January 2025 • This Month In Italy With Nathan Heinrich
The Italian Holiday Season Is Almost Over And 2025 May Be The Best Year To Visit Italy In Nearly 25 Years For Several Reasons - Plus What's In Season, What I've Been Reading & Surprising Tourism Stats
- Nathan Heinrich
- January 5, 2025
Buon anno! Happy New Year!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Holiday season and that 2025 will be your best year yet!
One of the things I love most about living in Italy is the long holiday season.
Officially starting on December 8th with the “Festa dell’Immacolata” (the earliest date Italians believe one can put up a Christmas tree) the season comes to an end on January 6th with the “Epifania”.
Do you know about the traditional legend of “La Befana” in Italy?
She’s a beloved old woman who flies on a broom on the night of January 5th to bring stockings filled with coal or candy to Italian children depending on if they have been good or bad.
In the video above you can see the Befana from my city of Conegliano – often this character is portrayed by an old man dressed as “the old woman” – we love our local Befana! ♥
If you’ve never visited Italy during this month-long festive period you are missing one of the country’s most beautiful and underrated seasons.
A Stress-Free Christmas Without Any Cooking, Cleaning Or Hosting
My extended Italian family decided to start a new tradition this year – eating out together at some of our favorite local restaurants on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve – leading to one of the most stress-free and enjoyable holiday seasons ever!
After our Christmas Day lunch, we went back to Zia Rosa and Zio Gabrella’s house for some Italian desserts, many rounds of caffé, and more Prosecco.
I introduced everyone to the American tradition of “Secret Santa” and they loved “stealing” and “fighting” over their gift of choice.
Even Nonna played and had a great time!
Would Nonna Forget Me?
I was nervous about seeing 86-year-old Nonna for the first time in several months because I was worried her dementia had progressed to the point that she would have forgotten me – she’s started forgetting the names and faces of family members.
But when she saw me she smiled and said,
“Mi ricordo di te, Natan, sei Americano!”
“I remember you, Natan, you’re American!” – (she can’t pronounce the “th” in my name).
My heart melted!
As usual, when I visit with her, I asked her to tell me about her childhood growing up in the village of Altavilla near Palermo in Sicily.
As always, the memories of her family life cause her face to light up, and her hands spring into action as she describes each story in animated detail.
She told me again about the almond orchard, olive grove, lemon trees, giant carob tree, and the big vegetable garden her father faithfully tended.
“I miei genitori hanno avuto dieci figli – tre femmine sette maschi!”
(“My parents had 10 children – 3 girls and 7 boys!”)
“What are their names?”, I asked as always.
And almost before I could get the question out, she’s got her fingers up counting them off as she says each name,
“Stefano, Giuseppe, Salvatore, Nino, Domenico, Marco, Ciccio, Giuseppina, Franca e io, Cecilia!”
Then, as usual, she laughed out loud after reciting her sibling’s names and I laughed too and said, “Wow! Brava, Nonna!”, as I wondered how close to reality the images I was conjuring were to how her childhood actually looked.
Having myself grown up in a family of 9 children on a farm with almonds, lemons, a vegetable garden, and a farmer for a father, I’d like to think my imagination isn’t too far off from the reality of Nonna’s childhood.
I’m missing my dear “Gram” in California so much since her stroke a year ago left her unable to talk on the phone with me, as we used to do several times a week.
Being with my adopted Italian Nonna made me feel grateful and just a little less lonely for my own “Gram”. ♥
Why 2025 May Be The Best Year To Visit Italy In A Quarter Century
You may want to consider adding Italy to your travel plans in 2025 and the next few years.
With many economists predicting a surge in US GDP (gross domestic product) output based on reduced regulations and a more business-friendly administration, the dollar has already seen a near 10% boost against the Euro and British Sterling.
In plain English, a strong dollar and a weaker euro mean that it’s a fantastic time for Americans to travel, as well as buy property, in Italy and Europe, as dollars will go a lot farther.
At the moment the euro to dollar exchange rate is back to where it was in December of 2002 when 1 US dollar was equal to 1.03 Euros.
Although the euro dropped briefly near this point in 2022, it has been nearly 25 years since the buying power of the dollar has been this strong.
It is my humble opinion that the dollar will soon be stronger than the euro and it could stay that way for the foreseeable future – great news for American travelers and potential property buyers in Italy.
Who Travels To Italy The Most?
Can You Guess The Leading Inbound Travel Markets To Italy?
Which country would you guess can boast the greatest number of annual visitors to Italy?
If you guessed the United States, as I did, you would be wrong. Surprisingly, the correct answer is Germany.
Germans not only visited Italy in higher numbers than any other nation, but they also spent more money in Italy than any other.
For those of us who guessed the United States as being the highest source of regional travel in Italy, you were not too far off.
However, Americans actually represent the seventh-highest number of visitors to Italy.
France with 11.2 million annual visitors and Austria with 7 million visitors represented third and fourth place for tourists in Italy.
Continue reading for more interesting Italian tourism stats…
What's In Season In Italy This Month?
It seems like everywhere I look, recently, I see “Radicchio”! These colorful superfoods are in season from late fall through spring in Italy.
