Ever since seeing the movie Under the Tuscan Sun for the very first time, I wanted to travel to central Italy to explore Tuscany. From the gentle rolling verdant hills to the iconic Cypress trees standing proud and tall outlining the country roads, there was something special about this region of the world that burrowed itself into my heart. It was an area I simply had to explore.

Fast forward twenty years and I recently found myself smack dab in the middle of Tuscany living in a private villa overlooking the idyllic Tuscan countryside. Thanks to the travel group, Terra & Tu, a travel group that coordinates wellness adventures throughout Tuscany and other locations, I was able to channel my inner Diane Lane and quite literally live under the Tuscan sun. Well, for ten days at least.

Italy has long been touted as one of the healthiest nations on Earth. (No surprise here, Sardinia is one of the renowned Blue Zones of the world). In fact, according to Terra & Tu, Italians live on average nearly five years longer than Americans, and Tuscany, in particular, is one of the healthiest regions in Italy. 

One of the secrets to their well-being is their diet – the Italian diet, which has even been linked to lower depression levels due to a combination of a focus on healthy fats such as olive oil, consumption of primarily vegetable dishes, and a lack of processed ingredients, shares Finlay Bressler, Founder of Terra & Tu.

After observing the locals and living like a Tuscan, I could not help but think how these Italians know something that we Americans do not. Not just when it comes to our daily food choices, but to life in general.

If you are interested in living like a Tuscan without having to board a plane and book a flight, here are ten lessons I learned from living like a Tuscan that you can apply to your everyday life no matter where in the world you call home.

#1 Celebrate Earth and Her Beautiful Bounty

One way to live like a Tuscan is to celebrate the Earth and its beautiful bounty. In Tuscany, many communities celebrate the festival of nuovo olio d’oliva (new olive oil) from the latest fall harvest, which usually falls around the end of October and into early November. Other areas of Tuscany have their annual celebration of grapes, which is when they pick the latest harvest of grapes to create new bottles of wine for that year.

Whether you attend a local fall festival where apples and pumpkins are prevalent or you celebrate a different crop that is beautiful and unique to your region of the world, find a way to celebrate the Earth and her beautiful bounty just like the Italians do.

#2 Develop a Sense of Community

Thanks to Terra & Tu, I found myself wandering the streets of quaint little Tuscan towns you may never think to find on a map let alone visit in person. When visiting these quiet towns, you could not help but feel a sense of community. In some towns as small as 300 people, everyone knows everyone. This evokes a sense of community among neighbors creating a convivial culture on the off-beaten roads of the Tuscan countryside.

Sydney Darling, Wellness Host of Terra & Tu recalls a moment on one of their recent wellness retreats. “On our walk back to the apartment one night, we stumbled upon the entire town out on the street in some sort of celebration outside Gianluca’s restaurant. [A local restauranteur running a restaurant with three generations of family members.] “It’s a party — a surprise party we later learn — complete with food, drinks, and even a DJ. We see a sign up on the wall of the building: Food and Travel Italia – Awards 2023 – Oste Dell’Anno – Gianluca. Oste dell’anno is the Host of the Year in all of Italy. We join the party instantly, despite the long work day and desire to get home. No one who has met Gianluca would ever consider walking past a party in his honor.”

Okay, so you may not know Gianluca, but if you want to live like the Italians, find ways to support your local community members whether they be restaurant owners, local farmers and growers, or owners of a small mom-and-pop shop around the corner.

#3 Drink Wine

Another way to live under the Tuscan sun is to drink wine. In Italy, including Tuscany, wine is the lifeblood of meals. Bottles of red and white, sometimes both, bedeck lunch and dinner tables. During my trip, I even witnessed a gentleman standing outside his home on the cobblestone streets of the small sleepy cliffside town of Montepulciano slowly sipping a glass of red wine while he soaked in the sunshine at the start of the day at 10 a.m.

“Including a glass of wine with meals can have some potential benefits when consumed in moderation,” says Chrissy Arsenault, a US-based Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with Trainer Academy. “Both red and white wines contain antioxidants, such as resveratrol and flavonoids, which have been linked to heart health and reduced inflammation. They can also enhance the overall dining experience by complementing the flavors of certain dishes.”

Tip: White wines pair well with fish or chicken while red wines pair well with steak or heavier meals like pasta with red sauce.

Now, I am not saying to crack open a bottle of wine at breakfast. However, Italians have no problem enjoying a glass or two of wine with their meals and that includes lunch spanning all the way through aperitivo (that 6 pm happy hour and light snack) and straight on through dinner. 

Arsenault reminds us that it is important to consume alcohol responsibly. “Moderation is key to preventing adverse health effects,” she says, but if you want to live like the Tuscans, go ahead and pour that glass of wine with your next meal and enjoy the flavors and taste of Tuscany with a pour of Italian wine. Saluti!

