No matter where you go in the world, people love feasting. There are holidays dedicated to gathering with your friends and family and eating tona of food. It’s just one of the main perks of the seasonal festivities, especially on holidays and the occasional birthday or wedding celebrations. However, Italy does contrast greatly with America’s occasional emphasis on dining experiences. While the day-to-day culture in America is rather fast-paced, consistently pushing excessive work instead of healthy eating and time for reflection, Italy is a community-driven society. Their daily life can consist of a meal of up to five courses, not because of holidays, but because of a genuine effort to socialize, rest and ponder life with those around them.
I remember the day I first encountered the fun surprise of a traditional Italian dinner out. I got all dolled up in my new dress, which I bought just for this trip. It was a golden brown and orange floral, picnic-style dress. It was just perfect for the schedule ahead. My class and I began the midday by meeting at a local vineyard. There we tasted grapes, wine and olive oil. We learned some insightful facts about the ingredients and their health benefits. The vineyard owner told inspiring stories, giving a fresh perspective on the hard work farmers put into supplying high-quality goods to the Urbino regions.
