How Italy is the Perfect Wellbeing Escape
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- July 7, 2025
Italy offers more than city breaks and sightseeing tours. It’s also a great destination for wellness-focused travellers who want more from their holidays than crowded tourist attractions and sunbeds by the pool.
If you’re wondering where to choose for your next wellbeing holiday, check out our case for Italy below.
Embrace a Slower, More Mindful Pace
Daily life in Italy moves at a slower pace than in the UK. Italians never rush meals, with lunch often stretching for hours, especially in smaller towns where the mid-afternoon lull is an essential part of the day. Locals take their time with an espresso at the local cafe without feeling the need to rush back to their desks.
In Italy, “dolce far niente,” or the sweetness of doing nothing, isn’t frowned upon. During your trip, give yourself plenty of time to relax. Avoid overstuffing your itinerary and plan days with space in them for an impromptu detour through a vineyard or simply watching the world go by on a park bench.
Restore Body and Mind in Nature
The country’s landscapes provide diverse natural settings to unwind in. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the limestone cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, each region offers stillness and breathtaking views.
The gentle slopes of the Langhe or Umbria are ideal for mindful walking, while the coastal paths of Cinque Terre offer stunning sea views, far removed from the noise of tourist attractions. To fully immerse yourself in the countryside, walking holidays in Italy are a great way to combine scenic routes with authentic cultural experiences.
Nourish Yourself with Local Food Culture
Italian cuisine is synonymous with simple yet delicious dishes. Sicily, with its staple dishes such as arancini, caponata, and pasta alla norma, was named the 2025 European Region of Gastronomy. Regardless of where you visit in Italy, you can experience markets brimming with fresh produce and hidden restaurants.
Don’t worry about following restrictive diets or limiting your calories if you want to eat healthily in Itay. The Mediterranean diet is prized for its emphasis on healthy fats, accompanied by a generous selection of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. After a meal drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, you can relax with a coffee for an hour and chat with friends without needing to rush back to the hotel.
Connect with Heritage and Community
For a more rewarding alternative to hotels and Airbnb, consider staying in an agriturismo. They are working farms that provide lodging, with many offering full meals made from locally grown produce fresh from the farm.
On some farms, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in workshops teaching traditional farming techniques that have been passed down for generations. You can get tips from artisan cheesemakers or attend cooking classes to learn about meals you won’t find in restaurants on the UK high street. Truffle hunting is another great option for getting outside and learning a new skill.
Image by G Poulsen from Pixabay
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Our Editorial Team are writers and experts in their field. Their views and opinions may not always be the views of Wellbeing Magazine. If you are under the direction of medical supervision please speak to your doctor or therapist before following the advice and recommendations in these articles.