Need some Italian inspiration? Try a bottle of Brunello, which is one of the wines the Tuscan region is known for or perhaps sip on a bottle of Sir Aldo from the Cantina De’ Ricci in the quaint town of Montepulciano.

#4 Eat with Other People

In Italy, you seldom see anyone eating alone. Unlike in the West where many Americans are hunched over their computers during their lunch hour to attempt to multitask and get more work done for the day, Italians take time to celebrate food and enjoy every meal, often in the company of others.

“There are many health benefits of eating with other people and sharing a meal together,” says Arsenault. “When we eat together, our pace of eating slows down. This helps us digest our food better, and thus, improves our nutrient absorption in the body instead of gobbling down our food.”

Studies even suggest that regular social interactions can contribute to a longer, healthier life – this is called ‘social connectedness’ – and can be achieved when we eat with others, notes the Center for Disease Control (CDC). When eating with others, we can also better appreciate the food on our plate, shares Arsenault. “By slowing down our eating, we can be more mindful of what we eat and establish a healthier connection with food.”

If you want to live like an Italian, make it a point to share a meal (or meals) with other people in your life. Whether it is coworkers, family, or friends, plan to eat and enjoy a meal with some company included instead of always riding solo at mealtimes.

#5 Embrace Carbohydrates

Thanks to diet fads and trends like the Atkins Diet and Keto, many people have developed a fear of carbohydrates. You would not be surprised to come across many American plates void of traditional carbohydrates in the form of bread, pasta, or potato gnocchi. Not in Italy, including the region of Tuscany.

On a train ride from Rome to Florence, I sat next to a couple enjoying a sandwich for lunch. Lunch was not a simple green salad completely free of cheese and croutons with a dressing on the side. Instead, the older gentleman unpacked a sandwich consisting of bread the size of your hand with your fingers spread wide open. So…many…carbs – It was a beautiful thing. It is not only lunchtime where carbs make an appearance though.

Freshly baked loaves of bread adorn breakfast tables while plates of homemade pasta are placed on dinner plates scattered throughout restaurants during dinnertime. Oh and do not forget the lunch or dinner bread baskets accompanied by a delicate drizzle of olive oil. (Yum!)

“Carbohydrates are a significant part of Italian diets due to historical, cultural, and nutritional reasons,” says Arsenault. “Pasta, bread, and similar foods provide a high-energy source, essential for the demanding physical work traditionally associated with Italian lifestyles. Bread was a staple of the Roman diet, and remains so to this day – Italians often view carbs as a critical source of energy, as we all should, since it is one of the key macronutrients!”

Arsenault says that when consumed in whole grain forms, these carbohydrates offer essential nutrients, dietary fiber, and sustained energy. In Italian cuisine, the focus is often on whole, minimally processed grains, emphasizing quality over quantity.

“When consumed in balanced portions and combined with other food groups, carbohydrates provide energy for daily activities and support overall well-being.” When choosing carbohydrates, Arsenault says it is important to choose whole grains over refined grains whenever possible to maximize the nutritional benefits and support a balanced diet. “I typically recommend my clients to at least make half of their grains whole grains, if they aren’t quite accustomed to the taste of whole grains.”

#6 Get a Prescription for Spa Days

In parts of Italy, instead of medicine, spa days are prescribed.

“Sometimes, you have to treat yourself,” says Arsenault. “Prescribed spa days can offer holistic benefits for overall well-being. Spa treatments, including hydrotherapy, massages, and relaxation techniques, can alleviate pain, improve circulation, promote better sleep, and reduce stress. These effects contribute to both physical and mental health, addressing the root causes of certain conditions, especially stress-related ones.”

Unlike medications, spa treatments often have minimal side effects and promote relaxation, which is crucial for healing and supports your parasympathetic system – calming your body down to “rest and digest” rather than “fight or flight,” explains Arsenault. Additionally, the overall experience of self-care and pampering can boost confidence, self-esteem, and overall life satisfaction.

While spa days can complement certain medical treatments, they are not always a substitute for prescribed medications in cases where medications are necessary for managing specific health conditions, so keep that in mind.

The next time you think you need to book an appointment with the doc, maybe reconsider what your body, mind, and soul may really need. Perhaps it is simply a spa day or maybe a day spent out in Mother Nature. Anything to help you recharge, rejuvenate, and rest.

#7 Give Kindness to Complete Strangers

Meandering my way around the crazy cobblestone streets of Florence, I had trouble finding my way to meet up with the rest of my Terra & Tu travel group. Google Maps can only take you so far in a confusing city like Florence, so I stopped and asked someone who looked like a local and to my luck, also spoke English.

