This Is Italy
It is recognizable for the true Italophile: the homesickness for it la dolce vita if you are not in Italy. And for the majority of us that is still almost the entire year. What can you do to bring a little Mediterranean atmosphere to life, so that we can enjoy Italian flair all year round?
In this article you will get our best tips for bringing Italy into your home this winter. But the tips also work in spring or autumn and even in summer, if you are unexpectedly unable to go to Italy.
1. Italian music
De Top 2000 offered little Italian music, but nothing stands in the way of putting together your own playlist and singing through the dark days with the most beautiful song In italian.
A nice starting point to discover new Italian singers and singers is 10 Italian Singers Every Italian Knows. Or visit This is Italy on Spotify for a number of musical playlists.
You can of course also turn on the Italian radio via your internet radio. That immediately gives you the feeling of being in Italy and you brush up on your rusty Italian.
2. Italian cooking
Nothing or nobody can stop us from enjoying cooking the Italian way. On This is Italy you will find lots of tasty recipes to try. Maybe this winter you will have the time to fresh Italian pasta to make? Or do you feel more like real Italian pizza?
Do you need more inspiration? Then try some of the many Italian recipe cookbooks that have come out. A nice list with the best italian cookbooks you can find here.
Are you more into sweets? Then be inspired by this list with the tastiest Neapolitan delicacies.
3. Have it delivered at home
Just because you can't go to Italy doesn't mean you can't enjoy Italian cuisine. Not even if you are not a kitchen princess. Because many Italian restaurants have also switched to home delivery. And not just the pizzerias.
Preferably, find an Italian restaurant in your area and see if they deliver or if you can pick up. Do this directly at the restaurant, it is better for everyone.
4. Mediterranean Plants
Immerse yourself in that wonderful Italian atmosphere of sun, sea, culture, nature. We, of course, prefer italophiles from the Netherlands and Flanders to do this in Italy itself. But if you can't go to Italy for a while, then you should bring Italy here.
Fortunately, it is possible to bring some Italian atmosphere into your home. For example, with Mediterranean plants such as an olive tree or an agave. Then buy a terracotta pot right away, and you'll be well on your way to Italy.
5. More Italian atmosphere at home
In addition to plants, you can of course also look for it in other accessories or colors. How about giving a wall in your living room or bedroom a Mediterranean touch this winter? Go crazy and choose emerald green or aquamarine.
Be inspired by photos of Italian destinations, such as Italy's most famous door in the photo below in Ostuni, Apulia.
7. Italy on the wall
If Italian colors on the wall go a bit too far, you can also look for it in paintings or works of art. It really doesn't have to cost much. Because you can also search for it in a poster from a beautiful Italian destination. Or in a poster of an old Italian movie like Dolce vita.
8. Italian coffee
The more time you spend at home, the more important it is to enjoy those little moments. For example with a delicious cup of coffee. Are you still making a mediocre cup of coffee? Do you still crank that Senseo? Perhaps now is the time to invest in a genuine Italian bean machine. This is a good and affordable one from the Italian brand De'Longhi.
Yet you do not always have to spend a lot of money on tasty Italian coffee. You make a great bowl with the Italian Moka Express from Bialetti, the coffee pot that always produces a delicious fresh cup of espresso in combination with ground Italian coffee.
9. Italian drink
We don't want to force you to drink it, but still. An extra glass of wine now that we can't all go to Italy for a while is okay, isn't it? Luckily there are a lot of good ones Italian wines to select from.
Light the wood stove or fireplace (or turn up the central heating), open a good bottle and enjoy like the Italians do.
Of course you also want something to nibble on, that's why we've got some tips for quick and easy Italian snacks for the drink. Cheers!
Not a fan of wine? No problem. There are also many Italian drinks that you can try (yes, even in winter), too alcohol-free.
10. Italian Books
Those who know the joy of reading know that reading is really just traveling from the couch in your living room. By one good italian book If you need to catch up, you can still go to Italy this winter and this spring.
