How to Get the Most Out of Your Time in Italy

Dear SOON(ER) to be traveler,

As I have recently discovered, study abroad programs go by in a blink of an eye. As your departure date quickly approaches, you find yourself simultaneously trying to enjoy the present moment while also stressing about the lack of time you have remaining. You try desperately to cram as much activity as you can into your final days but still feel like it's not enough.

So much time, energy and money went into getting you to Italy, so of course you'll want to get the most out of your journey abroad! A big part of this is getting the authentic Italian experience. As tourists, it can be hard at times to fully immerse ourselves in another country's culture and can be even harder to break our American habits. While it will take some patience, in order to get the most out of your time in Italy, it is important that you put in a little extra effort to act less like a tourist and more like a local!

Ravioli in Capri, Italy. Photo by Maddy Keyes.

While there are many little things you can do to accomplish this (such as table manners, trying to speak Italian when you can and dressing a bit nicer day-to-day), I've found that there are two main ways to get the authentic Italian experience: slowing down and eating local.

As Americans we are used to a fast paced, hyper-independent lifestyle, but the Italian way of life could not be more different. In Italy, everything is much slower and very intentional. From the long meals filled with warm, hardy foods and potent wine to the hours spent with friends and family, talking about all matters under the sun, Italians place value on what matters most.

Maddy and Shannon standing on the joust field in Arezzo, Italy. Photo by Alexa Perez.

Slow living and food in Italy are directly connected. As you will notice, most restaurants and stores will close for a few hours in the middle of the day to allow the workers to have a long lunch (a practice I firmly believe should be applied in the U.S.). And aperitivo and dinner can last for several hours. For tourists, partaking in the long meals at the same hours Italians typically eat is a great way to slow down and get the authentic food experience!

Even though you might be starving at 6 p.m., try to hold out until 8 for dinner. Then, you will see the city come alive and can eat your meal surrounded by the sounds of lively conversations in Italian. While the language barrier might be intimidating, try and chat with some of the locals. You would be surprised how easy it can be to have a conversation with them, and they might give you recommendations on the best places to eat or fun events that you can attend!

On that note, try your best to eat at the local spots (trust me, the food is so much better). If you are in Arezzo, this is pretty easy as there's not a lot of tourists. One of my favorite spots is Osteria dei Mercanti! If you are not in Arezzo, finding authentic food can be a bit tedious. The best way is to get outside the city center where there's less tourists. Though it might be a longer walk, the delicious food is always worth it!

Osteria dei Mercanti in Arezzo, Italy. Photo by Shannon Kent.

Ultimately, while you are in Italy you have to adjust to the pace that they set, which in turn forces you to reprioritize and reflect on what you value most. Switching lifestyles is no easy feat. It takes time and patience, but once you get the hang of it it is so rewarding!

So slow down, eat local and take the time to soak it all in and really appreciate the present moment and how far you have come!

BOOMER,

Maddy