hike up a hill to find a place for lovely views across the Adriatic coast.



Booking.com

The mellow way of life

beach

You cannot but relax and fall right in the Italian way of life. The lunch break is king …and long. Especially when the sun is high and hot, all you want to do is hide inside and sleep. It was hard to adjust at first, since we visited during winter, but during the first summer visit, it was very clear why this nap time is needed. And how much I missed this life once I left the country.

Meals are rituals

tavernola

Our host had set meals times and dinner was always a ritual. Sometimes they started preparing dinner right after lunch. The dishes weren’t very complicated, but they were a delight for the senses.

The Adriatic coast

dsc_5578

I am not a major beach fan – aside from walking on it when it’s almost deserted – but I do like the rugged Adriatic coast in Puglia. Cliffs, beaches, caves…and the greenish-blue hue make for perfect photos.

The Medieval castles

Peschici

I have a thing for medieval castles and when I find one to explore, you bet I’m going to do it. It’s hard to decide which one I like more out of all I’ve visited in Italy but the torture chamber at Peschici’s Castle is still a vivid memory.

Note: the article was written in Sep 2016, updated and republished in Sep 2017.

20 thoughts on “11 Reasons Why I Love Italy So Much

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  2. This post makes me want to explore Italy more and more! I never really thought about meal times before and Italians do make a conscious effort to eat together. What was your favourite part of Italy?

  3. Italy is high on my travel bucket list, especially since Italian food is my favorite. Or at least, the American version of Italian food lol so I can only imagine how much more tasty real Italian food is! Beautiful photos! 🙂

    • Thanks. I can assure you that you will only taste Italian food when you get to Italy. I cook Greek and Italian at home – and although I am in Europe it is not the same thing because of the ingredients. You should plan to visit one day!

  4. I get your feeling. I have been to places that I do not like initially. Then, it is like “Where have you been my entire life.” I haven’t been to Italy in a long time. Want to go back and enjoy all the delicious food!

  5. I have a hard time believing that anyone wouldn’t love Italy…if they didn’t, I don’t think I would trust them! Personally, I fell for the food, atmosphere, the sights, and the people. What a great place!

    • I love, love, love Greece but I also sort of love, as well. I wouldn’t move there, though. I lived for 5 weeks in Puglia and my internet situation was horrible. Not good for a digital nomad.
      I am happy when I find someone who hates Rome as much as I do. I cannot make peace with that city.

  6. Cris, I loved reading this – your post (and your photos!) made me miss Italy so much. I visited in 2013, and I agree 100%… Italy grows on you. I had a similar experience to you – when I first arrived, it definitely was not love at first sight, but as we explored more and visited areas outside of Rome, you can’t help but fall in love. I loved Naples (visiting Pompeii was a childhood dream of mine!) and the pizza was amazing. Your photos of Naples pizza seriously has me missing margarita!

    • awww, thank you so much!
      I love Pompeii myself but Herculaneum was an even deeper experience (I visited it after I saw a very moving documentary).
      I have never had pizza as good as I did in Italy….

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