Perhaps it is still a bit too difficult to read in Italian. Good news: a lot of Italian literature is available in an excellent Dutch translation. In addition to beautiful stories by Italian writers, you can of course also immerse yourself in travel books or books about Italian culture.
Our top 40 books that teach you about Italian culture can be found here.
11. Italian Movies and Series
Are you not a reader? Then it's good to know that Italian cinema also has a lot to offer. Fire up Netflix and choose a good italian series to get through the winter.
Also for Italian movies on Netflix we have some good tips for you. By the way, you don't just have to have a Netflix subscription. You can also go to Lumière Series or Picl for a good Italian film that you can watch individually.
Just want to pretend you're in Italy and watch linear Italian television? Then you need a VPN, with which you can bypass the blockade of Italian television by pretending to be in Italy.
You can find out exactly how a VPN works here.
12. I Depart on repeat
The Italian episode of I leave are – unsurprisingly – among our favorites. On the website of I leave you can filter the episode by country. If we Italy as a search filter enter, we can choose our favorite rewatch episodes, safe from the comfort of our home.
13. Puzzle the Italian way
During the various lockdowns during the corona period, many people have rediscovered an old hobby: puzzling. Now let that be a hobby that you can immediately combine with some Italian atmosphere. Because the most beautiful pictures of Italian landscapes and Italian culture are also available in puzzle form. Or you can always have your own puzzle made with holiday photos!
Here you will find some great puzzles with Italian scenes.
14. Other Italian Games
Do you think puzzles are too much for lonely souls? There are also other 'Italian' games that will help you overcome the dark days. How about that good old Tower of Pisa that you probably still have in your attic somewhere as a relic from the 80s?
If you don't have anything at home, this Italian Language Quartet is also recommended. Learn some extra Italian words right away!
15. Take an Italian course
Speaking of learning Italian…
You can also usefully fill the time until you return to Italy. For example, by finally taking that Italian course, right from home.
Over the past year we at Dit is Italy have worked hard on our own online Italian course: This is Italian, a fun and varied course especially for Italophiles.
The course accompanies you on your way to an A1 level of Italian, which will help you cope during your holiday. You can take one lesson from this online course completely free of charge.
Check out the complete lesson plan now and start learning Italian right away!
16. An Italian driving feel buy
Okay, this one might be going a bit far to create some Italian atmosphere in the winter, but maybe because of missed vacations and unspent holiday money you have something left… And you may have been planning it for years anyway. Then you just had to do it. Buy a nice Italian car.
That doesn't have to cost you your head, by the way, because You can buy nice models second hand and very affordable. How about an Alfa Romeo Giulia, a Lancia Delta or a Fiat 500?
Also if you want to buy a nice convertible such as a Fiat 500C or an Alfa Spider, now is the time. When we head back to summer, prices will rise accordingly!
17. Virtual travel
Nothing beats real travel. But if there is no other option, there are also alternatives that you can do behind your computer or laptop. A nice starting point is to visit Rome virtually and in 30 degrees. You can do that via youvisit.com.
At This is Italy we would also like to take you on a virtual trip. Simply choose a destination in the form of a place name, region or region in Italy from the menu and we'll be happy to show you all the blog articles we've written about it.
Or dream away with the most beautiful Italian places that we have collected here for you.
Oh, and don't forget your on our YouTube channel to subscribe, to which we will give you the best travel tips for free.
18. Making New Itineraries
We know. We are also eager to travel to Italy again. That magical feeling of driving across the border with Switzerland or Austria, nothing can match it!
We may not know (for sure) when we can travel to our beloved Italy again, but we can make plans in advance. Do you already know which one Italian region are you traveling on your next Italy holiday? Are you already secretly planning your next trip to Italy?
Your tips for an Italian winter?
How do you experience Italy at home? Do you have any tips for getting through the chilly and wet winter months in the Netherlands or Flanders and injecting a bit of Italian atmosphere?
Then leave your comment below. We'd love to hear what fellow Italophiles are doing to bridge the gap to a new shot of Italy!
Comments