During our New Year’s Eve dinner at our favorite osteria, 4 out of the 6 courses included radicchio – including the fabulous fuchsia-colored risotto pictured above.
Besides being a delicious addition to salads, soups, and countless other seasonal dishes, this tasty bitter winter vegetable is full of health benefits.
Loaded full of vitamin K, antioxidants, and multiple essential minerals, radicchio helps fight many types of cancer, is anti-parasitic, and helps build healthy bones.
Give this member of the daisy family (surprisingly not the cabbage family) a try this winter! : )
What I've Been Reading...
While I’ve always admired Ina Garten’s unpretentious and approachable take on cooking, baking, and living a simply beautiful life, I never knew anything about how she became the incredible woman that she is.
Her recent memoir “Be Ready When The Luck Happens” is one of the best and most inspiring books I’ve read in quite some time!
I was so impressed by Ina’s brutal honesty, remarkable uphill journey, and endearing humor.
As I read, I found myself relating to her many struggles, setbacks, and tales of falling flat on her face!
I often share these types of stories on the “I’m Moving To Italy” podcast and it’s both refreshing and reassuring to hear that someone, who has achieved as much as Ina Garten has, didn’t get there the easy way.
I highly recommend this book to everyone – but especially to you if you’re weighing the pros and cons of a major life change or if you’re feeling paralyzed by fear of failure, as I have so often been.
This book may just give you the courage to take a leap of faith or be the encouragement you need to hold on through a challenging chapter of life.
Ina narrates the audio version of the book, which I have been listening to this week on my daily walks up to the vineyards and castle.
Hearing her tell her incredible life story in her warm familiar voice is, in my opinion, the very best way to enjoy this book.
I always liked Ina, but now I LOVE Ina! ♥
5 Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read it and let me know what you think! : )
I finally went to see the Santa Gondola Regatta in Venice this Christmas! OMG!
Travel With Us!
Let Us Help You Design Your Own Private Villa Retreat From 8 To 40 Guests
Or Join Us On One Of Our Upcoming Small- Group Retreats This Fall
Seaside Villa on the Cilento Coast
September 6th - September 14th, 2025
(flexibility on dates for private groups)
With views of the Amalfi Coast and Capri, this gorgeous seaside village has some of Italy’s most stunning emerald waters, fabulous restaurants, and Roman ruins but without the overcrowded chaos of Amalfi.
Our villa has a path to the sea, is within walking distance of the village, has a beautiful pool, lovely guest suites, and some of the best views in Southern Italy!
If you join us at this location in September, you will find that the water in the Mediterranean Sea is still warm enough to spend the day swimming.
Our local guides Alessandro and Simonetta have lived in this region most of their lives and they have some very special secret spots to share with us.
Nathan will share his favorite cliffside restaurant with you – it’s to die for.
This is an experience not to be missed!
Included Optional Day Trips:
• A Boat Ride To The Amalfi Coast & Sunset Dinner At Salvatore’s In Ravello.
• A Visit To A Local Buffalo Mozzarella Dairy – Yes Cheese Made From Buffalo Milk!
• A Trip To The Ancient Greek Ruins Of Paestum
• A Boat Trip Down The Cilento Coast
• Sunbathing And Swimming On Secret Local Beaches
Grand Villa in the Vineyards Of The Tuscan Hills
October 13th - October 21st, 2025
(flexibility on dates for private groups)
Have you always dreamed of going to Tuscany?
Maybe you’ve visited Tuscany, but you’re ready to experience a version of this incredible region that only locals know about.
Either way, you will never experience a more incredible version of the Tuscan countryside than at this spectacular villa overlooking vineyards and olive groves in the hills above Lucca.
Our local Italian friends, Vera and her husband Luca live here and they know this region better than anyone.
Vera is friends with many of the local winemakers including Italy’s oldest winery.
For a version of Tuscany that will charm and transform you with its stunning views, fabulous wine, and divine local cuisine – join us in Tuscany in October of 2025.
We can’t wait to share this remarkable place with you!
Included Optional Day Trips:
• A Day Trip & Dinner In Pisa
• Winetasting At Italy’s Oldest Wineries
• Olive Oil Tasting
• Cooking Classes From Local Italians
• A Day In Chianti / Dinner At A Fabulous Local Ristorante In Lucca
How To Book
Email Nathan Heinrich At:
Nathan will email or text you a secure payment link.
Nathan will also be available to speak to guests who have additional questions or special requests.
Or click the link below
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Pre-Scheduled Small Group Retreats Are On A First Come First Serve Basis For Room Selection and Availability – Elegant Spacious Rooms For Up To 10 guests (5 couples).
Private Retreats: We Have Villas, Palaces, And Castles Locations For Up To 40 Guests.
Email Nathan At: [email protected]
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Author Info:
Nathan Heinrich
Nathan is a writer, designer & horticulturist. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of "All Roads Lead to Italy" Magazine & host of the Top-10 Travel Podcast, "I'm Moving To Italy!". Nathan was born and raised in a 6th generation farming family in Northern California, he is currently, a dual Italian citizen, living in the Prosecco Valley of Northern Italy, near Venice.