No really...what do I need to wear in Italy??

 I feel like this is the stereotypical topic that ALWAYS comes up when packing for a foreign country visit...or maybe that's just among us gals. Regardless, this question is as old as time.

Just what do I need to wear in Italy?

I feel like people have the general notion that when traveling to Italy, one must dress up and look fashionable. After all, Italians are known for their fashion.

Their carabinieri police have uniforms designed by Valentino. Their Olympic teams are always the best dressed in the Parade of Nations. You can probably name half a dozen Italian designers without even trying. Heck--even the Griswolds dressed up for the Italian leg of their European Vacation:

So do you need to go out shopping before you can even pack?

The short answer: no.

While Italians can definitely be fashionable, you likely aren't going to see crowds of people strutting around in Armani. For a couple of reasons. First--if you're visiting one of the more famous citta' d'arte like Florence or Rome, you're likely to encounter tourists from all over the world--not just highly fashionable Italians. And second--Italians are just people, too. And also like to wear jeans and tshirts and sneakers. 

I will say that Italians tend, as a general rule, to look more put together. They may be wearing jeans, but they were likely ironed that morning. Their shoes will probably be higher quality and better taken care of. They often wear the more fashionable muted colors like navy and black rather than loud, bright colors. And you rarely see an Italian male without his trusty foulard--a neckerchief meant to protect his neck from the dreaded colpa d'aria, or hit of air, that can strike even in the dead of summer!

So what if you want to try to blend in a bit more, and not look like one of the throngs of tourists?

Follow some simple rules:

-When in doubt, wear black. My brother swears by this, even in L.A.

-Wear comfortable shoes (read--avoid heels, ladies, if you'll be doing lots of walking. Cobblestones and stilettos don't mix.), but make them nice-looking comfortable shoes. Low boots. Nice, clean Stan Smiths. Leather loafers.

-For those of us who wear dresses: pack an abundance of sundresses in summer months. Not only will you stay cooler, but you automatically look more "put together!" Bonus--they take up less suitcase space. NOTE! Do pack a shawl you can throw in a purse. Some churches don't allow bare shoulders. 

-Italians are starting to wear more shorts, but it's not super common. They'll usually wear long pants, even in hot summer months. This is an example of where you may wish to forego style for comfort!

In short--wear what you want. Note this photo I took in Torino a few summers ago:

A couple of things stand out here. Note the long pants on everyone, despite the 90 degree+ heat. Nice shoes, clean sneakers (although that woman is taking her life in her hands with those heels! She clearly didn't read what I wrote about cobblestones). Other than that--no serious fashion on display! 

You do you. 

Have You Ever Thought About Umbria?

Have you ever even heard of it?

Most people haven't. I never had, but then ended up with my first real job in Italy there--as a tour guide, leading hiking tours through the Marche and Umbria regions. I haven't visited in some time--years, in fact, but I'm going back there in a few weeks to visit Gubbio--and that got me thinking about writing a bit about this beautiful, lesser-known region. 

Tucked right in the middle of Italy like the delicious filling in a panino, Umbria is often called the “green heart of Italy.” Unlike its trendier neighbor Tuscany, Umbria is like that effortlessly stylish cousin who always looks fantastic but never feels the need to flaunt it. This region has no coastline—shocking, I know—but it makes up for it with rolling hills, medieval hilltop towns, and lakes so pretty they practically beg to be painted. Lake Trasimeno, for example, isn’t just Italy’s fourth-largest lake; it’s also where Hannibal (yes, that Hannibal. No--not Lector) tricked the Romans in a battle. No biggie, just ancient history served with a side of scenic views.

One of my favorite cities in this region is Perugia, a city known for two things: ancient Etruscan walls and chocolate. Every October, Perugia hosts Eurochocolate, a festival so full of cocoa delights that you’ll leave wondering if there’s such a thing as too much chocolate (spoiler: there isn’t). I love it because it's gorgeously medieval, but also has a huge school of Italian for foreigners, which draws people from all over the world. So you can drop into any bar at night, run into people from all different countries, and strike up a conversation.

And let’s not forget Orvieto, which balances atop a volcanic rock like it’s showing off. It’s famous for its white wine, Orvieto Classico, so if you find yourself perched on a terrace overlooking the countryside, glass in hand, you’re doing Umbria right. Oh, and they’ve got a 72-meter-deep well built by a pope, probably just to prove they could dig all the way to Australia if they really wanted to.

Another charming little town is Spello. And in Spello,  flowers are practically VIP citizens. Known for its Infiorata festival, Spello takes floral art to the next level. Each June, the streets are transformed into an explosion of color as locals create elaborate flower carpets that would make even Monet jealous. The whole town smells like a giant bouquet, and walking through it feels like stepping into a living, breathing work of art. Even outside of the festival, Spello doesn’t hold back—every windowsill, balcony, and alley bursts with blossoms, making this charming medieval town one of the most photogenic spots in all of Umbria.

But I'm headed to Gubbio. This medieval gem has cobblestone streets so charming you’ll feel like you’ve time-traveled back to the Middle Ages, except with Wi-Fi. Gubbio is also home to the world’s largest Christmas tree—or rather, a massive hillside decorated with thousands of colored lights to resemble one. Our friend who's invited us there for a weekend sent a photo of it from her balcony, and it doesn't disappoint. Check it out--it's 750 meters high!

If you're feeling like Tuscany has become overrun with tourists (it has), or just want to experience something new in Italy--give Umbria a try! I promise you won't be disappointed.