Everyone’s first trip to Italy is
bound to be special. The land’s natural beauty, rich history and vibrant
culture create an atmosphere that’s unlike any other in the world. Coming to
Italy for the first time is even more special if you come from an Italian-American
background. You may technically be a tourist, but you’re also a child of the
land who’s coming home to the place where you can trace back your roots.
As a returnee to the motherland,
you’ll want to see as much of it as you possibly can in the limited amount of
time that you have. It’s your opportunity to reacquaint yourself with where
your bloodline came from and to experience what Italy is all about.
If you’re an American of Italian
descent, here’s a list of places that you’ll want to visit when you go to
Italy. You may not be able to land on all of these locales in one trip, but
you’ll want to hit as many of these targets when you do make the trip. Here are
our suggested places along with useful info on food and language:
Do Your Research
The first place to begin this
exciting journey is to research the roots of your family in Italy. A great
number of the Italian diaspora left the towns and villages near Rome, along the
Amalfi Coast and the Mediterranean island of Sicily. Whether you know the exact
ancestral village of your family or just the general region, a journey to Italy
will greatly enrich your Italian pride.
Caput Mundi
Start your journey in the Italian
capital of Rome. The Eternal City was once the capital of the ancient world and
is now a vibrant, chaotic mix of modern
comforts and relics of the past. You can stand in the Piazza Campidoglio which
was designed by Michelangelo and just around the corner, visit the Altare della Patria (Altar of the
Fatherland).
Photo
Photo:
Piazza Campidoglio in Rome
For those of you who have an
interest in history, it’s important to understand how young Italy is.The
country wasn’t the state that we know now until 1871. For centuries, Italy was
a group of semi-autonomous territories ruled by monarchs, foreign leaders and
popes. Rome was named the capitol of the Republic of Italy when the nation was
put together, giving birth to the Italy that we know and love today.
Naples and the Amalfi Coast
An easy distance from Rome is the
ancient ruined city of Pompeii, the city of Naples and the enchanting Amalfi
Coast. Spend a day exploring Pompeii and
learning about this once wealthy Roman town that was buried alive by the
eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.Its fragments come alive with vibrant frescoes, houses,
temples and shops all preserved in the volcanic ash that sealed the locale’s
fate.
Head overto the city of Naples. It’s
bordered by Vesuvius on one side and by the Bay of Naples on the other. You can visit Bourbon castles, shop in lively
markets and take long walks along the bay on newly pedestrianized lungomare.
Just under an hour from Naples is
one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The over 1,000 twists and turns
along the SS163, also known as the Amalfi Coast Drive, affords views off
dizzying precipices, sparkling seas and fragrant lemon groves. Spend a few days
exploring the pastel villages that seem to precariously cling to the steep
cliffs. Take the time to immerse yourself in the culture and observe how the
residents of this area have preserved a lot of elements in the old Italian way
of life.
Photo:
Road going to the Amalfi Coast
Sicily
A large portion of Italian-Americans
can trace their roots back to Sicily – Italy’s largest island. If you’re
Italian-American and you’re not sure where your family hails from, there’s a
good chance that this is your ancestry’s motherland. When you visit Sicily, be
sure to see Mount Etna, the dramatic and still active volcano near the ancient
cites of Ragusa, Noto and Modica. Modica, with its soft, orange baroque
architecture is best known for the delicious chocolate that it produces.
Combine learning about your family history with ancient history in the town of
Agrigento with a visit to the Valley of the Temples. The 5th century BC ruins are set in an almond
grove with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Photo:
Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily
Food
Food is as much a part of Italian
culture as art, fashion and history are. Italians who migrated to the US in its
early days brought along their great culinary practices which have evolved over
time. The result is a separation of paths between authentic “Italian cuisine”
and what we know in the mainstream to be Italian food.
For the record, there really is no
such thing as Italian food. The culinary styles in Italy are diverse and
regionalized. What you’ll see being served in Rome will be vastly different
from what you’ll see in Venice. Also, a lot of dishes that you might recognize
as Italian in the US do not actually exist in Italy. A lot of what
Italian-Americans know as Italian food are actually creations of Italian
migrants who established food businesses when they were in the US. The
difference in the availability of ingredients and the tastes of customers in
America have compelled Italian cooks to improvise and adjust their recipes
according to local supply and demand.
For instance, you will not find
spaghetti and meatballs served together in Italy. You may get a strange look
from a waiter if you ask for chicken parmesan. You’ll definitely not want to
ask for Caesar dressing on your salad even if it seems like the right thing to
do. In Italy, olive oil and balsamic vinegar are the preferred flavorings for
fresh vegetables.
Language
I was recently chatting with a
millennial 9th-generation Roman over a plate of amatricina and he said something interesting about
Italian-Americans who visit Italy. He
explained to me that they often speak Italian with a vocabulary from 100 years
ago. Using words that now in modern Italy only bis-nonna’s use and with a degree of formality seldom heard. Think
of it as akin to someone speaking like one of our founding fathers. Also, know
that sometimes the slang or dialect you may have learned at your grandfather’s
and uncle’s knee may be infinitely more vulgar than you intend.
Your first trip to Italy will
infinitely strengthen your Italian American identity and heritage.It’s a very
special feeling that gives you a better sense of belongingness and perspective
about yourself and the world around you, Pack your bags, board that plane and
enjoy your trip to the land that gave rise to your family. Hopefully, your
first trip to Italy is just one of many more to come. Ciao!
About the Author
Priscila Siano is the Marketing
Director of Tour Italy Now,
an online tour operator specializing in Italy travel. She's a respected expert
on making dream Italy vacations a reality for clients. For more on Priscila and
her work, connect with her on Google+.