Instead of brushing me off or ignoring me entirely, they not only kindly instructed me where to go, but they walked me there themselves. No, this was not in a creepy way that screamed potential kidnapping abroad, but rather a complete stranger taking time out of their already busy day to help a lost visitor. They could have just as easily given me quick instructors as they hurried off to get back to the rest of their day, but instead, they showed a foreigner that kindness in the world still does exist.

The next time you encounter someone in your city or town who looks a little confused or lost or maybe even asks for help, channel the kindness of the Italians and take the time to go the extra mile to extend kindness to someone else, even if they are a complete stranger. You never know when you are going to be that person in need of a helping hand from someone else.

#8 Grow Your Own Garden or Support Local Farmers and Growers

Another super simple way to live like the Italians under the Tuscan sun is to grow your own garden or support local farmers and growers in your community. When in Rome, okay not literally in Rome, but when in Tuscany, I saw numerous fruit trees planted in front yards along with luscious vegetable gardens. I even caught a moment of someone’s Nonna (grandmother) hoeing her garden like it was nobody’s business. (Get it, grandma!)

If you do not have a green thumb or the space to plant your very own garden, support other local farmers and growers instead. During a cooking class one Italian night, the chef in charge said that he was out of olive oil, but was waiting for his neighbor to harvest her latest crop. (How cool and kind is that?)

You may already be supporting local farmers and growers with your purchases, but if you are not, consider being a good neighbor and supporting the businesses of your fellow community members.

#9 No Rush

In the States, there always seems to be an invisible urgency that plagues many Americans. We are always rushing from one thing to the next. Whether it is rushing out the door in the mornings to get to the office or hurriedly heading out to make it to happy hour or a workout class, it seems like we are always in a rush. Not in Italy. 

In Tuscany, and most of Italy, everyone moves at their own pace. Never hurried. Never rushed. Simply sauntering through their day getting to what and where they need to be when they get there.

This one may be hard for many of us, especially if you are me and a total Type A personality, but if you want to live like the Tuscans, take the time to slow down throughout your day and take your life with an unhurried stride.

#10 Walk More and Uphill If You Can

In the small Tuscan town of Montepulciano, I met a man in his 90’s who was walking the cobblestone streets with his cane. He pulled our Terra & Tu tour guide aside and shared a little bit more about his life growing up in Italy and how he walks the town’s uphill streets (emphasis on very uphill streets) daily. 

He does not always walk the hills, but does so when he feels up for it, usually 1-3 times a week. This man was in his early 90s and still found a way to be active even if it included the balance of a cane. (Hey, in Italy on those old cobblestone streets, we could all probably use a cane to help with balance and keep ourselves free of falls).

“The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity for adults – and walking is a fantastic way to meet this,” says Arsenault.

There are so many benefits of walking more throughout the day. Arsenault shares a few.

• Better Joint Health. Walking may help improve joint flexibility and reduce the risk of arthritis. 

• Enhanced Mental Wellbeing. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, promoting overall mental health.

• Improved Cardiovascular Health. Walking strengthens the heart and improves circulation, reducing the risk of heart diseases.
  
• Improved Longevity. Studies suggest that regular physical activity, including walking, is associated with a longer lifespan.

• Increased Bone Density. Weight-bearing exercise like walking supports bone health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

Walking uphill adds an extra challenge, engaging different muscle groups and increasing the intensity of the exercise. “Uphill walking enhances cardiovascular endurance, burns more calories compared to walking on flat terrain, and strengthens leg muscles (specifically, the hamstrings),” says Arsenault. Plus, walking can contribute to greater overall fitness, which, combined with a healthy lifestyle is linked to longevity. 

A recent study that just came out in August 2023 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology showed that walking at least 3,867 steps a day reduces your risk of death, and at least 2,337 steps a day reduces your risk for heart disease – so you do not even need to walk too much to reap the great health benefits of walking, says Arsenault.

This is probably one of the simplest ways to channel your inner Italian, but if you want to live like the Tuscans and possibly even live longer, find a way to walk each day. Get outdoors when you can so you can enjoy some gulps of fresh air and if you can, climb that hill or possibly in your case, climb those stairs. Your heart and overall health will thank you!

Living Under the Tuscan Sun Every Day

If you feel like channeling your inner Diane Lane and want to travel to Italy to live under the Tuscan sun, travel to Tuscany and plan that trip to Italy. I mean, who wouldn’t want to vacation to Tuscany, Italy? (Need some help? Check out Terra & Tu).

However, if you prefer to live like the Tuscans sans the use of a passport, implement these ten tips to live like the Italians. Whether it is embracing more carbohydrates and a glass of wine at dinner or showing kindness to a lost traveler, living like the Italians is easier than you may think. Ciao!