Italian language, culture and travel tips
As you know, I am Italian and I have been living here most of my life, which means that the things I write on this blog are always from a very Italian point of view. So I really love chatting with expats because they see Italian life from a different perspective and this is a great chance to reflect on the Italian way of life.
Actually, there are quite a few, to be honest, since Tuscany is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy, but there is one that is just a bit more special. It is a place that has an incredible atmosphere, in a dreamy location that takes you back in time.
Vegan options are everywhere today but, depending on the place you find yourself in, the choice might be quite limited. If you are in a big city, I am sure you’ll have plenty of options, while if you are somewhere in the countryside – like where I live, for example – being vegan can sometimes mean having to eat a salad and little else.
If you come to Italy, you’ll immediately realize that food is really important for us Italians. Eating is some sort of ritual, not just a way to fill your stomach when you are hungry. The time you spend eating is not considered a waste of time, but an essential part of the day. The quality of food is a serious matter and food traditions are taken as principles of a religion.
I started reading this kind of books before Instantly Italy was even a remote idea in my mind and enjoyed them very much. I started with Under The Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, back in the days, and kept on looking for other accounts of life in Italy as a foreigner ever since.
![[Hidden Italy] The Abbey of San Galgano in Chiusdino, Tuscany](https://i1.wp.com/instantlyitaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/day-trip-siena-abbey-san-galgano.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
![[Italian Vocabulary] La Cena: Words and Phrases to Be Used at Dinner Time](https://i1.wp.com/instantlyitaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/italian-vocabulary-dinner.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
